Flashes of common sense in a sea of European pessimism

Environmental protection and responsible behavior are trending. Not only in Brussels and among European political groups such as Progressive Slovakia, but also in companies across the old continent. Green ideals are simply attractive and sell well, especially to young people.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with everyone behaving responsibly towards the environment in which they live together with other people. However, this should be based on the convictions of individuals, not coercion by unelected officials. Otherwise, problems are bound to arise.

The European Union presents itself to the world as a climate leader, but the effect of its measures is minimal. The UN's climate model shows that efforts to achieve a zero-emission economy by 2050 will lead to a reduction in global emissions of around three percent by the end of this century. And it will only slow down the rise in global temperature by a negligible 0.04 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the economic impact of its efforts is devastating, especially for the European middle class (the poorest are to be saved, while the truly rich will not feel the impact).

Radicalization of measures

Europe's inability to compete globally has been one of the hottest topics in recent years. However, Brussels is not preparing to abolish emission allowances, which inflate costs for domestic industry. On the contrary, it is addressing its own problem by imposing customs duties (from January 1, 2026) on imports of iron, cement, fertilizers, and electricity, the production of which is not subject to carbon emissions taxes abroad.

The aim is to put pressure on producers outside the EU to limit their carbon emissions. However, although customs duties may motivate some companies that are dependent on the European market to invest in more environmentally friendly production, in practice, an increase in the prices of imported goods is more likely.

Certainly, foreign production will no longer have such an advantage over European production, but ultimately it will be the consumer (especially those who need basic materials for production) who will pay the price and be left holding the bag.

However, it is not only the presence of carbon tariffs that shows that Brussels is not going to give up its fight against windmills.

In 2025, it tightened its climate target for reducing emissions. The European Union has set a harsh trajectory – to date, it has managed to reduce emissions by approximately 37 percent, and by 2030, this figure is set to rise to 55 percent. It has now committed to reducing emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.

Even the automotive industry has not been able to avoid considering more radical goals in the past year, with quotas on the table for companies that purchase new cars for their corporate fleets. Originally, it was said that companies would not be able to purchase any vehicles with combustion engines after 2030, but currently, information is spreading that at least 90 percent of purchased cars should be emission-free.

A glimmer of optimism in a sea of pessimism

Similar subtle reassessments are positive flashes of common sense. There have been more of them in recent months.

The emissions allowance system for households was originally supposed to take effect in 2027, but it has been postponed by a year.

Similarly, following a wave of resistance from some member states (including Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland), the target of reducing emissions by 90 percent by 2040 has been amended to allow countries to meet five percentage points of the target through investments in green projects outside the EU.

Finally, there is the Commission's recent proposal to open the door to combustion engines in European cars even after 2035 – especially in plug-in hybrids or vehicles running on biofuels and similar carbon-neutral alternatives.

A few changes towards flexibility do not mean any victory – such steps are merely concessions. Necessary adjustments a few minutes before disaster strikes. Nevertheless, it will be a positive scenario if these minor patches with a touch of political and economic realism increase in the new year.

Otherwise, the old continent will go round in circles. Continuing to treat only the symptoms of its economic malaise. And not the disease and its causes.