Slovakia Joins Call to Rethink New EU Emissions Levy

Ten EU member states, including Slovakia, have called on the European Commission to reconsider the new emissions trading system for fuels used in heating and transport, according to a joint statement seen by Reuters.

The countries are urging the Commission to review the ETS2 system as part of its upcoming revision of the Emissions Trading System (ETS). ETS2 is due to put a price on carbon emissions from heating and road transport beginning in 2028.

According to the statement, European citizens should not face additional climate-related costs given the current economic and geopolitical situation. The document was signed by Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

The signatories are also calling for broader changes to the existing ETS, including an increase in the number of free emissions allowances available to industry.

The European Commission is due to present its proposed reforms on Friday. It has already delayed the introduction of ETS2 by one year in response to concerns from member states about higher costs for consumers. Supporters of the system argue that it is essential to accelerate the transition to cleaner heating and transport. Member states will have an opportunity to propose further amendments during the legislative process.

(Reuters, bak)