Ten EU countries call for rethink of new carbon price on fuel
Ten European Union member states, including Greece, Italy and Poland, have called on the European Commission to reconsider plans to introduce a new carbon price on transport and heating fuels, warning that the measure would place an additional burden on citizens.
In a joint statement seen by Reuters, the countries urged the Commission to review the planned emissions trading system for buildings and road transport (ETS2) as part of the broader revision of the EU's carbon market, due to be presented on Friday.
"European citizens should not be facing new climate taxes in current economic and geopolitical circumstances. ETS2 should therefore be addressed directly in the revision and carefully reconsidered," the statement said.
The statement was signed by Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
The countries also called for changes to the existing emissions trading system (ETS), including greater access to free carbon allowances for industry without broad conditions. The Commission has proposed linking additional free permits to investments in decarbonisation.
The EU has already postponed the introduction of ETS2 until 2028 following concerns that the measure could increase fuel and heating costs for households.
Supporters of the scheme, including Germany and Sweden, argue it is essential to accelerating the transition to cleaner transport and heating, with revenues from the carbon pricing mechanism intended to help consumers adopt low-emission technologies.
The Commission has said it does not intend to amend the system further before its launch, although member states and the European Parliament could propose changes during negotiations on the revised legislation.
