Poland blocks EU tax. Freezing ETS2 could halt energy price growth for several years

• In view of the position of Poland and a number of countries, the European Council obliged the European Commission to present a proposal for a derogation of the ETS2 system.
• Poland's agenda remains to postpone the entry into force of ETS2 by three years and introduce a mechanism to limit price increases, says Paulina Hennig-Kloska.
• We want the European Union's climate policy to not negatively impact competitiveness or the situation of households. Many member states share our view," he adds.

The European Council has committed the European Commission to presenting proposals for changes to the ETS2 system . According to the Ministry of Climate and Environment, this is a major success for the Polish government, which has been working for two years to revise the mechanism adopted in early 2023.

Poland has formed a coalition of 19 countries demanding the creation of a mechanism to curb ETS2 price increases. It is also working to delay the mechanism's entry into force by three years , which will allow households and businesses time to prepare for the new regulations.

The European Council's decision on October 15th is a major success for two years of government. From the outset, we have strived to shake up the system adopted under our predecessors. The very opening of the discussion on the ETS2 revision is the result of two years of hard work by the Polish government – ​​a team from the Ministry of Climate and Environment, and Polish diplomacy.

- said Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Minister of Climate and Environment.

ETS2 is a mechanism that, according to the adopted assumptions, was supposed to come into force in 2027. It will cover additional economic sectors and may affect the costs of heating or purchasing fuels.

Its introduction will be accompanied by the creation of a Social Climate Fund, whose tasks will include combating energy poverty.

However, the government is of the opinion that the ETS2 arrangements require revision so as not to affect the situation of households.

The ETS2 mechanism was adopted under our predecessors. That was the best time for negotiations. Correcting this error requires significant effort and commitment – ​​I'm pleased that this work is yielding the desired results.

- said Paulina Hennig-Kloska.

In view of the position of Poland and a number of countries, the European Council obliged the European Commission to present a proposal for a derogation of the ETS2 system.

The summit's resolutions pave the way for a detailed discussion . Poland's agenda remains unchanged: postponing the entry into force of ETS2 by three years and introducing a mechanism to curb price increases. We want the European Union's climate policy to avoid negatively impacting competitiveness and the situation of households. Many member states share our view.

- declares Paulina Hennig-Kloska.