The EU ETS2 strategy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the introduction of additional charges creates a stormy discussion in Poland and throughout Europe. The fresh rules are to cover not only manufacture but besides individual emissions, which means additional costs for households and drivers. Minister of Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz draws attention to the request to revise these assumptions, pointing to their possible negative impact on people with lower incomes.
ETS2: Key assumptions and possible problems
The ETS2 (Emissions Trading System) is expected to enter into force in 2027 or 2028, although the anticipation of delaying its implementation is not excluded. In practice, this would mean additional charges for the usage of fossil fuels in regular activities specified as cooking, heating homes or driving. However, the introduction of the strategy in its present form raises a number of concerns. Critics, including Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, rise the issue of its impact on households, especially those with lower incomes.
Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz: “ETS2 must be revised”
The Minister of Funds and Regional Policy in Donald Tusk's government powerfully criticises the current form of the ETS2. In an interview with Radio Zet, she stressed that the system's assumptions should be changed and its implementation delayed.
– I have actually been saying for a good fewer months that ETS2 needs to be revised. It means that the rules, and how they would work, should be revised, but above all it must be dismissed in time," she said.
According to the Minister, the additional financial burden, specified as the charges for the usage of combustion cars, is ‘absolutely unimportant’ in the current situation. She besides pointed out the deficiency of appropriate alternatives, specified as universal access to public transport or electrical cars.
– It is known that people should not be polluted, but how people are to go to work, to school, to a doctor from a town where there is no public transport and they do not have electrical cars. electrical cars are something beyond the scope of most of us – she added.
Climate change and social justice
Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz stressed the request to include social aspects in the energy transition. Although the emanation simplification process is necessary, it should not be at the expense of the poorest.
– Energy transformation must happen, it is good for us, but it cannot happen at the expense of the little prosperous. And today, this kind of fee would hit people with little wealth, this is absolutely ridiculous," said the minister. "For this reason, we have a conversation in the European Union to make it clear that present is the situation with these transport technologies and the availability of electrical cars. They are not widely available.
Is it possible to postpone the ETS2?
Minister Pełczyńska-Nałęcz stated that the postponement of the introduction of the ETS2 was "real, essential and necessary". She stressed that the negotiation process in the European Union gives the anticipation to change the system's assumptions so that they are more socially equitable.
Conclusion
The introduction of the ETS2 in its current form could have crucial socio-economic consequences. Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz calls for revision of the rules and postponement of implementation, pointing to the request to find solutions that will not overburden households. Whether the European Union will take these arguments into account remains an open issue, but discussion on this will surely continue.
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"Absolutely unimportant". Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz criticises ETS2
