EU must be 'honest' about Green Deal: Poland

Spanish Market: Emissions
22/01/25

The EU must undertake a "full and very critical" review of the bloc's Green Deal, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk told the European Parliament.

Tusk outlined Warsaw's view on climate and energy policies during the country's recently-started six-month presidency of the EU's council of ministers.

"If we go bankrupt no-one will care about the world's environment any more," Tusk said, calling for an honest, full and "very critical review of all regulations, including those arising from the Green Deal". Launched in 2019 under the previous European Commission term, also led by president Ursula von der Leyen, the Green Deal was adopted in 2023 and notably included revisions of the emissions trading system (ETS) to support a steeper 55pc reduction in the bloc's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030.

Tusk wants any review to identify and change EU laws that may lead to higher energy prices. "There is, for example, the issue of ETS 2 in front of us," he said, singling out the separate trading system covering emissions from road transport and heating fuels, which is scheduled to launch in 2027.

"I would also ask you to reflect deeply, critically and bravely on the consequences of introducing ETS 2 at such a rapid pace," he told parliament. Poland holds the EU council presidency until the end of June.

Any legal changes to the ETS would require a majority within parliament and a qualified majority of the 27 EU member states. But several, including France, Germany, Sweden and Austria, have been outwardly reluctant to tweak climate legislation and delay the introduction of the ETS 2.

"Our union will only survive if we continue to implement the Green Deal, the sole instrument capable of ensuring the survival of our planet," warned Spanish MEP Iratxe Garcia, leader of parliament's second largest group, the centre-left S&D.

By Dafydd ab Iago

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