Prague/Brussels – The European Commission will act on the proposal from the Czech Republic and other nations to limit the prices of new emission permits for residential heating and fuels, announced Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) to CNN Prima News today. Fiala hailed the move as a significant victory, although the Czech Republic aims to avoid introducing these emission permits altogether. A consensus has not yet been reached on this matter. Environment Minister Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL), who is in talks in Brussels today, confirmed that he received a direct assurance from European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra. The Czech Republic anticipates a response from the Commission in the coming days or weeks.
The new ETS 2 emission permit system aims to extend trading to include road transport and building heating, with a planned implementation date of 2027. The Czech Republic is among nearly twenty countries advocating for modifications to this system.
Fiala stated on CNN Prima News that based on current information, “the European Commission will comply with the request made by our coalition of 19 countries.” He assured that there should be no fear of increased costs for fuels or housing, which some estimates had warned about. Following a government meeting on Wednesday, Fiala indicated that the Czech Republic is prepared to pursue support for further modifications, delays, or the elimination of this type of permit.
The Ministry of the Environment (MŽP) reported that Commissioner Hoekstra indicated that the EC, like the Czech Republic, does not plan to accept excessively high prices and understands the concerns shared by the Czech Republic and other EU nations. The European Commission is currently scrutinizing the proposals and recommendations submitted by member states in a letter sent by Hladík on behalf of 19 countries in early July. The ministry noted that Hoekstra assured that the Commission would address these requests in a manner that alleviates concerns and implements the recommendations outlined in the Czech Republic’s letter.
“The so-called non-paper is a successful initiative from the Czech Republic, which has garnered support from 18 other member states, representing 91 percent of the EU population. In the letter, the Czech Republic requested the Commission to make fundamental changes and provide assurances that trading in emission permits will be predictable, price increases will be moderate, and there will be no negative impact on citizens,” the MŽP press release stated. (September 18)
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