The Riigikogu wants repeal of second emissions trading system

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said that the European Union wished to reduce the use of fossil fuels in road transport and buildings, but transposition of the Directive would entail huge administrative burden and uncertainty. “After a long and heated political debate, the Committee came to the conclusion that it is reasonable to repeal the transposition of the system or, if this is not possible in any way, to postpone it,” Tali added.

“First, Estonia has to find allies in Europe. If it is not possible to find the support needed for repeal, we can join Czechia’s and Poland’s proposals to postpone the Directive, which would require a qualified majority to be adopted. If the implementation of the system is postponed, it would be wise to use the time gained to think carefully how to implement the system in a way that is not too burdensome for Estonia and other Member States.”

The approved position sets out that if no agreement is reached to postpone or repeal the implementation of the Directive, the Ministry of Climate will have to start negotiations to launch the emissions trading system in the sectors covered by the Directive not earlier than 2028, regardless of energy prices, or to narrow the scope of the Directive by excluding road transport, in order to minimise the impact on Estonia’s economy and people’s livelihoods.

It was pointed out at the sitting that several countries had already implemented the directive. This will have dual benefits: the money from the emissions trading system that is to be allocated for reducing emissions, and the European Social Climate Fund whose resources are to be used for investments to support those most affected by the implementation of the system.

In 2021, the European Commission presented a package of climate and energy legislation, known as Fit for 55. It proposed to amend the EU Emissions Trading Directive and to extend the emissions trading system to buildings and road transport. The Directive does not regulate stove heating.

The revised positions of the Government regarding the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on a second EU emissions trading system for buildings and road transport fuels were presented by Deputy Secretary General for Green Transition at the Ministry of Climate Kristi Klaas.

The European Union Affairs Committee decided to approve the positions of the Government as amended, partially taking into account the amendments proposed by the Environment Committee and the opinion of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu wants repeal of second emissions trading system

Source: Parliament of Estonia