Rising Energy Costs and the Impact of the ETS Directive
The European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the upcoming building directive pose significant challenges for Polish households. During a recent conference in Brussels, MEP Daniel Obajtek emphasized the urgent need to reform the ETS to prevent thousands of Poles from falling into poverty. The directive requires buildings to become emission-free, but the costs associated with this transformation are beyond reach for many. Obajtek stressed that Poland lacks the capital for such extensive investments, particularly with ETS 2 set to increase costs even further. “We need to invest in energy efficiency, but we cannot afford these drastic measures,” he warned.
Solutions for Competitiveness and Investment
Obajtek proposed a pragmatic approach to address the issue: companies willing to invest in energy-efficient technologies should be allowed to use their ETS payments directly for these investments. This would temporarily freeze ETS certificates and subsequently cancel them after the investment process. He believes this method would accelerate green investments and support Poland’s competitiveness amidst high energy costs. “Europe needs to act swiftly,” Obajtek concluded, highlighting the necessity for reforms to ensure fair and feasible climate policies.