Poland leads coalition to reform EU emissions trading system

Poland is spearheading the formation of a coalition, referred to as a ‘climate NATO’, to advocate for reforms to the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). Led by Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska, the initiative aims to influence the integration of ETS2—which would impose fees on building heating and vehicle fuel—into the broader ETS1 reform process.

During a meeting of EU environment ministers in Luxembourg, a group of five countries, including Poland, requested that the expansion of the system to include transport and construction be addressed within the current legislative works. Poland is seeking to ensure that any such expansion remains voluntary for member states. If successful, this strategy could delay the implementation of new climate taxes; otherwise, Poland intends to push for further delays until at least 2030.

This diplomatic effort follows previous actions by ten countries, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who petitioned the European Commission to reconsider the necessity of ETS2. The reform process is expected to continue into the first quarter of next year.