After weeks of negotiation, Poland secured a one‑year postponement of the EU Emissions Trading System Phase‑2, a move the government touts as a fulfilled promise.
Negotiations and Agreement
EU environmental ministers met for over a day, agreeing on a new 2040 target. Poland, along with the Czech Republic and Hungary, opposed the plan.
Government’s Announcement
Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared the ETS2 postponement a victory, stating the EU will roll back the 2027 start date and the European Commission must prepare a revision soon.
Minister of Climate’s Position
In a forum, Krzysztof Bolesta admitted Poland had pushed for a three‑year delay, but the negotiated outcome capped the postponement at one year, moving the start to 2028.
Implications for the 2027 Elections
The new fee, set to appear in 2028, could become a political liability since the 2027 parliamentary elections may involve the governing coalition confronting increased heating and transport costs.
Beyond the Delay: Fee Revision
Poland also seeks to limit the fee amount itself, hoping the European Commission’s revision will reduce the charges that would affect fuel and heating.
Impact on Polish Households
At a forecast fee of €45 per tonne of carbon, coal‑heated homes would face roughly a 30‑40 % price increase, while natural gas and LPG would rise by about 10 %. Over 3.5 million households still rely on coal.
Call for Preparedness
Experts emphasize that Poland must phase out coal heating, replace stoves, and invest in clean energy to mitigate ETS2’s impact and secure the timetable agreed with the EU.
