🌍🛠️ EU leaders debate emissions trading system amid industry pressures

Oneliner

EU leaders are debating potential revisions to the emissions trading system (ETS) amid industry concerns about competitiveness. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that the ETS may need to be revised or suspended if it threatens industry viability. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the ETS, highlighting its benefits and the upcoming review scheduled for July. Carbon allowance prices have dropped significantly, reflecting market uncertainty about the ETS's future.

Key points

• Germany's Chancellor suggests revising or suspending the EU ETS to protect industry competitiveness.
• European Commission President von der Leyen defends the ETS, citing its benefits and upcoming review.
• Carbon allowance prices have dropped significantly, reflecting market concerns over the ETS's future.

Links

• Reuters: EU's von der Leyen defends carbon market after leaders' criticism
• La Libre: En coulisses du sommet à Anvers, avec Macron, De Wever et Merz : “L’Europe est là pour réguler, pas pour diriger”
• energia.rp.pl: System handlu uprawnianymi do emisji CO2 może być zawieszony? Niemcy nie wykluczają
• logistyka.rp.pl: Linie lotnicze nie chcą obciążeń ETS
• ANSA: Sberna, 'su Ets serve contemperare sostenibilità competitività e impresa' - Notizie - Ansa.it

Facts

• The ETS has generated €200 billion in revenue for EU national budgets since 2005.
• Carbon allowance prices fell to €73.01 per tonne on February 12, the lowest since August 2022.
• Germany's Chancellor Merz stated the ETS should not be a revenue-generating tool but a means to reduce CO2 emissions.

Quotes

• The ETS has clear benefits and existing safeguards to modulate the carbon price if it rises too high — Ursula von der Leyen
• If it is not the appropriate tool, we should be very open to its revision or at least its postponement — Friedrich Merz

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