PM Babiš calls for pragmatic approach to Green issues ahead of EU summit

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) has called for a pragmatic approach to the green transition in a letter to European Union leaders ahead of a summit on competitiveness. In the letter, he criticises the development of prices under the ETS 1 emissions trading system and calls for the postponement of the launch of ETS 2, which would extend the system to road transport and building heating.

At a press conference after Monday’s cabinet meeting, Babiš said emissions allowances are currently harming European industry. He stressed the need for a single EU-wide target — the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Defining additional partial targets limits member states’ room for their own energy decisions and may be less effective and more financially demanding than individual approaches, Babiš said.