Taraba: Slovakia Won't Support EU Proposal to Cut Emissions by 90% by 2040

Bratislava, 7 July (TASR) – Slovakia will not support the European Commission's latest proposal to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 90 percent by 2040, Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee) announced on social media on Monday. "These ideological proposals are more a sign that Brussels bureaucrats have completely lost touch with reality. They either have no idea about the economic threat facing European – and unfortunately also Slovak – industry, or they simply do not care," stated Taraba. Taraba noted that top representatives of the automotive industry identified three main issues during a government session that, in their view, undermine their competitiveness. These include strict emission regulations that don't apply outside the EU and increase their production costs, high energy prices, and a shortage of waste incineration facilities. "Brussels and the Slovak opposition are on the opposite side in every respect. By pushing for sanctions, they make energy more expensive; by tightening emissions rules, they weaken industry; and by attacking every attempt to build an incinerator, they are basically telling industry: don't produce here, go elsewhere," said Taraba. The EU has set a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with the Commission proposing a 90-percent reduction in emissions by 2040 when compared to 1990 levels. However, some countries, including the Czech Republic and Italy, consider this goal to be unrealistic. mf/df