Tomas: Tripartite Rejects ETS 2 Proposal Set to Take Effect as of 2027

Bratislava, 3 November (TASR) - The social partners have rejected the proposal for the EU emissions trading system ETS 2, which is set to apply to European households as of 2027, said Labour Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) following the tripartite (government, trade unions and employers) meeting on Monday, adding that as it is currently projected, ETS 2 will have a negative impact on both people and firms. "We agreed that such a system of emission allowances would have a significantly severe social impact on people and a huge economic impact on companies in Slovakia. Therefore, we support any steps that would lead to a revision, a reconsideration of this entire system, or its potential postponement," said Tomas. Trade Union Confederation (KOZ) president Monika Uhlerova said that emission allowances could negatively affect households at risk of poverty. At the same time, although the regulated maximum price of one allowance is €45, she fears that this ceiling may not be respected during trading on the market. The Association of Employers' Unions (AZZZ), the Slovak Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS) and the Republican Union of Employers (RUZ) also voiced their support for reconsidering the proposal for emission allowances or its potential postponement. "We support efforts to reform the ETS 2 system. There's a need to reconsider the whole system, as we believe that a suitable climate policy can be created without ruining industry in the EU. At the same time, we think that the whole emissions trading system, i.e. ETS 2, should be reconsidered at the EU level," stated RUZ secretary Martin Hostak. ko/df