Twelve European climate advisory councils have jointly warned that weakening the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) would backfire by prolonging fossil fuel dependence and increasing long-term costs. The councils, led by the Dutch Scientific Climate Council, sent a letter to EU co-legislators pushing back against efforts from member states like Italy and Poland to delay or dilute carbon pricing expansion. The letter specifically opposes concessions that would weaken carbon pricing for power and industrial sectors or delay its expansion to buildings and road transport, which is currently scheduled for 2028. The councils argue that high energy prices are being used as a pretext to weaken the system, but that doing so would leave Europe more vulnerable to future fossil energy crises. The debate comes as the EU revises its ETS, with some governments pushing for delays due to current energy costs. The councils maintain that maintaining strong carbon pricing is essential for both climate goals and long-term economic resilience.
