At the October EU summit, Italy and the Visegrad countries pushed to delay ETS2, arguing that carbon costs are hurting energy-intensive industry. They did not get a postponement. Instead, the final conclusions ask the European Commission to update its assessment of ETS2 impacts, including design and safeguards, while reaffirming the ETS as the main carbon pricing tool. The compromise language also calls for a well-functioning carbon market, protection against carbon leakage, and measures to reduce carbon price volatility and its effect on electricity prices. That leaves the 2028 ETS2 start date untouched, but it opens the door for member states to argue for extra safeguards before implementation.
