A coalition of ten EU member states, including Italy and Poland, has formally asked the European Commission to reconsider the planned ETS2 carbon price on heating and transport fuels. The group argues that new climate taxes are inappropriate under current economic and geopolitical conditions. The ETS2 is scheduled to launch in 2028 but has already been delayed by a year due to similar concerns. The signatories also want more free CO2 allowances for industrial sectors without strict decarbonization investment conditions. The Commission has said it will not make further changes before launch, but the ten countries have enough votes in the EU system to block amendments. This creates a standoff between supporters who say the carbon price is needed to drive clean energy adoption and opponents who fear higher consumer costs. The outcome of this review could reshape the EU's carbon market expansion and affect how quickly the bloc transitions to cleaner cars and home heating. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between climate targets and economic reality in European policy.
