“FAS” about Mateusz Morawiecki’s “wild attack” on emissions trading. “Warsaw has no veto right”

“Europe has now become the main arena of the fight for the climate. The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, wants to use the Fit for 55 program to make Europe an avant-garde. By 2030, CO2 emissions are to be reduced by 55%. Only if it is successful and Europe will remain prosperous, there will be followers. Only in this case is there a chance to stop the global warming, “writes Konrad Schuller in the latest edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.

The author of the comment points to the growing resistance against the climate protection program on the part of EU countries. “There is nothing strange in this. Those who want to protect the climate must increase CO2 emissions. Only when the poisoning of the atmosphere is no longer free, the owners of factories, apartments or cars will stop treating the air like a wild dump” – explains Schuller. This is the goal of European emissions trading. So far, emission allowances related to industry and energy. The Commission now wants to extend emissions trading to communication and heating.

Poland leads the resistance against emissions trading

Since many voters like free poisoning, some governments are trying to challenge the prices the EC wants to set. “Poland is at the forefront” – emphasizes the commentator and reminds that Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki launched a “wild attack” on emissions trading in “FAZ”. He warned that this system would bring Europe into its deepest crisis in a hundred years.

According to Schuller, this is an “exaggerated forecast” given the “human and economic apocalypse” that Poland experienced in the last century, including the German occupation and the overthrow of communism.

“The EU could cope with Poland alone. In matters of climate, individual countries can be voted, Warsaw has no veto” – writes Schuller.

Who is afraid of voters?

“The problem is that other governments are also afraid of voters. Spain, Hungary, the Czech Republic and, above all, France of President Macron, who wants to be re-elected next year, are afraid of the risk. There is no certainty that the Commission will push through its climate program.” – we read in “FAS”.

The author warns that if Europe fails, there will be “irreparable damage” as the EU is the world’s third polluter after China and the US.

Billions of CO2 emissions trading would be an effective measure to overcome this resistance. According to the current plan, they are to be shared between the EU and the Member States. One part is to be used to cover the debt for helping countries after the coronavirus, and the other is to go directly to citizens.

“Here lies the key. The more money people get back for more expensive gasoline and heating oil, the faster they will accept the fight for the climate. The less money goes to other goals, the better,” concludes Schuller.

.