Poland gets CO2 cuts compromise at EU summit
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
24.10.2014 09:43
Poland's PM Ewa Kopacz has said EU leaders have agreed a CO2 cuts compromise deal between countries relying heavily on coal and those willing to make deeper reductions to greenhouse gasses.
New Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz (C) is welcomed by delegates prior to the start of the EU Summit at the EU Council headquaters in Brussels, Belgium, 23 October: photo - EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
In the early hours of Friday, outgoing president of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, tweeted: "Deal! At least 40% emissions cut by 2030. World's most ambitious, cost-effective, fair #EU2030 climate energy policy agreed ."
The 28-nation bloc agreed CO2 cuts of 40 percent by 2030, compared with 1990 levels, but offered to compensate poorer nations like Poland, who rely on coal for around 90 percent of its energy needs, making the cuts less expensive for industry.
Ewa Kopacz (top left) with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy (2-R) - who will be replaced by former Polish PM donald tusk in December - accompanied by his grand children and EU leaders during the group photocall at the EU Summit at the EU Council headquaters in Brussels, Belgium, 23 October: photo - EPA/JULIEN WARNAND
Under the deal, Poland will be able to transfer emission permits to power sector firms free of charge, which should guarantee that electricity prices do not grow, Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz said.
Poland had earlier threatened to veto any move by the EU that would increase electricity prices.
The summit also decided on a reserve fund financed from 2 percent of overall carbon emission allowances, in order to finance energy sector investments.
According to unofficial data quoted by the Polish Press Agency (PA) Poland will receive a total of 7.5 billion zloty from this source by 2030. (pg/kw)