EU weighs emergency energy measures as six states seek ETS2 delay to 2030

The European Council has called for emergency measures to address high energy costs and support European industry, prioritizing short-term interventions while maintaining the bloc's energy transition goals. The conclusions were published after midnight following difficult negotiations among EU leaders. Six member states, including Greece, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, are preparing a joint letter seeking to delay the new ETS2 emissions trading system until at least 2030, arguing current high energy prices would further burden households and businesses. The system, already postponed from 2027 to 2028, would impose costs on fuel suppliers that could be passed to consumers. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned during the summit that without significant revision of the emissions trading system, Europe risks deindustrialization. He also called for greater fiscal flexibility for member states to support vulnerable households and businesses, saying the draft conclusions did not reflect the urgency of the energy crisis.