Six EU member states call for more free emission allowances for industry

In a letter sent to the European Commission, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Greece and Slovakia are calling for increased free emissions allowances for energy-intensive industries, provided they commit to electrification. The signatory countries argue that smaller and mid-sized EU economies have been particularly hard hit by the energy crisis and that the EU Emissions Trading System places a heavy burden on the competitiveness of European companies.The six countries specifically criticise a recent Commission decision to channel free allowances toward certain industries at the expense of others, notably fuel and heat production. Northern European countries, which are more advanced in decarbonisation, did not join the initiative.