Tired EU Parliament agrees carbon pricing compromise ahead of Council clash

(EurActiv, 22 Jun 2022) The European Parliament has adopted a common position on the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) reform and the bloc’s forthcoming carbon border tax (CBAM) following a compromise between the biggest parties.

Just two weeks ago, the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) pulled the rug out under the European People’s Party at the last minute, collapsing the ETS compromise crafted by rapporteur Peter Liese (EPP).

Tensions and name-calling ensued, followed by tense negotiations to find a new compromise as fast as possible to be ready for the parliament’s real fight: holding the line in talks with the Council.

It was thus a tired group of EU parliamentarians briefing the media ahead of a vote that was largely a formality following the compromise.

“I am very grateful that we have now been able to work so constructively over the last 14 days,” Liese told journalists. The ETS and the CBAM are the “biggest package of climate legislation that we have ever had,” he would later say to the plenary of the EU parliament ahead of the vote.

Four hundred and thirty-nine EU parliamentarians voted in favour of the ETS reform, while the proposed position on the Social Climate received 479 positive votes. Four hundred and fifty voted in favour of the position on CBAM.

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EurActiv, 22 Jun 2022: Tired EU Parliament agrees carbon pricing compromise ahead of Council clash