Estonia, France, Germany and Spain call for softening of ETS reform

Estonia has joined France, Germany and Spain in appealing to the European Commission to modify its plans for reforming the EU's emissions trading system (ETS). The four countries are seeking greater flexibility in implementing the EU's primary climate policy instrument.

Estonia has joined three major European powers — France, Germany and Spain — in calling on the European Commission to revise its plans for reforming the EU's emissions trading system (ETS). In a joint statement, the four countries are requesting greater flexibility in implementing the EU's central climate policy instrument.

The ETS is the European Union's primary mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, setting emission caps for industrial companies, energy producers and other major polluters, and allowing them to trade emission quotas with one another. The system has undergone several rounds of reforms over the years, but the current proposals for change have sparked resistance among several member states.

The four countries' joint initiative aims to prompt the Commission to review its reform plans to make their implementation less burdensome for companies and markets. The strong participation of major economies lends considerable weight to this demand before the European Commission.