“Today’s vote in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee will strengthen the position of all those countries, like Poland, opposed to climate policy tightening in times of crisis. A mobilisation of forces in the Environment Committee and plenary now awaits us, but the project can no longer be treated as self-evident.” – according to Konrad Szymanski MEP (ECR) from the industry committee.

“Today’s vote in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee will strengthen the position of all those countries, like Poland, opposed to climate policy tightening in times of crisis. A mobilisation of forces in the Environment Committee and plenary now awaits us, but the project can no longer be treated as self-evident.” – according to Konrad Szymanski MEP (ECR) from the industry committee.

The amendment tabled by Konrad Szymanski, calling for the rejection of the so-called back loading (temporary withdrawal of 900 million allowances), was supported by 42 MEPs, with 18 MEPs voting to keep it.

“The tightening of climate policy in times of crisis is an irresponsible action against industry. Member States negotiated a difficult trade-off in 2008. Changing the rules during the game is an irresponsible market change in favour of manual control by bureaucrats in Brussels. This would be at a great cost and another big expense for the industry in times of crisis.”- said Konrad Szymanski.

In the final vote, 32 MEPs supported rejecting the Commission’s proposal, 14 voted in favour, 11 abstained.

The Commission proposal, which amends the Directive 2003/87/EC (EU ETS Directive) aims at modifying the provisions on the timing of auctions of greenhouse gas allowances. It will be voted in February by the Environment Committee and later this Spring will be put to vote in the plenary.