Poland has initiated legal challenges against one of the European Union’s key climate policies at the Court of Justice, targeting the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the revised EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).
The Polish government asserts that the CBAM, designed to tax carbon-intensive imports, should have undergone unanimous voting instead of qualified majority voting. A second challenge addresses the changes to the ETS, particularly the Market Stability Reserve, claiming that it violates energy solidarity principles by reducing greenhouse gas emission allowances.
Poland’s opposition to the EU’s “Fit for 55” climate package, aiming for a 55% emissions reduction by 2030, stems from its heavy reliance on coal for electricity production. The country’s legal objections extend to measures such as the ban on internal combustion engine car sales by 2035 and increased greenhouse gas targets. These challenges reflect Poland’s concerns about the impact of these policies on its economy and energy security.