The new version of the Climate Directive, which is one of the pillars of European environmental policy, brings significant changes for the aviation sector. Until now, airlines have enjoyed free greenhouse gas emission allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The new rules phase out these privileges by imposing the obligation to buy allowances through market auctions. The aim is to limit air emissions and force carriers to be more responsible for pollution. The deadline for implementing the new rules expired in December 2023. Poland, despite numerous comments from the European Commission, failed to adopt the relevant regulations. RMF24 reports about this, as European Pravda writes.
The draft law is still awaiting government approval, which prompted a strong reaction from Brussels. The European Commission has referred the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union, demanding that strict sanctions be imposed on Poland.
If the country does not speed up its legislative work, it faces serious financial consequences. The court can impose both a one-time high fixed penalty and daily fines assessed for each day of further delay. In practice, this means potential losses running into millions of euros.
However, a judgment in this case is not expected for at least two years.
Previously, a similar lawsuit was also filed against Spain. In May, the Spanish government presented a draft Social Climate Plan, which provides about 9 billion euros of public subsidies to support mobility and housing.
