Across Europe, calls to slow down or weaken climate policies are gaining momentum. At the same time, evidence demonstrates that these policies are good for the economy and for the citizens. As ETS2 (the new emission trading system for buildings and road transport) and the use of its revenues move closer to implementation, the challenge […]
August brought important developments for both the implementation and future direction of European climate policy. Across Central and Eastern Europe, governments continued working on Social Climate Plans, EU funding and energy policy, but progress remained uneven. At the same time, concerns over energy affordability, economic competitiveness and energy security continued to shape national debates. At […]
Developments across Central and Eastern Europe in July showed how energy security, extreme weather, and concerns over energy prices are increasingly influencing discussions around climate policy. While some countries moved forward with Social Climate Plan (SCP) preparations and access to EU funding, political resistance to ETS2 remained strong in parts of the region. At the […]
Developments across Central and Eastern Europe in June highlighted the growing contrast between countries making gradual progress on ETS2 implementation and Social Climate Plans (SCPs), and those where political priorities or institutional uncertainty continue to slow preparations. At the same time, governments increasingly turned their attention to wider energy security and public funding issues, while […]
The EU’s new Emissions Trading System for buildings and road transport (ETS2), launching in 2028, will gradually increase the cost of fossil fuels for heating and transport while generating funding to support the clean energy transition. But what will this mean for households across Central and Eastern Europe? In a new interview published by EUKI, […]
The report examines how six Central and Eastern European countries – Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia – have responded to the 2026 fossil fuel price shock triggered by geopolitical tensions while preparing for the delayed implementation of ETS2. It finds that most governments have relied on short-term measures such as fuel tax reductions, […]
Political developments across Central and Eastern Europe continue to shape the implementation of climate and energy policies, particularly regarding ETS2, Social Climate Plans (SCPs), national recovery funding, and preparations for the next EU budget cycle. Several countries in the region have recently experienced political transitions. In Hungary, a new government took office in May, prioritising […]
Recent political developments across Central and Eastern Europe are increasingly shaping the future of climate and energy policy, particularly around ETS2, Social Climate Plans (SCPs), and public funding priorities. In Hungary, the opposition TISZA party led by Péter Magyar won the parliamentary elections with a constitutional majority, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year period in power. The […]
We invite to read two new insightful articles from Clean Air Action Group (Hungary). Katalin Tarr explores Hungary’s energy landscape following the recent elections. She examines how decades of state-backed energy subsidies — particularly Viktor Orbán’s “utility price cuts” policy — have created political and economic dependence on artificially low energy prices. While these measures […]
New thematic report examines how Central and Eastern European countries can prepare for the introduction of ETS2 and the Social Climate Fund (SCF). The report analyses key risks, opportunities and policy recommendations across Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovenia. ETS2 will extend carbon pricing to buildings and road transport, while the Social Climate Fund […]
