Latvia will transpose directives regulating operation of EU emissions trading systems

RIGA - The Saeima in a third attempt on Thursday adopted amendments to the Pollution Law in the second or final reading, which provide for the transposition of EU directives regulating the European Union (EU) Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) and the Emission Trading Scheme for buildings, transport and ancillary sectors (ETS2).

As many as 51 MPs voted in favor of the bill, while 42 voted against it.

The parliament did not act on the bill in the previous two weeks because the coalition was unable to secure a quorum.

Earlier, the bills were postponed several times, with Kaspars Briskens (Progressives), chairman of the Saeima national economy, rural, environmental and regional policy committee, responsible for the bill, pointing out that they needed clarifications.

Before the vote, Climate and Energy Minister Kaspars Melnis (Greens/Farmers), addressed the MPs. He pointed out that the draft law does not plan to take on new responsibilities, but to provide an opportunity to find additional European funding if an entrepreneur wants to invest in new technologies and develop the Latvian economy.

Aleksandrs Kirsteins spoke against the bill. He said that before deciding, someone from the government should come and explain how the "economic surge" will come from this bill. At the same time, he expressed confusion as to what the main purpose of the bill was.

Andris Kulbergs (United List) called on the Cabinet to coordinate with Lithuania, Estonia and Poland, to turn to Brussels and task them to review the security situation in the region, and then to postpone the climate targets, not cancel them. Edgars Tavars (United List) also pointed out that all resources should be invested in security at the moment, so achieving these "green targets" should be frozen.

Climate and Energy Minister Melnis told LETA that Latvia, being in the EU, must not fail to transpose EU directives, and that if it did not adopt amendments to the Pollution Law, the country already faced a fine of at least EUR 300 million.

He explained that three infringement procedures have been launched against Latvia. In addition, Latvia should already be liable to fines for not adopting the draft law on pollution, as the deadline for adoption has been delayed.

The draft bill is designed to improve and update the climate policy framework for the operation of the ETS in Latvia, while at the same time updating the content of the law.