As the House of Representatives' Environment Committee learned on Wednesday, fuel prices in Cyprus are set to rise again in 2027 in line with an EU directive on emissions trading.

Committee Chairman Charalambos Theopemptou told reporters that from now on all fuels would be included in the greenhouse gas emissions trading system, with the exception of fuels used in agriculture.

The committee discussed a harmonisation draft for the second phase of the system and an EU decision on the operation of a market stability reserve for the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system.

Theopemptou said the cost of fuel trading currently stands at 200 million euros and will continue to rise.

The MPs said consumers would have to pay for the increase, which would amount to up to 13.5 cents per litre of fuel and 16 cents per litre of heating oil.

The committee members accused the government of not developing alternatives to reduce emissions and called for the use of the climate fund so that consumers do not have to bear the brunt of the burden.

Theopemptou said that instead of improving public transport, the number of cars on the roads is increasing, blaming governments for continuing to build roads for private vehicles.

Cyprus, he said, has the third highest vehicle fleet per capita in the EU.

He added that Cyprus is worse off than the EU average in terms of energy poverty and that the government must therefore help people modernise their heating systems.


Source: CyprusMail.com
Author: Rebekka Gregoriades