EU Carbon Prices Hit 5-Month Low on German Signals
2026-02-12 08:58
By
Agna Gabriel
1 min. read
EU carbon permit prices fell to €72.6 per ton, the lowest in five months, after Germany signalled openness to revising or delaying the bloc’s carbon market, raising concerns about future demand for allowances.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the system should be reconsidered if it fails to cut emissions and support industry in shifting to cleaner production, increasing expectations of policy changes.
The comments highlight rising pressure from Europe’s largest economy to ease the burden of climate rules on industrial competitiveness.
The EU already agreed last year to postpone a separate carbon market for buildings and road transport due to concerns over energy costs and public backlash.
Potential adjustments could include slowing the phaseout of free permits, altering supply controls or adding flexibility for energy intensive sectors.