Slovakia has made progress in recent years in the reduction of emissions and the increase of energy efficiency, although it will face several challenges, European Commission Vice-president Maroš Šefčovič stated as part of the discussion on the EU’s Fit for 55 measures. The challenges will concern preparing the labour force for new trends, the development of hydrogen and battery technologies and a more streamlined use of EU Funds.
Changes to be brought about by Fit for 55 will significantly burden household budgets in Slovakia. Šefčovič underlined that the European Commission has established a climate fund to avert energy poverty, with up to €1.7 billion of the fund resources earmarked for Slovakia.
According to the Slovak Deputy Environment Minister Michal Kiča, the most difficult challenge in regard to the changes will be not to lose public support for carrying out these ambitious, yet inevitable goals.
Every reform comes with a cost and there are always winners and losers, according to Chair of the Parliamentary Economy committee Peter Kremský. He emphasised that the reforms must be sensible and cannot be conceived only to follow some indicators blindly.
