Draft law (667 SE) for the third reading amending the Atmosphere Protection Act and other laws (partial transposition of amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Directive)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
Date: 2025-09-17 17:12
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 18
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 18/18 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The session began with the third reading of Draft Bill 667, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Atmospheric Air Protection Act and other acts (partial transposition of amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading System Directive). Conflicting positions of the parliamentary groups were voiced during the debate.
The opposition (Isamaa, EKRE, Centre Party) sharply criticized the draft bill. Andres Metsoja (Isamaa) highlighted poor legal practice, citing the retroactive payment obligation and the lack of legal certainty. He emphasized that the faulty transposition of EU law would burden Estonian companies (e.g., in the forestry and peat sectors) to such an extent that they would be forced out of competition. Tarmo Tamm (Eesti 200), in contrast, supported the draft bill, stressing that it regulates CO2 emissions in European maritime shipping equally across all member states, offering certainty to Estonian companies and contributing to the achievement of cleaner environment goals. Lauri Laats (Centre Party) added that 'green zealotry' places European companies at a disadvantage in global competition (e.g., with China). After the debate was closed, the final vote was held.
Decisions Made 1
Draft Act 667, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Atmospheric Air Protection Act and other acts, was adopted as an Act with 49 votes in favor (22 against, 0 abstentions).
Most Active Speaker
Andres Metsoja (Isamaa, right-wing) was the most active speaker, presenting detailed criticism against the draft bill, focusing on retroactive taxation and the damaging effect on the competitiveness of Estonian companies.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller introduced the third reading of Draft Bill 667, which addresses the amendment of the Atmospheric Air Protection Act and other acts, and partially transposes the amendments to the directive on the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system. Negotiations were then opened on behalf of Andres Metsoja of the Isamaa faction.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller opened the first item on Wednesday's agenda—the third reading of Draft Act 667, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Ambient Air Protection Act for the transposition of the directive on the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system—and gave the floor to Andres Metsoja of the Isamaa faction to begin the debate.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja of the Isamaa party sharply criticizes draft bill 667, citing poor legal practice characterized by the introduction of retroactive payment obligations and a lack of legal certainty. He further emphasizes that the bill restricts entrepreneurial freedom and distorts competition, excessively burdening Estonian producers (e.g., in the peat and forestry sectors) due to the flawed transposition of European Union law. For these reasons, the party calls for the bill not to be supported.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja stated that draft bill 667 SE creates a retroactive payment obligation, constitutes poor legal practice, burdens businesses, and is not in line with Estonia's position regarding the transposition of European Union law. Therefore, Isamaa does not support this draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Tarmo Tamm represents the Estonia 200 faction and requests the floor.
Tarmo Tamm
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tarmo Tamm called for support for Draft Law 667, which regulates CO2 emissions in European maritime transport, arguing that abandoning fossil fuels and implementing unified rules will bring economic benefits to Estonia and the entire European Union. He claimed that objections raised by businesses are unfounded, since fees can be reduced with lower emissions, and in this context, accompanying subsidies are also possible with the support of Switzerland.
Tarmo Tamm
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tarmo Tamm firmly supports draft law 667, which regulates CO2 emissions in European maritime shipping, emphasizing that the transition to a bioeconomy and a cleaner environment is economically beneficial for both Estonia and the EU, and will reduce dependence on fossil fuels sourced from dictatorial regimes. He simultaneously refutes the opposition’s claims that the bill would harm businesses and calls on everyone to support this fully justified proposal.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller granted Rain Epler, the representative of the EKRE faction, the opportunity to make an immediate statement.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invited Rain Epler to speak on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He said that he didn't press the button intentionally, the fiasco with the remote controls is ongoing, and the draft law is bad and must be voted against.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler emphasized that even though the technical problems with the voting devices continue, and he himself did not consciously press the button, the substance of the draft law is poor and a 'no' vote must be cast against it in any case.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller, having confirmed that no one else wished to take the floor, granted the floor to Lauri Laats, the representative of the Centre Party faction, for an intervention from the floor.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invited Lauri Laats to speak on behalf of the Centre Party Faction.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats stated that his faction does not support the bill because it fails to support business and sustainability and could harm Estonian interests due to global impacts.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats stressed that their faction does not support the draft bill under consideration, as it fails to ensure the sustainability or competitiveness of businesses. He sharply criticized the pan-European 'green dogmatism' (or 'green zealotry') which, he argued, has put a straitjacket on Europe and is globally detrimental.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller declared the debates closed and put Bill 667 to the final vote. This bill is the Act amending the Atmospheric Air Protection Act and other Acts, initiated by the Government of the Republic (partial transposition of the amendment to the directive on the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller closed the debate and, at the proposal of the lead committee, conducted the final vote in the Riigikogu on the Act amending the Ambient Air Protection Act and other Acts (Draft 667), initiated by the Government of the Republic, which concerns the partial transposition of the directive on the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Parliament passed the bill into law: 49 votes in favor, 22 against, 0 abstentions.