Czech companies forming an alliance to push carbon neutrality

Many Czech companies are switching to lower-carbon operations and have formed a new alliance to accelerate the transition. The Alliance for an Emission-Free Future aims to facilitate decarbonization so Czech firms can reduce emissions without losing competitiveness, reports Czech Television.

"We want to de-ideologize discussions about the European Green Deal in Czech society," said Jan Juchelka, president of the alliance. Members include energy conglomerate ČEZ and Plzeňská teplárenská, major energy providers transitioning away from coal.

ČEZ plans to end coal use by 2030 and convert heating plants to natural gas by 2029, said chief of the company Daniel Beneš. Plzeňská teplárenská aims to decarbonize by 2030 as well, according to CEO Václav Pašek. The changes will cost tens of billions of crowns.

"Subsidies can help significantly if targeted at sectors that deliver big emissions cuts," said Martin Sedlák of the Association of Modern Energy. Czech solar and wind power have grown in recent years and could expand further.

The Czech Republic aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through renewable energy, energy efficiency, and emissions reductions. The new alliance will promote the transition to lower-carbon technologies while preventing loss of competitiveness, members said.