Commissioner Roswall, in a written answer on 3 July 2026, defended the EU's legal framework on nature protection and carbon leakage against concerns raised over lignite mining near a Natura 2000 site in Greece and potential circumvention of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The answer, responding to a question from MEP Maria Zacharia (NI), signals that the Commission views the Greek authorities as primarily responsible for enforcing the Habitats Directive at the Achlada site, while insisting that CBAM already addresses the risk of carbon leakage from electricity imports originating from North Macedonia.
The question highlighted extensive habitat alterations at the Natura 2000 site 'Mount Voras (Kaimaktsalan)' (GR1340004) due to lignite mining, inadequate restoration, and the export of lignite to North Macedonia for electricity generation that is then re-imported into the EU. Roswall noted that the site is designated under the Birds Directive and that any plans or projects likely to have significant negative effects must undergo an appropriate assessment under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive, with exceptions only under Article 6(4). The Commission, however, refrained from announcing any new investigation into the specific Achlada case, instead pointing to an ongoing infringement procedure (INFR(2014)2260) launched in June 2025 against Greece for failing to establish conservation measures for 239 Natura 2000 sites, following a 2020 Court of Justice ruling (C-849/19).
On the carbon leakage concern, Roswall stated that CBAM already covers electricity imports from North Macedonia, with embedded emissions calculated based on the actual emission intensity of the third country's electricity mix, including lignite. The answer did not propose any additional checks or amendments to the ETS-CBAM framework, suggesting the Commission considers the existing mechanism sufficient. This stance may reassure EU electricity producers subject to carbon costs but could leave environmental NGOs and some MEPs unsatisfied, as the answer offers no new enforcement measures for the Greek site and no tightening of CBAM rules. The Commission's reliance on existing infringement procedures and CBAM methodology indicates a cautious, procedural approach rather than a new policy initiative, with no immediate institutional follow-up announced beyond the ongoing infringement case.