Fuel prices in Cyprus are set to go up again in 2027, in harmonisation with an EU directive on emissions trading, the House environment committee heard on Wednesday.

Chairman of the committee Charalambos Theopemptou told reporters that all fuel was now to be included in the greenhouse emission trading system, with the exception of that used in agriculture.

The committee discussed a harmonisation bill for the second phase of the system, as well as an EU decision for the operation of a market stability reserve for the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system.

Theopemptou said the cost of fuel trading was currently €200 million and would continue to rise.

MPs said consumers would be paying the increase, reaching as much as 13.5 cents per litre of vehicle fuel and 16 cents per litre of heating fuel.

The members of the committee blamed the government for failing to develop alternatives that would allow a reduction of emissions and called for the climate fund to be used so that consumers would not bear the brunt.

Theopemptou said that, instead of public transport improving, the number of cars on the road was rising, for which he blamed the governments which continued to build roads for private vehicles.

Cyprus, he said, was the third highest in the EU for per capita vehicles.

He added that Cyprus was worse off than the EU average regarding energy poverty and thus the state must help people upgrade their heating systems.