In a momentous shift in climate policy, Poland’s newly-elected government is poised to advocate for a substantial reduction in the European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions, urging the bloc to adopt a plan targeting a 90 percent cut by 2040. This transformative stance was articulated by Urszula Zielińska, the Secretary of State at Poland’s Climate and Environment Ministry, during an informal meeting of EU environment ministers in Brussels. The move reflects Poland’s departure from its historical resistance to stringent climate measures, presenting a significant development ahead of the European Commission’s roadmap release on February 6.
Zielińska emphasized the critical need for the European Union to “embrace ambitious targets,” specifically advocating for a 90 percent reduction in emissions by 2040, as recommended by the EU’s Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change. The approach, she noted, should be “constructive” and consider the social aspects associated with such drastic emission reduction measures. This bold stance places Poland among a select few EU members supporting such a substantial emissions cut.
While only Denmark has explicitly backed a 90 percent reduction target to date, Poland, under its new government led by Donald Tusk, is cautiously approaching the proposal constructively. Zielińska affirmed the government’s commitment to doing everything within its power to achieve the target if it gains EU-wide agreement. This signifies a departure from Poland’s past role in obstructing EU climate action, often observed during the rule of the nationalist Law and Justice party.
Zielińska’s statements underscored Poland’s commitment to shedding its historical role as a blocker of EU climate initiatives. She asserted that the new government recognizes the urgency of addressing climate challenges, signaling a departure from previous trends. The government’s commitment is framed as a collective effort, emphasizing that “we’re in it together,” and expressing Poland’s readiness to elevate its climate action efforts for the greater good.
In addition to supporting ambitious emission reduction targets, Zielińska expressed the intention to persuade the government to formally endorse climate neutrality by 2050. Notably, every EU member country, excluding Poland, has already endorsed this target. Furthermore, the government is set to establish a new “end date” for coal, a departure from current plans that project coal mines in Poland shutting down in 2049.
Poland’s push for an ambitious 2040 EU climate target signifies a profound shift in the country’s climate policy and a departure from its prior obstructionist role. The cautious yet constructive approach, underlining the government’s commitment to collective climate action, positions Poland as a proactive contributor to the EU’s climate goals. As Poland aligns itself with ambitious emission reduction targets and contemplates climate neutrality, its evolving stance holds significance in the broader context of international climate cooperation, setting a positive tone for the nation’s future climate endeavors.
