Highlights: 

• Poland opposed the 90% emission reduction target by 2040, proposing a more flexible approach. 
• Among others, offsets of up to 10 %, a review clause and defence exemptions have been proposed. 
• The vote was referred to the European Council level due to the coalition of states. 
• The EU confirmed the 2030 and 2050 climate targets in the statement to the UN Assembly. 
• Poland supports and implements climate policy, but it has opposed the adoption of the intermediate emission reduction target for 2040 as proposed by the EC.  

The revision of climate law must be comprehensive – it cannot focus solely on climate protection, but must also address the competitiveness of the European economy. Poland strives for flexible and fair solutions and for additional time to develop them. Therefore, together with other countries, we have formed a coalition that postponed the vote and led to transferring the discussion to the European Council level

– said Krzysztof Bolesta, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment. 

Poland supports and implements climate policy, but it has opposed the adoption of the intermediate emission reduction target for 2040 as proposed by the EC.  

It advocates adjusting the proposal to realistic reduction opportunities and economic conditions. Poland supports solutions that are flexible and foster meeting climate commitments so that the target is realistic and feasible. 

Polish proposals included:

• a possibility of accounting for emissions through cost-effective reductions outside the EU (offsets) of up to 10%, 
• introduction of a review clause, 
• exclusion of defence production from the ETS, 
• fair burden sharing between Member States. 

Statement on the EU NDC 

At the ENVI Council meeting, Member States reached the consensus on the joint statement on the future declaration of the European Union under the Paris Agreement. 

The statement, prepared in view of the upcoming UN General Assembly, highlights the achievements of the EU climate policy to date. The EU confirms that it remains on track to achieve its targets: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% until 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. 

The declaration also announces that the decision on the new declaration to the Paris Agreement will be adopted before the COP30 climate summit.