Minister Kurtyka has expressed his gratitude to the IEA for drafting the special report World Energy Outlook on sustainable economic recovery.

This is one of the first, if not the first complex assessment of the damages caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the energy sector, containing guidelines on  specific politics, economic recovery, creating jobs and reducing emissions - that is exactly what we - the policy-makers - need at this point - he stressed.

Michał Kurtyka, the Minister of Climate informed that Poland strives to ensure that environmental, economic and social objectives are combined in the implemented measures. 

The coronavirus pandemic requires us to seek for solutions allowing to stimulate the economy. We also have the ambition to ensure that the economic recovery brings new paths for development and green growth. Our goal to reach the maximum number of citizens with our support - said the Minister.

Minister Kurtyka has stressed the importance of large-scale investment - Poland has prepared a package of green investments with a total value of PLN 7.8 billion, consisting of 26 various programmes ranging from electromobility, projects related to efficient energy use, constructing wind farms, up to the modernisation of heating systems.

As the Minister pointed out, the crisis related to the pandemic has made the energy transformation more difficult, but has not changed Poland’s approach, as it continues to reduce the emissions generated by its economy.

Poland is a great example of direct involvement of citizens in electric power generation from renewable sources. Promoting photovoltaics caused the power output to increase by 176% throughout the year. Out of the total power output of photovoltaics amounting to 2GW, prosuments generate up to 1.5 GW. That is also the effect of launching the “My Electricity” programme in 2019 with a total budget of PLN 1 billion for the support of photovoltaic farms in Poland. The programme is also our way of raising environmental awareness of Polish citizens - he stressed.

In Poland, the initial 1GW of photovoltaics took 8 years, another 1GW took just 8 months. That shows the growth dynamics of the industry. We need to sustain it to ensure jobs and economic growth - he added.

In Minister Kurtyka’s opinion, the pandemic has a strong impact on economies, and the decreased investment capability of companies and homes makes the transition to environmentally neutral economy even more difficult, in particular in the case of countries with lower capital.

During this economically difficult time, we must ensure that our actions shall not generate additional costs. We need to ensure that creating jobs becomes a priority, in particular in the regions which were the most negatively affected by the effects of the pandemic and with the greatest potential of reducing emissions. Transition towards clean energy with higher employment rate in the RES industry is going to create a need for a more diverse workforce and will thus give opportunities to people with different skills and qualifications - he stressed during the meeting.

In the Minister’s opinion, energy transition must be carried out in justice and solidarity.

Ensuring just transition, in particular with regards to regions which are highly depended on mineral fuels, is a prerequisite for a successful environmental policy. We are under an obligation to develop solutions ensuring that no person is left without support - added Minister Kurtyka.

Just transition ensuring social inclusion is even more important today, when the risk of energy poverty is particularly high. Access to safe, affordable and sustainable energy is of key importance, with the inclusion of clean energy - he pointed out.

Minister Michał Kurtyka has also pointed out that sustainable economic recover requires international cooperation and solidarity.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of countries which account for 80% of the global energy use and the global carbon emissions, the members of IEA Family - including the IEA Members States and Associated States, the United Nations Secretary-General, IRENA, the European Commission as well as representatives of business and NGOs.