Minister Kurtyka pointed out that the challenges arising from the European Green Deal go beyond the traditional area of interest of climate policy and affect the energy sector, which is why a comprehensive approach to this topic is necessary.

“Achieving climate neutrality is an unprecedented challenge. We need to change the way we produce energy, move, live and produce food. Energy, transport, industry, agriculture, waste management – we are facing radical changes affecting the everyday lives of each of us. It also means a change in the current approach to the EU climate policy”, he said.

“Each of these areas requires an individual strategy, but each of them must also take into consideration the very broad context of climate neutrality, which is a general economic, social, and even civilisation challenge”, he added.

The head of the Ministry of Climate emphasised that the need to remain competitive is an important issue in the case of industry.

“It is necessary to make up an industrial policy that, on the one hand, will force emission reduction, and on the other will protect industrial competitiveness and prevent the relocation of production outside the EU, known as the ‘carbon leakage’”, he noted.

In the opinion of Minister Kurtyka, electromobility will help reduce emissions from transport, and can also be treated as an energy bank that affects the stability of the power system.

“While the issues of industry and energy focus on large entities, the issue of transport concerns everyone, and individual choices are very important here. Comprehensive solutions and adequate support at Community level are needed in this area, so to reduce barriers and equalise opportunities between Member States with different levels of wealth”, he said.

Michał Kurtyka, the Minister of Climate, also emphasised that all activities and policies that will be prepared in the near future must primarily be consistent with each other, take into account mutual synergies and a common goal.

“The energy transition has to be looked at more broadly, with social issues being taken into consideration. Social issues are the most important area that requires special attention”, he noted.

“This transition will be a huge effort at both the level of state and local government, including smaller local communities. That is why we must ensure that the low-carbon transition is actually fair and solidary”, he added.