As part of the Polish-French Future Industry Forum, Minister Kurtyka took part in the panel discussion “How Europe can be both competitive and green? Polish and French industry in the perspective of the European Green Deal”. Minister Kurtyka emphasised that achieving climate neutrality in 2050 is a huge challenge for the whole Europe, including Poland.

“To achieve climate neutrality, we need to change basically every element of our current lifestyle. Not only the way the energy is produced has to change, but also the way we move or produce food. Energy, transport, industry, agriculture, waste management – all these sectors need a thorough transformation”, he said.

During the discussion about the mechanism of fair transformation, the head of the Ministry of Climate noted that it was to help transform regions in such a way as to ensure them the most comfortable transition through the period of changes.

“According to the project, Poland is the largest beneficiary of the Just Transition Fund, which is of course particularly welcome, but it also shows that we are a country in which the transition towards a low-carbon economy will have the deepest character. Social issues are very important to us and should therefore be prioritised”, he added.

During the debate on the challenges related to the implementation of the European Green Deal regulations, Minister Kurtyka pointed out that in addition to creating new jobs, it is equally important to maintain the competitiveness of the European industry.

Bilateral meeting with the French Minister for Ecological and Inclusive Transition

Climate neutrality, the Just Transition Mechanism, emissions from transport industry and bilateral cooperation in the field of energy transformation are the topics of the conversation between the Minister of Climate Michał Kurtyka and the French Minister for Ecological and Inclusive Transition Élisabeth Borne, which took place within the 1st Polish-French Future Industry Forum.

“We are currently observing the ‘energy revolution’ in Europe, starting with the European Green Deal. We are determined to follow this path together with our partners from the EU, but one should be aware of the specific nature of the Polish energy market, as the transition of the entire economy to new sources in such a short time is not possible”, noted Minister Kurtyka.

“The Just Transition Mechanism should be focused on the regions and Member States that are most affected by the social and economic consequences of EU climate policy. It is also important for Poland to maintain its technological neutrality in this transformation”, he added.

Minister Kurtyka pointed out that energy security, which is extremely important for Poland, is also an opportunity for deeper cooperation in building a low-carbon economy.

“We want to develop cooperation between our countries also in the field of energy. Poland is open to cooperation not only at the political level – new challenges related to the use of hydrogen, electromobility and market integration offer possibilities for cooperation both at the scientific level and at the level of grid operators and enterprises”, he said.

Minister Kurtyka positively responded to the French proposal to create the Polish-French Energy Transition Forum. In his opinion, this would be a valuable initiative promoting cooperation between the two countries.

The 1st Polish-French Future Industry Forum, organised by the Ministry of Development and the French-Polish Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Climate and Polish Confederation Lewiatan, took place on the occasion of the two-day official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Poland.