On the way to a zero-emission Europe - Poland in the face of civilization challenges

The head of the climate department Michał Kurtyka pointed out that the first day of the "TOGETAIR" 2020 Climate Summit is quite symbolic, because in the Polish power system more than ¼ of the installed power already comes from renewable energy sources, i.e.: biomass, water, wind and photovoltaics.

"The power of RES in Poland has exceeded 10 GW and the fastest growing segment is photovoltaics. This is where we see great potential in the transformation of the Polish power sector" - he said.

"The energy transformation will provide opportunities to stimulate national industry and engage it in innovative projects. This is particularly important in an era of economic recovery, which has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic" - he added.

According to Minister Kurtyka, there are clear signs of the European Commission's activities using the investments for the reconstruction of the economies after the crisis, and to speed up, in the long term, the climate transformation.

"Therefore, as a ministry of climate, we have taken up the challenge of proposing, to Polish self-governments, families and businesses, a large-scale green investment plan that mobilises almost PLN 8 billion. These funds will be available already during this year" - he informed.

The Minister of Climate also reminded that on 1 July the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management will start the call for applications under "My Water" programme, which assumes co-financing, up to PLN 5 000, of household-level installations that retain rainwater or snowmelt water.

"My Water" programme is PLN 100 million to mitigate the effects of drought by building rainwater retention facilities at the household-level. This will help to relieve water supply systems, sewage treatment plants and sewage system" - said the minister.

Polish energy mix: between coal, gas, and RES

As noted by the Deputy Minister of Climate, Government Plenipotentiary for RES Ireneusz Zyska, the first 1 GW in photovoltaic was created for 8 years, to create another 1 GW it was only 8 months necessary.

"This shows the dynamics of this industry" - he noted.

Deputy Minister Zyska indicated that Poland wants to invest in RES and also in hydrogen.

"In order to accelerate the development of hydrogen technologies in Poland, it will be necessary both to create a friendly regulatory environment and to ensure adequate financing of investments" - he said.

"We also need atom to ensure a stable energy supply and stabilize the entire system. Nuclear energy is the safest, emission-free and stable source of generation" - added the government plenipotentiary for RES.

Difficult cleaning on the waste market, plastic, and circular economy in the light of EU directives

Deputy Minister Jacek Ozdoba pointed out that the changes in the currently functioning systems of extended producer responsibility (EPR) should ensure the actual responsibility of producers for waste arising from products they have placed on the market.

"I believe that EPR will ease the burden on the citizen's pocket. Although we have to remember that EPR will not resolve all problems of the whole industry" - he noted.

The Deputy Minister also stressed that the climate department supports the environmental inspectorates in the fight against crime in waste management.

"There is no consent for illegal activities of the shadow economy" - he said.