Minister Kurtyka on video conference with EU climate ministers
12.11.2020
The expectations of individual Member States towards the planned conclusions of the European Council with regard to the 2030 Climate Target Plan was the main topic of the meeting of climate ministers from 10 countries: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Estonia, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus and Malta. The event initiated by Poland, which took place on 12 November 2020, was attended by the Minister of Climate and Environment Michał Kurtyka.
During the video meeting, the Minister emphasised that before taking such an important decision as increasing the EU target for 2030, it is important for Member States to discuss their expectations of the conclusions of the December European Council.
"Our main goal for today is to identify an implementation plan, so as to answer the question - where should most reduction efforts be allocated? In taking such an important decision as a possible increase in the reduction target, we need to be aware of how this target can be achieved and to describe in as much detail as possible the tools that will be used for this" - he said.
The head of the Ministry of Climate and Environment also pointed out that one of the main tools of the European Union's climate policy is the EU ETS system, so in Poland's opinion it is here that we should look for the biggest reductions.
We believe that the main changes should take place in the EU ETS and now is the right time to discuss its reform. Pollutants should pay for their emissions, and Member States should use this money to finance new projects that can reduce them. Unfortunately, the current system is designed in such a way that it does not actually support sufficiently the Member States with the greatest reduction potential" - he said.
The Minister also reminded that on 23 October 2020, at the meeting of the ENVI Committee, Poland has presented a working document on this subject.