The discussion on how to implement the recommendations of the European Commission on the National Reconstruction Plan in the context of the so-called European Semester was the main subject of the discussion by Michał Kurtyka, Minister of Climate and Environment, with Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, at the videoconference held on February 5. The meeting addressed the important issues of adaptation to climate change, waste management, clean air and waste water financing in the framework of the National Reconstruction Plan.

“The steps taken by the Nord Stream 2 AG company and other entities which are involved in the Nord Stream 2 project, both economically and politically, and which seek to complete the construction of a new gas pipeline connecting Germany and Russia regardless of the circumstances are a cause of concern for Poland”, said Michał Kurtyka, Minister of Climate and Environment.

The objectives of climate neutrality, the prospect of EU/USA energy cooperation and the fair energy transition have been key issues discussed during the debate “Reimagining the transatlantic energy and climate relationship”, organised by the Atlantic Council within the 5th Global Energy Forum. The event, which took place on 20 January 2021, was attended by Michał Kurtyka, Minister of Climate and Environment.

The assessment of the potential and possible use of the infrastructure of decommissioned power plants was a key topic discussed during the workshops organised within the RECPP (Re-purposing Coal Power Plants during the Energy Transition) project. The event, which took place on 19 January 2021, was attended by Michał Kurtyka, Minister of Climate and Environment.

Following another failure of the heating network in the Polish capital in just a few days, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Jacek Ozdoba announced that he had appointed a working group to investigate the privatisation of the heating network in Warsaw.

Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Ireneusz Zyska attended a meeting with representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Poland on 19 January 2020, and discussed on, among others, the development of offshore wind energy.

On 14 January 2021, the Ministry of Climate and Environment has published the draft “Polish Hydrogen Strategy until 2030 with an Outlook until 2040” for public consultation. The Strategy sets ambitious and realistic goals for the development of hydrogen technologies in Poland.

Minister of Climate and Environment Michał Kurtyka spoke with the U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Georgette Mosbacher, in connection with the forthcoming end of her diplomatic mission in Poland. The meeting took place on 7 January 2021.

Under the so-called “Cleanliness Plus” Programme, works have been launched on a draft amendment to the Act on Maintaining Cleanliness and Order in Municipalities. In order to facilitate implementation of some of the amendments later this year, they are divided into two draft laws. The amendment to the Act on Maintaining Cleanliness and Order in Municipalities, signed by the President of Poland on 21 December 2020, contains the first part of the most urgent changes in waste management.

The Council of Ministers adopted a draft act on promoting electricity generation in offshore wind farms, submitted by the minister of climate and environment. The new regulations will significantly facilitate the use of the wind energy potential on the Baltic Sea and the development of Polish companies from the maritime economy sector.