Highlights

• Since the start of our term of office, we have secured billions of PLN from the European Union, significantly accelerating the implementation of key investments. We have contracted PLN 29.5 billion under the FEnIKS and European Funds for Eastern Poland (FEPW) programmes. We have now utilised 69% of the available funding under these programmes (PLN 42.66 billion). In addition, we have secured EUR 160 million from Norwegian funds under the EEA Financial Mechanism 2021–2028 for the implementation of the ‘Green Transition’ programme. Meanwhile, as part of the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) the Ministry of Climate and Environment has concluded contracts totalling PLN 87 billion.
• We are the ministry responsible for implementing the largest number of reforms and investments under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The Ministry of Climate and Environment is implementing over 80 milestones and indicators. To date, the implementation of approximately two-thirds of these has been demonstrated. It is partly thanks to the fulfilment of their requirements that Poland was able to submit seven payment claims totalling PLN 132 billion. The Ministry of Climate and Environment is responsible for implementing 14 reforms and 16 investments across three areas of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, with a total value of over PLN 106 billion.
• We have established the Energy Support Fund with a pool of PLN 70 billion from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) earmarked for the development of energy networks and renewable energy sources. 
• In spring 2025, we reformed the 'Clean Air' Programme, enabling support to be precisely targeted at those most at risk of energy poverty. At the same time, we tightened the rules for granting subsidies and strengthened the role of local authorities by entrusting them with the function of programme operators.  From 1 January 2024 to 3 April 2026, a total of approximately PLN 12 billion was paid out to beneficiaries under the ‘Clean Air’ Programme.
• We have led to the amendment of the Act of 8 December 2017 on the capacity market. The adopted provisions allow for supplementary auctions to be held between 2025 and 2028, which will allow for the acquisition of the additional capacity necessary for the stable operation of the power system. As a result, the capacity market mechanism has been strengthened and adapted to the country’s real energy security needs. The amendment safeguards the continuity of energy supplies to households and businesses, and its entry into force has helped to avoid the risk of power shortages in the coming years.
• We already have 112,000 home energy storage systems installed in the grid, and by the end of this term there will be at least 200,000 such installations operating in Polish homes.
• We are running a major thermal modernisation programme for schools and nurseries across Poland. Local authorities can receive grants covering up to 100% of the costs. Since the start of this term of office, we have already spent PLN 1.5 billion on the complete renovation of 451 establishments (as of early April 2026). This involves replacing heating systems and windows, insulating buildings, and installing solar panels and energy storage systems, often in old buildings that have not been renovated for years. Such an investment brings savings of at least 30% on schools’ bills. In the third quarter of this year, we will launch the next round of the Modernisation Fund. The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFEP&WM) programme will amount to PLN 2 billion. Ultimately, therefore, we will carry out full thermal modernisation of around 1,000 schools at a cost of PLN 3.5 billion. 
• Together with the NFEP&WM, we are supporting a thermal modernisation programme for 29 art schools across Poland. Total co-financing from European Funds will amount to almost PLN 70 million. Thanks to this investment, primary energy consumption will be reduced by 6,700 MWh per year, resulting in savings of millions in energy costs for the schools.
• The Ministry of Climate and Environment supports the development of renewable energy sources, which is yielding tangible results. By the end of 2025, renewable energy sources (RES) already accounted for over half of the capacity of all power stations in Poland, and for the first time in history, their share in energy production exceeded 30%. There are currently over 1.6 million prosumers in the country, meaning people who generate energy themselves for their own needs.
• The Ministry of Climate and Environment has finalised Poland’s first comprehensive process of digitally mapping the potential of renewable energy sources, covering the whole country and integrated with the Geoportal. At the same time, a legal framework has been introduced for designating Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAAs), implementing the provisions of the RED III Directive.
• We have successfully implemented a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) to recover more raw materials and prevent environmental litter – we are ensuring the system is as convenient as possible for customers, who have returned over 500 million items of packaging in three months.
• We have secured a postponement of the entry into force of the ETS2 system, adopted during the Morawiecki government, giving Poland additional time for investment to protect citizens from the excessive costs of the transition.
• During the Polish Presidency, we negotiated favourable terms for the allocation of 30% additional free emission allowances to those heating plants that invest in decarbonisation.
• We are implementing a plan to strengthen the ecological and social functions of 20% of the State Treasury’s forests managed by the State Forests – we are designating forests with a key social function for urban areas, we have established over 150 new nature reserves, and we are working on the creation of so-called old-growth forests.
• We have submitted the Białowieża Forest Management Plan to UNESCO – thanks to this, the threat of its removal from the UNESCO World Heritage List has been averted.
• We have stabilised timber prices for domestic processors. We have restricted exports of unprocessed timber from Polish forests to Asia. Thanks to our efforts, a ban on the burning of high-quality timber in the commercial energy sector has been in force since September 2025.  This increases the availability of raw materials for Polish furniture and joinery manufacturers.
• We have allocated PLN 500 million to support local authorities in removing illegally dumped hazardous waste at 33 sites across Poland. In 2025, we managed to remove 17,000 tonnes. The funds come from a special-purpose reserve in the state budget and from the NFEP&WM. 
• We are strengthening the raw materials security of Poland and the EU by implementing a national raw materials policy. In 2025, the European Commission approved two strategic projects from Poland that will strengthen the EU’s supply chains for critical raw materials.
• We are improving the environmental safety of the Oder. In 2025, thanks to the procedures we have put in place, ‘golden algae’ did not enter the river’s main channel. We are also working on systemic solutions to improve the environmental condition of the Oder and other Polish rivers. Our motto is ‘Clean Oder’.
• We are supporting cities struggling with the negative effects of climate change! We have created a legal framework for effective planning of climate resilience measures (urban adaptation plans), but we have also secured adequate funding for specific and sensible investments to prevent the impact of extreme weather events on people, their property and urban infrastructure. We are now training local government officials so that they can ensure our safety.

We are creating a positive climate, with over two years of work behind us, 21 published laws and numerous projects supporting local authorities, but above all, residents

– said Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska. 

We are effectively protecting Polish interests

Thanks to the efforts of the Polish government, the entry into force of the ETS2 system, adopted during the Law and Justice (PiS) government, has been postponed. This is a great success for Poland and the result of effective diplomacy by the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Climate transformation must be conducted in a responsible manner, taking into account the real possibilities of society and the economy.  Thanks to the postponement, Poland has gained an additional year to invest in buildings and transport, which will protect hundreds of thousands of Polish families from excessive costs.  

During the Polish Presidency, the Ministry of Climate and Environment also negotiated favourable rules for the allocation of 30% of free emission allowances to those heating plants that are investing in decarbonisation. As a result, Polish heating plants will not have to bear the costs of investing in clean technologies and high emission costs at the same time. 
Poland also consistently defends the interests of strategic sectors, including the defence and chemical (fertiliser) industries, and strives to ensure that the EU's climate targets are ambitious but achievable and safe for the Polish economy and citizens. We have introduced an element of pragmatism into the EU negotiations, ensuring that the further development of climate policy will better reflect the real challenges and opportunities facing Member States.

During the work on the revision of the Waste Directive, we ensured that the targets for reducing food waste in the processing industry were made more realistic, so as to combat waste more effectively whilst protecting the food sector.

We secured the adoption of the directive on soil monitoring and resilience, whilst refusing to accept additional obligations that would place an unnecessary burden on Polish farmers. We have also negotiated an amendment to the provisions on mitigating the effects of land occupation, so that the directive does not cast the extractive sector in a negative light or hinder the granting of permits for mineral extraction.

Protecting people and the environment

Following legislative changes, we have allocated PLN 400 million from the state budget for the years 2025–2026 to the removal of 33 illegal hazardous waste sites that pose a threat to human health and life.  In 2025, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management launched a priority programme entitled ‘Removal of illegally accumulated waste’ with a budget of PLN 100 million.

Removing illegal waste, which for years has posed a growing threat to people and the environment, is our priority. We inherited serious neglect from our predecessors. Despite being fully aware of the enormous threat such waste poses to human health and life, it was left unaddressed. Today, we are taking responsibility for removing illegally accumulated hazardous waste. The government has already allocated – and continues to allocate – funds amounting to approximately PLN 500 million from the state budget and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. We will clean up Poland, because that is our commitment to Polish citizens. 33 sites are already being cleaned up, and further sites will be identified in due course

– says the Minister for Climate and the Environment.

This is the first time that such a large amount of funding has been allocated to support local authorities in clearing illegal waste dumps.

Thanks to PLN 100 million from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), work has also begun on assessing the state of the environment and drawing up improvement plans for multi-site degraded areas. 

We have launched a Deposit Return Scheme to ensure that plastic bottles and metal cans will disappear from our forests, lakes and rivers. Already, 520 million items of packaging have been returned to be reused as valuable raw materials in a circular economy.

Clean Air – new and safe

We are constantly working to improve air quality in Poland. New standards for coal fuels, briquettes and wood pellets are in force, limiting pollutant emissions and protecting health. 

The Clean Air programme is also delivering tangible environmental and social benefits: a real reduction in emissions of PM10, PM2.5 and benzo(a)pyrene, fewer days of smog, as well as lower heating costs and significantly improved thermal comfort in homes.

Between 1 January 2024 and 3 April 2026, a total of approximately PLN 12 billion was paid out to programme beneficiaries, compared to PLN 8.7 billion paid out in the previous five years. 
Funds raised to date for the operation of the Clean Air programme amount to approximately PLN 40 billion and come from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the FEnIKS programme, the Modernisation Fund and national funds.

Launched in March 2025, the new edition of the Clean Air programme is safe for beneficiaries. The possibilities for dishonest practices have been limited. A key role is played by operators – municipalities and voivodship funds – whose task is to support beneficiaries at every stage of the process, from the decision to implement the investment, through the selection of an auditor and contractor, throughout the entire investment process, to the completion of the project and settlement of the subsidy.

The development of energy storage

The Ministry of Climate and Environment's priority is to develop energy storage in Poland. Thanks to this, energy generated from renewable sources at low market prices will not be wasted. In the sixth edition of the ‘Mój Prąd’ (My Electricity) programme – a breakthrough in terms of the number of applications – funding also covered energy storage systems, which significantly accelerated their development in households and increased self-consumption of electricity from micro-installations.

On 30 March 2026, the ‘Subsidies for Home Energy Storage’ programme under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan came into effect, offering a refund of up to PLN 16,000 (with a total of up to PLN 28,000 in support). The programme serves as a bridge between ‘Mój Prąd (My Electricity) 6.0’ and the next major programme on energy storage.

When it comes to home energy storage systems, we were starting from scratch at the beginning of our term of office. Now we have 112,000 such systems installed in the network, and by the end of our term there will be at least 200,000 home energy storage systems operating in Polish homes

– states Paulina Hennig-Kloska.

This is clear evidence of the effectiveness of the support measures put in place and of residents’ growing energy awareness. It will cement the position of energy storage facilities as one of the pillars of a modern and decentralised energy sector in Poland.

Energy storage facilities enable more efficient use of energy generated from renewable sources, particularly during periods of low market prices, ensuring that it is not wasted but can be used when most needed. These solutions strengthen energy security, stabilise the electricity system and increase the profitability of investments in renewable energy.

In 2024–2025, Poland secured approval from the EC and the EIB for eight programmes under the Modernisation Fund worth PLN 22.37 billion, including ‘Clean Air’ (PLN 10 billion) and the energy storage programme (PLN 4.17 billion). Additional funds were allocated to zero-emission transport (PLN 6 billion), biogas (PLN 1 billion) and biomethane (PLN 800 million), and in March 2026, five new programmes worth PLN 5.5 billion have been approved.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment has launched the largest investment programme in the history of the energy sector – the Energy Support Fund. It consists of PLN 70 billion in low-interest loans for the development and modernisation of power grids and the creation of new renewable energy sources. 

Support is also allocated to large and large-scale investments in energy storage. One of them is the energy storage facility in Żarnowiec, with a power of 263 MW and a capacity of 900 MWh. It will stabilise the power system, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid and balancing the operation of e.g., offshore wind farms, which are due to come online this year.

The huge popularity of electric cars

Thanks to the ‘NaszEauto’ (OurEcar) programme, over the course of the year (comparing 2025 to 2024), the number of registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has more than doubled, exceeding 43,000 cars. In total, there are now over 120,000 fully electric cars on Polish roads, confirming the effectiveness of the support scheme. The growing share of zero-emission vehicles means cleaner air, less noise and a marked improvement in residents’ quality of life.

Billions in funding for cheaper heating and cleaner energy

In 2024–2025, Poland secured approval from the European Investment Bank and the European Commission for eight priority programmes under the Modernisation Fund, with a total value of PLN 22.37 billion. This represents a significant portion of the approximately PLN 53 billion available to our country and provides a substantial injection of funds for thermal modernisation, improving energy efficiency and developing clean technologies. As a result, heating costs for an increasing number of homes are falling, whilst the energy system is becoming more stable and resilient to price fluctuations.

In March 2026, the European Investment Bank approved a further five priority programmes worth PLN 5.5 billion, which will increase the pool of funds for the country’s energy modernisation and accelerate the transition to cleaner, more cost-effective technologies. The funds will be allocated to the following programmes:

• Improving the energy efficiency of educational buildings (PLN 2 billion).
• Improving the energy efficiency of hospital buildings (PLN 1 billion).
• Improving the energy efficiency of multi-family residential buildings in rural areas (PLN 0.5 billion).
• Heat storage in district heating systems (PLN 1 billion).
• Subsidies for domestic energy storage systems (PLN 1 billion).

Offshore wind energy development

Projects under Phase II of the support scheme were eligible to participate in Poland’s first-ever offshore auction (AMFW/1/2025), which took place on 17 December 2025. The maximum total installed electrical capacity of offshore wind farms for which the right to cover a negative balance could be granted was 4 GW.
The outcome of the auction would not have been possible without the amendment to the Act on the Promotion of Electricity Generation in Offshore Wind Farms, prepared by the Ministry of Climate and Environment and adopted by Parliament in October.

Four generators took part in the auction, three of which were awarded support.  As a result, offshore wind farms with a total capacity of 3.435 GW will be built: Baltic East (900 MW), Baltica 9 (975 MW) and Bałtyk I (1,560 MW).

The winners have committed to feed energy into the grid for the first time within seven years from the close of the auction session, which will mark the start of a 25-year support period. The estimated total energy production covered by the support will exceed 330 TWh.

Considering the projects being implemented as part of the first phase of offshore wind energy development, as well as those that have secured support through auctions, the total installed capacity of offshore wind farms in Poland will exceed 9.3 GW by 2032, confirming the scale and sustainability of the sector’s development.

The most advanced investments – Baltic Power, Baltica 2, Bałtyk II, Bałtyk III and BC-Wind – are scheduled to come online between 2026 and 2028.

The development of offshore wind energy strengthens Poland’s energy security, contributes to reducing the economy’s carbon footprint and supports the creation of a modern, innovative energy sector based on domestic resources and expertise. The rapid progress in the implementation of key projects shows that these objectives are gradually being realised in practice.

Orlen Baltic Power’s offshore wind farm already has over 30 turbines installed, making it the most advanced offshore project in Poland. The first electricity from Orlen’s project should be generated later this year, and once construction is complete, the farm will have a capacity of around 1.2 GW, enabling it to produce up to 4 TWh of energy annually – equivalent to approximately 3% of the country’s demand. The entire installation, located 23 km from the coast in the Choczewo and Łeba area, should be fully operational by the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, the PGE Group’s investment portfolio includes eight projects on the Baltic Sea at various stages of development, with a combined capacity exceeding 6 GW. By 2035, in line with the PGE Group’s strategy, it is a plan to build wind farms with a capacity of approximately 4 GW in cooperation with partners. The PGE Group’s offshore wind asset portfolio is managed by PGE Baltica.

Support for local energy communities

As part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), we are implementing Programme G1.1.2 to support projects developed by energy communities. The aim of the investment is to develop local renewable energy sources created by energy clusters, energy cooperatives and citizen energy communities, as well as by groups of prosumers, including collective and virtual ones. Local government bodies play a particular role in this process, especially municipalities and associations of municipalities, which can initiate and lead such projects.
Investment G1.1.2 will be implemented by the end of 2027 and will primarily provide pre-investment support for both existing energy communities and entities planning to establish them. Support for demonstration projects is also envisaged. To ensure smooth implementation of the entire process, coordination and administrative activities have been planned at central level, including assistance for applicants and beneficiaries.

A total of PLN 1.4 billion has been allocated for the implementation of the investment.

As part of the support for local energy communities, projects such as photovoltaic installations, energy storage facilities, heat pumps, solar farms and wind farms will be developed.

Under the NRRP, investment G1.1.2 has so far funded the implementation of approximately 169 projects in the area of pre-investment support and 20 demonstration investment projects.

The energy transition is not an end in itself – it is intended to bring us a better quality of life, a healthier environment and a more competitive economy. Only together – by engaging regions, academia, business and local communities – can we build a secure, resilient and modern energy system for Poland – says Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska.

Support schemes for biogas and biomethane

The Ministry of Climate and Environment is also making progress in building Poland’s energy independence by successfully implementing support programmes for the biogas and biomethane sector in cooperation with the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFEP&WM).

The flagship ‘Energia dla Wsi (Energy for the Countryside)’ programme, with an impressive budget of PLN 3 billion, has attracted record interest, resulting in over 100 contracts for new investments and the funds being exhausted almost immediately in the second call for applications. The Ministry has already prepared further financial instruments totalling PLN 1.8 billion for high-efficiency cogeneration and improved energy security, which, following approval by the European Investment Bank, will be launched in 2026.

A breakthrough for the sector is the development of a stable, 20-year auction-based support system for biomethane plants and the introduction of measures to facilitate the construction of direct gas pipelines, which significantly reduces investment barriers. At the same time, thanks to the finalisation of the RED II Directive’s implementation in 2025, the Ministry has ensured the country’s fuel security and the stable development of agriculture, creating record demand for domestic raw materials such as maize and rapeseed. These measures will strengthen Poland’s role as one of Europe’s leading producers of bio-components and open up new opportunities for the use of renewable energy in road and rail transport.

Prosumer energy

Favourable changes have been introduced for prosumers using the net-billing system. Those who opt to be billed for energy at hourly market rates can recover up to 30% of unused funds for energy fed into the grid. Previously, the refund rate was 20%. Prosumers now have a choice of billing method: for hourly billing, a 30% refund is available, whilst for monthly billing it is 20%.
Additionally, the value of the prosumer deposit for a given month is increased by a special multiplier of 1.23, which allows for greater funds to be accumulated in the prosumer account the following month.

In 2025, the concept of the virtual prosumer was introduced, significantly expanding the possibilities for using renewable energy. Since 2 July 2025, regulations have been in force allowing for the settlement of electricity within the framework of consumption and supply points located in the area of the same distribution system operator (DSO). The next important step will be the entry into force on 20 October 2026 of regulations allowing energy to be settled without restriction to a single DSO, enabling the use of the virtual prosumer scheme throughout Poland.

Additionally, as part of the tenant prosumer scheme, from 27 November 2025, the availability of locations for installing photovoltaic systems has been expanded by permitting their installation not only on roofs but also on the ground, carports or other elements of the common property. The list of purposes for which funds from settlements may be allocated has also been expanded to include projects improving energy efficiency.

Solutions for industrial customers, particularly energy-intensive industries

The amendments to the Act on renewable energy sources significantly boost the competitiveness of Polish industry by effectively reducing the cost of purchasing electricity, which has been achieved through changes to the relief schemes for industrial customers. These changes mean that such consumers do not pay the RES and cogeneration fees, nor do they redeem certificates of origin for the entirety of the electricity purchased, but only for a portion of it. This system has been precisely aligned with EU state aid rules. Support is granted to sectors vulnerable or particularly vulnerable to the relocation of operations outside the European Union, and the relief has been set at the maximum permissible level of 75% or even 85%.

At the same time, full legal certainty and the continuity of the support system have been ensured by incorporating into the Act the Polish Classification of Activities (PKD) codes eligible for relief, which eliminates the risk of having to repay the aid and provides businesses with a stable outlook for investment planning. As a result, the costs of the energy transition place a significantly lighter burden on domestic companies, laying solid foundations for their further development within a predictable regulatory environment.

We have taken on the challenging task of ensuring a technology-neutral approach to reducing emissions from the industrial sector – including energy-intensive industries – that are harmful to the environment and human health. In our dialogue with the European Commission on future solutions looking beyond 2030 – a package the Commission intends to present at the end of this year, comprising a revision of the Renewable Energy Directive, the Carbon Transport Directive and a revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive – we are already participating in discussions with the EC and building a coalition of countries, highlighting the need for a technology-neutral approach so that each country can choose its own development path by selecting the technologies most advantageous to it, taking into account national conditions, potential and constraints.

Mapping renewable energy potential and areas of accelerated renewable energy development

The Ministry of Climate and Environment has taken a significant step towards streamlining and accelerating the further development of renewable energy sources, conducted in an environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable manner. The country’s first-ever comprehensive digital mapping of renewable energy potential has been completed, laying the foundation for a radical streamlining of investment processes in areas most suitable for the development of photovoltaic installations, onshore wind farms, biogas and biomethane plants, geothermal installations and hydroelectric power stations.

Pursuant to the Act of 9 October 2025 amending the Act on the promotion of electricity generation in offshore wind farms and certain other acts (Journal of Laws of 2025, item 1535) digital maps of the potential of renewable energy sources were developed and published, and a legal framework for designating areas for the accelerated development of renewable energy sources (OPRO) was introduced, implementing the provisions of the RED III Directive.

The completed mapping covers the whole country and identifies, in a standardised manner, the most suitable sites for the development of, amongst others, solar power, wind power, biogas and biomethane, geothermal energy, heat pumps, hydropower and energy storage facilities. The analyses include environmental, spatial and planning considerations, excluding areas of high natural value and land of the highest agricultural value.

The maps have been prepared as geospatial layers integrated with the Geoportal.

OPROs may be designated in areas with confirmed potential for the development of renewable energy sources, covered by valid local spatial development plans, and not excluded by the so-called nature sensitivity maps drawn up by regional environmental protection directors. This applies in particular to degraded, post-industrial and already built-up areas, excluding areas of high natural value. The process of designating them is implemented in cooperation between voivodship and municipal authorities.

Procedural simplifications are envisaged in OPRO areas, including e.g., the waiver of individual location decisions and a special procedure for environmental assessments. Projects implemented in these areas must be notified to the regional director for environmental protection, and the absence of objections within the statutory time limits allows for a smooth transition to the subsequent stages of the administrative procedure. Consequently, the time taken to issue permits for RES projects located within OPRO areas should not exceed 12 months, and in the case of offshore wind farms – 24 months.

National Contact Point for RES

Complementing the above measures, the Ministry of Climate and Environment will establish a National Contact Point for Renewable Energy Sources (NCP RES, PL abbreviation KPK OZE) in 2025, accessible at kontaktoze.gov.pl. This is a platform dedicated to those interested in investing in renewable energy – both individuals and businesses. The Point provides comprehensive information on investment processes for various types of renewable energy installations.

The KPK OZE provides access to:

• descriptions of renewable energy investment processes,
• descriptions of administrative procedures,
• a contact form through which users can contact the centre regarding the entire investment process or specific procedures,
• a handbook of renewable energy investment procedures containing detailed information on investment processes in the renewable energy sector.

Nature is the future

A reform of the nature conservation system is currently underway, which will enhance public safety: the Regional Directorates for Environmental Protection (RDEP) will be able to immediately halt harmful activities, whilst landowners will have a real say in protecting their local environment through the ability to apply for the creation of nature reserves and ecological land.

At the same time, an amendment to the EIA Act is being processed, which, through digitalisation and standardisation, will speed up investments whilst maintaining a high level of environmental protection. The Strategy for the Protection of Wetlands, which is crucial for water retention, protection against drought and flooding, and for the security of border areas, has also been submitted for consultation. New CITES regulations are already in force, professionalising trade in endangered species, as well as regulations concerning the Central Animal Shelter, improving public safety and animal welfare. Meanwhile, the amendment to the Act on Genetic Resources ensures stable funding for controls and Poland’s share in the benefits of nature-based innovations.

Systemic changes are complemented by measures on the ground, including a brown bear conservation programme aimed at minimising conflicts, as well as intensive protection of the most valuable forests and peatlands, resulting, among other things, in the safeguarding of the Białowieża Forest and the creation of over 150 new nature reserves.

Furthermore, since 2 January, the common pochard (Aythya ferina), tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) and Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) are no longer game species in Poland. These are species with low population numbers and declining trends, and they do not cause damage to agriculture.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment has drafted a bill to establish the Lower Oder Valley National Park. Despite the President's veto, there are plans to provide greater protection for this area by expanding the Drawa National Park and preparing a new bill to establish a park in Międzyodrze (the marshy area between the West and East Oder). We will also shortly begin work on restoring the meadow ecosystems in this area.

We are working intensively on preparing the National Plan for the Restoration of Natural Resources and defining measures that will improve the condition of habitats and ecosystems. Degraded habitats and weakened ecosystems represent a critical gap in systemic resilience, as we are losing the most effective protection for the economy and society against the negative effects of climate change and other crises. Ecosystem restoration is an investment in safety infrastructure, reducing the long-term costs of maintaining the state.  

River quality

We are working on solutions to improve the ecological condition of Poland’s rivers. We are promoting renaturation, landscape retention and the development of blue-green infrastructure.   Nature-based solutions are highly effective in tackling climate change, increasing drought and the water crisis.

To improve the safety of residents and the condition of the Oder River, we are implementing the first phase of a plan that will reduce the river’s salinity by 59% in Lower Silesia and by 14.5% in Silesia by 2030.

We are also seeking new desalination technologies to prevent saline mine and industrial water from entering rivers.

An automatic monitoring network is also under development – by 2026, it will cover the Oder river basin, providing residents with faster warnings and constant water quality monitoring. The system will be gradually expanded to cover the whole of Poland. 

Forest conservation

We are constantly strengthening nature conservation whilst ensuring the stable operation of the timber industry. We are protecting the most valuable forests from logging and have put an end to the predatory practices of the previous administration, which treated forests solely as a source of profit. One of the first decisions taken by the Ministry of Climate and Environment in 2024 was to restrict logging in selected areas of forests of the highest natural value. We also held a national debate on forests: the National Forest Conference, which involved representatives of all key stakeholders – including the State Forests, the timber industry, forestry service providers, local authorities, as well as civil society, nature conservationists and scientists – and enabled the development of recommendations for further action to strengthen the protection of forests of high natural value and social importance.

We are protecting our country’s most precious areas: our valuable forests, marshes and peatlands. We have already established over 150 nature reserves. That is three times as many as the Law and Justice party did over two terms in office. We are securing the Białowieża Forest to permanently protect our natural heritage from saws and harvesters

– says the Minister of Climate and Environment.

For the first time in decades, forestry issues have been incorporated into key national development strategies, such as the Poland 2035 Development Strategy and the updated National Energy and Climate Plan. Work has also resumed on the National Forest Programme, which is intended to set the long-term direction for the protection of Polish forests and the development of the forestry sector.

Work is also at an advanced stage on a pilot scheme to create community forests, which are of particular importance to society. These forests will surround selected Polish towns, providing space for recreation and contact with nature. The primary function of these areas is social, as community forests promote residents’ health and are ideal for walking, running, cycling and outdoor educational activities.

We are also designating old-growth forests – the process of identifying them, which is currently being finalised, is one of the Ministry of Climate and Environment’s priority initiatives, aimed at ensuring the protection of the most valuable forest areas in terms of biodiversity.

We have prepared a Management Plan for the Białowieża Primeval Forest. It organises key conservation measures, takes into account UNESCO recommendations, the needs of local communities and conditions related to national defence, setting out the directions for the management of this primeval forest for the next 25 years.
We support domestic timber industry businesses, which translates into stable prices for timber products and more secure jobs. The actions of the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the State Forests have led to a reduction in timber exports from Polish forests outside the European Union, including to China. As a result, more raw material remains in Poland and is processed by domestic producers. 

Development of geothermal energy

Geothermal energy offers a real opportunity for cheaper, stable and clean heat for residents. Greater use of energy from the earth’s interior strengthens the country’s energy security and improves air quality by reducing emissions from conventional sources.

Between September 2024 and the end of March 2025, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFEP&WM) concluded 27 agreements with local authorities for the drilling of new geothermal wells as part of the second call for proposals under the priority programme entitled ‘Making thermal waters available in Poland (Udostępnianie wód termalnych w Polsce)’. As a result, geothermal heating plants can be built in more towns and villages, providing residents with stable and environmentally friendly heating – often cheaper and less susceptible to fuel price fluctuations.

Critical raw materials

We are supporting the development of the Polish economy by strengthening the country’s raw materials security. We are building the economy’s resilience to disruptions in the supply of critical raw materials, which are vital for the energy and digital transitions, as well as for military security.  We are developing a strategy to reduce dependence on external suppliers and improve preparedness for global raw material crises. 

To achieve our environmental goals, we are processing a bill to ensure the economy’s access to raw materials, including critical raw materials, and have developed a comprehensive Critical Raw Materials Exploration Programme. The main objective of this Programme is to better map the resource base by identifying mineral deposits in Poland suitable for the production of critical raw materials.

We are also strengthening the country's energy security by granting licences for the exploration and appraisal of hydrocarbon deposits and the extraction of hydrocarbons from those deposits. In doing so, we ensure that natural gas production meets approximately 20% of domestic demand, whilst also being a leader in hydrogen and helium production on the European stage.
We are strengthening the country's energy security by granting licences for activities related to the prospecting and exploration of hydrocarbon deposits and the extraction of hydrocarbons from these deposits. We thereby ensure natural gas production at a level of approximately 20% of domestic demand, whilst also being a leader in the production of hydrogen and helium on the European stage.

Working with local authorities to ensure the safety of residents and urban infrastructure

We are supporting cities struggling with the negative effects of climate change! We have established a legal framework for effective planning of climate resilience measures (urban adaptation plans), and we have also secured adequate funding for specific, well-thought-out investments designed to prevent the impact of extreme weather events on people, their property and urban infrastructure.

We are now training local government officials so that they can ensure our safety. We are focusing our attention on the local authorities with the greatest needs – in Eastern Poland, in the Podkarpackie, Lubelskie, Świętokrzyskie, Podlaskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodships, and parts of the Mazowieckie voivodship.

Growth of the greentech sector

The implementation of the GreenEvo – Green Technology Accelerator programme contributes to increasing the competitiveness of Polish companies in the environmental technology sector and to achieving positive economic and environmental outcomes.

• we have introduced 23 companies to foreign markets during 17 trade missions to countries in Europe, South America and Asia,
• we have organised over 40 business events in Poland and abroad,
• entrepreneurs have held over 500 business meetings, resulting in the signing of nearly 30 cooperation agreements.

We are cooperating with institutions responsible for export promotion, economic diplomacy and the development of entrepreneurship, which creates synergies and enables us to effectively connect the potential of Polish companies with international markets and economic partners.