Highlights 

• On March 9, 2026, a meeting of the Weimar Triangle Environment Ministers took place in Gniezno, discussing the EU's future climate policy, the challenges facing the competitiveness of European industry, and the need for a just and flexible transformation.
• The ministers agreed on joint actions to strengthen climate resilience – particularly in the area of water resources – and to better utilize tools protecting the EU market, such as the CBAM.
• They also emphasized the need to develop a coherent EU position ahead of this year's COP summits and to develop cooperation in key areas for the green transition, including automotive, hydrogen technologies, battery production, and the circular economy. 

A strong voice in Europe 

Ministers Paulina Hennig Kloska, Monique Barbut and Carsten Schneider emphasised the importance of cooperation between the three countries, which together account for 40% of the EU’s population and 44% of its industrial output. 

We must harness this enormous potential to shape an ambitious yet realistic climate policy. Our activities are inextricably linked to safety, trade and industrial development

– noted Minister Paulina Hennig Kloska. 

The Triangle countries have also reaffirmed their full commitment to a clean transition that combines climate protection with economic and social resilience and high environmental standards. 

The Weimar Triangle aims to strengthen the European Union’s competitiveness and resilience and to combat climate disinformation. It does this by supporting a clean transition towards a resilient, climate-neutral circular economy that creates secure and sustainable jobs, as well as through initiatives that simplify regulations whilst maintaining high environmental standards. Poland, France and Germany are jointly promoting energy security by combining efforts to boost competitiveness, drive the low-carbon transition, ensure access to key raw materials and strengthen the resilience of infrastructure. This cooperation is particularly important in the face of the rapidly progressing warming of Europe and threats from the EU's opponents, especially Russia

– as stated in the joint declaration of the Weimar Triangle.

The full text of the joint press statement is attached.

The EU’s new climate framework – ambition and pragmatism 

The discussions in Gniezno focused on the EU’s future climate goals, including the direction of action until 2040. Ministers agreed that the new framework must take into account the diverse economic conditions of the Member States and ensure: 

• a just transformation and the protection of vulnerable groups, 
• stable funding under the next Multiannual Financial Framework, 
• flexible and realistic implementation of new regulations. 

A just transition means that no one should be left behind – they agreed. 

Decarbonisation: a catalyst for growth in Europe 

The ministers emphasised that the transition to a low-carbon economy opens up new opportunities for industrial development. However, this transformation must go hand in hand with a strong industrial policy that will boost the EU’s competitiveness. 

Areas of cooperation include: 

• automotive and hydrogen technologies, 
• battery manufacturing, 
• the chemical industry and the construction sector, 
• closing the loop on raw materials and recycling critical materials,
• the resilience of water resources in the context of accelerating climate change. 

The Triangle countries also pointed to the need to use tools that level the playing field in global markets, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), as well as the need to support EU projects based on breakthrough technologies. 

A joint position ahead of key COP summits 

Poland, France and Germany have announced that they will work towards a unified European Union position ahead of this year’s international events: COP17 on Desertification, COP17 on Biodiversity and COP31 on Climate.  

The Weimar Triangle intends to promote a pragmatic, transparent and results-oriented approach. 

Local experiences form the foundation of European resilience 

The meeting in Gniezno highlighted the importance of local experiences in shaping pan-European adaptation strategies. In particular, the discussion focused on water resilience, which is increasingly emerging as a common challenge for the whole of the EU. 

The Ministers welcomed the work of the European Commission on the Integrated Framework Approach to Climate Resilience, emphasising the need to create common risk assessment methods while fully respecting the principle of subsidiarity. 

Renewed energy through partnership 

Our discussions show that, despite our differences, we are united by shared values and goals. The Weimar Triangle is making a comeback as a key platform capable of protecting the climate and the environment, whilst safeguarding European industry and security

– noted Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska. 

The meeting in Gniezno confirmed that the Weimar Triangle remains an essential framework for cooperation in the effective implementation of the EU’s climate and environmental objectives. 

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A joint press statement from all parties involved in the Weimar Triangle is available in English – a link to the document is provided below: