During the meeting, Vice-Minister Guibourgé-Czetwertyński pointed out that Poland has ambitions to reduce emissions and ensure its sustainable economic growth.

Poland is determined to reduce emissions. We share the Commission’s view that the European Green Deal should be one of the foundations of the European Union's post-COVID-19 strategy. However, the difficult starting point and difficult circumstances and conditions of Poland make this transition much more difficult, compared to other EU Member States. Therefore, in order for this transition to be effective, it needs to take into account the needs of the regions and their citizens, said Vice-Minister Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński.

In the context of raising the European Union's reduction target for 2030, the Vice-Minister of Climate pointed out that Poland is concerned about the achievement of the higher reduction target.

The transition costs for the entire EU must not be borne by the poorest regions and citizens, and an increased target should not lead to increased energy poverty. Regions with the greatest need for transition should not more for reforms than those which have a much shorter path to a climate-neutral economy, he stressed.

In this context, the Vice-Minister of Climate also pointed to Poland's efforts to develop renewable energy sources.

Renewable energy, with particular emphasis on offshore wind energy, is going to play a key role in the overhaul of our energy system. By 2030, we intend to generate 1/3 of our electricity from renewable sources and this is a breakthrough project for the Polish energy system, especially given the current structure of our energy mix, he said.

Vice-Minister Guibourgé-Czetwertyński also pointed out that the introduction of a new EU target for 2030 would require an update and a reform of the EU ETS. More stringent EU-wide rules and standards should be applied in certain sectors, such as transport and construction; however, incorporating these issues into the EU ETS would constitute a major challenge for many Member States and industry.

The informal meeting of EU energy ministers was preceded by a V4 coordination meeting chaired by Vice-Minister of Climate Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński.