Polish Government Sticks to Coal Exit Plan Despite Calls for Acceleration

Marzena Czarnecka, speaking to a Polish broadcaster, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the existing coal exit agenda, dismissing any plans for alteration. Despite mounting pressure to expedite Poland’s transition to a carbon-free economy, Czarnecka expressed confidence in the coal exit plan formulated in 2020, asserting its continued relevance under the current administration. This determination persists despite calls from the Expert Council for Energy Security and Climate for a coal exit by 2035, highlighting the escalating costs associated with coal mining and carbon permits. The Council also warned of the diminishing competitiveness of domestic manufacturing in the European market due to its high carbon footprint. Poland’s reluctance to swiftly abandon coal raises concerns that it may impede the EU’s goal of reducing carbon emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030, as suggested by the think tank Ember in 2021.