Report – EUKI Networking Event Poland 

von Levin Kettler, GIZ / EUKI

On 16 October 2024, the EUKI Networking Event Poland took place in Warsaw, organized in cooperation between the EUKI Academy and the Institute for Sustainable Development Foundation (Instytut na rzecz EkorozwojuInE). The event brought together a diverse group of EUKI project implementers, policymakers, and civil society representatives. The day featured internal networking sessions, high-level political discussions, and a practical training on climate communication. Central to the discussions was the state of Polish climate action, which is marked by debates on socio-economic issues. Participants agreed on the need to convince society that investing in climate action will bring long-term benefits.  

Veröffentlicht: 23. Oktober 2024
Beitragsbild

The Internal Networking Session, moderated by Andrzej Kassenberg from the Institute for Sustainable Development, offered a unique opportunity for EUKI project implementers from Poland to connect, share insights, and explore the challenges they face in driving climate action. Participants ranged from organizations with extensive experience in implementing EUKI projects to newcomers who have not yet partaken in an EUKI-funded project. This diversity enriched the discussions, as it allowed for both seasoned perspectives and fresh ideas to be shared. 

Participants highlighted that they face scepticism about EU Climate Policy instruments, like the new emissions trading system for buildings and road transport – ETS 2. The main reason for this is the perception that climate action is associated with burdensome costs for private households. To bridge this gap, there was consensus on the need to communicate common goals more effectively — goals that resonate with the public and show the tangible benefits of climate action. In the Polish context, another recurring challenge is the need for stable and ambitious climate policies, even with the renewed enthusiasm in the one-year-old Polish government. Participants emphasized the importance of having clear, quantifiable long-term targets and a transparent division of tasks between institutions.  

Kasia Ugryn from Climate Action Network Europe shared promising insights into the potential priorities of the country’s upcoming 2026 Presidency of the Council of the EU. She suggested that Poland is expected to adopt a more ambitious role on the European stage, with energy security and a just transition being key priorities. Energy security, in particular, would be redefined to include aspects of affordability, infrastructure, and funding. The presidency’s climate action component would likely focus on adaptation, water management, and most importantly, to counter climate disinformation—a crucial step in bridging the trust gap. 

The political segment of the EUKI Networking Event opened with brief Welcoming Remarks from Elsa Benhöfer, EUKI Academy Coordinator, and Wojciech Szymalski, CEO of InE, who set the stage for the day’s discussions. 

Viktor Elbling, German Ambassador to Poland, delivered the first keynote. He highlighted the successful collaborations between Poland and Germany, citing examples like renewable energy projects in the Baltic Sea and the action plan signed between the two countries on July 2nd. According to Ambassador Elbling, civil society plays a critical role in addressing public concerns about the costs of the transition. He concluded by noting that EUKI is a role model in fostering this cross-border exchange, which is vital to achieving climate goals while maintaining competitiveness. 

Representing the Polish Ministry for Climate and Environment, Department for Strategy and Analysis Director Wojciech Krawczyk in his keynote underscored the timeliness of the event, coinciding with the Ministry’s release of the draft update for Poland’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). He expressed optimism about the document, which reflects the ambition for full decarbonization Krawczyk invited feedback from civil society organizations during the ongoing public consultation phase. 

Political Roundtable © EUKI

The Political Roundtable “Europe’s Green Transition – 2030 and Beyond”, moderated by Wojciech Szymalski, brought together perspectives from government officials and civil society leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities of the green transition. 

Wojciech Krawczyk from the Ministry for Climate and Environment and Director General Berthold Goeke from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) both hailed the Fit-for-55 package as a milestone in Europe’s climate policy. They emphasized that the Emissions Trading System (ETS) 1 and 2, now covering 85% of European greenhouse gas emissions, represents a major step forward. They agreed that public support for the transition will only be secured if vulnerable households are adequately supported through measures like the Social Climate Fund. 

Krawczyk drew attention to Poland’s particular challenge, noting that 3.5 million Polish households still rely on coal for heating. While progress has been made, especially with Poland’s growing adoption of renewable energy, he pointed out that significant financing and supply chain improvements are needed to install more sustainable technologies like heat pumps. 

Director General Goeke shared how heat pumps had become a focal point of heated public debate in Germany. He referenced the German heating law brought forward in 2023, which faced intense public scrutiny. DG Goeke highlighted how support systems for the public are essential when introducing new green technologies. Additionally, he stressed that education and training for green jobs must be prioritized if the energy transition is to succeed. 

Representing civil society, Zofia Wetmańska, Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Regulatory Analysis at Instytut Reform, and Alicja Kuczera, CEO of the Polish Green Building Council underscored the vital role that NGOs and EUKI projects play in ensuring the success of climate policies. Wetmańska pointed to the recently published NECP as an example of civil society’s impact on shaping climate strategy. Both emphasized the importance of aligning long-term national policies with the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050, but also noted that sector-specific strategies, particularly for emission-heavy industries like the building sector, will be critical to achieving these targets. 

Ms. Wetmańska and Ms. Kuczera highlighted that the narrative surrounding the green transition must shift toward its economic potential. They argued that showcasing the revenues and growth opportunities from decarbonization efforts could help overcome scepticism and bring more of the public on board. This would require improved climate communication, with a focus on showing how the green transition can lead to a more resilient economy and higher quality of life for all citizens. 

In conclusion, all speakers acknowledged the potential of EUKI projects in promoting effective climate communication and helping civil society “sell” the green transition to a broader audience. The consensus was clear: only by gaining the trust and support of society can the ambitious goals of Europe’s green transition be realized. 

The afternoon concluded with a practical and interactive EUKI Academy Training titled „Effective Climate Action Communication,“ facilitated by journalist Adrianna Borowicz. The session was designed to empower civil society representatives to take the day’s discussions and turn them into impactful public messaging. Participants explored the basics of political climate communication, learning how to address misinformation and navigate common climate-related fake news stories prevalent in Poland. Borowicz emphasized the importance of developing effective narratives that resonate with different audiences, highlighting how social media and media work can be strategically used to amplify climate action messages. This hands-on training equipped attendees with the tools to engage broader society, helping to bridge the communication gap and secure public support for the green transition. 

Effective Climate Action Communication
Workshop by Adrianna Borowicz © EUKI

The EUKI Networking Event in Warsaw was a timely and valuable platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration between civil society, policymakers, and climate action implementers. It became clear throughout the day that convincing society of the benefits of climate action—both in Poland and across Europe—requires not only sound policies but also effective communication and civil society engagement. From the internal networking session to the high-level political roundtable, participants recognized the crucial role of EUKI projects in building the trust and understanding needed to drive the green transition.