The European Union presents a new, extremist climate regulation package, which is no longer just a long-term imagination and a set of concrete commitments. Even EU officials admit that the forthcoming changes will completely transform the realities of life in associate States, including Poland. It is not cosmetic amendments, but a hard law, the consequences of which will be felt in our portfolios much faster than many expect. Brussels sharpens the course, which means 1 thing: higher electricity, heating and fuel bills It's only the beginning of a profound transformation that affects each of us.
The plan includes not only stricter emanation limits, but besides imposes new, costly obligations on companies, local governments and full industries. For Poland, whose economy is inactive mostly based on coal, these changes represent a historical challenge. The time for preparation is rapidly shrinking, and the coming months will be a arena of hard negotiations that will decide the pace and cost of this revolution.
Higher bills are sure. What precisely is changing?
The heart of the EU improvement is simply a extremist tightening of greenhouse gas emanation limits and expansion EU Emissions Trading strategy (ETS). In practice, this means that the "poison" will be much more costly and these costs will be passed straight on to consumers. Energy companies, heat and refineries will gotta buy more costly CO2 emanation allowances, which will inevitably translate into final prices.
Experts agree: we must prepare for a systematic increase in electricity, heating and fuel prices at petrol stations. But that is not all. The fresh standards will besides cover milder sectors so far, specified as Construction and transport. This means more costly building materials and higher freight transport costs, which will further drive inflation.
The changes will besides affect local governments. They will be required to make detailed adaptation plans for climate change and regularly study progress. In practice, this could mean the request to introduce clean transport zones, invest in green urban infrastructure or modernise public buildings – all of which will be financed by public money.
Polish manufacture under large pressure. Are we in danger of bankruptcy?
The fresh regulations represent an existential threat to many sectors of the Polish economy. Countries whose energy mix is based on fossil fuels will experience the transformation most severely and Poland is at the forefront of this group. The government in Warsaw already announces that it will fight to soften the pace of change and peculiar protective mechanisms, especially for mining and industrial regions specified as Silesia.
Entrepreneurs in the energy, steel or chemical industries say directly: without tremendous financial support, any companies will not bear the cost of the imposed modernisation. Maintaining the competitiveness of Polish products in the European marketplace will become highly hard erstwhile production costs in Poland increase more than in countries with a "cleaner" economy. There is simply a real hazard that certain establishments may be closed or transferred outside the European Union.
In parallel, there are warnings about possible social unrest. The fast increase in the cost of living, driven by more costly energy and fuel, can origin a wave of discontent, especially in lower income groups. This puts the rulers before an highly hard dilemma: how to reconcile EU requirements with the request to defend citizens from energy poverty.
Billions from the EU to transformation. A chance for a fresh opening?
The European Commission, aware of the scale of the challenge, ensures that it will not leave the associate States alone. With the fresh responsibilities, powerful funds are to be mobilised to support transformation. Talk about EUR billion for the improvement of renewable energy sources, modernisation of manufacture and creation of green jobs.
Investments are to be directed in areas specified as wind farms, photovoltaics, green hydrogen production and the improvement of electromobility. For many regions, historically linked to dense industry, this could be an chance to build fresh economical specialisation and attract innovative technologies. Brussels argues that the green revolution will make more jobs than it will eliminate.
The key question, however, is whether these measures will be distributed effectively and where they are most needed. The success of this plan depends on the efficient administration, transparency and ability to rapidly implement complex investment projects. For Poland it will be a test of state efficiency on an unprecedented scale.
Hot negotiations in Brussels. The minute of fact is coming
The adoption of the fresh climate package will not just be a formality. In the coming months, Brussels will proceed sharp negotiations between associate States. There are fundamental economical and social interests on the table. On the 1 hand, there is time force and the request for decisive action in the fight against climate change. On the another hand, fear of occupation losses, failure of competitiveness and social discontent.
Poland, together with another countries of the region, will fight for as long as possible transitional periods and as much financial support as possible. The final form of the improvement will be the consequence of a political compromise. But 1 thing is certain: Europe is in a historical turn. The decisions that will shortly come will specify our reality for the coming decades. The discussion is just beginning, but the direction of the changes has already been irrevocably determined – the transformation will be deep and will not miss anyone.
Read more:
New EU law enters into force. Higher bills are just the beginning of problems
