Poland’s climate-friendly coalition warned of obstacles to emissions goals

(The Guardian, 24 Oct 2023) Energy prices and presidential veto powers among challenges facing parties likely to form government, say analysts.

Poland’s probable new government can shed its reputation as a “climate laggard” but will still struggle to cut emissions quickly, environment and energy groups have said.

The rightwing Law and Justice party (PiS), which has ruled Poland since 2015 and has slammed the brakes on climate action at home and in the EU, is unlikely to form a government despite having won the most votes in parliamentary elections on 15 October. Analysts expect a more climate-friendly coalition between the centrist Civic Coalition, the centre-right Third Way and the leftwing Lewica parties.

The three opposition parties have promised to build more clean energy infrastructure, and to cut carbon emissions more quickly than before.

“It’s a landmark moment in modern Polish history,” said Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz, the head of the Polish branch of ClientEarth, a not-for-profit environmental organisation. “Although our spirits are high, we need to remain mindful about the challenges that lie ahead.”

External link

The Guardian, 24 Oct 2023: Poland’s climate-friendly coalition warned of obstacles to emissions goals