Dispatch from Poland | April '26
*** Our weekly Dispatches provide an overview of the most relevant recent and upcoming developments for the shift to climate neutrality in selected European countries, from policy and diplomacy to society and industry. For a bird's-eye view of the country's climate-friendly transition, read the respective 'Guide to'. ***
24 Apr 2026, 06:30
Alicja Ptak, Patryk Strzałkowski
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
- ETS takes centre stage in political debate – Przemysław Czarnek, recently named prime ministerial candidate by right-wing opposition party PiS, has called for Poland to exit the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS). President Karol Nawrocki, who won last year's election with PiS support, also proposed an overhaul of the ETS, stopping short of calling for its abolition. Prime minister Donald Tusk’s government argues that leaving the ETS is legally and politically impossible, but it is pushing for reforms. In the coming months - before the ETS directive review planned for the summer - Tusk's government will seek to convince Brussels and other member states to back deeper changes. The result may affect not only the ETS, but also the upcoming election campaign in Poland.
- Opposition moves against climate minister – Before the end of April, parliament is set to decide on a motion for a vote of no confidence in climate and environment minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska, submitted by the right-wing opposition. Members of the coalition government have also criticised Hennig-Kloska for the ineffectiveness of an important clean air subsidy programme and other issues, signalling spats within the coalition. An upcoming parliamentary debate is expected to result in a general attack on climate and environmental policy.
- Home energy storage facing difficulties – Battery energy storage could help with Poland’s growing oversupply of solar energy during summer. with the coming weeks and months deciding whether the government can resolve conflicting approaches. The climate ministry wants to support home energy storage systems with subsidies for households. At the same time, the development and technology ministry, which is also responsible for the construction sector, is working on fire safety regulation that would essentially block the installation of batteries in homes and apartments, according to industry voices.
The latest from Poland – last month in recap
- Measures against the energy crisis – Amid the war in the Middle East and a looming energy crisis, Poland introduced a cap on fuel prices at petrol stations. Caps are set daily by the energy ministry based on wholesale prices. Including a related temporary value added tax (VAT) cut, the measure will cost the state budget around 1.6 billion zloty (almost 400 million euros). At the same time, the government is considering a tax on windfall profits of oil and gas companies.
- Fire near the construction site of a nuclear plant – Several pieces of machinery burned down on the construction site of a road leading to the site of a future nuclear power plant on the Baltic coast. Police are investigating the cause of the fire as well as a previous incident of an unidentified perpetrator throwing stones at a guard booth. The incidents have sparked fears of sabotage.
- Grid connection law signed – President Karol Nawrocki has signed a bill overhauling the process of securing grid connection permits. Among other objectives, the legislation was created to deal with so-called “zombie” investments - permits secured by investors who don’t follow up with actual development, but hold on to the permits, possibly to sell them again later on. As the available capacity for grid connection is limited, this may block actual investments in wind or solar farms. However, some parts of the new law could lead to disputes between grid operators and investors.
- Air quality worsening – Poland has gradually reduced smog levels over the past decades, but the country’s air quality remains one of the worst in Europe. Recent data showed that pollution levels worsened in 2024 and 2025 instead of improving. The trend reversal could foreshadow dificulties in meeting new European air quality rules that member states are obliged to implement.
Patryk's picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
- “Energy of the future” and “Green economy” will be among the topics at Impact, a large conference taking place in Poznań on 13-14 May. Regular tickets are very pricey, but journalists can apply for a free media pass.
- With little demand and an oversupply of electricity, Poland faced a record of negative power prices over Easter. Kacper Świsłowski explains on wnp.pl why this is a growing challenge for Poland’s electricity system.
- Worth watching: If you’re on the lookout for a short TV series, try “Lead Children” on Netflix. It tells the fascinating story of a Polish doctor struggling against communist authorities - and factory workers - to save children from extreme air pollution. The show is based on a true story and shows what happens when industry (and authorities) operate without any concern for the environment.
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