Polish officials join international climate debate around pandemic

Polish Climate Minister Michal Kurtyka participated, via Tuesday videoconference in the 11th Petersberg Climate Dialogue, an annual meeting on global climate policy, organised by the German gov't, the ministry has said.

At the invitation of German Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze, high-level government officials discussed which measures could pave the way for a green recovery from this economic crisis.

This year, however, the Petersberg Climate Dialogue (PCD) did not take place in its usual format, as the ministers of 30 countries met online.

Deputy Climate Minister Adam Guibourge-Czetwertynski also participated in the meeting.

Kurtyka pointed to the need to finalise initiated key energy investments, as well as the development and implementation of low-carbon innovations, while supporting employment, especially in the regions most affected by energy transformation.

"Of particular importance is strengthening of the most important industrial sectors, thanks to the wider use of already available and proven solutions, such as energy efficiency, low-emission transport and construction, as well as the circular economy," the minister said.

Kurtyka also acknowledged that despite the short-term pushing aside of energy transformation, it still remains a long-term priority for achieving climate neutrality in line with the commitments that have already been made.

The Petersberg Climate Dialogue is a high-level annual meeting on global climate policy organised by the German government. The event, of which Poland is a regular participant, gathers representatives from around 30 countries selected, playing the most active role in giving direction to the global discussion on climate change.