During a Solidarity-organized protest in Warsaw on Wednesday, May 20, Przemysław Czarnek demanded Poland’s immediate withdrawal from the EU Emissions Trading System, dismissing the policy as mere wind lobbyist propaganda.
Czarnek Rejects Climate Policy
Speaking in Warsaw, Przemysław Czarnek declared that Poland does not accept what he termed a “climate religion” and “leftist ideology” that he claims is destroying both Europe and Poland. He argued that the country should rely on its own coal reserves and production capabilities to ensure cheap energy, rather than being forced into renewable energy investments.
Support for the Nawrocki Referendum
Czarnek expressed support for Karol Nawrocki’s initiative to hold a national referendum on EU climate policy. He urged the Senate to respect this proposal, citing polls suggesting 75 percent of Poles oppose the ETS, and warned that if senators from the ruling coalition reject the referendum, they are effectively turning their backs on the Polish nation.
The Proposed Referendum Question
The referendum, as proposed by the President, asks whether citizens support a climate policy that has increased living costs and energy prices for households, businesses, and farmers. Nawrocki clarified that this initiative is not intended to oppose environmental protection or Poland’s membership in the European Union.
Understanding the ETS
The Emissions Trading System sets a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted, imposing charges that fund clean energy transitions. While the Ministry of Climate and Environment is calling for reforms and the abandonment of the mandatory ETS2 by 2030, Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska has noted that a unilateral exit from the system is not possible, though it must be adjusted to protect the economy.
