Poland’s Prime Minister Cautions EU Green Deal Could Lead to Political Turmoil
Donald Tusk criticized the European Union’s flagship net-zero law, expressing concern over the potential bankruptcy of Europe and its impact on environmental protection. He questioned, ‘If we do go bankrupt as Europe, who will protect the environment instead of us?’
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for a review of the European Union’s Green Deal, citing the risk of high energy prices leading to the downfall of democratic governments.
Speaking in Strasbourg on Jan. 22, Tusk highlighted that certain EU regulations have resulted in excessively high energy prices.
Currently, Poland holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The veteran center-right leader Tusk warned members of the European Parliament that the high energy prices could lead to the downfall of many democratic governments.
EU leaders have emphasized a renewables-first energy strategy and the goal of achieving “climate neutrality” by 2050, a significant component of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s European Green Deal.
“It’s unacceptable that our European energy prices are the highest. If we cannot be the cheapest, at least we should strive to be competitive with other countries,” Tusk stated.
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“Let us reconsider all legal acts, including those associated with the Green Deal.
“While we aim to compete globally, our energy costs are significantly higher compared to other countries.”
“We must not overlook the potential consequences. If Europe faces bankruptcy, who will safeguard the environment in our absence?”
ETS 2
Tusk referenced ETS 2, an EU carbon-trading scheme set to launch in 2027 aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in buildings, road transport, and other sectors where fuel suppliers are accountable for monitoring and reporting emissions.
“My belief is that the political repercussions are foreseeable and concerning. If energy prices continue to rise, the impact will be severe,” he cautioned regarding the scheme.
Coal remains a primary source of power generation in Poland due to its accessibility and cost-effectiveness, according to the International Energy Agency.
The country aims to phase out a large portion of its coal-fired capacity from the national energy system by 2040, potentially eliminating its use entirely by that time.
‘Naive Approach’
The Polish prime minister also advocated for welcoming President Donald Trump’s NATO spending increase proposal, emphasizing the importance of strengthening Europe’s internal security and cautioning against underestimating the threat of illegal migration.
“Some individuals reacted with anger and disbelief when discussing the idea of borderless Europe welcoming legal and illegal immigrants,” he noted.
‘Still on Top of the Global Agenda’
The EU faces the challenge of decarbonization while ensuring competitive energy costs to support industry remain competitive.
In a September 2024 report on EU competitiveness commissioned by the European Commission, former European Central Bank Chief and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi cautioned that the EU must address elevated energy costs following the loss of access to inexpensive Russian gas to prevent a slow decline.
During this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, von der Leyen reaffirmed a commitment to decarbonization in a special address on Jan. 21.
“Climate change remains a top global priority, from decarbonization to nature-focused solutions. From promoting a circular economy to developing nature credits,” she remarked.
Without specific mention of Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, von der Leyen reassured Europe’s commitment to the legally binding international climate treaty.
“The Paris Agreement remains humanity’s best hope. Therefore, Europe remains steadfast in collaborating with all nations dedicated to preserving nature and combating global warming,” von der Leyen affirmed.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the EU Commission for additional comments.
