Poland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) today, guiding the EU’s policymaking during a turbulent time for geopolitics and industry. Poland's leadership offers a unique opportunity to advance a robust net-zero and investment agenda as the EU faces external challenges, from intensifying global competition to potential trade disruptions.

Poland takes over the presidency from Hungary and has already outlined defence, energy security, and competitiveness as its priorities. Over the last decade, the country has transformed from a coal advocate to a cleantech champion. The recent Strategic Perspectives report, “Poland, a Strategic Cleantech Hub for Europe,” highlights Poland’s role as a cornerstone of Europe’s net-zero transition. This achievement indicates that Poland is well-positioned to shape a European response to the upcoming challenges.

Driving the EU’s net-zero industrial strategy

Poland’s emerging cleantech sector has been driving its significant economic and industrial development. The renewable energy sector has seen rapid growth, with wind and solar accounting for 21% of Poland’s electricity mix as of 2023. Employing over 194,000 people in renewables, Poland has become a centre of innovation and jobs. The country is also the EU’s largest producer of lithium-ion batteries, responsible for 60% of Europe’s output. 

During its presidency, Poland has a strategic opportunity to champion initiatives that align with these strengths. As the Polish EU Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin, begins preparing the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) in the coming months, Poland’s presidency could work to foster national governments’ alignment on joint investment through a robust Competitiveness Fund. This could bridge the investment gap and ensure support for industrial decarbonisation and cleantech manufacturing after the EU recovery plan, NextGenerationEU, expires in 2026.

Poland would also benefit from leading the debate on the Clean Industrial Deal to restore the business case for cleantech and green products made in Europe: sustainability standards in public procurement, the EU value-chain bonus, and the Industrial Accelerator Decarbonisation Act could stimulate innovation and competitiveness, reduce reliance on China and address emerging trade tensions with the United States.

Prioritising energy security and competitiveness

Energy security remains a pressing concern for the EU, especially as Russian gas still accounts for 14.8% of the gas imports in Europe. Poland can be a strong advocate for a new European energy security strategy, planning the phase-out of Russian gas well before 2027 and re-defining energy security beyond the diversification of supply. Poland’s presidency could focus on fast-tracking the EU’s Electrification Plan, a vital framework to reduce gas demand and dependence on energy imports. This can simultaneously increase the deployment of net-zero technologies, favouring cleantech manufacturing. 

Poland’s citizen-driven boost of solar and heat pump deployment in 2022, the uptake of offshore wind projects in 2024, and the relaunch of onshore wind deployment by the new government have all become key pillars of national energy security. These cleantech achievements offer an example to other Member States and demonstrate how the net-zero transformation can strengthen industrial bases and create jobs.

A platform for leadership

Poland’s presidency comes at a time when the EU is experiencing a vacuum of leadership from its traditional powerhouses, France and Germany. Poland is uniquely positioned to lead and bridge the interests of all governments by leveraging its strategic location and industrial strengths. Poland can play a pivotal role in fostering a cohesive approach to addressing Europe’s geoeconomic challenges while avoiding a two-speed Europe. This is an opportunity for Prime Minister Donald Tusk to use his experience as European Council president and diplomatic background to not only help restore the EU's economic security but also consolidate Poland's leadership in the new industrial era.

In the next six months, all eyes will be on Warsaw. The vision and determination that Poland’s presidency brings will be crucial to the EU’s cleantech ambitions, economic security, and energy independence.

 

 

Photo credit: © European Union 2019 – Source: European Parliament
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