It is my conviction that Poland today faces enormous internal and external development challenges. If we fail to define our goals and directions, the world will do it for us,

said Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. 

At the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, we are preparing two documents that must be consistent with each other and ready within a year. Both concern the development of Poland. The first is the Social Climate Plan, which follows the adoption of the ETS2 by Poland and the EU. It is based on the Social Climate Fund. This is a kind of second RRP, as its mechanism is similar, but the objective is directed at the energy transition and mitigating the social consequences arising from it,

emphasised Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.

And she added:

The second document we are working on at the Ministry is Poland's medium term development strategy for the upcoming decade. I am convinced that it is necessary and realistic. It will indicate the priorities of investment policy and the development directions of regional and industrial policy for the various levels of administration – ranging from central to local government. We are doing all this to ensure the development of Poland for years to come.

The discussion, which was attended by experts and representatives of other ministries, focused on Poland's further development in the context of the long-term challenges that the entire Europe is facing. The debate provides a basis for further discussion on: 

• the development priorities of Poland up to 2035 in the face of prevailing trends in Europe, with particular emphasis on climate change and energy transition; 
• the opportunities and threats for Poland arising from the introduction of the new ETS2;
• the most effective ways to mitigate the negative outcomes of the introduction of ETS2 that affect households, micro enterprises and transport users (i.e. energy and transport poverty).

The Polish development strategy and plan

The Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy commenced work on the preparation of a new medium-term strategy for the development of the country until 2035 and the Social Climate Plan as the basis for the use of funds under the Social Climate Fund in the 2026-2032 period. 

The two documents must be consistent with each other and should be ready by the middle of next year. They will concern the energy transition, which contributes to the decarbonisation of the economy. 

The medium-term national development strategy 2035 will be based on the National Development Concept 2050 (NDC), which is currently in the public consultation phase. By November this year, the NDC 2050 will have been submitted to the Standing Committee and the Council of Ministers.

The Social Climate Plan will be subject to public consultation with local and regional authorities, representatives of social and economic partners, civil society, youth organisations and other stakeholders.

Social Climate Fund

The Social Climate Fund (SCF) is a new tool to provide financial support to individuals and enterprises most affected by the introduction of the new emissions trading scheme for buildings, road transport and fuels for additional sectors. It is designed to combat energy poverty and improve access to zero and low emission mobility in the EU. The Fund's total envisaged allocation stands at EUR 65 billion. Poland will be allocated 17.60%, or EUR 11,439,026,446.