The President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, wants to hold a nationwide referendum in which citizens will express their views on the European Union’s climate policy.
The proposal has already been sent to the Senate. Voting may take place on September 27.
Poles are planned to be asked whether they support the EU’s climate policy, which critics associate with rising energy prices, the cost of living, and expenses for businesses and agriculture.
The initiative, according to the president’s entourage, fulfills his election promise.
Nawrocki’s team believes that the EU’s climate policy has little impact on global emissions (about 6% worldwide), but it increases the burden on the economies of European countries and the residents of Poland. According to their estimates, the costs for the country over 14 years could amount to around 3.5 trillion zlotys.
Among the controversial measures are the ETS2 system with new charges for emissions for households and transport, mandatory thermal modernization of buildings, and a ban on the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines starting in 2035.
If the majority votes against the current EU policy, the Polish authorities may seek to soften it, delay its implementation, or obtain exemptions for the country.
