The summit in the Belgian capital on Thursday and Friday comes a day after the European Union’s new executive launched an ambitious “Green Deal” policy package to tackle climate change and cut fossil fuel dependence.
Morawiecki stressed the need for a “just energy transformation”, adding: “The pace of reaching for neutrality must be different, reflecting the stage of economic development of individual countries."
"We cannot agree on such a model of economic transformation that Polish society will suffer", he argued.
The Reuters news agency reported that tense talks were expected at the Brussels summit of 27 EU leaders, at which the majority would offer financial incentives to eastern member states to win their support for the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.
Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said on Wednesday that his coal-reliant country had already made a significant effort in terms of energy transformation.
He added: "Poland will not agree to carry these burdens on its shoulders when it comes to adjusting the Polish energy system.”
(pk)
Source: PAP/Reuters