Poland backs renewables, rejects carbon tax, poll shows

A German newspaper report cites a poll indicating that 69% of Poles consider climate change a threat to future generations and 63% support achieving climate neutrality by 2050. At the same time, 56% oppose a carbon‑dioxide emission tax, the highest level of opposition in the EU, which the report calls an "alarm signal" for European climate policy.

Renewable energy now supplies about 30% of Poland’s electricity, while coal’s share fell to 52% at the start of the year, partly replaced by gas‑fired plants (13%). The share of renewables has more than doubled since 2021, with the biggest rise recorded up to 2023 under the previous PiS government. Current Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s coalition has pledged to accelerate renewable development, but faces resistance from former PiS president Karol Nawrocki, who has blocked legislation easing wind‑farm location rules and plans a referendum on EU climate policy.

E.ON Polska’s president Andrzej Modzelewski told the FAZ that public attitudes are becoming more pragmatic, emphasizing willingness to fund the transition provided energy supply security is guaranteed.