HEAL has sent a letter to EU member states Permanent Representatives regarding the ongoing negotiations between the Council, Parliament and Commission on the revision of the EU Toy Safety Regulation.
More than 40 non-governmental organisations, including HEAL, are calling on the Polish Prime Minister to enhance coordination among 12 ministries in preparing the National Energy and Climate Plan and implementing Poland’s energy and climate transition.
The organisations underline that the energy and climate transformation requires the involvement not only of the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment but also of 11 other ministries, including the Ministry of Industry, Agriculture and Rural Development, Infrastructure, Health, and Education in Poland. As a key proposal, they suggest establishing an interministerial coordination team, led by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, which would streamline the implementation of climate policy.
The signatories of the letter are concerned that that key opportunities—such as advancing a green economy, reducing poverty, and boosting energy efficiency in buildings—have been overlooked in the NECP draft. As a result, the Plan fails to fully leverage potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy production, and cutting energy consumption. HEAL considers that strengthening these efforts will in the short and medium term improve and protect health.
Proposals from the organisations to further improve Poland’s NECP are:
- Setting a clear coal phase out date for coal power generation, instead of planning to continue to use coal after 2040
- Including considerations of how the Polish industry can benefit from the energy transformation and strengthen its competitiveness.
- Including biodiversity aspects, with support plans for organic farming and nature restoration measures.
- Taking a comprehensive approach to curb emissions from construction and transport, and the need for climate change-proof infrastructure.
- Having a greater focus on health protection in the face of growing climate-related threats.
The organisations look towards a constructive dialogue with the government. A well planned NECP will allow Poland to fully utilise the benefits of a sustainable transformation in these fields, and to achieve EU’s climate goals.
The full content of the letter is available here (in Polish).