Poland-Türkiye Cooperation in the Green Energy Transition

By Witold Leśniak

Each era has its own distinct narrative reflecting the prevailing values, challenges, and aspirations of the time. These themes can be shaped by historical events, cultural movements, technological advancements, and societal or environmental changes. In today's global landscape, energy is undoubtedly one of the central topics of discussion. This focus is driven by concerns over climate change and the need for sustainable economic development, with a strong emphasis on energy security. Could energy constitute a significant element of economic cooperation between Poland and Türkiye? I would like to share my observations on that question resulting from my assignment as Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Istanbul.

Starting with a truism - tackling climate change is our collective responsibility. The choices we make today in terms of energy consumption will determine the future of our ecosystems. On the other hand, improving the wealth of our nations shall be seen similarly as an important responsibility. Poland is a country with extraordinary performance in keeping simultaneously economic growth and emission reduction. According to official data Poland's economy accumulated growth between 1990 and 2020 reached more than 850 percent, while GHG emissions decreased over the same period by around 30 percent. Poland's experiences in the green transition include a wide package of structural, economic and social changes triggered by the national and the EU policy frameworks. Poland is willing to share these experiences with Türkiye, with the same readiness to learn more about best practices in energy policy implemented in Türkiye.

Poland plays a very active role in the global climate agenda. Poland is the only country to have...