Szyszko: hard coal and lignite “the foundations of Poland’s economy”

Poland’s Environment Minister, Jan Szyszko, said that Poland’s ability to be energy independent would not be endangered by ratification of the UN Climate Change Conference Paris Agreement, and that it could continue to take advantage of natural resources such as coal while still meeting the terms of the Paris Accord. Szyszko was speaking to reporters in Poland while summarizing the year-end accomplishments of Poland’s government. He mentioned that the actions of his (PiS) government had saved Poland from the “unreasonable” conditions that the previous (PO) government was prepared to agree to. “(Natural) biodiversity cannot be a barrier to economic development,” he said. He explained that his government only agreed to ratify the accord based on its own terms. Poland will compensate for the pollution it produces from fossil fuel emissions by taking into account the ability of the country’s forests to absorb carbon dioxide, he indicated.  “We can develop based on our own huge, traditional energy resources, and at the same time, dictate (to other countries),” he said. In late September, all 28 members of the EU ratified the Paris Accord, which sets specific targets to reduce carbon emissions that have led to global climate change. The agreement entered into force on November 4. This month, countries are meeting at this year’s UN Climate Conference, being held in Marrakech, Morocco through November 18.