Multifaceted approach needed to achieve EPBD goals in Poland

The Polish EPBD.wise policy forum took place on 19 June 2024 in Warsaw with participation from Julien Tami, Policy Officer at the European Commission’s DG ENER and EPBD.wise representatives Rose Hartwig-Peillon from Efficient Buildings Europe and Francesca Conselvan from e-think.  

Disinformation and health 

Urszula Zielińska, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Climate and Environment, set a positive outlook in her keynote speech, highlighting that energy efficiency is crucial for Poland’s competitiveness and a key goal for the government.  

She also noted that energy-efficient buildings would contribute to better health and longevity. However, fact-based information campaigns are needed to counter existing disinformation campaigns against the EPBD. Zofia Wetmańska from the independent think tank Reform Institute also stressed the need to address disinformation, soaring energy prices and make buildings healthier places to inhabit.   

Financial supports for EPBD implementation include sources like the Clean Air Fund and Modernisation Fund. Investments are vital to prevent a climate disaster, with plans and funds in place to achieve this. 

Challenges to implementation  

Dr. Justyna Glusman from EPBD.wise’s focus country partner Fala Renowacji outlined the challenges for EPBD implementation in Poland. Issues identified include a lack of public institutional ownership, a fragmented approach, and insufficient coordination.  

“There are deficiencies in the communication strategy about the EPBD and the social benefits of deep retrofit,” said Glusman. More high-level leadership is called for: support programs are ineffective due to multiple sources of support that are difficult for citizens to navigate, along with a lack of accountability and systemic monitoring and evaluation procedures.  

Glusman also cited insufficient correlation between the scale and type of support and the energy efficiency results achieved by public interventions. The lack of non-financial support tools, such as one-stop shops, energy classes, and integrated data repositories on buildings and their technical condition, further hinders progress. Longer-term thinking is needed: the rising costs of building heat and power supply are mostly addressed with temporary measures, such as subsidies, instead of long-term solutions.  

Data, stakeholder engagement and finance 

During the discussions, participants underscored the pivotal role of education, communication, and financial mechanisms in implementing the EPBD. The importance of accurate data, stakeholder involvement, and addressing misinformation was emphasised, with a call for fact-based information campaigns to support public understanding. The need for skilled labour and local government engagement was highlighted, alongside the necessity of clear and coordinated financial support systems.  

It’s clear that achieving the EPBD’s goals requires a multifaceted approach, integrating legislative, administrative, and community efforts to foster a sustainable future for Poland. 

EPBD.wise will return to Poland in 2025, to workshop policy guidelines on energy performance certificates, national building renovation plans, and minimum energy performance standards and national trajectories (Article 9) in the EPBD recast.