The introduction of the ETS2 system presents a challenge for Poland, but also an opportunity to secure nearly PLN 50 billion from the Social Climate Fund. By mid-2025, EU Member States must draw up plans for spending these funds. The Reform Institute supports dialogue on the shape of Poland’s Social and Climate Plan so that the reforms and investments planned under it address the challenges of ETS2 and promote widespread access to clean energy and transport as part of the country’s long-term decarbonisation strategy.

The aim of the project is to monitor the progress of work on the Social and Climate Plan (SCP), as well as to provide substantive support to the government in preparing an effective plan for the allocation of funds from the Social Climate Fund (SCF) – of which Poland will be the largest beneficiary within the EU. We aim to ensure that the Polish SCP becomes a systemic instrument for building universal access to modern energy and transport services.

We are working to ensure the effective use of funds from the ETS2 and the Social Climate Fund. We coordinate dialogue on the shape of the PSK amongst non-governmental organisations, highlighting the key role of this document in combating energy and transport poverty. We maintain regular contact with government departments, including the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, which is responsible for drafting the PSK.

The outcome of this work is an intensified dialogue between the public administration and the third sector regarding the shape of the SCP, as well as the provision of comprehensive reports to decision-makers containing recommendations on investment priorities within the SCF. Continuous monitoring of the work on the Plan and data analysis enable the early identification of risks and the proposal of solutions to enhance synergies in the spending of funds for the purposes of a fair and inclusive transition.

The project lays the foundations for a systemic approach to ensuring access to clean heating and transport in Poland. Reform Institute’s activities make the policy-making process more inclusive, enabling support to be better tailored to the real needs of groups that are particularly vulnerable to change, and fostering public acceptance of the transition in the building and road transport sectors, which are more difficult to decarbonise.

Project is financed by European Climate Foundation (ECF).