The climate and energy transition in Poland is accelerating. This brings great opportunities for development\u00a0but also poses new challenges for public administration.\u00a0To\u00a0fully exploit the potential of the changes taking place, Poland needs a more strategic approach to managing the transition.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Updating key documents, making better use of available institutional\u00a0resources\u00a0and improving inter-ministerial cooperation can significantly increase the effectiveness of the measures taken. Solid foundations already exist \u2013 competent institutions, proven\u00a0procedures\u00a0and experience in implementing EU\u00a0programmes. The introduction of gradual, well-planned improvements can significantly increase the effectiveness of transformation management, according to the authors of the latest report by the Reform Institute:\u00a0<\/span>From Stagnation to Strategy: Tools for Managing Poland’s Transformation<\/i>.<\/p>\n Further development of strategy processes shows that a reactive approach to transformation was\u00a0established\u00a0in Poland. We all\u00a0lose out\u00a0because the delayed strategies, scattered\u00a0competences,\u00a0and a lack of stable goals hamper development. We need a coherent management system \u2013 from clear decisions in government to\u00a0standardized\u00a0monitoring rules \u2013 in order to use transformation as a real opportunity to strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life of society<\/span><\/i>, explains\u00a0<\/span>Zofia\u00a0Wetma\u0144ska, vice-president of the\u00a0Reform Institute\u00a0and one of the authors of the report.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Four pillars for reconstruction<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Reform Institute’s report shows that effective change management requires strengthening four key areas of government action. These will\u00a0determine\u00a0whether Poland will be able to use the transformation as an opportunity for development.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Goals and strategies<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Polish economy needs clearly defined goals for emission reduction and energy transition \u2013 long-term,\u00a0intermediate\u00a0and sectoral \u2013 so that they form a coherent compass for the administration,\u00a0businesses\u00a0and investors. The report\u00a0indicates\u00a0that these precise goals are the foundation of effective strategies, which should describe realistic paths to achieving the desired results.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Until now, successive governments have avoided setting precise national emission reduction\u00a0targets.\u00a0They\u00a0were usually only presented when required by the EU law. This logic must change in Poland \u2013 precisely defined targets are essential to ensure predictability and enable businesses and citizens to prepare for the coming changes<\/span><\/i>, comments\u00a0<\/span>Pawe\u0142\u00a0Wiejski, co-author of the report<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Institutions and coordination<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Although\u00a0additional\u00a0resources are necessary to strengthen the\u00a0institutions\u00a0managing the transition, they are not sufficient. The Reform Institute recommends\u00a0establishing\u00a0a Climate Policy Coordination Committee under the Council of Ministers, which would ensure better flow of information and decisions between ministries.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One of the major problems of the Polish administration is its silo mentality. The creation of a Coordination Committee could\u00a0establish\u00a0a real decision-making\u00a0center\u00a0in the area of\u00a0energy and climate, which would improve coordination between public institutions key to the transition and allow for better use of their resources and competences<\/span><\/i>, according to\u00a0<\/span>Micha\u0142\u00a0Wojty\u0142o, co-author of the report.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, experts point out that the activities of such a\u00a0committee\u00a0should be complemented by an independent scientific council for climate and energy policy, responsible for evaluating the actions of the administration and decision-makers and for providing reliable, evidence-based recommendations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Monitoring and evaluation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In response to the inconsistent approach to monitoring and evaluating strategies, the report recommends the creation of unified standards that will allow institutions to better\u00a0analyse\u00a0progress and make decisions based on reliable data. It is important to ensure the participation of an independent scientific council on climate and energy policy in the monitoring and evaluation processes, which will guarantee the impartiality and reliability of the results. Good examples come from the United Kingdom and France, where independent experts prepare annual reports on the implementation of climate and energy targets, which are also available to the public.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Proper evaluation is the result of good planning, institutional\u00a0preparation\u00a0and the selection of\u00a0appropriate methods. Only regular monitoring based on consistent standards allows us to assess whether the direction of the transition is correct and whether the measures implemented respond to real needs and challenges. In addition, we also propose the development of corrective mechanisms that the administration should use when the pace of achieving the targets is too slow<\/span><\/i>, says\u00a0<\/span>Maciej Lipi\u0144ski, co-author of the report.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Inclusion<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, the last key area that analysts at the Reform Institute want to see improved is the inclusion of stakeholders and all interested citizens in the strategy development process. As the study states, it is \u201cnot only good for democracy. It also improves the quality of decisions, giving the administration insight into a reality that is difficult to see from the perspective of ministerial offices. Dialogue allows mutual trust to be built and consensus to be reached, even when making bold and difficult decisions”. Ensuring citizen participation allows potential challenges to be identified early on and adequate responses to be prepared, increasing the chances of gaining lasting public support for reforms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Reform Institute’s report for each of the above four areas lists key recommendations,\u00a0indicating\u00a0the entity responsible for their implementation and the\u00a0time frame\u00a0for their implementation. The use of existing procedures and institutions will help to reduce the costs of reforms, both in financial and socio-political terms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is a good point for Poland to start making changes. Soon, we should learn about the Ministry of Energy’s new draft National Energy and Climate Plan, while the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy is working on a Development Strategy for Poland until 2035. Discussions are also underway in the shape of the future EU Multiannual Financial Framework, in which national strategies should play a proactive role – setting priorities and directions for ongoing negotiations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n