21 presentations were delivered during the PRE_COP24 social conference attended by nearly 300 guests. Polish trade union officers frequently noted that the climate policy should not interfere with industrial development in any country. – We would like to convince the countries that signed the United Nations Convention that every nation has the right to freely choose the path and directions for its industry to ensure energy security of their country, their citizens, so that everyone has the opportunity for sustainable growth. We hope this message will be heard and that every nation can develop based on its own natural resources – noted Dariusz Trzcionka, head of the “Kadra” Trade Unions Association.
As a result of the three-day meeting, three trade union confederations issued an appeal to the Presidency of COP24 in Katowice and all the parties to the Framework United Nations Convention, among others to replace the term “decarbonization” with “climate neutrality” The signed appeal also noted that climate neutrality may be achieved by using two equivalent measures: reducing emissions and absorption by soil, forest and peatlands in accordance with the principle of solidarity, which means that all countries should be involved in preventing climate change. – I would like to thank all the participants, the trade unions, I also want to emphasize the role of employers, who took part in this conference. I’d like to express my gratitude to the scientists, representatives of the parliament and the European Parliament and the ministry. I believe that this is a good test before the COP in December, a test of dialogue, exchange of thought and what we have done so far and what we can do about protecting the environment – Grzegorz Tobiszowski, Vice-Minister of Energy thanked the attendees, adding: – All countries should be involved in environmental protection, but every country has the right to its own vision of the energy industry, in accordance with the principle of solidarity. On behalf of the Ministry of Energy and for myself, I would like thank all those who accepted the invitation for this exchange of ideas.
The event was attended among others by Poland’s largest coal producers: Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa, Polska Grupa Górnicza, Tauron Wydobycie and Przedsiębiorstwo Górnicze Silesia. It was also attended by the representatives of the Famur group and the academia.
The three-day PRE_COP24 conference preceded the UN climate summit, which will be held in Katowice in early December.
