Date and place: 27 March 2024 – Warsaw, Poland
On 27 March 2024, the Polish Green Network and the Reform Institute jointly conducted a workshop entitled “Revision of the National Recovery Plan”. The aim and topic of the workshop was to discuss the changes to the National Recovery Plan recently proposed by the Polish Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy. The new NRP will be the subject of public consultations in the first half of April this year. The revision of the document is intended to adapt the deadlines and indicators for the implementation of reforms and investments to the challenges associated with delays (so as not to jeopardise the timely disbursement of subsequent tranches due to the failure to meet the milestones). It also aims to increase investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy sources (offshore) and food security in Poland.
The experts identified four key issues in the proposed changes and discussed them with the workshop participants:
1. Cancellation of the E4G reform (emission fee for car ownership) – in the opinion of a transport expert invited to the workshop, when considering this change, it is necessary to distinguish between the types of emissions that are to be taxed (carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides). A broader reform of the transport tax system is also recommended, which would make the system transparent and understandable for users (which would also help convince the public of the changes being introduced). Other pro-ecological tax solutions were also considered, e.g. concerning the weight of the vehicle, which is already being considered by a number of other EU countries. The discussed topics also included the planned date (2025/26) and scope (90/100%) of the entry into force of the requirement to purchase only low- and zero-emission buses, as well as the effectiveness of the implementation of Clean Transport Zones by cities. In the opinion of experts, these zones should have clearly defined emission criteria and area coverages, while the time of their introduction could be left to the city authorities to decide on their own (taking into account their diversity and specificity). It was also noted that the above change in transport is the only reform in the new variant of the NRP, the others relate to issues such as changes in scopes, financial or time transfers.
2. “Industry for Transformation” Fund (loans instead of grants + change of scope) – experts pointed out that this Fund, which is an element of the “Green Economy” area, was previously based on grants, and in the current version it concerns loans. The framework description of the fund was assessed as correct, but attention was drawn to the lack of specific and measurable criteria, which raises the concern that co-financing may be obtained by generators who do not actually meet the “green” parameters and/or those whose financial situation does not require the use of support (even in the form of a loan). It was discussed what can be done and to what extent the correctness and purposefulness of the selection of beneficiaries can be secured.
3. New funds for building investments – included in the TERMO programme (multi-family buildings), not included in the “Clean Air” programme – in the new version of the NRP, an additional EUR 140 million has been allocated to the TERMO programme, with 94% of them supporting RES (PV panels, heat pumps, solar collectors) and not thermal modernisation. In the opinion of our experts, it is therefore a justified postulate to add a provision on rewarding projects that will lead to the building obtaining the zero-emission status (as an incentive for comprehensive investments). Particular emphasis in this programme should be placed on the aspects that are most noticeable to residents, i.e. overall energy efficiency and heating sources. On the other hand, in the context of the “Clean Air” programme, the actual financial needs of the programme versus the deadline for disbursement of funds resulting from the NRP regulations, falling on the mid-2026 date, were discussed.
4. New investments in agriculture – an additional €600 million is planned in the NRP for investments in the agricultural and food supply chain, an increase in the number of projects planned, and a new type of investment in a teaching and demonstration base for agriculture 4.0 education (focus on digitalisation). In principle, the experts agreed with this direction, stressing at the same time that any additional aid measures should be accompanied by conditions related to the implementation of the European Green Deal. Solutions such as rewarding investments reducing dependence on the use of fossil fuels in the supply chain or expanding education to include knowledge about climate change – adaptability and the context of EGD implementation were considered.
In the last part of the workshop, participants developed a common strategy for the further revision process of the NRP, and in particular the planned public consultation. On April 8, 2024, the Ministry and the National Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations are organizing a public hearing, and the deadline for submitting written comments is set for April 15. The meeting was attended by 25 people specialising and working in various areas included in the NRP. The participants agreed to further coordinate the substantive proposals that they would like to submit to the Ministry as part of the consultations.
