Deputy Minister Ireneusz Zyska about plans to create a European Institute for Just Transition

On the 4^th of June 2020 at a meeting in the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Climate and Government Plenipotentiary for Renewable Energy Sources Ireneusz Zyska presented the concept of the European Institute for Just Transition, which can be established on the basis of the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas.

The European Institute for Just Transition (EIST) is to bring together the best Polish and European experts involved in programming transitions in various regions. Its purpose will be to support the implementation of the European Green Deal policy by programming and absorbing the funds from the Just Transition Fund and preparing systemic solutions.

"The main task of the European Institute for Just Transition will be programming related to the identification of targets to which funds from the Just Transition Fund should be allocated, conducting research on transition processes, creating innovation ecosystems and establishing scientific and industrial centres. The Institute's activities are also expected to provide strong support for the development of renewable energy sources in Poland”, said the Deputy Minister of Climate Ireneusz Zyska, Government Plenipotentiary for RES.

The main tasks of EIST will be:

• examining the transition processes and preparing implementation recommendations
• creating innovation ecosystems for climate neutral enterprises
• establishing scientific and industrial centres for managing RES technology commercialisation processes

"Based on the European Green Deal policy and currently defined financial instruments, Poland has a chance to carry out a just energy transition based on investments in renewable energy sources and the circular economy", emphasized the Deputy Minister of Climate Ireneusz Zyska. "As the largest beneficiary of transition-related programmes, Poland should take the lead in this field on a EU-wide scale", he added.

For the purpose of implementation of these new initiatives of the Ministry of Climate Dr. Andrzej Węgrzyn was appointed the Director of IETU, replacing the long-time IETU Director Dr. hab. Jan Skowronek.

During the visit the Deputy Minister Ireneusz Zyska thanked Dr. hab. Jan Skowronek, the existing Director of the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, and congratulated Dr. Andrzej Węgrzyn on taking the position of the new Director of the Institute. The meeting was also an opportunity to award departmental medals and decorations for distinguished employees of the Institute.