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Interest in solar energy growing in coal-dependent Poland
By Laurie Goering
LONDON, Feb 18 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Close to 90% of Poland’s energy comes from highly polluting coal – a fuel whose use needs to end swiftly if Europe and the rest of the world are to meet global goals to slash planet-heating emissions and avoid more extreme climate change impacts.
But Poland also has 90,000 people employed in its coal industry, making a rapid switch to greener fuels challenging in social as well as financial and technological terms.
In Poland – and wealthier European countries such as Germany – the need to move away from coal is affecting large geographical areas, said Patrizia Kraft, energy policy coordinator for the German Trade Union Confederation.
Close to 90% of Poland's energy comes from highly polluting coal - a fuel whose use needs to end swiftly if Europe and the rest of the world are to meet global goals to slash planet-heating emissions and avoid more extreme climate change impacts.