The recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to ramp up oil and gas production is expected to increase global supply and subsequently drive down prices, according to Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Poland’s Minister of Climate and Environment. However, she strongly criticized Trump’s move to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, warning of its negative impact on global efforts to combat climate change.
“Increasing gas and oil production will likely lead to a decrease in their global prices. It’s a simple market rule—when more supply enters the market, prices fall. In Poland, we prefer American gas and oil over Russian imports, which should be completely phased out from the European market,” Hennig-Kloska said in an interview with Radio One.
Hennig-Kloska acknowledged that while the energy transition will take years, natural gas is currently viewed as a transitional fuel in Poland’s energy transformation strategy. She stressed that an abundant global supply of American gas could benefit Poland economically, leading to lower energy costs. However, she emphasized that global cooperation is necessary to achieve meaningful reductions in emissions.
“The key is a global approach to emission reductions, not just actions taken in Poland or Europe alone, as these isolated efforts will have limited impact,” she said, highlighting the responsibility of the world’s largest emitters in curbing climate change.
Hennig-Kloska criticized Trump’s decision to abandon the Paris Agreement, calling it a “bad decision for the world,” as climate change is an undeniable reality. She pointed to recent climate-related disasters, citing heatwaves, rising sea levels, drinking water shortages, and extreme weather events observed in Poland, Spain, and Central Europe.
“This year, we’ve experienced unprecedented weather anomalies, including massive storms and floods. The United States will also face its share of climate-related disasters,” she warned.
According to Business Insider Polska, Trump’s withdrawal puts the U.S. in a group with countries such as Iran, Libya, and Yemen—the only nations that have opted out of the 2015 climate accord, which aims to cap global warming at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to prevent catastrophic climate impacts.
When asked how Poland can encourage its energy transition, Hennig-Kloska stressed the importance of making the shift “beneficial for citizens and the economy.” She argued that expanding renewable energy sources (RES) leads to lower energy costs and tangible benefits for Polish consumers.
“Transitioning our energy mix from coal to wind and solar power is not only necessary but also profitable. As more renewable energy is integrated into the system, energy prices will decline, benefitting households and businesses alike,” she stated.
Hennig-Kloska reiterated that Poland’s domestic industry is eager for an accelerated transition, as cheaper energy from renewables would strengthen economic competitiveness and drive sustainable growth.
As the global energy landscape shifts, Poland remains committed to advancing its green transformation while navigating the economic implications of U.S. energy policies under the new administration.
Source: MKiŚ and ISBnews
