The Polish government has concluded an agreement with trade unions in the country on the closure of coal mines. Mining in these mines is to be phased out until 2049, as agreed.
Poland still generates most of its energy with coal. Partly because of this dependence on polluting fuel for power stations, the Eastern European country, as the only member state of the European Union, refused to promise to be climate neutral by 2050.
The ruling PiS party also kept in mind the large trade unions, which have a great deal of influence and power in Poland. In recent days, many Poles, especially young people, have been calling in demonstrations for more far-reaching measures by the government to combat climate change.
The step to close the coal mines comes after days of negotiations between the government and trade unions. In addition to climate policy from Brussels, the coronacrisis also encouraged closure. The coal mines, which are often located in the south of the region of Silesia, have been losing their jobs for years and are therefore expensive to maintain.