The German-Polish relations have improved steadily over the years, despite all historical mortgage. The periodic skirmishes around a "Center against Exculsion" could not harm the good neighborhood. However, there is another topic that gives plenty of ammunition for mutual prejudices and political dissent. We are talking about the climate and energy policy.
Among the climate activists Poland has a bad image, vice versa, Germany’s in a rush decided withdrawal out of nuclear power caused more irritation than consent in Warsaw.

The last stop of discontent was the meeting of the EU Environment Council on 21 June in Luxembourg. Because of the delaying tactics of the Polish delegation, the Panel could not agree to any decisions on climate roadmap, which was submitted in March by the European Commission. There was disagreement in particular with regards to an increase of the reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions till year 2020 from 20 to 25 percent (from 1990). This reinforced the concern that our eastern neighbor is throwing his political capacity to thwart the ambitious climate change policies of the Union.

Many experts are pessimistic about the fact that Poland on 1 July 2011 has taken over the EU presidency until the end of 2011 and carries the European negotiations at the UN climate negotiations. However, it is not fair if we judge without knowing the specific situation in Poland. One should listen to the polish Environment Minister’s, Andrzej Kraszewski, appeal that Poland is expecting more solidarity and understanding for the situation of individual member states. It is unfortunately true that Poland is facing immense challenges due to many years of neglect in the energy sector and that we must take note. Much of the power plants for electricity generation is 40 years old, the power grids are in very poor condition, the power generation and transmission of low efficiency. The coal industry in Poland has been subsidized for decades. Today, still about 90 percent of electricity are  produced from coal. Also on the consumption side, the problems are enormous. The Polish economy is very energy intensive: The energy consumption per unit of GDP is 2.5 times higher than in EU-15 countries. No wonder that energy safety in Poland is in high demand and electricity prices are a weighty economic and political factor. Against this background it is understandable that Poland responded to an increase of the reduction target, first with defense. If we do not support the country on the overdue modernization of its energy sector, it will not change its attitude. Poland is dependent on the help of its European neighbours to initiate a paradigm shift in energy policy and achieve a higher reduction target. The cooperation with Germany in this context is crucial.

German-Polish energy cooperation as the core of a European network

Also on 21 June, the Polish and German governments signed a joint declaration on 20 Anniversary of the Neighbourhood Agreement. In this both sides hold that they will continue to advocate for the development of a common European Energy Policy that is aimed at strengthening energy security, diversification of energy sources and routes as well as increasing energy efficiency. Both countries advocate the development of a new, internationally binding climate agreement which should proceed from the principle of common but differentiated responsibility for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The declaration includes a little more than two pages, the aforementioned passage is anything but a subordinate clause. Also, the agreed "Programme of Cooperation" provides a starting point for an extended cooperation in the fields of climate protection and sustainable energy policy. Specifically, renewable energy, new transport technologies and energy efficiency are known as fields of cross-border cooperation. This could be a model for an advanced climate and energy cooperation, which also includes other post-socialist countries. For these countries, a reduced dependence on Russian gas is as important as maintaining affordable energy prices for industrial and domestic consumers. They must mobilize enormous investments for the modernization of electricity production and distribution, as well as for the energy efficiency of their building stock. They have great potential for wind power and energy from biomass, in Southeast Europe for geothermal energy. All this provides a wide field for state cooperation, such as for private companies. All this provides a wide field for state cooperation, such as for private companies. Especially given the German decision to get out from nuclear energy, the energy dialogue with our eastern neighbors must be intensified. Poland like other Central-Eastern European countries still remains unconvinced about the prospects of such a change of course, and cherish their own plans for building new nuclear power plants.

Cross-border research and investment projects can take advantage of alternative energy strategies and make transnational cooperation more visible. The European market for renewable energies needs efficient power grids and a large-scale coupling of supply and demand. Here too, the German-Polish cooperation provides a significant boost. The aim should be a renewable energy network, including the other Baltic countries. In particular, the Scandinavian countries have already taken major steps toward a wind energy composite/network.

If the declaration on the 20th Anniversary of the Treaty in terms of neighborhood climate and sustainable energy policy remains a declaration on paper, it will be a lost historic opportunity