Green New Deal

in Poland

edited by Dariusz Szwed

head of the Programme Council of the Green Institute

Authors:

Edwin Bendyk

Ludomir Wojciech Duda

Bartłomiej Kozek

Beata Maciejewska

Dorota Metera

Przemysław Sadura

Dariusz Szwed

Grzegorz Wiśniewski

Acknowledgements

Sincere gratitude must be expressed towards Beata Maciejewska, the Green Institute, Leonore Gewessler, the Green European Foundation and Katarzyna Radzikowska, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Regional Office Warsaw, for their patient and professional cooperation throughout the realization of this international project. Special thanks go to Beata Nowak for the meticulous graphic preparation of the publication and to Zofia Psota and Jordan Ingram for the insightful linguistic edition of the articles.

Equally vital was intensive work carried out by Liliana Religa and Jakub Grabiec, who as members of the Board of the Green Institute, were buttoning up all organizational and financial matters on a daily basis.

Green New Deal in Poland

3

INDEX

Foreword

5

1. Dariusz Szwed:

7

Green New Deal in the World, in Europe, in Poland?

2. Przemysław Sadura:

13

Education in the Green New Deal

3. Bartłomiej Kozek:

21

Green Social Deal and Green Jobs

4. Beata Maciejewska :

33

The Perspective of Gender Equality in the Green New Deal 5. Grzegorz Wiśniewski:

39

Climate and Energy Democracy

6. Dariusz Szwed:

49

Sustainable Transport Policy in the Green New Deal

7. Dorota Metera:

55

Sustainable Agriculture, Security and Quality of Food in the Green New Deal 8. Ludomir Duda:

61

Autonomous Affordable Building Industry

9. Edwin Bendyk:

69

The Green New Deal – Towards Realistic Utopia

Green New Deal for Europe

77

Authors

84

Publisher’s note

86

4

Foreword

5

FOREWORD

Though the publication of this study the Green European Foundation is continuing its work on the elaboration and dissemination of ideas and research on one of the core projects of the European Green political family: “the Green New Deal”. Initiated by the Heinrich Böll Foundation Warsaw office and the Zielony Instytut Poland, this volume endeavours to link the European level concept to a concrete national example.

A “Green New Deal for Poland” delivers a first case study of what the actual implementation of a European Green New Deal would mean at the national level.

For several years now, the European Greens have been setting out their proposals for a European and a global Green New Deal; no less than a green framework for the transformation of contemporary capitalism necessitated by the recent crises. The Green New Deal is not just another “eco-friendly” policy, but refers to a major shift towards more sustainable and equitable patterns of production and consumption.

It calls for a rethink of priorities, from the way we live and work to what we value. The Green New Deal proposes a comprehensive economic, social and environmental transformation; from infrastructure and sustainable industrial policies to investment in peoples’ well-being and the redistribution of wealth.

The historic reference is clear: the policies implemented to recover from the Great Depression of the 1930s. Nonetheless, the policies from this period cannot be a blueprint for measures suitable for the 21st century. Today’s interrelated environmental, social and economic crises have brought the Greens’ analyses and political priorities to the centre-stage. The ideas of the Green New Deal have in many ways, and in many countries, become part of the mainstream political discourse.

There is still a long way to go to turn commendable political discourse into concrete political action. To name but one recent example: the European Union’s programme “Europe 2020”, meant to be the major impetus in moving towards a sustainable Europe, falls far short in its actual approach of its self-proclaimed goals. It continues to rely on GDP growth as the one and only solution to the existing crises, when it is clear that “more of the same” will not pave the way to a more sustainable future.

In many ways this is reminiscent of the Polish case: the strategic document “Poland 2030. Developmental challenges” is a recurring point of reference in this publication. As with the European Union’s “Europe 2020” programme, the heavy reliance on economic growth which overshadows measures for achieving social cohesion or an ecological reconversion of the economy in Poland, is evident throughout this document.

When setting out on this publication the guiding question was what Polish Government policy would look like if it was instead based on the Green New Deal. Which sectors would drive the transformation and which sectors would be in most need of reform? Which transversal issues such as gender relations or education would have to be addressed as part of this transformation?

While the transformation of our societies presupposes costs for certain sectors, it will also generate wealth and activity in others. Given that current policies within the European Union – at the national as well as European level – are not ambitious enough in this respect, there is enormous latent potential to build a better future. This is something which is both technically and financially feasible, for Poland as well as for the European Union as a whole.

All the institutions involved in this publication will continue, throughout various projects and publications, to disseminate political analyses and recommendations such as those which are proposed in the following articles. We would like to thank all the editors and authors for their contribution to this endeavour.

Pierre Jonckheer

Beata Maciejewska

Wolfgang Templin

President

Head of the Board of Trustees

Director

Green European Foundation

Zielony Instytut

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Warsaw office

6

Green New Deal in the World, in Europe, in Poland?

7

1.

Dariusz Szwed

Green New Deal in the World, in Europe, in Poland?

New Deal of the 21st century

Global disorder

The idea of the Green New Deal refers back to

Worldwide imbalance that impinges on the

the New Deal that was realized in the United

sustainable development has three key per-

States in the 1930s by President Roosevelt as

spectives:

a state response to the deepest recession in

the history, with growing unemployment, a de-

ecological – linked to the global warm-

cline in the economic production and a dras-

ing, growing number of extreme weather

tic increase of public debt. Public investments

conditions (droughts, floods, hurricanes

(e.g. public works) allowed creating of new

etc.), increasing pressure on the global

jobs, introduction of social benefits and com-

ecosystem and declining biodiversity and

mon pension scheme, establishment of mini-

natural resources;

mum pay and maximum working hours. This

all contributed to a better cohesion of social

social – resulting from e.g. escalating

system and to the emergence of the Ameri-

stratification of global society, in which

can economy out of the recession. The New

20% of people consume 80% resources,

Deal, however, concentrated mainly on social

as well as growing diversification of in-

and economic perspectives; ecological policy

come and inequalities within countries,

was not an element of activism of any coun-

e.g. in Poland;

try in the world at that time. The Green New

Deal, on the other hand, indicates simultane-

economic – associated with a deep im-

ously a new perspective, apart from social and

balance in the global trade between the

economic ones, and challenges of global crisis

most indebted countries-importers, e.g.

of the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. They

the United States and exporters e.g.

encompass mainly global climate change,

China and Germany, and growing im-

growing depletion of natural resources and

balance in public finances in individual

devastation of biodiversity – processes result-

countries e.g. in Poland.

ing from e.g. unsustainable consumption pat-

terns and production models.

8

What is the GND?

New Deal that we propose is the only way

to bring about real changes in lifestyle and

Aims of the Green New Deal involve secur-

working patterns, in order to limit emis-

ing global sustainable development and

sions of greenhouse gas emissions, which

creating of the low emission and low carbon

has been scientifically confirmed as neces-

economy and society via enhanced social

sary in order to avoid the most disastrous

cohesion, millions of new green jobs result-

effects of the climate change. It has to be

ing from increased national and EU invest-

emphasised that benefits brought by the

ments in e.g. education, R&D programmes,

Green New Deal are not restricted to the

development of modern technologies that

crucial spheres of climate or environmen-

are human-, environmentally- and cli-

tal protection. The Green New Deal will

mate-friendly, enhancing energy efficiency

stimulate the economy, leading to sustaina-

and a higher use of renewable sources of

ble economic development, millions of new

energy, modernization of building sector

green jobs for green-collar workers in the

and promotion of autonomous and passive

renewable energy sector and other future-

buildings, development of environmentally

oriented technologies. Within issues of so-

friendly railways systems on the continent

cial policy, the Green New Deal secures that

and change in the priorities of the Com-

social and labour rights will not be weak-

mon Agricultural Policy. Similarly to the

ened nor sacrificed in the name of pub-

programme of reforms from the 1930s, the

lic interest and services for the public will

Green New Deal points out an active role of

be secured in the most just way so that all

public authorities in the implementation of

citizens are protected from social and eco-

policies, in this case - of the sustainable de-

nomic exclusion and could enjoy high qual-

velopment.

ity of life. Greens shall act for the benefit

of equal rights for all at the workplace and

The conception of the Green New Deal ap-

outside it; we will counteract all forms of

peared first in the report by the New Eco-

discrimination and intolerance and under-

nomics Foundation in July 20081. A Green

take immediate action necessary to support

New Deal concerned the issue of co-oc-

people in the most troublesome situation

currence of three crises: economic crisis,

within the society2.”

driven by credit bubbles, boosting climate

changes and drop in the oil production with

Green New Deal in Poland or disorder on

the increase of its price. The authors stated

“the green island”

that in order to avoid a deep recession com-

parable to the Great Depression it is nec-

In Green New Deal in Poland we aim at

essary to undertake reforms in two main

exploring the most vital elements and ev-

spheres: key structural changes in national

olution of this strategic developmental con-

and international financial systems, includ-

ception and, at the same time, we analyse it

ing tax system and stable investments in

in the Polish context.

energy savings and production of energy

from renewables.

The Green New Deal integrates three areas

of politics: social, environmental and eco-

In March 2009 before the EU Parliament

nomic, and it indicates that society consti-

elections, European Green Party agreed

tutes the basis of the economy, just as the

on the manifesto The Green New Deal for

environment is the base for the economy

Europe, which significantly develops this

and society. In Poland the principle of sus-

conception. It reads: “Economic, social

tainable development inscribed in the 5th

and ecological challenges faced by Europe

Article of the Constitution is still not prop-

are strictly intertwined; therefore, the re-

erly implemented (or rather understood),

sponse has to be mutual and must be a

which can be illustrated by the fact that

part of a comprehensive package, which to

subsequent governments have used the

us means the Green New Deal. The Green

rhetoric of conflict “environment versus

1 New Economics Foundation – a website devoted to the Green New Deal 2 European Green Party, http://europeangreens.eu/menu/election-http://www.neweconomics.org/projects/green-new-deal

campaign/egp-manifesto

Green New Deal in the World, in Europe, in Poland?

9

Share of green investment in anti-crisis packages (stimulus) and in total GDP

Australia

Canada

China

France

Germany

*

Indonesia

Italy

Japan

Mexico

Saudi Arabia

South Korea

UK

USA

% Total fund

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

% GDP 2008

0 1 2 3 4 5

* It includes 5 billion euro for car-scrapping subsidy.

Source: The Green New Deal: Climate Protection, New Jobs and Social Justice, (eds.) Reinhard Bütikofer, Sven Giegold], Green Group in the European Parliament, Brussels 2010

economy’ or “environment versus society”.

port Poland 2030. Developmental challeng-

The current state of affairs presented by key

es4 expresses the developmental model of

politicians seems to be ill-prioritized, “First

polarization and diffusion, in which eco-

economy, my reasonable Pole”3, these are

nomic issues, especially economic growth

the words by Bronisław Komorowski from

are measured by the GDP and dominate

the debate on the future of Polish and Euro-

over social cohesion and ecological order.

pean economy. Similarly, a strategic docu-

A solid foundation for the development of

ment by the government of Civic Platform

Poland was defined by the authors as eco-

(PO) and Polish Peasants’ Party (PSL) Re-

nomic growth, efficient administration and

3 Words by the then president candidate Bronisław Komorowski during 4 Group of the Strategic Advisors of the President of the Council of the opening of the Second European Economic Congress in Katowice, 31

Ministers: Report Poland 2030. Developmental challenges, http://www.

May 2010

polska2030.pl/

10

demographic potential. We can also find out

by the Prime Minister and the Minister for

that “Current EU policy as regards energy

Finances? The ruling ideology was aptly de-

and ecological security is heading towards

scribed by Edwin Bendyk in the afterword to

reinforcement of Europe as a world leader

Ecology. Guide by the Political Critique, “In-

in sustainable development. This, however,

deed we have two actual principles or rather

cannot occur at the cost of the Polish econ-

ideologies present in the dominant develop-

omy”. Here we have a neoliberal motto: for

mental discourse in Poland: neoliberalism

market problems… more market!

and postcolonialism. The former means the

primacy of growth policy over free market

instruments understood as a space for pri-

vate preferences that are only protected and

not shaped by the state which is withdrawing

from the management of interpersonal rela-

tions to a maximum extent. This can happen

only under the influence of external commit-

ments. The dictate by the Centre (Brussels,

globalization), expressed in the ideas like cli-

mate and energy packages or Nature 2000,

is treated like divine retribution, contribution

cost for the membership in the club of de-

veloped countries. In fact, we are a postco-

lonial, developing country that was harmed

by history and is still being damaged by the

Sustainable development as the co-depend-

Centre that tries to enforce solutions detri-

ence of environment, society and economy

mental to aspirations reflected in a desire to

maintain economic growth6.”

Neoliberal polarisation – growing income

Neoliberal notion of the market above eve-

stratification, increasing pressure on the

rything and of endless economic growth

environment resulting from the promotion

measured by the growing GDP is wearing

of unsustainable models of consumption,

thin. The GDP does not reflect the reality. It

which is to be followed by diffusion leading

does not involve a low level of social capital,

to a greater social cohesion, development

unpaid housework (done mainly by women),

of social capital, sustainable development

increasing income stratification. Neither

on a regional level and, in the very end, wel-

does it account for environmental devasta-

fare. And here we have the biggest trap of

tion or extinction of plants and animals. The

this governmental strategy for develop-

GDP does not allow for the future of grow-

ment: we ought to tighten our belts so as

ing population and the greatest challenge

to achieve the state of bliss, i.e. ecological,

of the 21st century – the necessity to imple-

social and economic balance in 20 years,

ment global climate deal, which is a perfect

in 2030. Why then in the last 20 years neo-

investment in our common future, as noted

liberal economic policy realized in terms

by the economist Nicolas Stern7.

of stable growth of the GDP has led to e.g.

increased social stratification, a decrease

Green New Deal in Poland endeavours

in social capital and a regular rise of pres-

to indicate that developmental “business

sure on the environment measured by the

as usual” is impossible - “continuation of

total use of energy and non-renewable re-

pushing economic growth through at the

sources5? Is Poland really a “green island”

cost of the degradation of society and en-

on the red map of Europe, as proudly stated

vironmental foundations. It is necessary to

enforce the Green New Deal.

5 One of the indicators of a total energy use is environment footprint.

Between 2003 and 2007, it rose in Poland from 3.3 to 4.35 global hectare 6 E. Bendyk, “Ekologia Polityczna dla Polski, czyli w stronę Zielon-of available ecospace. In 2007 there were 1.8 gha for one inhabitant ego Okrągłego Stołu” [in:] Ekologia . Przewodnik Krytyki Politycznej, of Earth, i.e. on average Poles consume 241% of globally available Wydawnictwo Krytyki Politycznej, Warsaw 2009

ecospace. If everyone consumed as much as Poles currently, humanity 7 N. Stern, Globalny Ład. Zmiany klimatu a powstanie nowej epoki, would need 2.5 planets.

postępu i dostatku, Wydawnictwo Krytyki Politycznej, Warsaw 2010

Green New Deal in the World, in Europe, in Poland?

11

In the beginning of our publication we de-

The above mentioned horizontal perspec-

scribe three horizontal dimensions of the

tives of green developmental strategy are

GND: education, social order and gender

complemented by the analysis of four sector

equality.

dimensions: policy on energy and climate,

sustainable mobility and transportation,

Common and accessible education is one of

sustainable agriculture, security and quality

the key pillars of the GND, therefore, we be-

of food and autonomous affordable building

gin with strategies for greening white- and

industry.

blue-collar workers and with the analysis of

educational purposes in the document Eu-

Climate and energy democracy, one of the

rope 2020 and of the situation in the Polish

elements of the GND, is contingent upon

educational system.

the concept of a distributed energy system

in keeping with principles of the sustainable

The Green New Deal requires also a wider

development (also in the context of climate

perspective concerning the necessity to

change). We reveal the need for innovative

implement such a social order that would

approach to energy system – withdrawal

consider needs of all social groups, na-

from centralized system of great powers

ture and future generations. Its pillars are

with the use of non-renewables to a decen-

principles of equality and solidarity. In this

tralized smart grid based on the priorities

part of the publication we also evaluate

of energy saving, enhanced energy effi-

social policy – institutions, programmes

ciency and dynamic development of the mix

and instruments – and demonstrate the

of renewable sources. We point out that a

necessity for reforms in this aspect. We

democratic participation of the society, so-

elaborate on the role of social capital, de-

cial surveillance and integration with other

velopmental egalitarianism, and the need

systems (e.g. transportation) are key as-

to counteract social exclusion. We analyse

pects of the distributed energy system that

the problem of ageing society and respec-

is friendly to the climate and society.

tive challenges e.g. care economy. Ad-

ditionally, we point out sectors with the

Another crucial element of the Green New

highest potential for growth and new green

Deal in Poland is sustainable mobility and

jobs and we present appropriate support-

transportation. We explain the role of equal

ing instruments.

access to sustainable mobility; we present

priorities of the development of transport

Another important horizontal sphere of

in the future of Poland. We analyse parts of

the GND is equality of opportunities for

Poland 2030 concerning the development

women. Subsequent reflections concern

of transport infrastructure in the next 20

the role of women in green modernization

years and confront governmental priorities

and proposed modernization programmes

with the recommendations of the GND.

in the EU (Europe 2020) and in Poland (Po-

land 2030). We try to answer the question

Implementation of the GND in Poland

of whether the Green New Deal is a break-

means also the necessity to reform agri-

through in this respect and, if not, what

cultural policies and development of rural

should be done for this to become a pro-

areas. Since food crisis becomes related

gramme of equal chances. We describe

to climate change to a greater extent, this

among others situation of women in the

might result in a lower level of food securi-

“global village”, green modernization on

ty, we consider which model of the Common

the labour market, employment of women

Agricultural Policy can secure sustainable

and relations between gender, the GND and

development and food security, as well as

policies realized by the state (e.g. concern-

high quality of food and protection of eco-

ing health, care, transport, energy and in-

systems. We present instruments of how

dustry). We discuss the issues of gender

to green the agriculture. We evaluate eco-

parity and quotas in business, politics and

nomic, ecological and social potential of

other spheres of activities.

ecological agriculture in Poland.

12

Autonomous affordable building industry

In the summary we analyse which lessons

is a vital element of the Green New Deal

were and still are drawn from numerous

in Poland. We describe it as one of the key

and various crises that struck Poland (de-

sectors of green low emission economy of

spite the fact that government describes our

the 21st century. By creating new workplac-

country as the “green island”), Europe and

es this sector allows for the reduction of

the world. We wonder whether the Green

greenhouse gas emissions and, at the same

New Deal in Poland, in our eyes indispensa-

time, provides for the basic law inscribed

ble, is possible and whether it will be imple-

in the Constitution of the Republic of Po-

mented as a result of a deep reflection on

land – the right to meet housing needs. We

the condition of our world or whether we are

consider how to reconcile ecological and

doomed to inevitable global disaster, unless

social aspects in the construction sector.

there is a radical change. The decision is in

We assess also opportunities and threats

our hands, but time elapses fast.

to the development of autonomous social

housing in Poland.

Education in the Green New Deal

13

2.

Przemysław Sadura

Education in the Green New Deal

Analysis of the educational system with regard to strategies and potential

A cursory reading of the aims and chal-

green jobs have been complemented with

lenges embracing the concept of the Green

a description of instruments relating to

New Deal can lead to a surprising conclu-

social and educational policies necessary

sion: education and educational policy are

for implementation. The ecological trans-

faced therein with a barely marginal inter-

formation of industry is not possible with-

est. The strategies, which were supposed

out appropriate incentives involved in all

to formulate a consistent green answer to

levels of educational and didactic systems.

the economic, social and climate crisis,

For this reason, prepared by the European

concentrate instead on areas of the great-

Greens for European election campaign

est potential for the sustainable job mar-

2009, the manifesto A Green New Deal for

ket: changes in financial and economic

Europe emphasized that the GND calls for

systems, increased efficiency in manage-

”massive investments in education, sci-

ment of resources (in sectors like industry

ence and research in green and prospective

and construction), green transport, energy

technologies”. The standing is obvious: “EU

production and distribution1. Education has

policies that weaken public services in the

been somehow forgotten.

name of competition must end. Public serv-

ices such as health and education are cru-

Such an interpretation would however be

cial to the general interest and must not be

wrong. Since the very beginning education

frittered away by competition rules2.”

and studies have constituted a crucial, even

if not explicitly expressed, tool for the pur-

The efficacy of anti-crisis policy in the

poses of the GND. Therefore, in subsequent

transformation of European and world

documents, which specified and devel-

economy depends not only on the introduc-

oped the conception of the GND, concrete

tion of new rules concerning sustainable

programmes concerning the creation of

production and consumption, but also on

the reform of education and the R&D sector

1 One of the examples is the first report by Green New Deal Group published by the New Economics Foundation in July 2008; http://www.

2 Manifesto for the European election campaign 2009 „A Green New Deal neweconomics.org/sites/neweconomics.org/files/A_Green_New_

for Europe” ; http://europeangreens.eu/fileadmin/logos/pdf/manifesto_

Deal_1.pdf

EUROPEAN_GREENS.pdf

14

(research and development). The pillars of

rent 60% to at least 75% as a result of

the GND encompass: social capital and citi-

a higher number of working women and

zens’ commitment, investments in social

the elderly;

networks and human capital, as well as in

public, social and educational programmes

allocation of 3% of the EU gross domes-

for the benefit of current and future gen-

tic product (GDP) in research and devel-

erations.

opment;

A critical reading of strategic documents

the school drop out rate should be low-

Europe 2020 and Poland 2030 can serve as

ered from the current 15% to less than

a departure point for the analysis aimed at

10%, while the proportion of tertiary de-

defining strategies and action necessary for

grees ought to be increased from 31%

the implementation of the GND.

to 40%;

Europe 2020 – Green New Deal and

the number of people threatened by pov-

educational aims

erty has to be decreased by 25%, i.e. 20

million EU citizens.

The new European strategy for sustaina-

Seven flagship projects on the agenda in-

ble development and employment, Europe

clude e.g. one concerning educational pol-

20203, emerged in the time of a deep eco-

icy, Youth on the move, and several others

nomic crisis. It was conceived by the Eu-

related to this field, i.e. Agenda for new

ropean Commission so as to replace the

skills and jobs promoting the life-long de-

Lisbon Strategy, which was adopted in 2000

velopment of qualifications aimed at an in-

and has not yet transformed the EU into

crease in the professional activity rate. The

“the most dynamic knowledge-based econ-

Youth on the move initiative seeks to im-

omy in the world”. The new agenda priori-

prove results and enhance attractiveness of

tizes innovation, action for green economy

European higher education and better qual-

and proposes a wider monitoring of nation-

ity at all levels of education and training, by

al programmes of reforms. Europe 2020 in-

combining competitiveness and justice.

cludes three mutually related priorities:

What then does the European Commission

smart growth: development of the econ-

postulate and how does it intend to attain

omy based on knowledge and innova-

this? At the EU level it aspires to integrate

tion;

and to enhance European programmes as

regards mobility, cooperation between uni-

sustainable growth: support of greener,

versities, research (like Erasmus), to mod-

more competitive economy that uses re-

ernize higher education by benchmarking

sources more efficiently;

university performance and educational re-

sults on a global scale, to promote entrepre-

inclusive growth: support of economy

neurship and to act as an official recognition

with high employment rate, social and

of non-formal and informal learning4 and

territorial cohesion

to create an employment policy for young

people. The European Commission orders

In order to achieve these goals, the Com-

Member States to: secure sufficient invest-

mission has proposed some overriding EU

ments in education and training systems at

targets that are supposed to specify some-

all levels (pre-school to tertiary), improve

what general assumptions, e.g.:

the employment rate of people aged

4 In the EU nomenclature:

– informal education is not institutionalized and can be either inten-20-64 should be raised from the cur-

tional, e.g. self-study, or unintentional, e.g. acquisition of knowledge at work, outside organized workshops

– non-formal education is institutionalized and formal, but realized 3 On the basis of the Communication from the Commission. Europe outside the official educational system, e.g. training based on the experi-2020. A Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. European ences of companies, corporations and social organizations.

Commission, Brussels, 3 March 2010.

Education in the Green New Deal

15

educational results, identify key compe-

needs of the labour market in an optimal

tencies, reduce the school drop out rate,

way. This generally technocratic approach

enhance openness and relevance of edu-

to education has been only amended by

cation systems by building national quali-

means of selective comments on non-eco-

fication frameworks and adjusting learning

nomic functions of the educational system:

outcomes to labour market needs. Another

introduction of soft skills (group work),

project recommends also that “a sufficient

maintenance of work-life balance and gen-

supply of science, maths and engineering

der equality. However, the majority of ar-

graduates should be ensured and focus of

guments for the development of education

school curricula should be placed on cre-

are based on the conviction that it delivers

ativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship”.

qualifications necessary from the economic

Additionally, it is necessary “to implement

point of view.

life-long learning principles, e.g. through

flexible learning pathways between dif-

Another weakness of Europe 2020 is its con-

ferent education and training sectors and

servative character. The classic example is

levels and (…) to promote new forms of

the repetition of 20/20/20 targets in climate

work-life balance, active ageing policies

policy, which are absolutely not adequate to

and to increase gender equality”.

challenges, related to climate change and

cannot serve as a sufficiently strong im-

It is not surprising that such a vague mix

pulse for a green revolution in technology.

of generally right postulates with generally

This problem applies also to social targets,

wrong ones met with a criticism of groups

e.g. reduction of poverty regarding “only” 20

supporting the idea of the GND5. The agenda

million people instead of a more ambitious

repeats some errors of the Lisbon Strategy

elimination or a more drastic reduction.

by proposing a programme that in princi-

The problem with the strategic document

ple does not impose any obligations so as

by the Commission results from the fact

to attain the specified goals, but it merely

that it lacks a reflection on limits of growth

presents them as desirable. The document

and that it is based on the assumption that

lacks binding arrangements concerning

it will be stable (which may be groundless

targets in key fields, such as resource man-

as indicated by the Stern Review6).

agement and energy policy, as well as so-

cial areas, including education. The agenda

Ultimately, it can be stated that as being too

does not introduce any conditional clauses

technocratic and productivity-committed,

in the EU budget. And if the EU budgetary

this strategy is deprived of a holistic or sys-

expenses, especially transfers from struc-

temic approach. Moreover, it is too vague in

tural funds, were strictly linked with the

its technological and technocratic thinking

EU targets of ecological and social policies,

about policies

such a mechanism would genuinely moti-

vate Member States to change their poli-

Poland 2030 – educational targets and the

cies. In the case of education specific aims,

lack of the Green New Deal

if formulated at all, these are associated

with a very mercenary way of thinking. Care

The above criticized strategy Europe 2020 is

for the effectiveness of educational systems

contingent upon two pillars: apart from a the-

expressed in the plan aimed at lowering the

matic approach it ought to use reports deliv-

number of people finishing their educa-

ered by Member States. The requirement is

tion too early is just an attempt to reduce

supposed to help particular countries to de-

the so-called educational drop out rate.

vise their own strategies for restoring sus-

Thus, the Commission has not changed the

tainable growth and stable public finances.

model of the educational system. The basic

If the latter is to be realised by means of the

idea or maybe the only task is to satisfy the

plans of Minister Michał Boni collected in the

report Poland 2030, then the whole strategy

comes out looking even poorer when com-

5 On the basis of the minutes of the conference Green New Deal: A pared to the European one.

Greens/EFA workshop, which was held on the 4th and 5th 2009 in the European Parliament in Brussels; http://greens-efa.eu/cms/default/

dok/270/270730.green_new_deal@en.htm

6 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/stern_shortsummary_polish.pdf 16

In order to voice criticism of the proposed

a joint and creative solution of problems”7.

solutions it is, however, necessary to dis-

What can a supporter of the GND do in face

cern a turn in the approach of Polish poli-

of such a comment? He or she can accede

cy-makers to education, which can be seen

to it (although perhaps not everyone will

in Poland 2030, the report by strategic ex-

support the idea of reducing funds for cycle

perts of the Prime Minister. The situation is

ways). So when the experts of Michał Boni

analogical to the change in the way dem-

postulate e.g. action for a greater access to

ocratic values functioned in the second

early education and change in the dominant

half of the 20th century. Since the 1970s no

formula of adults’ training (a better access

one in the world has criticized democra-

to various forms of non-formal and infor-

cy, all authorities declared that their poli-

mal education), it is difficult to disagree with

cies support democratic values and ideas.

them8. Problems arise, however, when we

However, practical action within such poli-

start talking about specific solutions. Min-

cies could differ greatly depending on

ister Boni and his experts pointed out a cor-

the person in power: Brezhnev, Pinochet,

rect direction, by assuming that investments

Carter or Dubček. Nowadays no one ques-

in education will contribute to the social and

tions the relevance of education in politics

economic development, while the develop-

of development, but various agendas can

ment of pre-school education to the increase

lie behind declarations of a higher appre-

of social capital and cohesion and to equal

ciation for educational policy. Here is the

educational opportunities. Unfortunately, al-

statement of Grzegorz Gorzelak, president

lotted resources are not sufficient and the

of Euroreg – Centre for European Regional

chosen path leads in the opposite direction.

and Local Studies of the University of War-

saw (regarded as a base for strategic advis-

Comparison of a sustainable and

ers of the Prime Minister), an enthusiastic

unsustainable system of education

supporter of Boni’s model of diffusion and

polarisation concerning regional develop-

The Government does not mention increased

ment, “What is the most important in our

expenditure for education, but only a realloca-

backward country? Education. Every child

tion of financial resources. It does not declare

must go to a kindergarten. A part of the

any specific means for the development of

funding, now allocated to next bike paths

pre-school education, which could mean that

or local roads, has to be spent for nurs-

even if in 2020 Polish kindergartens provide

ery schools and their facilities, Internet in

for 90% of children, it will be achieved thanks

schools, libraries, school labs, as well as

to the development of the commercial sector

for courses for teachers so that a child from

of childcare. The ruling party Civil Platform

a small town and with less books at home

(PO) is critical of citizens’ initiatives postulat-

than his/her peer from a big city would be

ing a change in the financing of childcare and

able to overcome this difference in cultur-

a proper response to the respective needs of

al capital (…). What is more, education is

Poles e.g. nursery schools for 2-year-olds

necessary also for adults, even these that

(which corresponds ideally with the demand

have already achieved a high status (…). We

to increase the female employment rate)9.

are all talking about innovation. Still, inno-

vation is not a technical phenomenon, but

The principles concerning the introduction

mainly a social one. If the Polish economy

of the mechanism of competition and rivalry

is to become innovative one day, the model

into the educational system are also leading

of the functioning of school and a child at

in the wrong direction. Education is being

school has to change now. Teachers should

earn as much as is profitable for them to

7 Warszawa szansą Radomia (Warsaw as a Chance for Radom), Grzegorz stay at school from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m. They

Gorzelak in a conversation with Aleksandra Klich, „Gazeta Wyborcza” No.

should improve their skills all the time to

249, 23–24 Oct 2010.

take care of pupils in a more comprehen-

8 On the basis of Poland 2030

9 Polish Teachers Association prepared a civil bill concerning common sive way. The encyclopaedic and individual-pre-school education. The initiative was supported by e.g. Feminoteka istic model of education should be replaced

Foundation, 8 March Women’s Alliance, Zieloni 2004, Democratic Left by such a one that is oriented towards

Alliance, MaMa Foundation, Federation for Women and Family, Active Women Association, Foundation for Sexual Health Promotion; http://

www.znp.edu.pl/element/387/Przedszkole_dla_kazdego_dziecka Education in the Green New Deal

17

System of education

unsustainable

sustainable

Elitist: oriented towards “hunting” for rare

Egalitarian: oriented towards common de-

talents

velopment of talents

Oriented towards optimization: low-cost

Oriented towards effectiveness: evaluation

realization of targets e.g. a specific scholari- takes into account economic alternative sation rate

costs e.g. costs of social exclusion

Reconstructing or increasing economic,

Actively reducing economic, social and gen-

social and gender inequalities (segregation der inequalities (e.g. quotas, ban on segre-within and between schools)

gation)

Actively reducing economic, social and gen-

Assimilative: limiting cultural, lingual and

der inequalities (e.g. quotas, ban on segre-

ethnic diversity

gation)

Separate financing: based on a substantial

Joint financing: based on a substantial pro-

proportion of private outlays

portion of public expenditure

Separated from other elements of social

Linked to other elements of social and public

and public policies

policies (e.g. system of health prevention)

Public only in some fields (e.g. compulsory Public at all stages from pre-school to terti-system of education)

ary

Educational transfer is ideological i.e. subordi-

Educational transfer is neutral in terms of out-

nated to a dominant doctrine or religion

look and religion

Competitive: oriented towards growth of

Cooperative: oriented towards shaping

competitiveness between students

cooperative behaviours between students

Capitalist in the first place: creating disciplined Democratic in the first place: creating actively and conform workforce accepting disparities

engaged citizens and workers

generated by the labour market

Short-sighted adjustment to the needs of the Long-sighted adjustment to the needs of the labour market i.e. higher education based labour market i.e. higher education based on on training and vocational education (Aus-bildung)

edification (Bildung)

Source: author’s study

Here and in many other places of the article I am referring to the resolution of the Congress of Zieloni 2004: Edukacja jest prawem, nie towarem.

Priorytety Zielonych w polityce edukacyjnej (Education is not a right, nor a product. Green priorities in educational policy); http://www.zieloni2004.pl/art-3674.htm

commercialised simultaneously from the

for maintenance of particular scientific in-

bottom (pre-school) and from the top (ter-

stitutions, and the increase of financial re-

tiary). The so-called higher education bill

sources distributed via competition. Such a

by the government intends to establish na-

solution will toughen competition between

tional leading scientific centres, i.e. con-

universities for state finances, yet, it will not

ducting research on the highest level. They

improve their competitiveness. Analogical-

are supposed to have precedence when

ly, this will not be achieved through creep-

applying for grants. Another provision of

ing commercialisation of studies (so far

the bill follows the same path; it regards a

fees for students taking two subjects) and

limitation of statutory subsidies, i.e. funds

restrictions on earning capacity (ban on

18

several jobs) – instead of rises that would

follows: modern education is not a didactic

adjust remuneration to contribution and of

process conducive to the transfer of maxi-

changes to pay in other sectors.

mum information in a minimal amount of

time by means of possible low costs. It is a

During the convention of the Polish Socio-

comprehensive influence aimed at shaping

logical Association in Cracow Minister Boni

a fully self-sufficient person/citizen who is

held a presentation, which was a draft of the

able to solve problems and find necessary

document Long-term strategy for national

information and who is aware of his/her

development. Poland 2030: schedule of im-

rights and duties. Only such a form supports

plementation procedures that was supposed

the emergence of information society and

to be submitted for social consultations soon.

knowledge-based economy, which raises

He indicated clearly that before 2020 Poland

the opportunities for green modernisation.

will not even come close to 3% of GDP for

Let us consider then, step by step, methods

R&D as recommended by the Commission.

of adjusting this general project of recon-

A planned level of expenditure for this sec-

struction of educational system to the needs

tor amounts to just 1.8%. In order to achieve

and expectations of “green-collar workers”.

this standard it is necessary to raise outlays

for science between 2018 and 2020 by 20% a

Change in the model of allocation of EU

year, which suggests that this strategy delays

and public resourcesh

crucial decisions concerning a shift in the

Boni’s dilemma regarding whether to

structure of public finances. Presented by

choose a solidarity model or diffusion

Minister Boni, Basic scenario of the change

and polarisation distorts reality. The

in the structure of public finances assumes

actual problem concerns infrastruc-

that public expenditure will be maintained

tural outlays and “soft investments”,

at the current low level. It amounts to 43.8%

i.e. funds for R&D, training and educa-

GDP in 2020 and 2030, so it will remain al-

tion. The Scandinavian success trans-

most the same as in 2010 (43.3%), while the

lated into Polish conditions would imply

EU average exceeds 50% and the proportion

delaying purely infrastructural invest-

in Scandinavian countries comes to 60%.

ments in traditional economic sectors

The contribution of public outlays in GDP

and increasing expenditure for the de-

will not change. The structure is supposed

velopment of competence indispensible

to be transformed. Planned are: fall [sic!]

for a knowledge-based economy and in-

in the expenditure for education from the

formation society.

current 5.7% GDP to 5.5% in 2020, a drastic

limitation of outlays for welfare benefits and

Application of Europe 2020 as an oppor-

a marked increase in the proportion of GDP

tunity

for “economic issues” from 3.8% nowadays

As indicated, the strategy Europe 2020 is

to 6.3%. This means that education in Po-

not ambitious and from the global view-

land in the next decade cannot hope for any

point it supports the idea of the GND

incentives for development10.

unsatisfactorily. However, from the lo-

cal and Polish perspective the unilateral

Educational system for “green-collar

commitment of the Polish government

workers”

to achieve indicators based on the EU

average at a national level would be a

In such a short article it is impossible to

major step towards green moderniza-

present a detailed programme of recon-

tion (e.g. 3% R&D).

struction of the educational system, which

could constitute an element of Polish strat-

The axiological framework of devel-

egy for the realisation of the GND. What can

opment has to be taken seriously, while

be put forward, however, is an outline of

nowadays in Poland it is perceived in an

the model embracing the most vital postu-

unconditionally positive way and at the

lates. The primary principle should read as

same time understood rather superfi-

cially as a process sustaining the state of

10 Data was taken from the presentation by Minister Michał Boni during the “green island of positive GDP”.

the convention of Polish Sociological Association in Cracow, 10 Sep 2010

Education in the Green New Deal

19

It requires an answer to the question of

Change of the profile of educational

how we should understand in the lan-

transfer in Polish schools at all levels

guage of political strategies the state-

Curriculum should be neutral in terms

ment that the educational development

of outlook (and embrace education as

is smart, sustainable and inclusive.

regards issues of sex life, civil society,

Evaluation can be carried out with the

gender and sustainable development)

above table outlining features of an (un)

and support the protection of cultural

sustainable system of education.

heritage.

Development of the system of adult ed-

Conducting the process of common

ucation

national Internetisation beginning with

It should be a comprehensive system of

schools, universities, offices, libraries

courses for parents (e.g. e-learning) and

and other public facilities

other stationary forms of life-long learn-

Free, fast Internet and free software li-

ing and Universities of the Third Age. The

censes should be used with the aim of

popularisation of adult education, partly

better accessibility of e-books, free sci-

as vocational courses, financed and re-

entific journals etc.

alized with a public-private partnership,

would be an opportunity for bad statistics

Financial support for higher education

concerning adult education in Poland.

and R&D sector

The system that is appropriately subsi-

Preparation of the Polish economy

dised (from the outlays for education and

for the process of green modernisa-

labour market policies) should become a

tion requires higher budgetary outlays

major mechanism conducive to re-skill-

for science and development and not

ing people employed in the non-prospec-

solely non-budgetary sources of financ-

tive branches so that they can work in

ing (public-private partnership, pub-

green sectors of a rising green economy

lic-social partnership, EU resources).

or low-carbon economy (e.g. re-skilling

Increased expenditure for R&D from

miners into workers of energy efficiency

non-budgetary sources can be an alter-

sector or renewable energy).

native for countries that have already

attained a respective high proportion

Introduction of common pre-school ed-

in public expenses. Worldwide, it is still

ucation which guarantees that every child

the state that constitutes the only sub-

over 2 gets a place in a nursery school fi-

ject which is able to guarantee gener-

nanced from an educational subvention

ally unlimited finances for the most

(in order to even out differences between

prospective R&D projects. It might be

Polish districts)

a good idea to return to the conception

Publicly-financed childcare must be

of research on crucial problems. The

common and encompass children of the

scope of research should be determined

unemployed. State policy should promote

by state institutions, social organisa-

the development of day care centres and

tions and scientists themselves, results

kindergartens in the workplace (tax re-

should be available in the public domain

liefs for companies). A greater access to

and the state should contribute to the

pre-school education in Poland ought to

specification of supply of courses es-

be accompanied by improved quality, i.e.

sential for the realisation of green mod-

reduced number of children in a group,

ernisation to a greater extent. This idea

increased programme diversity (various

underpins the programme of the so-

profiles of nursery schools should be

called ordered specialities. Such a type

state-financed, e.g. Steiner /Montessori

of studies ought to be well-financed, so

Kindergartens11).

that it is free of charge in both full-time

and extramural system and its quality –

11 These are examples of experimental forms of work adopted by Polish strictly controlled.

social kindergartens. The former (called also Waldorf kindergartens) apply pedagogical principles developed by Rudolf Steiner; the latter are based on the ideas of Maria Montessori, one of the greatest reformers of pre-school education.

20

Green Social Deal and Green Jobs

21

3.

Bartłomiej Kozek

Green Social Deal and Green Jobs

“The Republic of Poland shall be a dem-

rectly realized by the state)2. This definition

ocratic state ruled by law and imple-

shows that aims of social policy involve: im-

menting the principles of social justice.

proving the quality of life, reducing and com-

(…) A social market economy, based on

bating poverty, guaranteeing a public access

the freedom of economic activity, private

to goods and services necessary to achieve

ownership, and solidarity, dialogue and

a desired state of social balance, securing

cooperation between social partners,

that all people have the right to realize the

shall be the basis of the economic sys-

idea of freedom practically (freedom from

tem of the Republic of Poland”.

poverty, freedom of choice of a satisfying

The Constitution of the Republic of

job, opportunity to decide consciously about

Poland, Articles 2 and 20

parenthood or resigning from it etc.). It is

also supposed to prevent the situation when

What is social policy? Ryszard Szarfenberg,

poverty and other forms of social exclusion

Associate Professor and researcher at the

cause waste of talents, because people with

University of Warsaw, defines it as “the public

potential are shunt on to the sidelines as a

activity whose envisioned aims and achieved

result of social stratification and subsequent

results concern conditions, level and qual-

differences in the level of cultural capital.

ity of life of society as a whole, as well as of

Social policy includes among others educa-

particular communities, families and house-

tional, cultural, healthcare, housing and em-

holds1”. Prof. Józef Orczyk, who deals with

ployment policies3.

the subject, stated that „the main goal of

social policy was and still is to provide the

The green vision of social policy, whose es-

sense of existential security, including espe-

sence is sustainable development, treats

cially economic safety by creating and main-

economic, social and ecological policies

taining a network of guaranteed obligations

as equally significant. It objects to the pri-

on the side of the state (sometimes also di-

macy of economization of the last two

and to the superiority of economic growth

1 Introductory lecture by Ryszard Szarfenberg, Associate Professor, for the first-year students of social policy, http://www.ips.uw.edu.pl/rszarf/

2 Ibid.

psiks/ps

3 http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polityka_społeczna

22

measured by growing GDP. In the 20th cen-

than ever however poverty and social exclu-

tury left-wing social and political move-

sion are rising. The reality is that the Bar-

ments (mainly in Europe) imposed a social

roso commission as well as the conservative

and economic order that balanced econom-

majority dominating the EU Council and

ic and social priorities e.g. by the postulate

Parliament have not answered these chal-

of 8-hour working day. Similarly, in the end

lenges.5”

of the 20th and the beginning of 21st centu-

ry Greens promote the necessity to create

The document indicated that providing citi-

Green New Deal, one of whose key ele-

zens with a solid social security and the op-

ments is green social policy.

portunity to self-fulfilment with the respect

for limits of planet’s resources and solidarity

Its essence is encapsulated in solidarity

with its current and future generations. As

with the voiceless, i.e. nature, people ex-

regards green social policy priorities, Euro-

cluded on the Global South and a grow-

pean Greens do not endeavour to set the EU

ing group of people excluded in the Global

goal as a one- size-fits- all welfare state that

North and future generations that are often

would fill in national governments, but they

ignored in contemporary politics.

believe in a rising role of the EU in this politi-

cal field. In this sense, they do not strive for a

It has recognized that welfare requires re-

unified model of social policy, but rather for

spect for human rights (symbolized e.g. in

elaboration of binding minimum standards

the field of housing by means of the motto

that would have to be fulfilled by the state

“a flat is a right, not a good”) and inclusion

and that would express social integration of

of new topics into the field of modern social

uniting social Europe.

policy, such as a common right to mobil-

ity and high-quality food. It cannot be ef-

The Greens also point out areas and ways in

fective, if we forget the need to integrate

which green social policy functions. These

sector policies that have been treated to

include: “the right to income, to affordable

separately date, e.g. the EU Common Ag-

housing, to health care, to education, to

ricultural Policy should be combined with

work, to a good environment, to culture etc.

healthcare and ecological policy. “The

and a guarantee of social security”6, as well

Greens reject a neo liberal globalization

as fair working income, good and available

which increases insecurity and the com-

jobs, sufficient benefits for those who need

petition of all against all. Solidarity and

them, sustainable and universal pensions,

responsibility must be the cornerstones of

a free access to public services like child-

an inclusive and cohesive society”, this can

care, but also an individual entitlement to

be read in the resolution A Green vision for

all basic goods and services of general in-

a social Europe, adopted by the European

terest : energy, water, mobility (supported

Green Party in Paris in 20084, one of the

by e.g. a well developed public transport),

most crucial documents setting the frame-

public space for children and young peo-

work of green social policy in the EU.

ple to realize their ideas, public support in

adapting apartments and public space in an

Green social Europe

ecological way, healthy food and a high level

of useful and barrier-free social support-

“A social Europe is not just a nice to have

services.

add-on to the European Single Market”, em-

phasised the Greens in the resolution, „it is

Green social policy and Polish

the responsibility of society to create condi-

developmental strategy

tions for citizens to realize their talents and

ambitions, to choose their lives and to par-

Due to the limited scope of the arti-

ticipate. (...) The challenges facing European

cle I decided to choose some issues

societies are enormous. Europe looks richer

from these presented above. I have fo-

cused on labour market, healthcare,

4 http://europeangreens.eu/fileadmin/logos/pdf/policy_documents/

sociale_europe/EGP_WG_Social_Policy_-_Policy_Paper_as_voted_

5 Ibid.

by_the_EGPcouncil.pdf

6 Ibid.

Green Social Deal and Green Jobs

23

Comparison of sustainable and unsustainable social policy Social policy

unsustainable

sustainable, green

Elitist: inequality (or even its escalation) treated Egalitarian: equality as a key principle of as a growth stimulator, privatisation of public

sustainable development, common access to

services

public services

Solidarity: a huge amount of investment and

No solidarity: a low amount of investment and

a wide range of public services, majority of

a narrow, most often selective, range of public

universal services (dependent on citizenship

services

and not income-related)

No account of external social costs in the analy-

Internalization of external social costs in the

sis and implementation of policies, perpetrators analysis and implementation of policies not burdened with full costs

A lack or a low level of the implementation of the The caution principle as a vital element of caution principle

social policy

Evaluation on the basis of quantative indicators,

mainly macroeconomic e.g. GDP, number of hos- Extended sets of integrated qualitative indica-pital beds, amount of expenditures for medica-

tors of sustainable development

tion

Integrated indicators of sustainable growth

Economic growth measured by the rising GDP as as a better expression of stability of a devel-a basis of social policy

opmental strategy

Ideologization of health policy by ruling doctrine Social policy is neutral in terms of outlook and dominant religion (the right to abortion, IVF) and religion Dominant practice of treating consequences of

Main focus on prevention: avoiding problems

problems and social damage, which results in

and social damage, lower full costs (account

higher costs (including high external costs)

of external costs)

Care economy and housework left to the private Care economy and housework included in sphere

social policy

Lack or low level of implementation of gender

Gender mainstreaming as a key element of

mainstreaming

social policy

Substantial level of exclusion as a result of

among others great income stratification, no

High level of justice, equal access to goods

account of perspectives of gender, age and dis-

and public services

ability

Human capital and its development as dominant Human and social capital and its develop-elements of social policy

ment as equal elements in social policy

High intensity and culture in cooperation

Low intensity and culture in cooperation with so- with social partners, mutual realization of cial partners, shifting public tasks on NGOs

public tasks on the basis of partnership

Low level of social participation in constructing

High level of social participation in construct-

policies, low level of social, civic and political

ing policies, high level of social, civic and

activism

political activism

Prepared by : Dariusz Szwed, Bartłomiej Kozek

24

demographic policy, culture, technol-

ing sectors and inaccurate investments

ogy and European social policy. Apart

which were earlier deemed as flagship12.

from the Polish context, I have presented

briefly much bolder ideas of green politi-

Flexicurity à la Polonaise, or how to waste

cal powers and progressive research insti-

”the Golden Triangle”

tutions from all over the world. They are

worth mentioning so as to realize differ-

Boni’s report is filled with examples of a

ences in the quality of life and public de-

wrong approach to the instruments of so-

bate and of what is “conceivable” in Poland

cial policy recommended by the EU and pro-

and elsewhere.

moted in the conception of the Green New

Deal. Let us see how it treated flexicurity.

A departure point for the comparison is

Supported e.g. by the European Green Par-

Report Poland 2030. Developmental chal-

ty13 and realized in various forms in Finland,

lenges prepared by the office of Minister

Sweden, Denmark and Holland, this sys-

Michał Boni7,8. It stands in the opposition

tem of labour market combines flexibility

to ecopolitical view on the world, because

with a generous network of social securities

it is contingent upon a long-standing ar-

and financing training and re-skilling pro-

gumentation of economic neoliberals who

grammes. However, in a mutated version by

state that demands of social culture, stiff

the Boni’s team, flexicurity took a new form:

labour code and high tax burdens are re-

very flexible job market becomes even more

sponsible for the insufficient econom-

flexible, but there is no action to raise funds

ic development of the state leading to “a

for social policy, which deepens the imbal-

downward dribble of wealth” onto lower

ance between employees and employers –

social classes. Authors favour the model

with the benefit for the latter. It all happens

of polarization and diffusion, opposed to

in a country where 90% unemployed are not

that of sustainable development e.g. they

entitled to benefit and there are more cases

promote maintenance of regional develop-

of accidents14 and delays in salary payment15

mental disproportions and the lack of any

detected by National Labour Inspectorate.

response to a high level of income strati-

fication. The report indicates that fight

From the perspective of green social policy

against inequalities can trigger “devel-

the withdrawal of the state from active em-

opmental drift”, thus leading to a missed

ployment policy in such a situation means

chance of changing Poland into a welfare

the consent to ineffective functioning of la-

state9.

bour market, which places in a worse situa-

tion not only employees and people looking

The analysis of developmental challenges

for jobs, but also small and middle entre-

in Boni’s report was conducted without

preneurs who have less resources that

any reflection over sources of recession.

would enable them to compete with strong-

There is, however, admiration of “creative

er market players, and unwieldy state un-

destruction”10 of economic slowdown that

derfinanced due to reduction in income

is supposed to have a positive influence

tax and pension contribution. Meanwhile,

on the purification of the market. Found

in countries pursuing active social policy

can be also delight with the Irish model

of development11 that supports foreign

investments by lowering corporation tax-

12 For example, a waste incinerating plant of a capacity that exceeds the level of waste production of neighbouring communities. Now, es, although it has experienced a severe

inhabitants are facing the choice of whether to produce more waste or slump and adverse effects, such as blow of

pay fines. More: http://www.greenparty.ie/en/news/latest_news/dub-speculation bubbles in banking and hous-

lin_councils_must_come_to_their_senses_on_costly_folly_of_in-cinerator_plan.

13 http://europeangreens.eu/fileadmin/logos/pdf/policy_documents/

7 Report Poland 2030. Developmental challenges, the Chancellary of the economic/EGP_WG_Economy_-_Paper_as_adopted_by_Ljubljana_

President of the Council of Ministers, Warsaw 2009

Council.pdf

8 A more detailed analysis of the report in my article Polska 2030 – post-14 W. Chamala, PiP: 104 tys. wypadków przy pracy, 523 ofiary śmiertelne, polityka czy rozwój [Poland 2030 – Postpolitics or Development], http://

[104,000 accidents at work, 523 casualties], http://lewica.pl/index.

zieloni2004.pl/art-3793.htm

php?id=19205

9 Report Poland 2030. Developmental challenges, p.2.

15 P. M. Bartolik, PIP: Coraz więcej przypadków zalegania z wynagrodze-10 Ibid, p. 5.

niami [A growing number of delays in salary payment], http://lewica.pl/

11 Ibid, p. 22.

index.php?id=19180

Green Social Deal and Green Jobs

25

like Denmark 25-35% of employees change

ees’, which guarantees equal pay in various

work16 every year and over 70% of respond-

companies. Market subjects that given

ents stated that an occasional change of

such conditions are unable to stay in the

a workplace is beneficial17. The system of

market go bankrupt and give place to new

“golden triangle”, i.e. flexible labour mar-

ones. Employees of such firms can count

ket, generous welfare state and active

on similar support like their colleagues in

employment policy, means that employees

Denmark, while a huge amount of money

do not feel compulsion to hurry only to get

allocated to R&D, in combination with ac-

a mediocre job and that they do not join the

tive labour market policy allows for keeping

ranks of “the working poor”; additionally,

the unemployment rate on a decent level

they can count on help when re-skilling.

(8.5% in July 2010, including 8.6% by men

and 8.5% by women, whereas in Poland –

In order to understand one of the sourc-

these figures come to 8.9% and 10.1% re-

es of disproportions between Poland and

spectively). A minor gender difference is

Denmark, it is worth comparing calcula-

related to very active policy of guaranteeing

tions by the OECD concerning public ex-

balance between work and free time and to

penditure for the labour market in 2003.

popularity of paternity leaves and extended

At that time, Denmark spent 4.42% of the

day care system attended by 43% of one-

GDP for this purpose, including 1.74% for

year old children, 85% of two- and three-

active programmes like financing jobcen-

year-olds, 91% of kids in the age of four and

tres, trainings, incentives for employment

five and as much as 97% of six-year-olds20.

and integration of the disabled, while the

In Holland, which is rather under the influ-

rest was allocated for benefits and early re-

ence of a conservative, continental school

tirement. In Poland in the same period the

of social policy, a great attention is devoted

indicator amounted to 0.98% of the GDP,

to providing non-permanent workers with

including merely 0.16%18 for active instru-

appropriate legal protection21.

ments. Nowadays according to the Eurostat,

the unemployment rate in Denmark comes

It is true that social systems of Scandina-

to 6.9% below the EU average of 9.6% (in

vian countries are not perfect and these

Poland - 9.4%) and the employment indica-

states have their own issues such as a great

tor is running about 75.7% (men – 78.3%,

number of young people and immigrants on

women – 73.1%), in Poland – 59.3% (men

the job market. The problem is that Polish

- 66.1%, women - 52.8%)19. Having a labour

status quo brings about much worse ef-

market in which membership in trade un-

fects – in the first place, 60% of Poles live

ions amounts to 70% and not to 15% like in

under the social minimum (many of them

Poland, we can speak about a balance be-

work, but for insufficient remuneration).

tween workers and employers, strength-

Any alternative, like implementing Euro-

ened by the state.

pean solutions in the Polish reality, seems

impossible to Polish authorities.

Indicators of other economies that chose a

similar approach are equally encouraging.

Green-collar workers – the fi rst and the

With a social democratic model of capital-

second stage of the GND

ism, Sweden based its version of a welfare

state on sector negotiations between organ-

One of the vital elements of the Green New

izations of employers’ and those of employ-

Deal is recapitulation that the state policy

(also the EU one) have a substantial poten-

tial to create new jobs. During elections in

16 More: T. Borejza, Wykorzystać rynek [Use the market], „Trybuna”, 2009, Greens in Germany presented a pro-October 2008; http://lewica.pl/index.php?id=17743

17 Report Poland 2030. Developmental challenges, p. 100.

gramme of creating a million of new, green

18 D. Lang, ”Duński model elastycznego bezpieczeństwa (flexicurity).

Wzór do naśladowania?”, [w:] Problemy Polityki Społecznej[”Danish model of flexicutiry. Example to follow? “,[in:] Problems of Social Policy”, 8/2005, http://rszarf.ips.uw.edu.pl/pdf/lang.pdf

20 More: Szwecja. Przewodnik nieturystyczny [Sweden. Non-turistic 19 http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/refreshTableAction.do;jsessi guide] Political Critique Publishing House, Warsaw 2010

onid=9ea7971b30e6c5ee2c53f039443e94e28372808c66d5.e34RaNaL

21 I Must Work Harder? Britain and the Working Time Directive, report aN0Mc40LcheTaxiLbN8Ne0?tab=table&plugin=1&pcode=tsiem010&l commissioned by green MEP Jean Lambert, London 2008, http://www.

anguage=en

jeanlambertmep.org.uk/DocumentStore/I_Must_Work_Harder.pdf 26

workplaces in 5 years22, in the Czech Re-

guaranteed tariff of energy purchase from

public – 70,00023, in England and Wales –

renewable sources. In the whole EU in 2007

over half a million24. The development of

there were 3.4 million people employed in

the idea of green jobs has extended the def-

the ecological sector of waste and raw ma-

inition of professions that are recognized as

terial management and renewable energy

“green collars”.

production, 2.7 million workers in the au-

tomobile industry and 2.4 million - in the

Originally “green jobs” referred mainly to

chemical industry27. Also in Poland we do

“male” posts in industry and related serv-

have examples of greening of workplaces,

ices, like construction, public transport, re-

however, not on account of active, integrat-

newable energy, primary sector, recycling

ed policy of the state. These include isolat-

and sector of environmental protection. In

ed cases of struggle of entrepreneurs with

later extensions of the GND, jobs created as

wrong or lacking policies like building tow-

a result of the development of social policy

ers for wind turbines in the Gdańsk Ship-

were also regarded as green: in education,

yard28.

healthcare, childcare and care for the eld-

erly. This process was strongly influenced

What is the situation in Poland in this re-

by feminism which drew attention to the role

spect? The research by the Institute for

of the “care economy” in social reproduction

Sustainable Development indicated that

and maintenance of economic system25.

there are possibilities for Poland to follow

a path of more sustainable power indus-

First, the idea was to present an alternative

try and green low-carbon economy. Should

for people who were to lose their jobs as a

only economically feasible investments in

result of moving tax burden onto ineffec-

the energy efficiency and renewables be

tive and polluting sectors of the economy

used since now with respect for environ-

e.g. miners working by extracting coal or

mentally protected areas, then 44% of en-

workers in the automobile industry. Mitiga-

ergy demand of Poland could be satisfied

tion of unfavourable consequences of these

till 203029. Meanwhile, the average level of

changes was possible e.g. thanks to the ac-

application of these possibilities amounts to

tive policy of enhancing energy efficiency of

merely 18% in the case of renewables. What

buildings, which resulted in the reduction

a pity! Especially in the light of the fact that

of workplaces in mining with a simultane-

the production of one Twh from nuclear en-

ous increase in employment by e.g. ther-

ergy, solution preferred by the government

momodernisation of buildings. Suffice it to

of Donald Tusk, creates only 75 workplac-

look at the German example: thanks to the

es, from oil and gas – 250 to 265, from coal

coalition government of the Social Demo-

– 370, and from wind – 918 to even 2,400.

cratic Party and the Greens in years 1998-

In 2007 the latter employed 74,000 people

2005, nowadays over 250,000 people work

in Germany, while in Denmark there were

in the sector of renewable energy, and ac-

21,000 employees and 35,000 in Spain30.

cording to the calculations with time this

number will exceed the rate of people em-

The second stage of development of green

ployed in the pride of the state – automobile

jobs and of including new public serv-

industry26. The credit goes to a high state-

ices therein began with the development

of economic situation, aggravation of the

22 Election programme of the Green Party to Bundestag in 2009, http://

economic crisis and as a result of deep

www.gruene.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Dokumente/Wahlprogramm/

discussions and progressive analyses by

BTW_Wahlprogramm_2009_final_screen_060709.pdf

23 Economic programme of the Green Party for parliamentary elections think-tanks. It was argued that in the age

in 2010, http://www.zeleni.cz/underwood/download/files/ekonomicky-of replacing commodities with services and

program-2010.pdf

24 The sum of jobs in the programme manifesto by the Green Party of England and Wales for parliamentary elections in 2010, http://www.

27 Ibid.

greenparty.org.uk/assets/files/resources/Manifesto_web_file.pdf 28 http://wyborcza.biz/biznes/1,100969,8682490,Pomorskie_W_Stoc-25 Gender i ekonomia opieki, [Gender and Care Economy], E. Charkiewicz zni_Gdansk_najwieksza_w_Polsce_fabryka.html

[ed.], A. Zachorowska-Mazurkiewicz, Tomek Byra Art and Ecology Foun-29 Alternatywna Polityka Energetyczna Polski do 2030 roku [ Alternative dation, Warsaw 2009

Energy Policy of Poland till 2030] – report for policy-makers, Institute for 26 Green Work: Employment and skills – the climate change challenge, Sustainable Development, Warsaw 2010, http://ine-isd.org.pl/lang/pl/

report commissioned by green MEP Jean Lambert, London 2008, http://

page/broszury/id/18/file/26/option/save/

www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/DocumentStore/GreenWork_report.pdf 30 Green Work: Employment and skills

Green Social Deal and Green Jobs

27

knowledge-based economy, public services

problems and subsequently preparation of

cannot be forgotten as they guarantee pro-

a complex vision of the functioning of the

social nature of changes. The second phase

state. More and more often it is noticed that

of perception of the GND in the social con-

poverty and exclusion are accompanied by

text started attaching greater attention to

ecological degradation and weak health

sectors such as healthcare, care, education

indicators. Progressive global changes of

and R&D, simultaneously with action for

the civilization cause new inequalities re-

increased participation of women in tradi-

lated to the segmentation of urban space

tionally male sectors31. The aim is to raise

among other traditional ones that necessi-

quality of life, human and social capital so

tate changes. The quality of life in “bad” and

as to increase social cohesion that is a key

“good” districts begins to differ significant-

element of sustainable development.

ly. For example, in Warsaw the difference of

life expectancy in men comes to 16.1 years

In Poland a lot of work must be done in eve-

(65.7 in the “bad” district North Praga and

ry of the above mentioned fields. It suffices

81.8 in “good” Wilanów), while the figure

to mention low expenditure for health, low

for women amounts to 14.1 years (76.2 and

rates of children involved in day care system

90.3 in the respective parts of Warsaw)35.

(in the case of four-year-olds only 41%32; in

the group of the age 3 to 5 - 62% in cities

It is difficult to talk about prevention, if

and 19% in rural parishes33), a low quality of

young people already at an early age are

social aid services and meagre expenditure

deprived of instruments necessary to care

for R&D – 0.56% of the GDP, while in inno-

for their own health. Permanent medical

vative economies like Sweden or Finland it

and dentist services are still not available

goes up to 3.5–4%.34 What is more interest-

in every school (reintroduction of this ob-

ing, in Poland 2030 there is no indication of

ligation, abandoned in 2002, is a constant

any desire to raise public outlays for R&D,

postulate of paediatric circles and it could

yet it is suggested that fees for studies be

become a vital way to eliminate and to di-

introduced and nannies be hired privately,

agnose developmental deficits). It is hard to

which of course can be afforded only by few

implement programmes beyond the range

people.

of obligatory vaccination and increasingly

criticized fluorization of teeth, while class-

Prevent and heal

es concerning sex education, not rarely

taught by school catechists, are far from

Our health is influenced by factors such as

being objective in transferring knowledge

quality of job, work overload and possibility

of contraception or psychosexual orien-

to combine professional and private life, ac-

tations, not only in the opinion of pupils.

tive leisure, quality of food and the state of

There was no reflection over e.g. the sug-

the environment. Politics has a substantial

gestion by Maciej Gdula, Ph.D. at the Uni-

impact on each of them and active meas-

versity of Warsaw. This concerned the

ures can relieve the burden of expenses for

introduction of the subject “health”36 into

treatment and they can reduce human suf-

school programmes. It is difficult to cre-

fering. Each one is an element of modern

ate conditions to promote physical activi-

prevention, avoiding illnesses, which leads

ties if such classes for many good students

to a better quality of life and which lowers

mean a worse average mark and stigma-

the costs of healthcare. In discussions con-

tization in a group. A meagre diversity of

cerning a healthcare reform in Poland pri-

orities include financing structures of the

healthcare system and focus on financing

35 Raport o stanie zdrowia mieszkańców Warszawy. Wybrane aspekty sytuacji zdrowotnej ludności Warszawy na podstawie danych z lat 2004–

treatments, instead of prevention. A change

2007 [Report on health of inhabitants of Warsaw. Chosen aspects of health in the perception would require acknowl-situation of Warsaw population on the basis of date from 2004 to 2007], Municipal Office of Warsaw, Office of Heath Policy, Warsaw 2009, http://

edgment of interrelations between social

um.Warsaw.pl/v_syrenka/new/index.php?dzial=aktualnosci&ak_

id=21421&kat=12

31 See Gender and Green New Deal in this publication 36 M. Gdula,”Co z religią w szkołach?”, [„What with religion in schools?”], 32 Report Poland 2030. Developmental challenges, p.226.

Z ielone Wiadomości (Green news), July 2010, http://www.krytykapolity-33 Ibid, p. 227.

czna.pl/Opinie/GdulaJaknaprawictoconapsulareligiawszkolach/menuid-34 Ibid, p. 212.

197.html

28

P.E. lessons, contributes to the practice of

basis, while in the case of young women

exempting children form the attendance

these figures amount to respectively 52.4

by means of false medical certificates ar-

and 55.1%)38.

ranged by their parents. A bigger number

of P.E. classes without an attempt to face

There is no denying that financial outlays

these challenges and to find the way to

for healthcare in Poland are insufficient to

overcome them (e.g. popularization of yoga,

provide the right level of services. In 2006

tourist trips or a possibility to receive the

total expenditure for this purpose amount-

credit outside the school) can contribute

ed to 6.2% of the GDP in Poland, 6.9% in

to a further worsening of the rate of active

the Czech Republic, 8.9% in Hungary, 9%

participants. There are no provisions that

in Portugal and 10.6% in Germany39. As re-

would define a minimum contribution of

gards public expenses, they ran at about

vegetables and fruit (or wider – vegetarian

5.1% in Poland, 7.7%% in Sweden, 8.1% in

products) in food products sold in school

Germany and 8.7% in France40. Naturally,

shops and canteens. Missing are also le-

as indicated by the example of the United

gal provisions limiting advertisements of

States, where healthcare outlays come to

junk food in media and its sale at schools.

as much as 16% of the GDP, high expendi-

At the same time, both in prevention and

tures are not tantamount to the quality of

treatment– in the whole social policy – the

medical care. There are many other issues,

lack of awareness that universality of hu-

related to e.g. the division of resources

man rights, including social ones, is ac-

for salaries, which has so far been much

companied by progressive individualization

more favourable for doctors than nurses.

of needs. In such conditions, the best type

However, due to demographic changes

of social benefits system is the one that

we should expect growing significance at-

combines universal elements (availability

tached to nursing care, which is closer to

regardless of income) and individuality (ad-

patients and more useful in the case of

justment to particular, diverse needs). The

visiting the elderly outside the hospital

selective system, excluding some groups,

instead of more expensive and restrictive

has been for years justified by means of

hospitalization (in Poland there are only

arguments regarding costliness of univer-

226 geriatricians, in Sweden – over 700; in

sal benefits. However, it turned out that

Poland 0.25% of the GDP is spent for so-

costs of bureaucracy which gives its opin-

cial care, while in the EU in average – 0.5%

ion on whether someone does or does not

and 2.7% in Sweden41). In order to develop

deserve help, are equally high and that

“care economy” and to shift the focus from

they additionally force some people to re-

hospital treatment to social services it is

sign from it37. A compulsory unification of

necessary to secure sufficient resourc-

social systems, instead of the adjustment

es for this purpose, just as in the case of

to the reality, results in a lower quality

the prevention. However, the current divi-

of services and satisfaction. Let us come

sion leads to the situation that there are

back for a moment to the example of young

5 nurses and midwives to 1000 people (in

people, since it shows how difficult it is to

the Czech Republic – 8.1, in Hungary –

prepare an effective prevention campaign.

8.6, in France – 7.5, in Great Britain – 9.2

In the Report on the health of inhabitants

and in Germany – 9.642). As described in

of Warsaw we can read that there are gen-

der differences in the regularity of eating

38 Raport o stanie zdrowia mieszkańców Warszawy, [Report on the health breakfast (the problem for 36.6% of female

of inhabitants of Warsaw]

respondents and 22.6% of male ones) and

39 Wydatki na ochronę zdrowia w PKB i na jednego mieszkańca, [Expendi-in the insufficient consumption of vegeta-

ture for healthcare in the GDP for a citizen], http://www.telemedicus.pl/

content/wydatki-na-ochron%C4%99-zdrowia-w-pkb-i-na-jednego-bles and fruits (71.2% of young men eat

mieszka%C5%84ca

vegetables and 66.4% – fruits on a daily

40 R. Bakalarczyk, Wierzchołek góry lodowej, [The Peak of the Iceberg], http://www.obywatel.org.pl/index.php?module=pagemaster&func=vi ewpub&tid=4&pid=29

37 R. Bakalarczyk, „Wizja spójności społecznej w raporcie Polska 2030 i 41 Ibid.

jej krytyka”, („Vision of Social Cohesion in the report Poland 2030 and its 42 J. Kubisa, Pielęgniarki. Protesty pielęgniarek i położnych w kontekście Critique”) [in:] Jaka Polska 2030? [Which Poland 2030? ], M. Syska [ed.], reform ochrony zdrowia, [Nurses. Protests of nurses and midwives in the The Ferdinand Lassalle Centre For Social Thought, Wrocław-Warsaw 2010, context of healthcare reform], introduction by E. Charkiewicz, http://

http://jakapolska2030.pl/

www.ekologiasztuka.pl/pdf/f0086_TTFraport3_Pielegniarki-Kubisa.pdf Green Social Deal and Green Jobs

29

many publications by the Feminist Think

conservatists and liberal democrats47. After

Tank43, it becomes increasingly common

the times of stimulus packages, the issue

that qualified nurses migrate to Scandi-

of quick deficit reduction is again in vogue.

navian countries or Italy, where they have

This can either stabilize public finances or

to certify their skills or work below quali-

lead to the second stage of recession (at the

fications44. This phenomenon will mount

time when this article was written, econo-

unless more attention is drawn to the im-

mists were still not unanimous in their in-

provement of working conditions of nurses

terpretation of data from major markets in

and midwives, which is indispensible to

the world). Considerable cuts are expect-

maintain interest in the profession and to

ed in the European semi-peryphery e.g. in

stop mass Western migration of the repre-

Greece. As a result of years of neglect (the

sentatives of this feminized profession; this

mix of a inegalitarian fiscal system, a low

would also be an investment in the future

rate of tax collection and significant, yet in-

related to the necessity of securing care

effective public expenses like a surprisingly

and health of the elderly. Another problem

high, as for European standards, budget for

of the near future are the costs of medica-

army), Greece was forced to subordinate to

tion refund which burden the state budget

the demands of international institutions

(30% of the National Health Fund) and of

that eagerly apply cuts in expenditures, but

geriatric drugs that are controlled by pat-

do not like to increase permanently income

ent law, which rather protects profits than

of the state48. Unstable situation of this

allow enjoying the right to health45. These

country raises doubts about the state of Eu-

are only some problems that necessitate

ropean countries from the PIGS group (Por-

solutions in this sector – an appropriate

tugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain) caused by

mix of higher outlays, shift from treatment

mounting debts of various kinds, both pub-

to multidimensional prevention (taking

lic and private, and in Spain also by the blow

into account prophylaxis, improvement of

of the speculation bubble in the real estate

the state of the environment and of labour

market and unemployment coming to 20%.

and leisure conditions) could contribute to

Earlier the crisis hit severely Baltic coun-

a better quality of services46.

tries that so far had been given as shining

examples – due to low public expenses and

Crisis of Europe, not of the social model

introduction of flat tax. No admiration can

be heard now. The situation of euro, com-

The end of the European system of social

mon currency of countries pursuing not

securities has been announced at least

rarely different economic policies, is still

since the 1990s. Currently, the most vulner-

not stable49. The economic crisis has over-

able version is the liberal one, on account

lapped with the political one in the Europe-

of budget cuts in public expenses (25-40%)

an Union. Even final consensus in the form

planned by the new British government of

of the Treaty of Lisbon has not improved the

situation significantly. Projects to date that

are supposed to contribute to the better co-

43 Members of the Feminist Think Tank about the organisation: “We hesion of the continent, like Lisbon strategy

have initiated the Feminist Think Tank to contribute to the development were just wishful thinking due to the lack

of feminist critique of politics and economy, including the analysis of

»transformation« and its relation to economic globalization. Feminist of sanctions in case of failure of particu-voice in the public sphere cannot be limited to narrowly understood lar governments in their implementation.

»feminine issues« – it should concern all crucial problems of the contem-The latest project, Europe 2020, is at risk of

porary world, because all vital issues concern also women”; ,http://www.

ekologiasztuka.pl/think.tank.feministyczny/index.php

44 Gender and Care Economy

47 A “budget for pointless austerity” , Press release by the Green Party 45 K. Bugdał, Sprawy, o których nie chcą mówić decydenci ochrony of England and Wales, http://www.greenparty.org.uk/News/22-06-10-zdrowia i politycy, [Issues about which policy-makers and politicians do not response-to-2010-budget.html

want to talk], http://www.rozgwiazda.org.pl/index.php?option=com_co 48 More in my article - report of the Summer Ecopolitical Academy in ntent&view=article&id=121:sprawy-o-ktorych-nie-chc-mowi-decyden-Hungary, Czy wszyscy jesteśmy Grekami? Kryzys i cięcia na półperyferiach, ci-ochrony-zdrowia-i-politycy&catid=71:ochrona-zdrowia&Itemid=116

[Are We All Greeks? Crisis and Cuts in the Semi-peryphery], http://zielona-46 More abort healthcare, especially in the context of presidential Warsaw.blogspot.com/2010/07/czy-wszyscy-jestesmy-grekami-kryzys-i.

campaign in 2010 in my article Zdrowie rzecz cenna – ale nie w tych html

wyborach, [Health – precious, but not in these elections], http://www.

49 Account of the Summer Ecopolitical Academy in Hungary, Sposoby rozgwiazda.org.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=

wyjścia z neoliberalnego systemu finansowego [How to get out of the neo-120:zdrowie-rzecz-cenna-ale-nie-w-tych-wyborach&catid=71:ochrona-liberal financial system], http://zielonaWarsaw.blogspot.com/2010/07/

zdrowia&Itemid=116

sposoby-wyjscia-z-neoliberalnego.html

30

suffering the same fate, the more so as

of this discourse, since majority of Green

there have already emerged basic reserva-

parties improved their standing, thanks to

tions concerning its not very ambitious eco-

which Greens/European Free Alliance has

logical and social goals50.

become the fourth political force in the

European Parliament. Similarly, the latest

Green social Europe – will it succeed?

pre-election polls showed that the party of

Claudia Roth and Cem Özdemir is support-

In the article on the future of Europe to

ed by 16 to 21% of Germans53. The credit

2050 Ryszard Szarfenberg invokes four

goes to increasingly wide alliances includ-

ways in which the situation can develop:

ing these within civil society, especially di-

laissez-affaire weakening of the law of

alogue between ecological organizations,

the Community, renationalization of so-

global movements for social and climate

cial policies, comeback to ambitious com-

justice, progressive employers’ institu-

mon plan similar to the one from the 1960s

tions and trade unions, organising jointly

and negotiation of completely new social

conferences and demonstrations.

agreement51.

The Green New Deal has another advantage

From the perspective of green politics the

– it is contingent upon green policies, but

first scenario seems to have won favour

also a lively idea that adjusts to local con-

with current EU elites, represented mainly

texts and to development of international

by the European Commission, while the

economic situation. The social section in-

second one – with the Member States.

cludes many interesting conceptions that

The third option reflects moods of the “Old

have not yet made it to the mainstream of

Left” and the last projects is apparently

public debate in Poland. Discussed are e.g.

the most green. Social policy will not sur-

legitimacy and opportunity of introducing

vive without greening that sets the limits

guaranteed minimum income – uncondi-

of the resilience of the global ecosystem.

tional money transfer that would replace

The Green New Deal is the most convinc-

current forms of support, thus allowing

ing narration in this current, as it is aware

full-time volunteering or a more peace-

of irreversible social and economic chang-

ful change of work, as well as shortening

es resulting from globalization and human

of working time so as to divide the access

practice of overstraining Earth’s capacity

to jobs within society more justly. A lead-

to regenerate. It is also aware that “the old

er in this idea, the British New Economics

welfare state”, with its social conserva-

Foundation has recently issued a brochure

tism and “external effects” in the form of

21 Hours justifying that elaboration of

e.g. colonial exploitation and maintenance

such a flexible system (in which it is possi-

of patriarchal relations in households,

ble to work longer or shorter for a certain

gave rise to the movement of 1968, thanks

period) would contribute to reduce differ-

to which ecopolitical parties emerged52.

ences in a social gender division of work

Their aim is to shift status quo in such a

and would allow early retirement due to a

way that economic calculations would re-

lowered professional load and a possibil-

flect human rights, individualism, solidar-

ity to devote more time for social action54.

ity, empathy and care for the environment.

The idea is supposed to become an inher-

Results of elections to the European Par-

ent part of a wider conception of the “great

liament in 2009 have signified recognition

transformation” of society and economy

adapting to limited capabilities of the eco-

system, as promoted by the Foundation55.

50 See: resolution by the European Green Party, Towards a social It is also based on the first experiments

and green EU 2020: from vulnerability to sustainability, http://europeangreens.eu/fileadmin/logos/pdf/policy_documents/resolutions/

Barcelona/10._EU_2020.pdf

53 http://wahlrercht.de

51 R. Szarfenberg , Człowiek i polityka społeczna – Unia Europejska 2050

54 21 hours. Why a shorter working week can help us all to flourish in (Human and Social Policy – European Union 2050) [in:] A. Karpiński [ed.], the 21st century, New Economics Foundation, London 2010, https://

Europa w perspektywie 2050 (Europe in the perspective of 2050), The “Po-docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.neweconomics.

land 2000 Plus” Forecast Committee, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw org%2Fsites%2Fneweconomics.org%2Ffiles%2F21_Hours.pdf

2007, http://rszarf.ips.uw.edu.pl/pdf/psue2050.pdf.

55 See: The Great Transition. A tale of how it turned out right, New Eco-52 B. Kozek, Why don’t roses like sunflowers? , http://lewica.pl/index.

nomics Foundation, London 2009, http://www.neweconomics.org/sites/

php?id=20892

neweconomics.org/files/Great_Transition_0.pdf

Green Social Deal and Green Jobs

31

related to the introduction of 35-hour work-

Warsaw cost 39 PLN, in Cracow – 43.60 to

ing week in France and four-day working

94 PLN, in Przemyśl – 31 - 41 PLN. Costs

week in some American cities, tried out in

rise depending on the number of children

the times of very high oil prices in recent

in a family, the type of transport (railway

years and during the oil crisis of the 1970s.

fares have different prices). Additionally,

Progressive research centres are debating

many children travel from suburban zones

very intensively about the issue of whether

and a ticket valid for both urban and sub-

unlimited economic growth measured with

urban lines is respectively more expensive.

the usual indicators can be green given the

Apart from a social dimension (egalitarian

limits of planet’s resources.

mobility), a discussion over such a postu-

late could also show a ecological perspec-

Both the European Union and particular

tive: development of the habit to use public

Member States have to answer the ques-

communication instead of cars.

tion of how best to provide public services

for the benefit of citizens. Apart from gen-

Particularly important are activities of local

eral ideas of coordination and exchange of

authorities, which by definition are close

best practices, the only widely discussed

to people. The programme “Coffee for one

issues so far included: Bolkestein Direc-

PLN” in the Warsaw district Żoliborz could

tive which has abandoned the promotion of

be invoked as a striking example. Thanks

“free-for-all” in sectors such as education

to the agreement between a local social

and healthcare as a result of social pres-

welfare centre and owners of restaurants,

sures, and the idea of European minimum

elderly people can drink coffee or tea for a

wage that was harshly criticized in Polish

symbolic one PLN in certain hours instead

media as an example of action for limiting

of sitting alone at home57. It becomes nec-

competitiveness of Member States and not

essary to enhance the participation of local

as aspiration for the right to decent job to

communities in the functioning of local so-

all EU citizens. At the same time, we are

cial institutions such as cultural institutions

facing substantial changes in social policy,

or job centres. Experiences of unemployed

which was commented by Rafał Bakalarczyk

people in Great Britain or Polish town Kros-

in Jaka Polska 2030? The focus is being

no are very similar – those in need for help

moved from direct money transfers to the

are treated paternalistically, few officials

common access to high-quality services56.

are able to listen to them and they do not

This is crucial in the Polish context; here,

receive expected support58. All these issues

contrary to Sweden, there is no favoura-

can and should become a topic of the Euro-

ble political climate for high benefits and

pean debate. Since increasing role of cities

greater social cohesion. Securing a good

in global social and economic systems be-

quality of public transport, the clean envi-

comes more and more apparent, European

ronment or medical care is tantamount to

institutions have to look for such mecha-

smaller inequalities and building trust to

nisms so as to deepen interrelations and

the state and its institutions, indispensable

exchange between particular towns, which

for the legitimization of more active pres-

could contribute to a better quality of life

ence in various sectors. One of the exam-

and public services on a local level, close

ples of such an approach is the attempt to

to people. If the European dream is to last,

replace maternity grant with a free public

this postulate has to come true.

transport for children till the age of 16. As

children cannot work, it is difficult to blame

57 A. Pochrzęst, Kawa lub herbata dla seniorów za złotówkę, [Coffee or tea them for their economic situation. Mean-for seniors for one PLN], „Gazeta Stołeczna”, 6/01/2009., http://Warsaw.

while, expenditures for journeys to school

gazeta.pl/Warsaw/1,34884,6124771.html

58 See: E. Charkiewicz, Na jakim świecie ja żyję? Kobiety, ubóstwo i burden home budget and not rarely hinder

kryzys finansowy w Krośnie, [In what world do I live? Women, poverty and education in better schools. Concessionary

financial crisis in Krosno], Feminist Think Tank, Warsaw 2009, http://

www.ekologiasztuka.pl/pdf/Krosno-raport2009_projekt.pdf; Benefits monthly fares for urban communication in

that work. The social value of the Community Allowance, New Economics Foundation, London 2009, http://www.neweconomics.org/sites/neweconomics.org/files/Benefits_that_work_0.pdf; Mind the gap - Green 56 Jaka Polska 2030?, [Which Poland 2030? ], M. Syska, The Ferdinand New Deal initiatives to combat growing inequality in New Zealand, Lassalle Centre For Social Thought, Wrocław-Warsaw 2010, http://jaka-Green Party of Aotearoa New Zeland 2010, http://www.greens.org.nz/

polska2030.pl/

mindthegap

32

Acknowledgements

This article would be much poorer without

the help of Ryszard Szarfenberg, Associate

Professor at the Institute of Social Policy at

the University of Warsaw, the possibility to

use his Internet base of texts concerning

social policy or without Rafał Bakalarczyk

whose precious advice and interest in the

topic enabled me to construct the final ver-

sion. I would like to express deep gratitude

at their support59.

59 Internet site by Ryszard Szarfenberg: http://rszarf.ips.uw.edu.pl/; blog by Rafał Bakalarczyk: http://lewica.pl/blog/bakalarczyk/

The Perspective of Gender Equality in the Green New Deal 33

4.

Beata Maciejewska

The Perspective of Gender Equality in the Green

New Deal

The EU1 equality policy and the agenda of all

parties from the whole of Europe)4, which

European2 green politicians are contingent

was held in October 2010 in Tallinn, the ma-

upon gender mainstreaming. According to this

jor discussion over its programme Green

strategy, “concerns and experiences should

New Deal5 began with the appeal for gen-

become an integral dimension of design, im-

der. “How is it possible that the perspec-

plementation, monitoring and evaluation of all

tive of over 50% of society has not been

policies and programmes (…) so that women

incorporated in this document?”, asked

and men benefit equally and inequality is not

French Jocelyne Le Boulicaut, a member

perpetuated3”. Therefore, the Green New Deal,

of Gender Observatory in the European

even if only a programme of economic mod-

Green Party. As a response to suggestions

ernization has to incorporate the perspective of

of amendments, Le Boulicaut argued that

gender equality. However, to great disappoint-

a document with no basis of equality policy

ment, the majority of respective publications,

cannot be changed by means of minor cor-

programmes and analyses do not consider the

rections.

equalization of opportunities.

Her opinion was another appeal for a gen-

Appeal for gender

der perspective. “Are green jobs good for

the environment and bad for women?6”,

During the 13th Council Meeting of the

asked politicians of the Green Group in the

Green European Party (gathering over 40

European Parliament in September 2009.

They emphasized that gender aspect

1 Among antidiscriminatory measures of the EU, action for equalization has the longest tradition. Already in 1957 the Treaty of Rome obliged Member States to implement the principle of equal pay for male and 4 Council of the European Green Party is a decisive body gathering female. Respective information can be found in many sources concern-hundreds of delegates of 42 European green parties. During council ing the EU and equal opportunities, e.g. B. Maciejewska, W. Kłosowski, meetings, held twice a year, political decisions, key programmes and Pomorze – Kurs na równość (Pomerania- Heading for Equality), Spaces for resolutions are adopted

Dialogue Foundation, Gdańsk 2007

5 The macro-economic and financial framework of the Green New Deal 2 Regardless of a country, green politics is based on the respect for the

– publication available at the European Greens’ website: http://europe-rights of minorities and underrepresented groups, including women angreens.eu/fileadmin/logos/pdf/pdf_tallinn/GND_Adopted_Policy_

3 A fragment of the definition of gender mainstreaming. Source: The Paper_-_20101010_AY.pdf

Report of the Economic and Social Council for 1997, United Nations, New 6 Gender aspect of the Green New Deal, 23.09.2009 – report from the York 1997.

meeting WG FEMM-Greens/EFA in the EU

34

should be the most crucial element of

industry involve engineering, where the

the ambitious concept of the Green New

employment rate of women amounts to

Deal7, since the market itself cannot solve

12%10.

the issue of gender inequality, on the con-

trary, if we allow it to develop in a “natural”

According to Grzybek, the income stratifi-

way, it will perpetuate a gender gap. This

cation of women can be combated by the

can be illustrated with a blatant example

incorporation of gender perspective into in-

of “gender-blind” stimulus packages im-

vestments for research, development and

plemented by governments of particular

education, so as to encourage girls and

countries after the financial and econom-

women to combine their professional future

ic crises of 2007. It was mainly the male-

with sectors of modern and green technol-

employing industry that benefited, e.g.

ogy. In the United States, where green jobs

motor and building industry. Men gained

are strongly promoted (Barack Obama al-

even if branches employing women were

lotted $4.2 billion for this purpose), the

subsidized, e.g. in the German package 11

Women’s Bureau of the Department of La-

billion Euros for education was allocated

bor supports the campaign aimed at dou-

not for education-related expenses, such

bling the number of women at the faculty of

as salaries for teachers or caregivers, but

solar technology in one year11, because so

for renovation done by men and remune

far only one in ten students is female.

rating men8.

Jean Lambert, a Green MEP from Great

Equalization of opportunities is

Britain, who promotes green jobs and lays

necessary

stress on the link between ecological postu-

lates and development of green technologies,

It is very disturbing then that the Green

sounded a warning about the marginalization

New Deal, which emerged as an answer to

of women at technical universities, courses

the crisis and an alternative to ‘rescue pro-

in applied sciences, engineering and math-

grammes’, does not incorporate the gender

ematics. “And it is a fact that young women

perspective; especially as jobs proposed

take keen interest in ecology”, pointed out

as part of the GND are situated mainly in

Lambert. Therefore, she is convinced that it is

male-dominated sectors of the economy.

necessary to create the possibility to combine

“The segregation on the job market is hor-

action for the environment with female work

izontal; therefore, the growing number of

in professions requiring specialist education

green workplaces may not translate into

related to green jobs12.

more jobs for women. In the building sec-

tor men make up 95% of the workforce, in

The initiative of the Bangladesh organiza-

transport – 80%. For this reason, there is

tion Grameen Shakti (GS) concerning micro-

a significant risk that if sectors of the fu-

loans shows how to support women, develop

ture like thermo-renovation or renewable

alternative energy sector and quality of life

energy are better financed and better paid,

in local communities at the same time. GS

women will be even more excluded”, stat-

helped to install over 100,000 solar panels

ed Agnieszka Grzybek, expert on gender

in rural areas. In this way, it secured prof-

equality, politician of the Polish Green Par-

its (access to electricity allows for perform-

ty Zieloni 20049. These concerns are con-

ing various types of gainful employment

firmed by practices of various countries,

in manufacturing) and supported strong-

not only European ones. A comprehensive

ly women and young people in a Muslim

study by the United States Conference of

Mayors indicated that half of jobs in green

10 Article published at the web portal Women’s Rights, Jen Nedeau, Green Jobs = Good for the Environment, Bad for Women? http://wom-ensrights.change.org/blog/view/green_jobs_good_for_the_environ-7 Ibid.

ment_bad_for_women

8 Article by D. Ruggier The gender aspects of the financial and economic 11 The website of the social campaign Green Jobs Campaign: http://

crisis, published at the website of the Green European Foundation: http://

www.austincc.edu/green/

www.gef.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Gender_Aspects_of_the_Crisis_-12 Report by J. Lambert, Green MEP from London, on the issue of green _D_Ruggieri_web.pdf

jobs, Green Work. Employment and skills – the climate change challenge, 9 statement of A. Grzybek was made specifically for the purpose of this available at the website: http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/Docu-article

mentStore/GreenWork_report.pdf

The Perspective of Gender Equality in the Green New Deal 35

country by training over 5,000 of them as

in green jobs (alternative energy, building,

technical workers licensed to operate, main-

enhancement of energy efficiency, public

tain and repair photovoltaic cells13. Thus,

transport). The process of growing income

the green economy can become a jumping-

diversification is regarded as a natural phe-

off point to a better life for village women

nomenon that is self-regulating, and if not,

in the Global South, where there is often no

then nothing bad will happen”, reported

electricity. Before they started working in

Bartłomiej Kozek, a member of the Board of

green industry, which provides them with

Zieloni 2004, in his report analysis14.

work, heating and light, they had devoted a

few hours to obtain firewood for cooking and

It is similar on the local level. The analysis

heating. Now, they can distance themselves

of documents (among others of the chosen

from the traditional work and begin the

strategies) showed that the gender perspec-

process of emancipation by gaining finan-

tive is never taken into account. By way of

cial independence without losing the sense

example, the development strategy of the

of security and performing technologically

Silesia Metropolis, which ought to be a trail-

advanced work for the benefit of both local

blazing document in Poland and whose main

and global environment. This marvellous

motto is “life to the full”, does not even men-

example proves that the green economy can

tion any gender approach. The only perspec-

be innovative and advantageous in many as-

tive is that of a healthy man in his prime,

pects, as well as sensitive to social and gen-

which eliminates the female, elderly, handi-

der issues.

capped etc. Additionally, its provisions con-

cerning innovative solutions are inconsistent:

Poland: The Green New Deal from

first, we read about the necessity to build the

a gender perspective

economy based on environmentally-friendly

technologies, then about the development

In the view of Polish experiences, the above

of traditional industry, and still, the gender

mentioned activities aimed at involving

perspective is absent in both cases15.

women in the creation and maintenance of

green jobs seem exotic. First of all, green

In Polish gender-insensitive policy at all

jobs do not make it to the mainstream of

levels, equalization of opportunities can be

the Polish economic policy. Secondly, gen-

attained with the help of EU funds, espe-

der perspective on the job market is not a

cially minimum standard16, which is in ef-

priority of the government. “No Polish gov-

fect since April 2009 and determines that

ernment was interested in equality”, said

every project financed by the Operational

Anna Czerwińska, a feminist activist from

Programme Human Capital (OPHC) has to

Feminoteka, “Equality is mentioned only

be directly aimed at the equalization of op-

during election campaigns and forgotten af-

portunities.

terwards”.

Regardless of whether an investor is an

The lack of modern perception and a typical-

investor building bridges or an official in

ly male approach are flagrantly noticeable in

a small civil parish vying for resources for

various strategic documents. Poland 2030

a district day-care room, he or she has to

– developmental challenges – a national

analyse a social problem from the gender

strategic document prepared by a group of

experts led by Minister Michał Boni focuses

14 B. Kozek, Polska 2030 – postpolityka czy rozwój?(Poland 2030 – post-among others on low professional activity of

politics or development? ), http://www.zieloni2004.pl/art-3793.htm (the Poles, but sees no chances either in green

last visit: 26 Oct 2010)

technology or e.g. in equal pay for male and

15 D. Szwed, B. Maciejewska, Zrównoważony Rozwój Metropolii Silesia

[Sustainable Development of the Silesia Metropolis], http://przestrzenie-female. “There is no trace of any signals of

dialogu.org/download/RAPORT_zrownowazony_rozwoj_metropolia_si-using financial crisis for the benefit of revi-

lesia.pdf (the last visit: 26 Oct 2010)

16 Standard minimum of the OPHC application form from the perspec-sions regarding economy and investments

tive of implementation of the equality principle http://www.pokl.wup.

lodz.pl/images/stories/pliki/dokumenty/rowne_szanse/standard%20

minimum_1_1_2010.pdf , 26 Oct 2010. It is symptomatic that in the 13 Source: Grameen Shakti – http://www.gshakti.org/ and Dipal C.

name of the operational programme the term „human capital” is used Barua (2008) – http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/

and not „social capital”, whose low level constitutes one of the major events/greenjobs/papers/index.htm

developmental barriers in Poland

36

perspective or to plan activities separately

care for equal opportunities, good social

for men and women or to guarantee parity

programmes – this all translates into pros-

in project management. “In my firm, any ac-

perity and sustainable development of all

tion as part of the OPHC is designed sepa-

societies. It can be aptly illustrated with a

rately for male and female”, said Karolina

comparison of Scandinavian countries that

Matuszewska, a Project Manager for the IT

pursue a social-democratic policy with

firm “DC Edukacja” in Gdańsk. “If problem

states glorifying the politics of polarization.

analysis indicates that only 1% of women

The former came out well: people there can

possess specialist knowledge in a given IT

expect a better quality of life and a higher

field, we raise standards by a few percent

average income, they are more engaged

and assume that female participation rate

in social activities (including trade unions)

will make up 5%. In this way we try to give

and innovative. Additionally, the proportion

equal chances in real terms.”

of the poor is more than twice as low (5.6%

“Standard as a departure point is a sig-

vs. 12.6%) and the perspective for growth is

nificant success per se”, assessed Natalia

longer and more sustainable18.

Sarata, a trainer dealing with antidiscrimi-

natory and gender workshops17. If OPHC

2. Introduction of gender perspective to

programmes finance projects contributing

analysis and planning; devising effec-

to a green modernization of the economy,

tive instruments for analysis

the standard allows for the incorporation of

the gender perspective. In this secret and

The gender perspective has to be deemed

contradictory to the Polish mainstream pol-

as a vital category in the GND. Documents

icies manner, we can move a bit further to-

that describe its idea and particular pro-

wards the Green New Deal. This is, however,

grammes ought to be complemented with

not enough to talk about a good antidiscrim-

appropriate indicators and tools:

inatory policy and economic modernization

contingent upon sustainable development,

a) Gender Impact Assessment – GIA

i.e. about the fundamentals of good govern-

GIA is an evaluation of political and

ance defined by the Greens.

legislative strategies in order to check

whether they influence women and

How to involve the gender perspective in

men differently and to adjust them in

the Green New Deal

such a way that potentially discrimi-

natory impact is neutralized and that

Model ideas for making the Green New

gender equality is promoted19. It seems

deal more gender-sensitive are discussed

that such an assessment in Poland

below:

could be conducted by plenipotentiar-

1. A firm basis: equality as a vehicle of

ies for equal status of women and men

sustainable development

who have been appointed in some civil

parishes and provinces (e.g. in Olsztyn

The Green New Deal emphasized that eco-

and Gdańsk). Additionally, it is advisable

nomic growth is not the most essential fac-

that local authorities sign the European

tor of development. It is reflected in the

Charter for Equality in Local Life, which

titles of discussions devoted to the GND

would be a formal expression of their

(e.g. Development without Growth) or in

commitment to promotion of equality

the search for new definitions of profit and

principle and a declaration of imple-

indicators of development. Therefore, the

mentation of resulting obligations in

GND should be contingent upon strongly

their own areas of action20;

accentuated egalitarianism that is viable

in a wider sense, both social and ecologi-

18 “The Social Welfare State, beyond Ideology” [in:] Scientific American cal. Lower disparities in salaries, better

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-social-welfare-state#comments (The last visit: 5 Oct 2010)

19 Definition from the website: http://www.funduszeeuropejskie.gov.

17 N. Sarata, „Polityka równości w kryzysie” [w:] Kobiety na „zielonej pl/Slownik/Strony/Ocena_wplywu_na_kwestie_rownouprawnienia_

wyspie”. Kryzys w Polsce z perspektywy gender (“Equality Policy in Crisis”

plci.aspx

[in:] Women on „green island”. Crisis in Poland from the gender perspec-20 Związek Miast Polskich: Europejska Karta Równości Kobiet i Mężczyzn w tive), Warsaw 2010. Publication available at: http://www.feminoteka.pl/

Życiu Lokalnym (Association of Polish Cities: European Charter for Equality downloads.php?cat_id=10

in Local Life), www.zmp.poznan.pl/dane/wrzesien-06/KartaKobPL.doc The Perspective of Gender Equality in the Green New Deal 37

b) gender budgeting,

of women in supervisory boards in publicly

i.e. constructing and analyzing the

traded companies22. Such solutions should

budget by taking into consideration di-

also become a part of the Green New Deal,

verse gender-specific needs. Such a

especially as Greens themselves, who coin

method is successfully applied in many

the idea of the GND, apply equality tools in

countries, cities and districts. Also in

their own structures: proportions of men

Poland there is a growing interest for

and women in decisive bodies of green par-

gender-sensitive budgets, especially on

ties are equal in many countries.

the side of local authorities. Such pos-

tulates were voiced in the programmes

4. Enhancing prestige of work performed

of the Green Party and of the Women’s

by women and a proper evaluation

Party, as well as in the project by Szc-

zecin for the celebration of European

The Green New Deal not only means new

Capital of Culture - it proposed a pilot

workplaces in sectors of modern technolo-

gender analysis of the municipal budg-

gies accessible also to women. “The con-

et for culture.

cept of the GND intends to create a higher

number of jobs related to education and

3. Green jobs = jobs of equal opportuni-

care”, said Franziska Keller23, a German

ties

Green MEP and a member of Committee on

Development in the European Parliament.

The conception of the GND should embrace

“Here we also have to pay a special attention

directives on equalization of women’s chanc-

so that work in these sectors is better paid

es on the job market. Such instruments

and that the male participation is lower.”

should enable women to gain and maintain

a decent job and social security. They ought

The Green New Deal must emphasize the

to strengthen their position in prospective

worth of housework and care-giving that

market sectors and secure that they are not

are carried out by women every day, but are

driven out of well-paid posts. One of these

not recognized by the world of economy. If

tools is the already mentioned mechanism

the GND is to revolutionize progress, it must

that encourages girls and women to com-

value this work and present it in hard eco-

bine their future with jobs in green technol-

nomic indicators, such as Gross Domestic

ogy or the equality audit of an organization

Product (GDP).

or a job supported by the International La-

bour Organization (ILO)21. “It is about ex-

Cleaning, cooking, care, offi ce work,

amining various dimensions of male and

work at the cash desk – these are the

female functioning at the workplace. First,

fi ve worst paid jobs, carried out most

conditions of employment, including access

often by women. The reason for the

to resources such as pay or professional de-

undervaluation by the market economy

velopment, are assessed; secondly, rights

is the lack of appreciation for house-

are taken under surveillance, e.g. protec-

work, which includes similar tasks and

tion against sexual harassment, then - the

which is systematically undervalued by

competence to apply equality tools”, said

the economy and omitted in valuations

Marta Rawłuszko, expert on gender equal-

(budgets). Inclusion of these unappreci-

ity. Results of an equality audit may indicate

ated jobs in the free market results in a

low profi tability.

e.g. a low number of women at decisive

posts. Consequently, the audit is followed

Source: New Economics Foundation;

by a recommendation for e.g. the introduc-

http://www.neweconomics.org/sites/neweconomics.

tion of quotas. It can be similar at the mac-

org/fi les/Great_Transition_0.pdf

ro scale. Norway is the first country in the

Great Transition, page 37, London 2010

world that at the beginning of 2008 guar-

anteed statutorily the 40% representation

22 Article by T. Walata, Złote spódniczki (Golden Skirts), published at the website: http://www.polityka.pl/rynek/

21 Gender Index. Monitorowanie równości kobiet i mężczyzn w miejscu ekonomia/1503524,1,skandynawskie-parytety-w-biznesie.read pracy (Gender Index. Monitoring of Gender Equality at the Workplace), E.

23 The statement of F. Keller was made specifically for the purpose of Lisowska [ed.], EQUAL. UNDP, Warsaw 2007

this article on the 18th Sep 2010

38

Climate Democracy and Energy Democracy

39

5.

Grzegorz Wiśniewski

Institute for Renewable Energy

Climate Democracy and Energy Democracy

The possibilities for creating a

Nowadays the rate of renewable energy

distributed energy system based on

sources in the balance of final energy use

renewables

in Poland exceeds 7.5% and it is increas-

ing relatively slow. Despite the fact that

One of the pillars of the Green New Deal is

Poland significantly diverges from the EU

climate and energy policy based on the use of

average (circa 12%), in the end of 2008

the renewables. In the manifesto by the Eu-

this sector provided 18,900 citizens with

ropean Green Party adopted prior elections

jobs (expressed in full-time posts) and the

to the European Parliament it was indicated

turnover amounted to 5.9 billion PLN/year

that “Renewables must be put at the centre

according to the calculations by the Insti-

of European energy policy for the 21st Centu-

tute for Renewable Energy (IEO). It seems

ry. The Greens are calling for the creation of a

then that a new energy sector is emerg-

European Renewables Community (ERENE)

ing and a new, dynamic, green branch is

to support the long-term goal of 100% energy

on the rise, however, its development is not

from renewable sources1. We need a concert-

satisfactory and encounters barriers. Ad-

ed investment drive in green technologies in

ditionally, these are greater than in other

which the European Investment Bank must

EU states, although Poland, as a big coun-

play a role. A real renewables boom requires a

try with moderate climate, is privileged in

new approach to energy supply: truly unbun-

respect of the size and diversity of renew-

dling ownership of distribution and produc-

able energy sources (solar and geothermal

tion, while promoting a grid without borders

energy, wind, water and biomass). Accord-

and the smarter use of energy.2”

ing to the forecast Energy [R]evolution

conducted for Greenpeace by the IEO and

German Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und

1 More and more opinion-making groups and organizations have Raumfahrt in 2008, the share of renewables

joined the idea and this increasingly specified conception. Compare: joint declaration by EREC, EUFORES and Greenpeace: 100% renewable energy in final energy may rise to 20% till 2020

in Europe by 2050, accepted by MEPs and dozens of social and scientific and to 55% in 2050 (in the case of electric-organizations from the EU, http://www.100percentrenewables.eu ity – 80%), which will reduce carbon emis-2 A Green New Deal for Europe. Manifesto for elections to the European Parliament, European Green Party, http://europeangreens.eu/menu/

sions from current 7 t to around 2.5 t/year/

egp-manifesto

40

person. Should developmental blockades

in coal-fired boilers, large-scale hydropow-

be removed, renewables will change not

er, production of first generation biodiesel

only energy system, but also economic and

from rape seeds) or by big companies of

social order.

the so-called corporate power engineering.

Legally obliged to generate and distribute

Distributed energy production and energy

energy from renewable sources, these en-

democracy, understood as greater trans-

terprises offload costs of this commitment

parency, control and social contribution in

almost entirely onto final consumers. These

energy sector, have become inherent parts

costs, e.g. replacement fees in the case of

of the conception of common use of renew-

non-compliance, equal to 1.5 million PLN/

ables and they are invariably associated

year for each final market (green electric-

with sources of renewable energy, i.e. tech-

ity and biofuel). It means that not only the

nologies of converting renewable sources

share of renewables in the balance of final

into final energy carriers (heat, electricity

energy use is not fully satisfactory, but also

and transport fuel). Together with energy

that energy consumers bearing these costs

efficiency, they are key elements of the EU

cannot benefit from the expected additional

energy and climate package, while Direc-

advantages of decentralization and develop-

tive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the

ment of distributed energy systems. Neither

use of renewable energy sources, which

has the sphere of their freedom and energy

for Poland sets the target of 15% to 2020,

democracy expanded. Even real profits like

is probably one of the most concrete im-

reduction of GHG emissions is lower than

plementation instrument. Wise fulfillment

it could be, because a full ratio of carbon

of obligations concerning renewables will

dioxide in co-firing in power plants and the

allow complying with two further require-

use of rapeseed biofuels bring about much

ments arising from the EU package: re-

worse reduction effects than other small-

duction of emissions and enhancement of

scale technologies that constitute the do-

energy efficiency parallel to sustainable

main of IPP. It is worth considering why

competitiveness of the economy. Renewa-

it is so and what can be done so at to en-

bles are also practical tools of decentraliza-

hance the use of the potential of distributed

tion, demonopolization of energy sector and

energy systems in Poland in keeping with

democratization, understood as a stronger

principles of sustainable development and

position of energy consumers who are still

to extend energy democracy and to involve

the weakest link in the energy sector and on

much wider social circles in the renewable

the energy market. Thanks to renewables,

energy production parallel to an active role

they obtain an alternative when choosing

of the state and private investors. It seems

energy suppliers; they can also become

justified to ask why Poland uses renewable

energy producers (prosumers) and active

resources in such a slight degree and how

members and co-authors of the energy

to multiply economic, social and ecologi-

system. However, these seemingly obvious

cal benefits. Although renewables seem to

statements are hardly verifiable in Poland.

be the most typical representative of green

In the last decade, despite a gradual rise

technologies and support of their develop-

of renewables, the number of independent

ment is a target of stabilization packages in

power producer (IPP) has not increased sig-

many countries, they are not promoted nor

nificantly, the state energy balance has not

supported in Poland with the same intensi-

changed meaningfully and the structure of

ty as in the United States or Germany; they

green energy production does not belong to

also do not constitute any part of a wider

the most modern ones and it is not diversi-

conception. In Germany idea that works

fied enough. Over 90% of renewable energy

well with renewable energy and constitutes

is produced out of biomass and the major-

an element of the Green New Deal, is per-

ity is transformed into final energy carriers

ceived as social, ecological and economic

(heat, electricity, biofuels) in installations of

modernization. Currently, renewable ener-

low efficiency. Sectors of green electricity

gy sector in Germany employs over 285,000

and biofuels are dominated by inefficient or

people and becomes the key sector of the

obsolete technologies (co-firing of biomass

green economy, even before the automobile

Climate Democracy and Energy Democracy

41

sector. In Poland renewable energy is not a

cern for the implementation of the new tar-

part of any broader vision of development

gets for 2020 arising from the new Directive

of the green economy, at least it is diffi-

2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of

cult to find such a notion in the documents

energy from renewable sources in Poland –

like Energy policy of Poland to 2030, which

this time it is legally binding (under threat

substantially diverges from the EU climate

of penalties stipulated directly in the Treaty

policy and strategies for innovation growth

in case of non-fulfillment). This question is

(it is necessary to differentiate between the

even more legitimate since Poland having

heart of the matter and rhetoric or appear-

a long way ahead from the current share

ances).

of renewable energy in the final energy use

(7.5%) to 15% in 2020 has already exploited

Even the most innovative, competitive and

easy reserves and practically all available EU

green technologies applied to “old energy

funds for renewable power engineering and

order” will not fulfill hopes pinned on them.

it has not created the basis of sustainable

development in this sector. The significance

This analysis is devoted to causes for the fact

of this problem is reinforced by the obliga-

that in Poland opportunities for construction

tions arising from the EU climate package

of the green economy are not seized, as well

20-20-20, whose key element is implemen-

as to possibilities for instruments of green

tation or rather exceeding of national tar-

policies in this field.

gets concerning renewable energy. Failure

will mean penalties and cause the offload

Insurmountable contradictions and

of even greater costs onto consumers as a

diffi culties of development of renewable

result of the increasing number of entitle-

energy, enhancing energy effi ciency and

ments to carbon emissions under Directive

implementation of the EU Directives in

2009/29/EC on emissions trading – the sec-

the power sector in Poland

ond element of the package of energy and

climate change legislation (amendment and

Despite great potential, Poland will not be

adjustment to the EU climate policy of the

able to reach the EU 2010 goals related to

previous directive of 2003). These dilem-

the use of renewable energy. These includ-

mas reflect contradictions of the state en-

ed the obligation to implement Directive

ergy and climate policy and they explicitly

2001/77/EC on the promotion of electricity

show disproportions between governmental

produced from renewable sources (target

action for the protection of the centralized

for Poland – 7.5% of green energy in the

(corporate) power engineering and support

gross final use) and Directive 2003/30/EC

for the distributed (civil) one. Problems of

on the promotion of biofuels (for Poland –

renewable sector are not being removed nor

5.75% in the balance of transport fuel use).

solved, they are building up.

In this situation, it seems natural to ask why

a country of such enormous potential of var-

In the face of growing budget limitations,

ious renewable resources, inefficient and

the problem of relations and proportions

expensive energy supply system using fos-

between support for renewable energy

sil fuels, economic structure favourable to

and persistent protection of corporate en-

renewables and rare agricultural and rural

ergy sector will be the central dilemma of

potential, is falling behind instead of build-

energy and climate policy in this decade in

ing its position on these chief assets or even

Poland. The way of how to handle it will im-

using them as the speciality in the extended

mediately translate into economic compet-

EU. The answer is easy. What was achieved

itiveness, amount of costs borne by energy

till 2010 and will be fulfilled to 2020 depends

consumers and sustainability of state de-

on the past and future state policy and this

velopmental strategies. The last two gov-

is closely linked to carbon and corporate en-

ernments have resolved this dilemma so as

ergy order.

to protect current interests of state corpo-

rate power engineering. There is no deeper

In the context of these hardly inspirational

reflection, while isolated attempts to tack-

experiences, it is justified to express con-

le these problems lead to controversial

42

conclusions in a long run. This can be

Energy Group – (the former was supposed

exemplified by Report Poland 2030. De-

to be bought by the latter). This would en-

velopmental challenges, deductions by

hance the position of PEG on the market

strategic advisors of Prime Minister Don-

to an even greater extent. Being a priority

ald Tusk. The report comes down to a rein-

for the government, these specifically un-

forcement of the myth that “in Poland coal

derstood options of improving energy se-

is a valuable good and it should be saved,

curity have pushed more natural solutions

however, after the times of incubation of

into the background, e.g. incentives for en-

pure carbon technologies (to 2020–2025)

hancing energy efficiency and significant

it would be worth limiting the use of coal

increase of the share of energy produced

(to 2040–2050) in order to make it a strate-

from own resources (also renewable ones,

gic reserve for the second half of the 21st

thus creating local and environmentally-

century.” It seems that it is not solely cur-

friendly jobs) in the state energy balance.

rent political agenda that lies behind this

This would substantially engage our inno-

hardly confirmable illusion or utopia, sep-

vative potential and entrepreneurship of

arated from the actual global process of

efficient national producers of appliances

decarbonization of the economy. Not only

and technologies. It seems that last gov-

is the perception of the EU climate policy

ernments believed significantly more that

too narrow, but also energy security is af-

the right answer to long-term challenges

fected by this specific approach. These

of energy security can be formulated within

factors together cause that in Poland de-

relations between government+traditional

centralization loses with centralization,

energy companies and countries from

while renewable energy (or wider – dis-

which we wish to import oil rather than

tributed) is defeated by carbon and also by

with local entrepreneurs, local govern-

nuclear energy (which would yet become

ments and resourceful citizens that can

economic sensation due to great and still

count, save money, but also take risks and

rising costs).

generate clean energy from local resourc-

es on their own so as to evolve from con-

Governmental conception of energy

sumers into prosumers. Paradoxically, in a

security – benefi ciaries and victims

common hysteria related to energy securi-

ty also policies aimed at better energy effi-

Special focus on energy security imposed

ciency and small-scale energy consumers

by the government is not contradictory to

are at the lost position (nota bene, accord-

the concept of stronger support for devel-

ing to the key security indicator, Poland has

opment of renewable energy only if two

one of the highest rates of energy self-suf-

other pillars of the EU policy are respect-

ficiency in the EU). It is difficult to raise the

ed in implementation of this target: envi-

issue of e.g. energy-saving construction or

ronmental protection and competitiveness

decrease of energy demand from the cur-

of the economy. In practice government’s

rent 250–100 kWh/m2/year (in traditional

thinking with regard to energy security is

and currently constructed buildings in Po-

narrowed mainly to diversification of import

land) to 50–15 kWh/m2/year (in newly built,

of gas, oil and nuclear technology. Such

energy-saving and passive buildings in

perception differs from the vision domi-

Germany and Switzerland) if government

nant in the EU. Proposed measures are

discusses energy security with big energy

and will be pricy for the economy and ener-

companies and not with SMEs, local gov-

gy consumers who will have to pay for both

ernments responsible for energy supplies

short-term improvement of energy secu-

or consumers. A further paradox can be

rity and environmental protection, as well

compared with a situation of “a wolf taking

as for additional, inevitable “monopolistic

care of sheep” – given the current model

pension” resulting from the concentration

of “partnership”, producers and sellers

of fuel and energy supplies. For example,

of energy become representatives of con-

until recently the government has forced a

sumers’ interests in the debate on energy

further consolidation, called “privatization”

policy (not on energy prices and quality of

of two state companies – Energa and Polish

services).

Climate Democracy and Energy Democracy

43

What deepens diffi culties in enhancing

2009 on elaboration of state plans for ac-

effectiveness and developing renewable

tion to 2020 for the implementation of the

energy

Directive 2009/28/EC which explicitly asked

governments to specify target groups and

Renewables are one, but not the only way

indicate types of activity and persons/insti-

to solve above mentioned problems. At the

tutions at which support resources are ad-

same time, they constitute a solution that

dressed (investors, final consumers, central

will not be regretted in the future. However,

and regional public administration, plan-

this requires appropriate and friendly sur-

ners, engineering companies etc.). The aim

roundings. Apart from wrong policies and

is to involve quickly possibly wide groups in

generally obsolete way of thinking about

the implementation of energy and climate

power engineering in our country, there are

package and especially of Directive on the

other indications that do not favour renew-

promotion of electricity produced from re-

able energy. These include:

newable energy. Low activism in the initial

phase of renewables development in Poland

A

weak

movement for consumer protec-

and a relatively minor possibility that direct

tion; it should be interested in minimiz-

and indirect consumers might influence the

ing costs of investment and exploitation

system of support currently created was

and prices of fuel and electricity;

one of the reasons why the significance of

earlier regulations was not recognized by

Too

low

activity of the state anitmonop-

the government.

ol bodies;

Renewable energy can be supported mainly

by research programmes and legal obliga-

A low level of investments in renewable

tions of subjects to produce or buy energy

energy; although the EU recommenda-

from renewable sources and a skilful use

tions (and practices of Member States)

of the EU structural funds. Meanwhile,

suggest that 2–4% of resources from

with support and encouragement from the

cohesion and structural funds should be

government, in the next decade state pow-

allocated for renewable energy, only 1%

er companies are planning to allot several

was allotted in the current financial per-

billions to new (yet traditional) and imita-

spective 2007–2013; in the case of local

tive investments with no account of alter-

governments (regional operational pro-

native solutions due to the alleged lack of

grammes) it was equal to circa 1.5% and

alternative to implementation of climate

at a central stage – to 0.5%3;

package by power industry (which was

never thoroughly investigated by the gov-

Weakening of activism and of influence

ernment) and because of a quite narrowly

of ecological NGOs;

and traditionally perceived notion of energy

A weak involvement of scientific circles

security. Well- known from last epochs, en-

in formulation of strategies for develop-

ergy gigantomania (including its renewable

ment of renewable and distributed en-

version developed by traditional energy

ergy.

companies) implies upsetting balance in the

environment, overinvestment, redundant

Renewable energy and green technologies

costs for energy consumers and, sooner

need support within the whole system in

or later, endangered existence of tradition-

order to develop properly. Problems, even

al energy enterprises. In this way, Poland

in one area of a complex social and eco-

will make enormous effort, yet, it will not

nomic system, cause substantial blockades

achieve ecological and social effects and it

or distort the whole idea and they generate

will not improve long-term energy security.

costs. This was recognized by the European

Undoubtedly will it reinforce monopolistic

Commission in the Directive of 30th June

structures, block many valuable local initi-

atives for the distributed energy production

and deteriorate already low competitive-

3 Ocena stanu i perspektyw produkcji urządzeń dla energetyki odnawial-ness of national power engineering on the

nej, [Evaluation of the condition and perspectives for the production of appliances for renewable power engineering], expertise for the Ministry of European market.

Environment, Institute for Renewable Energy, Warsaw 2007

44

Costs for energy consumers in the

ergy companies (coal-fired power stations

face the lack of investments in power

and refineries) and not with SMEs, later

engineering

IPPs, thus enhancing their already enor-

mous dependence on strong groups of in-

Sometimes even right ideas may lead to

terest. This leads to among others increase

unfavourable results if applied in wrong

in costs for energy consumers.

cicumstances or in isolation to each oth-

er. Among many inconsistencies indicated

Structural conditions and the model of

within energy policies in Poland and the EU

oligopolistic electricity market applied in

or contradictions between declarations to

Poland inevitably lead to a regular rise of

act for consumer interests and the actual

energy prices and they hit budgets of small

situation on the state energy market, it is

businesses and households increasingly

easy to notice that the EU liberalization of

stronger, regardless of provisions of the EU

national energy markets parallel to cen-

package of energy and climate legislation.

tralization of energy policies and specifical-

ly expressed willingness to tighten energy

The figure presents trends in changes of

security (enhancing and top-down man-

prices for electricity and gas (this sector is

agement of companies owned by the State

monopolized in Poland by one state compa-

Treasury) act to disadvantage of small-

ny – Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG).

scale and distributed energy producers in

Poland.

Despite the general lack of investments in

new capacities, electricity prices for final

In a simplified version, we could describe

consumers in Poland rose by 107%, gas

short-term effects of liberalization of en-

prices – by 163 % in years 1999–2009, while

ergy markets in a following manner, “the

a relatively substantial increase of remu-

further from a grid/pipeline you are and the

neration between 2000 and 2009 came to

less energy you use and the less you (usu-

less than 64%. It can only be explained with

ally) earn, the more you pay”. Many cannot

the high monopolization of energy and fuel

help but get the impression that the govern-

production, distribution and inefficiency of

ment discusses even the issue of fulfilling

energy sector. Even high costs of imple-

the EU quantative targets concerning green

mentation of the EU climate package do not

electricity and biofuels with traditional en-

provide justification for this phenomenon.

Ceny ener

Pric gii elektr

es of el

ycznej i gazu dla odbior

ectricity and gas f

c

or final c ów końco

onsumers wych

0,18

0,16

0,14

0,12

0,10

0,08

0,06

0,04

0,02

0,00

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

energ

elec ia elektr

tricit

yczna (zł/MJ

y (PLN/MJ)

)

gaz ziemny (zł/MJ

gas (PLN/MJ)

)

Trends in changes of prices for electricity and gas for final consumers in Poland Climate Democracy and Energy Democracy

45

Currently, an average Polish family spends

functioning at three levels: local, regional

over 12%4 of monthly income on fuel and

and national”.

energy (including 5% for electricity). In the

case of a vast number of households we

And later on, “the responsibility for energy

can talk about energy poverty. It is difficult

security shall be divided in a following way:

not to state that in Poland unfavourable

phenomena may gain on intensity. They are

governmental

administration – creat-

related to the adopted conception of energy

ing conditions for unrestricted develop-

security, especially in terms of electrici-

ment of international, interregional and

ty, which is based on enhancing the posi-

intraregional infrastructural connec-

tion of state coal and energy monopolies.

tions allowing a reliable and unlimited

On account of relations between the gov-

rendering of transit services, transmis-

ernment and corporate power engineer-

sion and regional distribution of ener-

ing, policies in this respect become more

gy;

and more unreliable as regards interests

of energy consumers and possibilities for

local authorities – development of lo-

developing renewable energy. Therefore,

cal potentials for electricity and heat

we have to remember to constantly create

production, including renewables, ren-

alternatives in energy planning, to solve

dering of local distributional services

energy problems at a regional and local

and provision of consumers with elec-

level and to provide final consumers with

tricity and heat”.

technological and organizational alterna-

tives in relation to the highly centralized

Local authorities are supposed to play a

model of energy supply in Poland. For this

special role in the development of renew-

reason, it is worth investigating a forgotten

able energy sector. According to former

component of regional energy security and

EU Commissioner for regional policy, Da-

(initially limited) possibilities of civil action

nuta Hübner, more and more undertakings

for strengthening their individual energy

is pursued in the EU at a local and regional

security.

level. Already 67% of all public investments

are these that are decided in regions or lo-

Green New Deal, climate democracy and

cally. Local authorities care for a better state

energy democracy = energy security

of the environment at their land, reduction

of pollution, increased energy security of a

It seems justified to state that Polish ap-

region and a better energy balance of par-

proach to energy security lacks a region-

ticular civil parishes5. It seems legitimate

al, grass-roots and individual component.

to find a possibility for cooperation between

Such a purely modern way of thinking

them in construction of local and regional

emerged in Poland almost 10 years ago.

strategies for development of renewable

Prepared by the Council of Ministers in

energy and security. Such conclusions and

2002, information concerning energy se-

activities can be reached in various ways.

curity of the state and governmental ac-

Some local authorities experience the prob-

tion in this field leads to the following

lem of local threats to the environment per-

assertion, “(…) we have to assume that in

sonally, which can be observed even by the

the future the significance of local energy

attempted construction of renewable en-

security will be greater on account of the

ergy objects (as a matter of fact, these are

state administration reform consistently

strongly exposed). Others that feel respon-

implemented. It involves among others

sible for inhabitants and future generations

delegation of a number of entitlements of

get involved in initiatives such as Covenant

central administration onto a rank of local

of Mayors and Presidents established by the

authorities. (…) It can be expected that en-

European Commission in cooperation with

ergy security will evolve in the direction of

the Committee of Regions. This body is sup-

posed to concentrate on the implementation

4 In Great Britain energy poverty is defined as a situation in which more than 10% of income in a household is spent for a sufficient degree of 5 A. Kurowska, Większa rola samorządów (Greater role of local authori-heating

ties) [in:] “Rzeczpospolita”, 20. April 2010.

46

of energy and climate packages 20-20-20

at a national level (in Poland the majority of

especially on urbanized areas and under the

outlays is still allotted to the development

aegis of carbon reduction. Still, this pack-

of traditional energy technologies, mainly

age is nothing else than energy security in

carbon power engineering, with extremely

a wider sense, in a long-term perspective at

modest expenditure for R&D in renewables;

every stage and in the whole EU. Contrary

these means are predominantly spent on

to governments and traditional enterprises,

bioenergy, currently dominant among re-

local authorities regard such action as a

newable sources, but its share will quickly

major source of benefits and not costs6.

fall) and in the EU (disproportionally high

outlays for nuclear power engineering as

Governments and local authorities should

part of Euratom and a too strong focus on

create conditions for improving energy se-

the needs of traditional energy companies

curity for every concrete enterprise, com-

that ward off emergence of watershed tech-

munity and citizen. They ought to enable

nologies on the market). In the current, ex-

every individual energy consumer to meet

tremely fossilized energy model (originating

their energy needs in an autonomous, reli-

from the 19th century) and in an obsolete

able and more ecological manner. Activism

set of technologies applied, the most land-

and entrepreneurship of citizens must be

mark energy solutions should not be asso-

freed by means of removal of legal barriers

ciated with a gigantic scale, which has so

currently present in the centralized, much

far been the pride of power engineers. They

monopolized system of energy supply and

ought to be directed onto small-scale tech-

due to care for accessibility of small-scale

nologies with a great potential for replica-

technologies allowing development of dis-

tion. Thanks to them we could decentralize

tributed energy production (SMEs) and mi-

enormous energy systems, based to a great

crogeneration (households).

extent on old philosophy, inconsistent with

the challenges of the 21st century that en-

Citizen can choose from a relatively wide

compass mitigation of climate change and

range of energy technologies that can be

sustainable improvement of energy, eco-

employed successfully and directly. In heat

logical and social security.

(and cold) supply these include: solar ther-

mal collectors, boilers fired with biomass

The above examples of recklessness in the

pellets, heat pumps, while in electricity sup-

fields of decentralization, democratization

ply such solutions encompass: small-scale

and social participation constitute a chance,

wind power plants, photovoltaic systems,

but also obvious dare for Poland and, in a

micro-biogas plants, fuel cells for second

sense, for the whole EU. With the 40% of

generation biofuels or hydrogen from re-

share in the green technology market, it is

newable sources. However, it is difficult

still a world leader in export of technologies

for energy consumers to get an access to

using renewable energy sources, however,

the grid. The development of technologies

allocation of resources and financial means

for the purpose of distributed production is

for R&D is increasing explicitly faster in Chi-

too slow. Too little emphasis is placed on

na and the USA. The EU as a whole, includ-

small- and micro-scale technologies for

ing new Member States, has to make sure

autonomous individual energy producers.

that it can enhance its position via appro-

This applies to both financing of research

priate redistribution in R&D resources and

by means of a simultaneous rise in funds

for green economy and withdrawal from il-

6 The most famous reaction of local authorities for this type of problems legitimate support for passing technologies

occurred in Spring 2008 in the form of the so-called blackout in Szczecin, and energy conceptions.

i.e. position of Covenant of Province Marshals as regards enhancing energy security of the country by development of renewable energy and electricity grids. Poland is not a federation and it is not decentralized In a building material hypermarket, energy

enough, therefore, it is difficult to obtain fast effects. In the face of the current structure of energy security management, it seems indispensible consumers will be soon able to buy a solar

to create specialized institutions supporting local authorities. This could collector or a wind turbine and then to in-be the task of provincial councils of energy security, regional and local stall it on their own, which will enable them

energy agencies and special cells in the offices of speakers of provincial assemblies under the auspices of the Covenant of Marshals of the Repub-to generate as much energy as needed.

lic of Poland

Climate Democracy and Energy Democracy

47

Networks of installers and producers of

sociologist and philosopher, professor Zyg-

appliances for household and small firms

munt Bauman emphasizes the significance

will also become more significant. Authors

of local initiatives of truly global ambitions

of a popular publication Small is profit-

for the benefit of civil society, e.g. ecologi-

able7 from 2002 calculated that there are

cal and consumer movements. However,

as many as 207 benefits for consumers

he cautions that “it is difficult, because

and citizens related to the development

tasks are global and their executors local

of distributed production. A vast majority

and difficult to organize”, still, this can be

is (in)directly linked to improving of local

achieved thanks to technological progress

and individual energy security. Respective

and legal restrictions to the role of mo-

processes within this orientation become

nopolies that are blocking the grid access.

increasingly common and they will soon

People are constantly searching for diver-

violate organizational principles of the en-

sity, independence and reliability of energy

ergy market created by corporate power

supplies; these can be found in small-scale

engineering to date; this will undoubtedly

energy technologies.

meet with resistance. Doubts concerning

the prime mover on the side of the state

The most substantial and strategically key

and international institutions result from

instrument of coordination of further chang-

that fact that in order to change anything

es is urgent action for a new and extensive

governments would have to influence cor-

strategy for development of renewable

porate thinking that is dominated by the

energy. A significant change and a new

paradigm of current productivity based

paradigm are necessary, since the current

even more intensively on the non-renew-

legal system does not allow development

able resources exploited. The key repre-

and attempts of doing activities step by step

sentative of the so-called postmodernity,

have proved to be insufficient.

7 Small is profitable. The hidden economic benefits of making electrical resources at right size, A.B. Lowins (ed.) et all, Rocky Mountain Institute, Snowmass 2002

48

Sustainable Transport Policy in the Green New Deal

49

6.

Dariusz Szwed

Sustainable Transport Policy in the Green New Deal

In the Green New Deal implementation of

motion of automobile industry. A car is the

a sustainable transport policy is one of the

archetypal model of consumption promot-

key tasks allowing a sustainable develop-

ed in Poland: it is private, comfortable and

ment of a country. The article encompasses

independent. However, a mass use of cars

the analysis of the current transport policy

implies the necessity to build thousands

in Poland and of its principles for the fu-

kilometers of motorways, in the last two

ture presented in the strategic report Po-

decades this measure was presented to the

land 2030. Indicated are also the most vital

society as the only way of making a civiliza-

elements of sustainable and unsustainable

tional leap. The railroads were nuisance.

transport systems and key recommenda-

tions in this field.

On account of great costs, numerous conflicts

and growing social protests in recent years, for

When evaluating the transport system and

a long time the motorway programme existed

the possibility for implementing a sustain-

mainly on paper – in subsequent state trans-

able model, one has to keep in mind that

port policies and media reports on the lack of

many neoliberal reforms in Poland af-

implementation. At the same time, the policy

ter 1989 were based on the elimination of

of successive governments caused that 26% of

everything that was state-owned (implied

railway connections were closed between 1990

meaning – ineffective and mismanaged).

and 2007 (in the Czech Republic the length of

A classic example of such state policy is a

railroads rose by 1.7% in the same period).

railway system. The neoliberal ideology of

As emphasized by environmental NGOs and

cuts in public outlays, which was practiced

experts in sustainable development1, in later

by subsequent governments almost led to

years economic realities validated (and still

the liquidation of the system of financing

do validate) successive motorway plans by

railways in the 1990s. Due to a very low lev-

the state. However, it is road lobby that easily

el of investment and an increasingly nega-

wins competition over funds from state or EU

tive image without the analysis of problem

budget. From 1998 to the end of 2009, public

causes and solutions, degradation of the

railways has been accompanied by the pro-

1 Alternatywna polity transportowa [Alternative transport policy, Institute for Sustainable Development, Warsaw 1999

50

investments in transport infrastructure in Po-

nomically and socially, and the least sustaina-

land amounted to the total sum of 125.5 bil-

ble way to provide society with mobility, namely

lion PLN, including 108 billion (i.e. as much as

– motorways. At the same time, there are no

86.1%) for roads. The scale of underinvestment

sufficient resources for more economically ef-

of Polish railways is reflected by the proportion

fective as well as socially and ecologically sus-

of outlays for railways and roads, if size of both

tainable alternatives such as modernization

systems is taken into account, then it tran-

of railway network or enhancing standards of

spires that 3.6 billion PLN was spent for 19,200

state roads towards these of express roads.

km of railroads in 2009, while 32.3 billion PLN

for 18,400 km of roads (which means nine

Report Poland 2030 – polarizational infra-

times more)2. The obvious conclusion reads as

structure policy

follows: successive governments have not im-

plemented sustainable transport policy.

The report Poland 2030 presents the develop-

ment of transport infrastructure in a conven-

A dramatic increase in the number of cars,

tion common for the whole document: lack of

especially used ones (particularly after Po-

development and progress was not triggered

land’s EU accession), and the lack of in-

by the wrong state policy, but by subjects, ei-

vestments causing a decrease of railway

ther people or companies, that have not ad-

transport of passengers and commodities

justed. In the report we can find the entire

have led to the development of unsustaina-

catalog of barriers that make it impossible to

ble transport system in Poland. Since 1990s

create “appropriate potential of infrastruc-

it has resulted in e.g. congestion, cities bur-

ture” and “a sustainable management model

dened by exhaust gases and noise, mass so-

of demand for transport services”3.

cial and ecological conflicts related to the

localization of new roads, the highest rate

Authors mention e.g. management problems,

of casualties in road accidents in Europe,

high costs of restructuring of companies, a low

hundreds of thousands of TIR lorries devas-

quality of services and a limited character of

tating infrastructure and lowering safety of

market mechanisms and of competitiveness,

18000

16 495

The number of registered passenger cars

16 080

16000

in Poland in years 1990 – 2009

14 589

(thousands)

13 384

14000

11 975 12 339

12000

9 991 10 503 11 029 11 244

10000

7 517

8000

5 261

6000

4000

2000

1990

1995

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

0

Source: Polish Association of Automobile Industry,

http://89.161.167.92/pl/6-72/0/45/park-pojazdow-zarejestrowanych-w-polsce-1990-20

road users.

relatively high prices, a very limited ability to

Since 1990s, the majority of politicians of suc-

generate finances for investment. There is no

cessive governments and parliaments have

reference to the level of infrastructure invest-

been talking about the necessity to invest in the

ments and proportions (roads/railways) in the

most expensive, the least effective, both eco-

last twenty years or to their impact on trans-

port unsustainability: a dramatic increase in

the demand for individual car transport, forced

2 Szanse i bariery utrzymania i rozwoju infrastruktury kolejowej w Polsce

[Opportunities and barriers of maintenance and development of railway infrastructure in Poland], Polish State Railways SA (PKP), Warsaw 2010

3 Report Poland 2030, http://www.polska2030.pl, Warsaw 2010

Sustainable Transport Policy in the Green New Deal

51

Investment expenditure for state roads and railway lines in Poland in years 1998 – 2009 in mln PLN

35 000

32 357

Dr

stogi

at kr

e r ajow

oads e

30 000

Lisni

t e k

at

o

e r lejow

ail

e

ways

25 000

20 804

20 000

15 000

11 865

9 244

10 000

7 027

6 026

5 000

4 088

3 337 3 521 3 742 3 720

3 173 3 632

2 269

2 447

1 321 1 002 794 415 417 855 997 949 1 376

0

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

On the basis of “Szanse i bariery utrzymania i rozwoju infrastruktury kolejowej w Polsce“

[Opportunities and barriers of maintenance and development of railway infrastructure in Poland], Polish State Railways SA (PKP), Warsaw 2010

to a great extent by the lack of realistic and

comparison of two transport systems: sus-

attractive alternatives in the form of the rail-

tainable and unsustainable one.

roads.

This comparison shows that sustainable

The authors of the report Poland 2030 em-

transport policy realizes and integrates a

phasize that transport policy is aimed at ”en-

variety of aims of economic, social and eco-

hancement of transport accessibility in various

logical policies (including climate), while the

places and territories in global, European and

unsustainable one allows for a dominance

state systems”. This can be questioned already

of simplified economic calculations (no ac-

at a very general level, since it focuses exclu-

count of external costs) social or ecological

sively on providing infrastructure for a growing

target of development strategies. Naturally,

demand for individual transport, which is char-

application of the former or the latter, i.e. of

acteristic of unsustainable transport systems.

the model of mobility, influences the shape

of pursued economic, social and ecologi-

This is illustrated by a table containing a

cal policies. Suffice it to say, the transport

52

The comparison of unsustainable and sustainable transport systems Unsustainable transport

Sustainable transport

Lacking or low public participation in deci-

Intensive public participation in decision-

sion-making

making

The lack of shaping of needs, solving problems

Shaping of needs – education, promotion, in-

by means of the end-of-pipe method*

struments of demand-side management policy

The lack of (implementation of) policy concer-

Priority for the policy concerning pedestrians

ning pedestrians and cyclists, a low level of

and cyclists, providing them with safety, in-

safety for these groups, the lack of dialogue

tensive dialogue and public participation

and of public participation in decision-making

Exclusion due to missing perspectives of

Equitable access to mobility and public spa-

gender, age or disability etc.

ce for all groups

Predominance of cars as the means of trans-

Predominance of public transport (including

port

railway)

Low effectiveness of mobility in terms of

High energy and resource effectiveness of mo-

energy and resources, predominance of non-

bility, predominance of renewable fuels, low

renewable fuels, a high level of local and

level of local and global pollution (including

global pollution (including noise and green-

noise and greenhouse gases)

house gases)

Substantial fragmentation and environmental

Limited fragmentation accompanied by the

devastation (concerning especially ecological

protection of environmentally-valuable ha-

corridors and habitats).

bitats

Fuel prices taking no account of full costs

Fuel prices taking account of full costs so

(internal and external), which brings about ir-

that investment decisions and demand for

rational investment decisions and demand for

transport are rational

transport

Greater threat to life and health

A high quality of life and a better state of health

Higher costs of unsustainable mobility (also

Lower costs of unsustainable mobility (also

external ones) e.g. waste of time in traffic

external ones) – less traffic and accidents,

jams, accidents, offload of costs onto others,

transport users bear full costs (including

including future generations

external ones)

* The end-of-pipe method deals with consequences instead of causes. In the case of pollution it means most frequently e.g. installation of chimney filters instead of implementation of technologies limiting pollution at source.

Source: D. Szwed, B. Maciejewska, „Zrównoważony rozwój Metropolii Silesia” [Sustainable Development of Silesia Metropolis], Spaces for Dialogue Foundation, Gdańsk 2009

system is an instrument, a crucial one as

Poland is a country where the level of mobil-

regards conducting of the (un)sustainable

ity is very low. The same applies to develop-

development of the country.

ment of information society and accessibility

to basic public e-services. At the same time,

In the description of the situation presented

it is difficult to find therein a critical analysis

in the report we will not learn anything new

of the last twenty years of transformation in

about Polish transport reality: railway is un-

this field.

derfinanced, roads are jammed with traffic,

The analysis of recommendations from the re-

we have one of the lowest rates of broad-

port is even more interesting. The application

band Internet access in the EU, in one word,

of developmental framework of polarization

Sustainable Transport Policy in the Green New Deal

53

and diffusion means that transport policy

the next five years over 20% of currently

should first strengthen stronger elements of

used 19,200 km of railway lines will have

infrastructure (roads) and social groups (richer

to be closed due to a bad technical state

classes from metropolises and big cities) and

if a low level of investments in the rail-

the second stage will bring diffusion, of course

way transport is maintained. Should this

in the opinion of Minister Boni’s experts. How

come true, dismantling of railway net-

are these suggestions distributed in time? Au-

work in Poland will proceed in a great-

thors propose three phases of further devel-

er pace than in the first 20 years of the

opment of transport infrastructure to 2030:

transformation. Therefore, it seems that

the reaction of the European Commis-

2012–2013 – focus on road infrastruc-

sion will be crucial, as this body controls

ture and development of teleinformatics

the manner of spending funds from the

(financed mainly from the EU sources).

EU budget5.

2014–2020 – investments (from the EU

Secondly, in the report Poland 2030, the

sources) in mainly development of rail-

next stage of implementation of pri-

ways (especially high-speed railways), in

orities of transport policy in years 2014

multimodal communication in suburbs

- 2020 indicates even stronger polariza-

(circa 60–70 km from an urbanized area)

tion of railways as a result of construc-

and in development of air transport (with

tion of high-speed lines (HSL) achieving

the contribution of private sources).

more than 300 km/h (the so-called Y-line

linking the biggest and richest agglom-

2021–2030 – further investments in

erations, route: Warsaw-Łódź-Poznań-

transport accessibility and new invest-

Wrocław). Meanwhile, the average

ments in information technology infra-

velocity of trains in Poland comes to 23

structure (authors inform that sources

km/h, only 37% of lines are in a good

of financing are yet to be found – sic!).

condition, while the majority is labeled as

either “sufficient” (38%) or unsatisfac-

Recommendations of the report Poland 2030

tory (25%). Nevertheless, no sustainable

are inconsistent and in some aspects even

investments in improvement of overall

contradictory to the aims of the sustainable

standards are anticipated. However, what

transport policy and to the Green New Deal. It

can be found is even greater deepening

is worth considering the most vital issues.

of inequalities as a result of investments

in HSL amounting to 30 billion PLN.

First, the authors state that railway infra-

structure is in a bad condition and simul-

Thirdly, the report Poland 2030 does

taneously propose that investments in

not contain the issue of external costs

roads and motorways should become the

of transport or instruments of their in-

priority till the end of 2013. Leaving aside

ternalization. In the case of transport

the sense of these principles, it has to be

these include: accidents, traffic jams,

recognized that such a policy torpedoes

worse health condition, noise, environ-

the EU requirements concerning the pro-

mental degradation triggered by local

portion of expenditure for railway and

emissions and global climate change6.

road investments (i.e. 60%:40%, while in

The authors fail to inform whether (and

Poland it is over 80% to less than 20%)4.

how) realization of the presented model

This proposition collides also with the

of infrastructure will limit: growing con-

report presented in 2010 by the Polish

gestion, level of pollution related to road

State Railways which informs that in

transport and noise (and their detrimen-

tal effect on the health of Poles and the

4 During the railway crisis in the winter of 2011, when opposition demanded a dismissal of Minister Cezary Grabarczyk, pointing out a 5 Szanse i bariery utrzymania i rozwoju infrastruktury kolejowej w Polsce dramatic underinvestment of railroads, the government announced that

[Opportunities and barriers of maintenance and development of railway in the beginning of 2011 it will consider reallocation of the EU resources infrastructure in Poland], Polish State Railways SA (PKP), Warsaw 2010

from railways to roads. If this decision is accepted by the European 6 More about external costs in transport: D. Szwed, B. Maciejewska, Commission, it will lead to a further change of the proportion of funds Zrównoważony rozwój Metropolii Silesia [Sustainable Development of invested in transport infrastructure, also at the disadvantage of railways.

Silesia Metropolis], Spaces for Dialogue Foundation, Gdańsk 2009

54

environment, including climate change),

Modernization of all existing railway lines

the highest rate of deaths in road acci-

(even speed increase in the whole railway

dents7 etc. According to the consulting

network) and restoration of the routes

firm Deloitte, inhabitants of seven cit-

closed in the last 20 years, as well as a

ies lose annually 4.2 billion PLN just as

more intensive extension of railway infra-

a result of traffic, despite the fact that

structure in Eastern districts of Poland;

expenditure for transport and commu-

nication constitutes a key position (next

Shift in transit goods transport onto tracks

to education) in budgets of these seven

(campaign “Trucks on tracks”) allowing a

largest cities of Poland (on average one

safer use of roads by individual users9 and

fifth of urban outlays between 2007 and

less destruction of road infrastructure;

2010)8. It transpires, therefore, that pur-

sued unsustainable transport strategy

Much cheaper modernization of existing

does not increase social mobility to an

roads (enhancing the standard of state

expected extent, while it generates huge

roads to that of express ones), construc-

costs detrimental to the society, envi-

tion of express roads instead of the most

ronment and economy.

expensive motorways where necessary10.

Sustainable transport policy is key for

These are economically most effective

the pursuit of the Green New Deal

(including external costs) as well as so-

cially and ecologically justified versions of

Since governmental policy does not fulfill

transport policy providing the society with

requirements imposed on transport policy,

sustainable and egalitarian mobility and

what should sustainable transport policy in

safety and restricting a detrimental effect

the Green New Deal look like?

of transport on the environment (also glo-

Priorities of the state sustainable transport

bal climate) and society. What is more, such

policy, the basis for an equitable and com-

activities are in conformity with the consti-

mon access to sustainable mobility, should

tutional principle of sustainable develop-

include among others:

ment and EU priorities.

7 In this context, it seems incomprehensible, if not harmful, that the government plans to enhance social mobility in Poland by increasing speed limits on public roads (to 140 km/h, the highest limit in the EU, plus no punishment for exceeding speed by another 10 km/h) valid from 9 According to initial data of the Police Headquarters, in 2010 3,900

the 1st Jan 2011. Meanwhile, velocity is being restricted in the majority of people died on the roads in Poland.

EU states on account of the necessity to improve safety and reduce emis-10 Similar propositions concerning withdrawal from construction of sions of exhaust gases.

motorways in Poland in order to modernize roads were presented by 8 Korki w 7 największych miastach Polski [Traffic jams in seven biggest economically liberal think tank Adam Smith Centre in cooperation with cities of Poland], Delloite, Warsaw 2010

the National Chamber of Urban Planners.

Sustainable Agriculture, Security and Quality of Food in the Green New Deal 55

7.

Dorota Metera

Sustainable Agriculture, Security and Quality of

Food in the Green New Deal

Changes are necessary and inevitable!

and environmental protection. It is equally

difficult to reconcile competitiveness of ag-

Never before have relations between people

ricultural products on world markets with

and the environment been so “unnatural”.

food sovereignty of countries and conti-

Exploitation of natural resources on such a

nents or energy production with the protec-

large scale with the use of the latest techno-

tion of biodiversity and landscape. These

logical developments has caused – in some

often contradictory strategies of agricul-

fields – irreversible, environmental chang-

tural development arouse interest and even

es, which in turn brings about other, so far

concern of citizens, scientists and respon-

unknown phenomena. Agriculture that first

sible politicians. Recent years have brought

of all consisted in supplying food has been

a few documents concerning the future of

transformed into agricultural production

agriculture. The message they most often

and then has become largely dependent on

convey is changes!

energy (for the production of fuel, fertilizers

and pesticides). Now in many parts of the

Let us begin with Millennium Ecosystem

world (e.g. European Union, United States)

Assessment1 carried out in 2005 under the

its development is controlled through sub-

auspices of the UN. It points out the com-

sidies and specific agricultural policy, on

plexity of environmental and social chal-

account of which it is challenged with new

lenges related to ecosystems and the

aims, such as fuel production or mitigation

provision of goods such as food, water, wood

of climate change. Agricultural production

and fibre, regulating services which influ-

has always brought some environmental

ence climate, floods, waste and quality of

consequences – from burning out forests in

water, illnesses of people and animals, as

order to clear land for planting and water

well as cultural achievements like leisure,

pollution due to fertilizers and greenhouse

aesthetic and spiritual benefits or comple-

gases caused by animal and greenhouse

mentary services like soil conservation,

production, but this was commonly ac-

photosynthesis and circulation of elements.

cepted. Nowadays agriculture is required

to generate sometimes almost contradic-

1 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005), Ecosystems and Human Well-tory “things”, such as low-priced produce

being: Synthesis Reports, www.maweb.org

56

The report states that 60 percent of services

term vision of the EU biodiversity by 2050

of ecosystems is now destroyed or used in an

and the objective of biodiversity protection

unsustainable and inconsistent way, which

by 2020 have to be finally implemented; es-

poses a risk that these goods and servic-

pecially as the aim of preventing the loss of

es will not be replenished. The main cause

biodiversity has not been attained in 2010,

is the pressure exerted by the population

proclaimed by the UN as the Internation-

growth leading to an essential and mainly

al Year of Biodiversity. Methods of farming

irreversible change in the biodiversity of life

should consider a diversity of species living

on Earth and it will significantly reduce ben-

wild on the arable land and secure food sup-

efits of ecosystems for future generations.

plies at the same time. Simultaneously, cli-

mate change requires decisive steps in the

A similar approach can be fund in Interna-

agricultural sector, which is the major co-

tional Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge,

perpetrator, but also has an enormous po-

Science and Technology for Development2 un-

tential for solutions in this field. Therefore,

dertaken in 2009 by more than 400 scientists

the system of incentives has to be developed

from 54 countries and supported by many UN

and best practices must be implemented

institutions and the World Bank. Scientists

in order to mitigate climate change. At the

announced that “the way in which the world

same time, they ought to adapt the system

produces food must change radically so as to

of agricultural production to inevitable re-

serve the poor and the hungry even better if

sults of climate change. Now is the time to

the world is to face growing population and

do it, as negotiations over the EU budget

climate change and if it intends to avert social

2014–2020 are in progress and new policies

and ecological crises”. The initiative of the

are framed.

United Nations Environmental Programme

(UNEP) Global Green New Deal, which was

Agricultural and Rural Convention3 points

introduced in 2008, aims at the change of glo-

out new challenges that have emerged since

bal economy in the direction of investments

the framework of a current agricultural pol-

in clean technologies, natural infrastructure

icy that has been created in 2006:

and struggle against climate change. The

Green Economy Initiative emphasizes the sig-

it is necessary to use all global resources,

nificance of agriculture, which often exerts a

notably soil, water in a more responsible

contradictory influence on the environment.

way in order to secure human survival

On the one hand, it produces food, maintains

and global biodiversity from a long-term

biological and landscape diversity, provides

perspective

places for work and recreation. On the other

hand, it contributes to the pollution of soil,

emissions of greenhouse gases must be

water and air, the loss of biodiversity and cli-

lowered in order to avoid disastrous cli-

mate change. The EU2020 Strategy sets new

mate change

goals: intelligent and sustainable growth, so-

cial and economic changes and development

a drastic loss of biodiversity, both of wild

of the food production sector. So the time for

species and cultivars (cultivated plants

the change of agricultural policy has come.

and farm animals) must be halted

Common Agricultural Policy in the EU

human rights of access to food, water,

fi nancial perspective 2014–2020

health and livelihood, as well as social

freedom must be respected

The time when the CAP is being reformed

creates a marvellous opportunity for chan-

it is not acceptable that more than two

nelling of EU agricultural policy towards the

billion people suffer from hunger or un-

urgently required intelligent growth. A long-

der-nourishment and that the health of

a further billion is jeopardized by over-

2 International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and nourishment, obesity and that vast

Technology for Development (IAASTD) (2009), Synthesis Report: A synthesis amounts of food are thrown away.

of the Global and Sub-Global IAASTD Reports, www.agassessment.org.

Polish experts Dorota Metera and Dariusz Szwed participated in the project

3 Agriculture and Rural Convention, www.arc2020.eu Sustainable Agriculture, Security and Quality of Food in the Green New Deal 57

Europe should no longer maintain the

and local agricultural structures and on

dependence of its economy on economic

the economy which uses less non-renew-

colonialism and land resources on other

able resources, applies good practices and

continents (e.g. by importing soya from

agro-ecological innovations. At the same

developing countries as the basis of feed

time it should maintain existing workplaces

for farm animals)

and create new, high-quality ones.

it is necessary to deal with enormous

Food security of countries and continents

inequalities of income and quality of life

between regions and people in Europe

As population grows, so does the demand

for food, hence problems of hunger and

citizens and local communities must

under-nourishment become more and

gain the possibility to determine their

more urgent to solve, as well as the re-

own futures

duction of water resources and areas suit-

able for farming. Current practices are not

It is impossible to continue the current poli-

good e.g. concentrating food production in

cy or to implement only minor adjustments.

limited places, depending on international

“Business as always” is unacceptable. It is

trade and large-scale transport over long

necessary to change radically policies con-

distances. This can be understood as a new

cerning agriculture and rural areas. Accord-

economic colonialism, countries becoming

ing to the organizations that created and

dependent, potential conflicts and unneces-

support Agricultural and Rural Convention

sary transport. Dealing with sovereignty is

should be oriented in the following ways:

contingent on the high self-sufficiency and

food sovereignty on a local, regional nation-

the change of European agricultural

al or continental level. Arable land should

models from a dominant intensive in-

be kept in a good culture and cultivated in a

dustrial-style farming and a centralized

sustainable way in the whole of Europe from

food industry to sustainable and diver-

a longer term perspective. Europe ought to

sified agriculture, regional and local

provide as much food of high quality as ne-

food production and processing, with

cessitated by Europeans, including fodder

closer connections between farmers

for animals, instead of importing them as

and consumers, and care for the public

they can be produced on the spot. Further-

health and the environment

more, it should restrict its export to regional

products so as not to cause disturbances on

the economic renaissance of rural areas,

the markets in other countries.

built upon the strength and diversity of

communities, cultures and resources

Quality of food

According to the Agricultural and Rural

Societies of well-developed countries are

Convention, the change of paradigm within

becoming more and more aware of the im-

agriculture is indispensable so as to face

pact of an industrial food production on hu-

ecological and social challenges. Based on

man health, animal welfare, biodiversity

large structures, the system that prevails

and the environment. Obesity, diabetes and

currently in Europe is not sustainable and

other illnesses related to poor diets have

durable since it is dependant on fossil fuels,

encouraged consumers to read thorough-

mechanization, food and fodder transport

ly labels concerning ingredients, additives

over long distances. It poses a threat to soil

and origin of products. They search for an

condition, water resources, and eco-sys-

alternative to food offered by the trade to

tems and brings about a reduction of jobs

date and they buy ecological food or prod-

in agriculture.

ucts with labelling indicating geographi-

cal origin more and more often. Although

A future agricultural policy should be

it costs more, it is better than industrially

shaped in such a way that farming would

produced food. The growing number of pro-

be grounded on the diversity of regional

ducers chooses methods adapted to new

58

expectations of consumers. Still, it is nec-

be stated that due to its natural, social and

essary to educate society in the fields of

cultural potential Polish countryside has

food, diet, health and their inter-correla-

a great chance to develop in a sustainable

tions and to promote traditional, regional,

way according to the classic definition by

local products and their implications for lo-

Gro Harlem Bruntland5. Agricultural pro-

cal development.

duction in Poland has changed its charac-

ter in recent years and this will continue

Polish vision of the future of countryside

as it is adapting to the needs of the market

and rules determined by the EU Common

The prospective document Poland 2030.

Agricultural Policy. For 20 years ecologi-

Developmental challenges4 does not refer

cal agriculture has been developing. For

positively either to the future of agricul-

the time being, it covers in Poland approxi-

ture and rural areas or to the new expecta-

mately 2% of arable land and concerns 1%

tions of consumers as regards the quality

of agricultural products. Certified prod-

of food and life or to public expenditures

ucts of ecological agriculture, regional and

(financed from taxes of citizens) for the

traditional products are gaining more and

Common Agricultural Policy. Statements

more significance on the market (Protect-

like “villages are less and less dependent

ed Designation of Origin, Protected Geo-

on agriculture” or “young people choose

graphical Indication, Traditional Speciality

jobs outside agriculture more often” do

Guaranteed). These relatively new types

not correspond to the European vision.

of agriculture give new workplaces, not

Authors consider as positive changes that

only to country dwellers. As a result, new

occur “in regions functionally linked to cit-

sectors of food market and new forms of

ies”, i.e. inhabited by city dwellers (sub-

sales (e.g. direct sale, internet shops) have

urbanisation). They propose a long-term

developed and take over consumers that

urbanisation of countryside so that agri-

resign from giant trade chains offering

culture would stop fulfilling its basic func-

mass-produced food. A unique, regional

tions such as production of food, foodstuff

or traditional product becomes in Poland a

for animals, materials for industry and en-

marker for choice patterns of young, eco-

ergy, as well as non-productive functions:

logically and socially educated, aware con-

protection of countryside and biodiversity,

sumers who care not only for their health,

provision of recreation. They suggest that

but also for the sake of other people, the

“many rural areas of Poland may not adapt

environment and animal welfare.

to a contemporary economy”. At the same

time, they state that the level of educa-

New, green workplaces (contributing to the

tion in villages rises faster than in cities.

environmental improvement6) at rural are-

Therefore, there is hope that with acquired

as emerge as a result of the specialization

knowledge and experience country dwell-

of agro-tourism, which frequently takes in-

ers will strive to change the countryside so

novative forms that match expectations of

that it would not imitate cities, but it will

tourists, e.g. environmental tourism, tour-

become a comfortable place to live and

ism oriented at culinary traditions (“wine

work for residents, give more possibilities

tours”, “apple tours”), horse tourism or

of leisure for tourists and provide environ-

visiting places connected to traditional

mental services.

craft. Tourism of such kinds is slowly evolv-

ing from semi-amateur activities that are

New direction of the development of

supported by aid programmes and bring

agriculture and rural areas

additional financial resources to farms

into the business of economic activity, pro-

If one considers the further development of

fessionally led by people with sufficient

agriculture and rural areas consistent with

the idea of the Global Green Deal, it may

5 “(…)Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need.”, report Our Common Future, Report of the World 4 Poland 2030. Developmental challenges, Chancellery of the President Commission on Environment and Development, United Nations, 1987

of the Council of Ministers, the Team of Strategic Advisers to the President 6 Greening Local Job Markets in Poland – Application of EU Experiences, of the Council of Ministers, www.polska2030.pl, July 2009

collective work, Institute of Sustainable Development, Warsaw 2007

Sustainable Agriculture, Security and Quality of Food in the Green New Deal 59

education and providing them with income,

der, especially genetically modified soya

which will result in more money from taxes

and corn. Thanks to the shift from the mass

allotted to the budget. Together with agri-

production towards the less intensive, yet

cultural production, especially ecological

high-quality one, we may undoubtedly ob-

ones they create an attractive offer to city

tain positive results such as a better diet,

dwellers and foreign tourists. This means

improvement of human health and the en-

more workplaces in industries linked (in)

vironment. In order to make it happen, clear

directly with tourism. Further new green

political signals are necessary, e.g. reform

businesses include renewable energy pro-

of the CAP subsidy system, priority given to

duction from agricultural material (e.g. bi-

local and regional food production, including

ogas, vegetable oil) and natural resources

the change of veterinary and sanitary regu-

(water, wind, sun). It is estimated that rural

lations concerning small, local and limited

areas can create opportunities to develop

processing of animal and vegetable prod-

many green workplaces in various fields.

ucts. It seems possible to implement this

quicker than financial instruments which

Different vision of the Green New Deal in

nevertheless should accompany the politi-

Poland

cal process. Suitable economic instruments

require, however, tax reform involving taxa-

According to the survey conducted in the

tion of the agricultural activity depending on

spring of 2010 by Eurobarometer, 65% of

its type and – what is still regarded in Po-

respondents in Poland (the EU average –

land as futuristic – ecological tax reform,

73%) declared that support should be given

i.e. special tax on industrial agriculture and

to the economy that exploits fewer natural

allotment of financial resources for envi-

resources and emits less greenhouse gas-

ronmental protection. Environmental and

es in order to go through economic and fi-

social effects of such changes would serve

nancial crises and to prepare the economy

the whole society in the form of the com-

for the next decade well7. With reference to

mon good whose source is agriculture: food

agriculture and development of rural areas,

safety, biodiversity, landscape and holding

this can be translated into practical solu-

people on marginal areas8.

tions: reducing the intensity of agriculture

contingent upon energy-consuming means

of production (pesticides, fertilizers) and

8 M. Maciejczak, “Rolnictwo i obszary wiejskie źródłem dóbr publicznych animal production based on imported fod-

– przegląd literatury”, (“Agriculture and rural areas as a source of the common good – literature review”), Zeszyty Naukowe SGGW, Ekonomika i Organizacja Gospodarki Żywnościowej (Scientific booklet of Warsaw 7 “Eurobarometer”, Standard EB 73, August 2010, http://ec.europa.eu/

University of Life Science, Economics and Organization of Food Economy), public_opinion/archives/eb/eb73/eb73_fact_pl_en.pdf

75(2009)

60

Autonomous Affordable Building Industry

61

8.

Ludomir Duda

Autonomous Affordable Building Industry

The Green modernization of construction

the funds to propel the latest advances

industry is one of the key postulates of

into full-scale development are not1.”

the Green New Deal (GND). Already the

first publication by New Economics Foun-

Buildings absorb 40% of the total demand

dation from July 2008 stated that one of

for primary energy. Additionally, they are

the vital objectives of the GND involves

the main producer of waste and, next to ag-

“executing a bold new vision for a low-

riculture, a major cause of water pollution.

carbon energy system that will include

Undoubtedly they should be regarded as

making ‘every building a power station’.

the greatest threat to the environment and

Involving tens of millions of properties,

natural resources. Therefore, they necessi-

their energy efficiency will be maximized,

tate activities of authorities responsible for

as will the use of renewables to generate

environmental protection and implemen-

electricity.” Moreover, authors indicate

tation of sustainable development as indi-

that it is necessary to “develop a wide-

cated in the Constitution of the Republic of

ranging package of other financial inno-

Poland (Article 52,3 and Article 74.14) and

vations and incentives to assemble the

tens of billions of pounds that need to be

spent.

1 A Green New Deal Joined-up policies to solve the triple crunch of the credit crisis, climate change and high oil prices, New Economics Foundation, London, July 2008, http://www.neweconomics.org/projects/green-The focus should be on smart investments

new-dea

that not only finance the development of

2 The Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 2nd April 1997, Article 5: The Republic of Poland (…) shall ensure the protection of the natural new, efficient energy infrastructure, but

environment pursuant to the principles of sustainable development.

also help reduce demand for energy, par-

3 Environment Protection Law, Section II. Definition and General Rules, Article 3: Whenever sustainable development is mentioned in the law it ticularly among low-income groups, for

is understood as such a social and economic development in which politi-example by improving home insulation.

cal, economic and social operations are integrated with the maintenance of environmental balance and stability of basic natural processes so as to guarantee the possibility to satisfy basic needs of particular communities The science and technology needed to

or citizens of current and future generations.

power an energy-and-transport revolu-

4 The Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 2nd April 1997, Article tion are already in place. But at present

74.1: Public authorities shall pursue policies ensuring the ecological security of current and future generations.

62

international commitments of Poland, e.g.

mented and by ignorance towards common

Treaty of Accession (Article 115 and Article

phenomenon of developers’ non-adher-

1916).

ence to (very lenient) regulations concern-

ing the allowed level of energy absorption

Unfortunately, in practice authorities are

of buildings.

idle or act to the detriment of the environ-

ment. It can be illustrated with the example

Poland is the only country in the world that

of action leading to the decrease in energy

has significantly lowered energy require-

efficiency of new and renovated buildings,

ments laid down on new and renovated

i.e. executive regulation to the building

buildings. At first glance, such a policy

code7 on technical conditions of building.

seems absurd, since it causes a serious

The analysis indicated that it is internally

barrier to economic growth resulting from

inconsistent (compare § 328 with § 329),

excessive emissions of CO on a national

2

at variance with the building code8 (Article

scale. Due to the fact that these regula-

5, 1f), the Constitution (Article 5 and Arti-

tions bring profits for a powerful energy

cle 75), Treaty of Accession (Article 11, Ar-

sector and developers, the government re-

ticle 191) and EU Directives (2002/91/EC9,

laxed requirements for energy absorption

2006/32/EC). The Government’s inaction

of buildings.

can be exemplified by the fact that Directive

2006/32/EC on energy end-use efficiency

Autonomous building – low-tech and

and energy services has not been imple-

high-tech

In this situation, the only way of promoting

5 Treaty on Functioning of the European Union (Journal of Laws of 30th April 2004), Article 11 (ex Article 6 TEC) Environmental protection

“green building” as a foundation of sustain-

requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation able development is to engage NGOs in the

of the Union policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting fight for law obedience, raise ecological

sustainable development.

6 Treaty on Functioning of the European Union (Journal of Laws of April awareness of society and incorporation of

30th, 2004), Article 191 (ex Article 174 TEC): 1. Union policy on the envi-industrial branches offering products and

ronment shall contribute to pursuit of the following objectives:

- preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment, services for this type of building.

- protecting human health,

It should proceed through the promotion of

- prudent and rational utilization of natural resources, autonomous buildings, i.e. independent of

- promoting measures at an international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems, and in particular combating climate external sources of non-renewable en-change.

ergy. Achievement of such independence

7 Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of November 6th, 2008

in the periods of peak demand (in our cli-

changing the regulation on technical conditions in building and their locations

mate conditions – from November to Feb-

8 Building code of July 7th, 1994

ruary) generates an energy surplus in other

9 Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings – preamble: months. The idea of such construction has

(2) The natural resources, to the prudent and rational utilization of which a long tradition and many positive experi-Article 174 of the Treaty refers, include oil products, natural gas and solid ences. The implementation of autonomous

fuels, which are essential sources of energy, but also the leading sources of carbon dioxide emissions.

building can take two forms:

(6) The residential and tertiary sector, the major part of which consists of buildings, accounts for more than 40 % of final energy consumption

low-tech using natural resources such

in the Community and is expanding, a trend which is bound to increase energy consumption and hence also its carbon dioxide emissions.

as straw, clay or soil, constructions

(12) Buildings will have an impact on long-term energy consumption minimizing energy losses, mainly with

and new buildings should therefore meet minimum energy performance biomass and the most basic solar collec-requirements tailored to the local climate. Best practice in this respect should be geared to the optimum use of factors relevant to enhancing tors. With a change in some habits and

energy performance. As the application of alternative energy supply thanks to minimal costs of construction

systems is generally not explored to its full potential, the technical, envi-and maintenance, such houses can pose

ronmental and economic feasibility of alternative energy supply systems should be considered; this can be carried out once by the Member State.

an attractive proposition for people who

(22) Provision should be made for the possibility of rapidly adapting the dislike lifestyle forced by technical civili-methodology of calculation and of Member States regularly reviewing minimum requirements in the field of energy performance of buildings zation10;

with regard to technical progress, inter alia, as concerns the insulation properties (or quality) of the construction material, and to future developments in the standardization. The Member State through a study produces a list of energy conservation measures for average local market 10 Examples of such projects in Poland: http://earthhandsandhouses.

conditions, meeting cost-effectiveness criteria.

org/

Autonomous Affordable Building Industry

63

hi-tech, using the latest developments of

What goes into the black box then? Inflow

technology. Autonomous houses built by

includes concentrated energy in the form of

means of such a technology should com-

electricity, hot water from the heating sys-

ply with all norms concerning comfort

tem, chemical energy of fuel, pure water,

parameters in rooms, thus, they do not

food and thousands of products. All of them

require any sacrifices and changes in

were produced by means of non-renewable

the lifestyle of household members.

natural resources.

The main barriers to their implementa-

tion are myths about high costs, which

What goes out of the black box? Sewage,

hinder demand and a necessarily high

diffuse energy, used containers, organic

level of technical culture of all partici-

waste and broken items, in a word – waste.

pants in the investment process11.

From the viewpoint of the science of sys-

tems, cybernetics, a family house is a sys-

Why can autonomous buildings be

tem in which natural resources via industry

affordable?

are processed into environmentally-un-

friendly emissions and waste. The question

The idea of autonomous buildings origi-

of whether this model of civilization can

nates from the reflection over the influence

survive is then a rhetorical one.

of people’s lifestyle on the environment. We

are accustomed to the thought that dev-

Two main differences between the ways

astation is caused mainly by industry. Un-

civilization and ecosystem function lie in

doubtedly, it improves our well-being, but it

the fact that the former uses non-renew-

does not reduce the pressure of civilization

able energy and produces waste. Ecosys-

on the environment. A significant change

tems owe their stability to the optimal use

can be brought by a change in the way of

of solar energy and a closed circulation of

thinking. Family houses are the basis of the

the matter. Everything that dies becomes

Western civilization and consume 80% of

feed for what lives… If we are to sur-

natural resources. Regardless of whether

vive, we must change our homes so that

our home is a flat or a detached house, it is

they resemble ecosystems. How can we

associated with the best things in life. Let

achieve this? First of all, by energy auton-

us consider it from a different perspective

omy, i.e. the use of the sun and wind as the

than family.

only energy sources. Is it possible without

a regress to the 19th century when renew-

Family houses, understood as infrastruc-

able energy covered 95% energy demand?

ture and human relationships, constitute a

Everything proves that thanks to the latest

basic element of society. At the same time,

technological achievements it is possible

every house is a complex structure related

and nowadays even profitable.

to its surroundings by a complicated net of

links and dependencies. As part of an intel-

Every square meter of the Earth’s surface re-

lectual experiment, let us consider it as a

ceives annually circa 1000 kWh of radiant en-

system in the definition of cybernetics and

ergy. A passive building needs 15 kWh/m2 of

analyse its impact on the environment. Let

thermal energy annually in order to maintain

us imagine that a house is a cybernetic

thermal comfort. It seems that with contem-

black box and we try to understand its na-

porary technology it should not be expensive

ture by examining flows of matter and ener-

and difficult to convert the sunlight into use-

gy between the house and its surroundings.

ful heat, accumulate it in summer and use it

In order to simplify it, we shall ignore eve-

in winter with the efficiency of 1.5% (15 kWh/

rything that goes in and out of the box if it

m2/year/ 1000 kWh/m2/year x 100%).

does not change significantly. Therefore, we

are not interested in people entering and

The efficiency of current solar collectors

leaving and in what is brought and taken

that heat water comes to 50–60%, while that

away in the meaningfully unaltered form.

of photovoltaic cells (generating electricity)

– 20%. Being already commercially avail-

11 http://www.bloginea.pl/2009/01/27/dom-zeroenergetyczny-podable, the combination of solar collectors and

olsztynem.

64

PV cells, hybrid cells PV-T, allows obtaining

only effective way of its dissemination is to

annually 500 kWh of thermal energy and 150

build model houses and create a market of-

kWh of electricity from a square meter out of

fer. Analyses carried out by the author show

a sloping roof (inclination of 35–45º) directed

that thanks to the relationship between

to the south. The efficiency of heat accumu-

energy cost and cost of materials and ap-

lation of soil under a building amounts for a

pliances that raise the energy standard,

minimum of 70 % (it is a proportion of energy

low-energy buildings using market-proven

taken from a heat reservoir to energy deliv-

technologies are very profitable.

ered therein by solar collectors).

In 2009, people who since years have been

Estimates indicate that 1000 kWh/m2/year

professionally dealing with various aspects

x 0.5 x 0.7 = 350 kWh/m2/year of thermal

of sustainable construction initiated the

energy and 150 kWh/m2/year of electricity

emergence of a group of companies in-

can be obtained from 1000 kWh/m2/year of

terested in the implementation of the new

solar energy. Therefore, energy autonomy

standard. Their mission consists in con-

is possible even in multi-storey multi-fam-

struction of autonomous affordable houses

ily buildings. If PV-T collectors placed on

(AAH). Among the initiators of the undertak-

the entire southern surface of a roof were

ing are eminent experts: architect Dariusz

complemented with a wind micro-turbine

Śmiechowski, landscape architect Marcin

of a vertical axis of rotation and power of 3

Gąsiorowski, constructor Dariusz Koc –

KW, the energy generated would cover the

director on sustainable building in KAPE,

whole demand of a house and of an electric

Jacek Kostrzewa, co-organizer of Founda-

car. Obviously, technologies of electricity ac-

tion for Energy Saving. They aim at devel-

cumulation currently applied necessitate

oping and promoting the new standard in

smart grid in order to attain its optimal use.

residential buildings. Unlike passive hous-

ing, whose idea consists of reducing energy

There is also a different way to achieve bal-

use to 15 kWh/m²/year, AAH standard has

ance in relations with the environment. A

an ambition to fulfil the highest require-

minor change in attitude, some sacrifices

ments of sustainable building, in which en-

(to the benefit of humankind) and skilful re-

ergy efficiency at the stage of maintenance

source management are enough to achieve

is only one out of many evaluation criteria.

high quality of life with modest resources.

The main advantage of the AAH is afford-

People who try to live in harmony with the

ability. In economic terms, it means the

environment seem to be very happy. Un-

lowest level of housing expenditure on the

fortunately, few of us are ready to give up

market, understood as the sum of cred-

“benefits of civilization” and to follow the

it handling fees and running costs (which

path of low-tech evolution.

nowadays is prevalent is the demand based

on information regarding only purchase

A mutual solution for both ways of assimi-

costs). In the architectural dimension,

lating a house to the ecosystem is to close

houses should be accessible for the disa-

the circulation of organic matter in the

bled. A parallel criterion of this standard is

house-garden cycle. It necessitates sewage

the autonomy in a potentially wide sense.

treatment in a home plant and composting

It is one of the features of the ecosystem,

of organic waste, and if we make an effort to

therefore the AAH standard includes both

use articles for a longer time and build a re-

a building and its surroundings whose op-

cycling system, the picture of a home, now

timal form could be a biocenotic garden. A

a “waste factory”, will change dramatically.

house-garden system makes it possible to

close the circulation of organic matter and

Popularization and implementation of

to use sewage treated in mini-plants for

autonomous affordable houses

irrigation. An appropriate project of a gar-

den and a big supply of compost and water

A few dozen years of negative experienc-

allow achieving a wealth of biodiversity and

es with the popularization of sustainable

a huge amount of biomass in the neighbour-

building indicate that most probably the

hood. This creates optimal conditions for

Autonomous Affordable Building Industry

65

relaxation and ideal educational measures

frequent failures of the power grid. The

counterbalancing the pressure of “concrete

current way of building transforms houses

cities” and the virtual world of the Internet

into dangerous traps, when power failures

and computer games, which absorb our

occur during big freezes. The independ-

children. Recycling of organic waste and

ence of the power grid in the heating sea-

sewage within a plot can decrease running

son means an energy surplus in summer,

costs and bring additional benefits in the

which can be transferred to the grid. Such

form of a beautiful garden, which cannot

a situation is advantageous for distributors

be overestimated. Furthermore, it provides

of electricity who are obliged to buy renew-

its own herbs, vegetables and fruits, whose

able energy in a specified and even greater

growing is one of the most pleasant hob-

amount. An additional benefit arises from

bies at a mature age and, as uncontaminat-

the location of the energy source directly

ed food, a great advantage for the health of

at its final receiver, which minimizes con-

the youngest. Autonomy means also com-

nection costs, reduces energy losses in the

plete security in case of a power failure. Its

grid and lowers financial losses in case of

achievement is possible due to the high en-

a failure. Therefore, distributors of elec-

ergy efficiency and the optimal use of solar

tricity should be interested in the support

and wind energy.

of these solutions. The first, yet imperfect,

example of such action on the Polish mar-

Energy independence of autonomous

ket is the offer of Energa, a distribution

affordable houses

company in the energy sector12. It provides

single-family housing with alternative

Energy autonomy poses a challenge of a

sources of energy. Nowadays, the construc-

special kind, especially if we refrain from

tion of a house generating energy surplus

the combustion processes that in small

is not a technical challenge and many such

household installations are the source of

buildings came into existence in Europe

harmful emissions into the atmosphere. It

and worldwide13. Unfortunately, high costs

can be achieved provided we take advan-

of these solutions, resulting mainly from

tage of the sunlight falling on the southern

their experimental nature, make them out

or eastern and western surface of a roof

of reach for the majority of potential inves-

throughout the year. It means, however,

tors. After many simulations and market

the necessity of storing thermal energy in

research, the above mentioned initiators

a heat reservoir under a building in sum-

took on the challenge of constructing an

mer for its use in winter. Independence of

autonomous affordable house. A proto-

a power grid does not mean cutting off,

type has been designed; initial simulations

but secures the appropriate functioning of

confirmed that it is possible to fulfil the

a house in case of a long-term failure, es-

criterion of affordability understood as the

pecially in the coldest and darkest months.

lowest on the market sum of capital and

The possibility of realizing this postulate

maintenance costs throughout loan repay-

has emerged together with the commer-

ment. Work upon optimization of technical

cialization of hybrid cells PV-T (generating

solutions that could minimize construction

electricity and thermal energy). The cost of

costs is in progress.

PV-T cells is only 25% higher than of the

PV cells that produce only electricity and

prices of both are falling quickly. In combi-

12 http://www.smarteco.pl/

13 www.zeroenergyideahouse.com/; ww.zokazola.com/prj_adams_ze-nation with a fan of a vertical axis of rota-

roenergy.html ; http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/design-tion and a system of batteries, these cells

ing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10360;

www.zeroenergyhouse.co.nz/; http://www.quadlock.com/green_build-can provide supplies of electricity for driv-

ing/five_step_zero_energy_house.htm; www.zeroenergyhouse.co.nz; ing circulating pumps, heat pumps, venti-http://www.toolbase.org/Home-Building-Topics/zero-energy-homes/

lators, diode lighting and 50-100 W for a

zero-energy-home-project; http://www.zeroenergy.com/; http://zeb.

buildinggreen.com/ - ten fajny; http://www.zerobuildings.com/; http://

computer. The attainment of energy auton-

mississippi.ashraeregion7.org/files/Getting%20to%20Zero-Energy%20

omy raises radically the level of security,

Buildings--AEDGs%20to%20ZEBs.pdf to pdf; ;http://timbercreekzeroen-given the extent to which households are

ergyhouse.com/; http://www.zerobuildings.com/the-timbercreek-zeroenergy-house/;

dependent on electricity and on even more

http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/case-studies/cs-tx-lewis-ville-greencraft

66

Future of autonomous affordable houses

tems consider risks related to excessive

running costs of buildings. This would re-

Only a few steps were taken on the way

sult in a decrease of interest for people

towards the popularization of sustaina-

building energy-saving houses. The Na-

ble building industry. It has to be kept in

tional Fund for Environmental Protection

mind that affordability is not the only bar-

could cover part of investments in autono-

rier. It is more difficult to combat inves-

mous houses, as is the case in many Eu-

tors’ mental barriers and competence of

ropean countries.

designers and contractors. The construc-

tion of an autonomous house requires

Special area – social housing

both precision and a technical culture

that are rarely found on the construction

Social housing is a further area for which

market. Popularization of such building

activism on the side of the state would have

necessitates educational effort, which is

the enormous significance not only for the

troublesome without aid from the state.

protection of the environment and natural

It is worth remembering that qualifica-

resources, but also for social development.

tions indispensible in the construction

A manifestation of such action, yet not very

of the AAH are practically identical with

consistent, was the Act on Social Hous-

these concerning thermomodernization

ing Associations limiting running costs14.

of resources. The latter should comprise

Actually, SHAs were (are) provided for the

at least 80% of residential buildings and

moderately rich.

other facilities whose energy standard in

Poland is very low. It means that there is

Particularly harmful are practices adopt-

a potential labour market for hundreds of

ed in social housing. Buildings destined

thousands of employees and demand for

for the poorest are subject to tendering

such services is guaranteed by savings

procedures whose only criterion is price.

in heating/cooling costs, whose rapid in-

This leads to the construction of facilities

crease is inevitable due to the energy pol-

of a very low energy standard, just like in

icy of the state.

commercial buildings. Furthermore, these

buildings are most frequently heated with

The popularization of the AAH is not ham-

the most expensive energy and, in the

pered by technological or economic ob-

Polish reality, the dirtiest energy – electric-

stacles, but solely by mental barriers

ity – in order to reduce costs even more and

and the lack of knowledge. It would be

to avoid problems with cutting tenants off

relatively easy to overcome them if the

if they fail to pay bills for heating. It means

state participated in the action, especially

that families, often with small children,

through implementation of constitutional

who receive such flats, are doomed to live

and treaty commitments and by shaping

in very bad thermal conditions. A differ-

legislature in a way securing “ecological

ence between costs of zero-energy build-

security for current and future genera-

ings and the cheapest ones provisioned

tions”, as well as leading to “prudent and

by law comes to less than 5% of costs of

rational utilisation of natural resources”.

social housing construction. The extent to

It requires the modernization of education

which current ways of building squander

on building lines of studies from a post-

resources exceeds costs of construction.

primary level through studies at techni-

cal universities towards dissemination

14 Regulation of the Council of Minister of the 4th July 2000 on condi-of the principles of sustainable develop-

tions and allocation mode of credit and loans from resources of the National Housing Fund and on some requirements concerning premises ment, which unfortunately is not subject

and building financed from these funds. Chapter 4. Energy performance to any kind of reflection. It is necessary to

of building financed from the Fund’s credit (…) § 16. Established are the initiate incentives for investors, since they

following special requirements as regards energy performance of buildings that are built, rebuilt, extended, altered or adapted with the use can effectively contribute to a dynamic in-of Fund’s resources: 1) value of E indicator that specifies computational crease in energy standard in “old Europe”.

demand for final consumption (heat) for heating in the heating season, The state, through its institutions such as

determined with accordance to the Polish norm concerning the measure-ment of seasonal demand for heating of residential buildings should be bank supervision, could make bank sys-at least 15% lower than limit value E0, specified in technical and building regulations.

Autonomous Affordable Building Industry

67

As no one will be able to pay energy bills,

No signs of changes in ecological and ener-

such “slums” will have to be pulled down,

gy policies in Poland together with the low

unless government introduces investigat-

social awareness of the society mean that

ed projects of electricity bills subventions

the only opportunity for the development of

for the poorest. Should they be brought

sustainable construction is to build model

into effect and secured surcharge, even if

facilities and promote them by means of

only for the cost of electrical heating, then,

many organizations and people caring for

with the energy standard of social housing

the quality of the environment. The effi-

and electricity price, it can amount to 150

cacy of such popularization is conditioned

kWh/m2/year x 0.5 PLN/kWh = 75 PLN/m2/

on the inclusion of the socially responsible

year, i.e. as much as a rent in SHA build-

industry investing in technologies that sup-

ings. If funds allotted for subsidies were

port sustainable development.

allocated for enhancement of energy effi-

ciency, social houses would not need any

external energy sources.

68

Green New Deal – Towards Realistic Utopia

69

9.

Edwin Bendyk

Green New Deal – Towards Realistic Utopia

The World Economic Forum in Davos is a

Progress”? It consisted of Joseph Stiglitz,

good indicator of moods among interna-

Amartya Sen and Jean-Paul Fitoussi, their

tional establishments. In January 2008 “the

work resulted in an excellent report. Who

grimmest Forum in the history” took place,

remembers it now?

as the Financial Times assessed. Well,

the tsunami wave of the crisis has not yet

It ended up on a shelf, just like the prop-

gained its impetus. Two years later “opti-

osition of taxation on financial transac-

mism” was the most frequently used word

tions, the so-called Tobin tax, was again

by the show-offs gathered in the Swiss re-

put out to pasture. It is worth recalling that

sort. This word perfectly reflected the spir-

James Tobin postulated it already in 1972,

it of economic statistics: the German GDP

just after the birth of financial capitalism,

rose by 3.6% in 2010, the Chinese kept in

namely a year after the separation of dollar

shape and they reported that a next year in

exchange rate from gold. There is no tell-

a row finished with a growth of over 10%.

ing whether this solution could have saved

the world from the subsequent pathologies

The world economy is getting back on the

of financialisation of the economic system

path of growth – this is the main message

(dominance of the financial sector in the

which suppressed any doubts, nuances and

economy). It is, however, significant that the

questions discussed by Davos in 2008. The

attempt to regulate the most parasitic form

fetishism of growth is coming back with all

of capitalism is again torpedoed by a recov-

power, because it is urgently needed by pol-

ering financial mafia.

iticians. It constitutes the base of calcula-

tions of how to repay enormous public debts

It is even more symptomatic as it necessi-

which many countries run up during months

tates the critical question about other im-

of fighting against the crisis. Who keeps in

portant ideas that have made their way into

mind criticism of using the GDP as the indi-

public debate in the times of the crisis fever.

cator, criticism which led Nicholas Sarcozy

The most crucial ones include the Green

to appoint the “Commission on Measure-

New Deal and its varieties such as Barack

ment of Economic Performance and Social

Obama’s green technological revolution or

70

Nicholas Stern’s green industrial revolu-

the world people treat money as some-

tion. Will the positive GDP make them land

thing more real than goods they buy. This

on a shelf next to works by Stiglitz, Sen

applies also to politicians and economists

and Tobin? Many things indicate that world

who deem the GDP as more real than what

leaders believe in the come-back of ”busi-

is happening in their own countries and in

ness as usual” and in the possibility that

the world.

the social and economic system which led

to the crisis can remain and develop. Some

Unfortunately, as Midgley worried, the

of them believe zealously and they do not

greatest mystery of a human is the psy-

let themselves be disturbed by any doubts.

chology of denial, inability to modify one’s

Others repeat their creed with silent res-

attitude despite all inflowing facts. This is

ignation, without enthusiasm, but also

why, despite alarming facts, participants

without protest. The reason for this is the

of the Forum in Davos behave in keeping

common conviction that there is no alterna-

with the cognitive model structured by the

tive to the free market capitalism. The rest

myth of the GDP and the economic growth

is PR.

reflecting the faith in the possibility of end-

less progress and salvation already here, on

Every faith needs miracles and works mira-

Earth. Innovations that are supposed to free

cles. They are supposed to prevent potential

people from worldly constraints do not dif-

crisis-provoking phenomena in the future.

fer from miracles that the Catholic Church

No resources? There is no such thing, the

expects from the candidates for saints.

best example being Poland, which expects

to become the Kuwait of the North thanks

However, what will happen if we collect eas-

to the immeasurable reserves of shale gas

ily available information and create a differ-

and carbon dioxide that will be transformed

ent cognitive scheme? First, a handful of

into fuel by brave Polish scientists. And what

facts. The Chinese GDP grew by 10%, this is

about the effects of burning fossil fuels?

true. However, due to the ecological cost in-

What about climate change? Cool it! This

curred, we ought to subtract at least 3 per-

slang expression is useful here, because

centage points from the nominal growth.

Bjorn Lomborg, enfant terrible of climate

Simultaneously, the individual consumption

debate, together with his experts assessed

in China rose by 18%, pressures on higher

that instead of struggling against the emis-

remuneration also increased. This time au-

sions of greenhouse gases we should refer

thorities responded in a friendly manner –

to the most profitable solution - geoengi-

the minimum wage in Beijing rose by 20%

neering. At the same time we should not

and owners of factories had to raise wages

neglect investments in the development of

by even several dozen percent, as they could

new technologies that in the future will al-

no longer count that police will pacify strik-

low combating ecological, climate and en-

ing workers. As a result, production costs

ergy problems effectively and forever.

grew by several dozens of percent. Farewell

cheap T-shirts from China!

Mary Midgley, a British philosopher dealing

with reflection on ecology and development,

“Hurrah!” is uttered by the Western liber-

has no doubt that despite the achievements

als from the Francis Fukuyama’s school

of the Enlightenment we are still impris-

of thought. Chinese are getting richer, the

oned in fetters of religious thinking, only

Chinese middle class is growing (in the next

the objects of faith have changed. Due to

two decades it is supposed to have anoth-

this power of faith, we regard the things we

er 250 million members). Internal demand

believe in as more real than these that actu-

and awareness are on the rise, democrat-

ally exist. During the European conference

ic requests can appear every moment. Oh

on the sustainable development in Brussels

well, but how to satisfy a greater appetite

in 2009, Midgley recalled that nowadays the

of the growing middle class? In the next

strongest religion is the economy, the most

twenty years the Chinese have to build an

abstract branch of science. Its power is re-

energy system that Americans have been

flected in the fact that nowadays all over

constructing for 100 years. Richer Chinese

Green New Deal – Towards Realistic Utopia

71

people follow different consumer patterns

omy, thus a decrease in gain rates and in the

(a shift in a diet from rice to dairy products

level of accumulation. Pay demands by the

and meat implies a significantly bigger ec-

Chinese will have the same consequences.

ological footprint). Due to the annual re-

China and India were the last reservoirs of

ports by the WWF, it is a well-known fact

cheap workforce. It could be engaged to

that the ecological footprint of humans

raise the effectiveness of the world capi-

started crushing the ecosystem a long time

talism which markedly got short of breath

ago. Herman Daly, a pioneer of ecological

between the 1970s and the 1980s. We have

economy, stated that already in the 1980s

lost our relief: even Chinese people try to

the level of environmental exploitation ex-

protect themselves by moving factories to

ceeded its ability to recover.

Vietnam and Bangladesh. Wallerstein has

no doubts – the capitalism as a system is

A person full of faith should evaluate

close to an end, because the possibility to

these facts with optimism and a certainty

accumulate is exhausted. Minqi Li, a Chi-

that miracles are the answer, i.e. innova-

nese economist working currently in the

tions provided easily by the invisible hand

University of Utah, follows in his footsteps.

of the market. However, these facts can

In 1989 Li participated in a protest on the

also be analysed as part of a different cog-

Tiananmen Square, which cost him a few

nitive scheme. “This is not the end of the

years in a Chinese prison. He devoted this

crisis, but of the capitalism!”, persuaded

time for thinking, which led him to a discov-

Immanuel Wallerstein in Foreign Policy in

ery that the capitalist awakening of China

January 2011. Indifferent to the optimism

means nothing more than a harbinger of

of his colleagues who went to Davos, he re-

the end of the capitalism. Minqi Li devel-

minded that the capitalism is a historic and

oped Wallerstein’s conceptions by showing

not natural system of social and economic

that the problem has resulted not only from

relations. Its idea is a constant accumula-

the exploitation of accumulative mecha-

tion of capital, possible thanks to the pro-

nisms. In order to function, the capitalism

duction of additional value. Its source is a

necessitated also a proper political struc-

difference between production costs and

ture, a system of world and economy whose

price paid by clients.

important elements were competing coun-

tries and a hegemonic leader, a dominant

Throughout 500 years of capitalism the

political and economic actor.

driving force of the accumulation was de-

rived from the exploitation of workers and

A strong, yet not excessively, hegemonic

from lowering of costs by means of hiding

leader was necessary to regulate the com-

disadvantageous effects of development

petition from a higher systemic level. Coun-

in the so-called external effects, such as

tries left alone fell in the logic of politics of

the ecological devastation. When it comes

power balance, which always ends in a dis-

to the environment, as already mentioned,

aster. A hegemonic leader possessing ex-

people live on its credit since the 1980s.

cessive power allows for weakening of this

The time of repayment has come. The cal-

logic. The experiment with Europe united

culation was presented by Nicholas Stern in

after the Second World War was possible

his report from the end of 2006. If we fail

only because the hegemonic leader, the

to internalise costs of environmental and

United States, brought the old continent

climate devastation and if we do not coun-

under a protective umbrella, thanks to

teract the escalation of this phenomenon

which France, Germany and Italy could re-

actively, the costs of “ecological credit serv-

sign from the development of armed forces

ice” will amount to 25% of GDP. The flood in

and concentrate on cooperation and devel-

Australia at the end of 2010 and the begin-

opment.

ning of 2011 is a perfect illustration of the-

ses of Stern’s report.

The hegemonic position of the USA is erod-

ing, which can be illustrated with the strik-

The internalisation of costs means the in-

ing examples of the Iraqi war in 2003 and

crease in the functioning costs of the econ-

the Climate Summit in Copenhagen in 2009.

72

Such a short period is sufficient to prove that

The Green New Deal seems to be the al-

the process of degradation of the global sys-

ternative that can reconcile realistic diag-

tem based on the US dominance and of the

nosis with progressive optimism. In short,

involvement of new actors can go through

it means an attempt to reform the system

very quickly. The problem is the lack of can-

without changing its principles, similar-

didates for hegemonic leaders. The history

ly to the reform of the New Deal after the

of capitalism indicates, as Li persuades,

Great Depression of the interwar period.

that subsequent reshuffles in the system

The crisis has unfolded ailments of the sys-

of the world and the economy consisted in

tem which can yet be treated. The unregu-

the emergence of next dominators able to

lated, pathologic system of world finances

influence the increasingly complex system.

can be subjected to political regulations so

Amsterdam was strong enough to control

that it no longer dominates the entire real-

the world and the economy restricted to

ity. The system of the real economy can be

Europe, Great Britain sufficed to monitor

modernized by initiating a green industrial

the system of the 19th century and the Unit-

revolution, as projected by Nicholas Stern.

ed States, a country and a continent in one,

It is enough to channel a sufficient flow of

was necessary to supervise the globalized

public investments for the development of

capitalism. There is no further stage, at

green technologies. Obviously, this alone

least in the logic according to which historic

is not sufficient to create a new, green and

capitalism has developed. Its economic and

sustainable economy.

political resources are depleted.

The historic New Deal was surprising not

What is more, the psychological reserves

only because state intervention succeeded

for the capitalism are also exploited, as em-

in rescuing the economy. At the same time,

phasized by the philosopher Bernard Stie-

it led to a deep transformation of the social

gler. The last developmental phase of this

and political system (with such experiments

system, known also as the cognitive capi-

like the Soviet communism and the Nazism

talism, consisted not only in the exploitation

in the background), which was expressed by

of environmental and human reserves, but

means of the welfare state. It is relatively

also of the deepest psychological resourc-

easy to imagine reshaping of a productive

es. Modern marketing strategies have set

base as part of the Green New Deal. How-

human subconsciousness, emotions and

ever, it is unfortunately more difficult to im-

desires to the productive work; this was

agine the social and political model of the

necessary to drive the consumer yearnings.

Green New Society.

Here, however, the system has entered the

ultimate contradiction. The modern mar-

If it remains a capitalist society, then prob-

keting can stimulate demand and consumer

lems indicated by Wallerstein, Li and Stie-

wishes, but meeting this demand requires a

gler will inevitably come back. Observations

supply of new products and services, which

and analyses showed that there is no way

in turn necessitates the development of in-

to reconcile the capitalism with sustainable

novative potential. This potential is being

management, because it necessarily im-

depleted due to the progressive proletari-

plies the priority of public investments over

asation of mental work. People subject to

demand and individual consumption. In-

marketing programming lose their creativ-

vestments have to be directed for the ben-

ity; they become consumers, proletarians

efit of the development of sustainable and

of the cognitive capitalism, an epoch based

green sectors of the economy and individu-

on hyper-consumerism.

al consumption must be limited.

We are given two intellectual schemes:

The authors of the New Economics Foun-

optimism of faith according to which capi-

dation report on the Green New Deal, just

talism is doing well and inherently pos-

like Minqi Li, have no doubts that this goal

sesses solutions for future challenges or

can be attained only in the system of cen-

the conviction that capitalism is exploited

trally-coordinated economy. Li stated ex-

and we are witnessing its painful death.

plicitly that only a socialist economy is able

Green New Deal – Towards Realistic Utopia

73

to secure sustainable development. Such a

fluence and resources (the best illustration

proposition is not startling; Hans Jonas ar-

being the problem of rare elements, neces-

rived at similar conclusions years ago when

sary to produce wind turbines and electron-

he wrote The imperative of responsibility.

ics for new energy systems – 95% of them

We should, however, bear in mind that the

is generated in China, one of the greatest

states of the real socialism falsified these

reserves of lithium for batteries is in Tibet).

assumptions – the economies of the Polish

In this sense, as Wallerstein, Li and Stiegler

People’s Republic, the GDR and the USRR

proved, history is heading towards the end.

functioned in the state of permanent envi-

ronmental catastrophe. Unmoved by his-

Is the Cuban model then the only alterna-

toric experience, Li and the authors of the

tive? It is worth referring to the statement

NEF report, provide Cuba as an example of

by Mary Midgley. In the lecture in Brussels

a model compatible with the post-capitalist

she reminded that people are not able to

Green New Deal. Naturally, their interest in

imagine the future. They are too focused

Cuba should not be read as an expression

on the present. The green capitalism or the

of admiration for Castro’s regime, but rath-

green Cuban socialism do not, therefore,

er as an attempt to analyse the ability of the

make sense, as they both stand no chance

society to function in chronic deficiencies of

of survival. None is sustainable, yet for dif-

resources. Regardless of how many posi-

ferent reasons.

tive conclusions can be derived from the

Cuban case, one thing is certain. A trial to

In order to imagine the future and the Green

implement this model as a way to realize

New Deal (it is worth remembering that

the Green New Deal would end in a political

when the New Deal was shaped, no one

disaster. Even the Chinese (or maybe espe-

could know which social and political order

cially them) would not agree to reduce con-

would come into existence), we should first

sumption rapidly. Would it be then possible

begin with the analysis of historic theory by

in a democratic country?

Paul Romer. This excellent economist per-

suaded that the main developmental factors

Unfortunately, no positive example can

are not capital or work, but innovations. If

be given. Efforts of the green moderniza-

society is faced with the challenge of lack-

tion undertaken in Scandinavian countries

ing resources, there are several ways to re-

prove nothing. If we honestly evaluated

spond to this problem. Either a war aimed

ecological effects in a full life cycle cost

at taking what is missing or a new, more

analysis, it would turn out that it is difficult

effective manner of producing goods and

to find “decoupling”, i.e. separation of the

services, i.e. technical innovation.

development from negative ecological ef-

fects, which are produced outside Sweden,

However, it is not enough to change the

Norway or Finland. If Britain assessed pre-

reality. The optimal use necessitates non-

cisely, what is the effect of post-industrial

technical innovations - principles such as

dematerialization of their economy, they

legal, social and cultural systems. A better

would find out that its ecological footprint

efficiency of food production was achieved

is higher than in the industrial age. It was

with the discovery of agriculture, which re-

enough to count the carbon emissions nec-

quired also such non-technical innovations

essary to produce goods imported by the

as the ownership law to land and the feu-

British.

dal political system. Capitalism was possi-

ble thanks to the combination of two waves

Therefore, caution should be exercised,

of innovation - technical and socio-political

since the Green New Deal can easily be-

innovations. It would not have come into ex-

come greenwashing, an instrument of the

istence, here the supplementary remarks

world reorganization of capitalism based

by Max Weber, without the proper culture

on the new productive basis – green tech-

sustaining functional norms for the system

nologies. The problem is that such a trans-

based on accumulation: the respect for in-

formation cannot be carried out. All efforts

dividual achievements, an autotelic dimen-

will end in a deepening chaos, a fight for in-

sion of labour, praise for thrift and the ability

74

to postpone immediate prize in the name of

greater satisfaction in the future.

Apparently, however, the reality has gone

crazy now or the liberal model has been ex-

Following Romer and Weber, it would have

hausted (this is the reason why there is no

to be stated: true, the only technical solution

way to obtain a binding international agree-

of problem related to the end of capitalism

ment on climate policy; this is hindered by

and the upcoming ecological catastrophe

particular agendas where no place can be

is the next wave of green innovations. Such

found for values such as sustainable devel-

a wave cannot be generated by dying capi-

opment or justice). Is it possible to imagine

talism, we cannot also count on the Cuban

a post-liberal state which would not ques-

socialism. The condition for the success of

tion achievements of the liberal state, but

the New Deal is a deep reform of the state

develop them in a form that is appropriate

and the legitimization of public actors. As

for the challenges of political ecology?

a result, the welfare state emerged, a con-

sequence of social agreement between key

The condition for the post-liberal state, or in

actors.

words by Eckersley “ecological democratic

state”, is to reflect upon its structure. This

The concept of the Green State is a good

postulate means the extension of rational-

departure point for constructing the social

ity frames within which the state functions

and political systems for the Green New

so that the realization of its agenda involves

Deal. It has been well presented by Robyn

transnational risk assessment (as did Ni-

Eckersley in the book The Green State. Re-

cholas Stern in his report). It requires also

thinking Democracy and Sovereignty. A

democratization of democracy, i.e. renewal

short description of this idea is presented

of a public sphere by the promotion of so-

below (I am referring to Przewodnik Krytyki

cial participation and by deliberalisation.

Politycznej „Ekologia” [Guidebook Ecology

This postulate implies further ones. First,

by the Political Critique]):

an ecological democratic state should be

“(…) a traditional liberal country is not able

eco-centric and not anthropocentric. Eco-

to implement the policy of sustainable de-

centric means that a human, as the only

velopment, because it is in a way contradic-

actor in social life that is able to articulate

tory to the genetic structure of such a state

their needs, is not superior to the ecosys-

and its sovereignty shaped in the histori-

tem, but understands that he/she is an in-

cal process. The element of such indepen

tegral part of it. This in turn means that the

dence is the idea of raison d’etat, the reason

human ability to articulate one’s agenda and

of the State, superior to society or the envi-

to transform it into a policy imposes a mis-

ronment. The liberal state is imprisoned in

sion that consists in expanding the area of

fetters of rationality that are not adjacent to

political representation onto the whole eco-

the challenges of political ecology and the

sphere. In other words, people in the politi-

obsolete conception of political subjectivity

cal process must represent themselves and

is equally problematic as the out-dated for-

their surrounding environment, oeikos.

mula of the reason of the State.

This postulate has nothing to do with ro-

The liberal state is anthropocentric, its sub-

manticism, it coincides with the conception

ject is Homo economicus, a human endowed

of “politics of nature” by Bruno Latour (Eck-

with the hypertrophy of a specific form of

ersley does not, however, make any such

reasoning. Just as the state in international

references). A wider area of a political rep-

relations is driven by raison d’etat mean-

resentation requires, as already mentioned,

ing maximisation of own interests, so does

reconstruction and renewal of the public

Homo economicus, a rational egoist who in

sphere, as well as the revival of the sphere

everyday activities is guided by the principle

of knowledge production. In the model of

of maximal benefits. The liberal state and

the liberal state, Science held a monopoly

the liberal subject understood in such a way

on deciding what is true. It was the status

were supposed to express a natural ration-

of the science that sanctioned the specialist

ality of the reality.

discourse which replaced the necessity to

Green New Deal – Towards Realistic Utopia

75

represent the non-human world politically.

of this problem than the situation in Po-

It acted in the political process in the form

land and the attempt to introduce the dis-

of predictions formulated in an authoritar-

course of the green modernization to the

ian way by the Science. The climate crisis

mainstream of political and public discus-

has spectacularly exposed the inefficiency

sions (as well as of awareness of gender

of the model. It does not work in a situation

changes). This process is fascinating, be-

when it is impossible to predicate with a full

cause major forces influencing the shape

certainty, because the accessible knowledge

of the public discourse question the legiti-

only allows assessing risks and probability

macy of knowledge concerning issues such

of some events, but without any interpre-

as anthropogenic global warming. Actors

tation. The democratisation of democracy

appearing on the public scene, from high

does not only mean democratization of po-

representatives of Polish Academy of Sci-

litical process by means of reflection and

ences through economists functioning as

the increase in the significance attached to

celebrities to politicians, either challenge

the deliberalisation in political action, but

the findings of institutions like IPCC or

also by the democratization of production

use safe formulas “uncertain status of sci-

and popularization of knowledge.

entific knowledge”. Uncertain knowledge

cannot be a foundation of political action.

An ecological democratic state is, there-

However, it is necessary to undertake ac-

fore, eco-centric, post-liberal, just, reflex-

tion, as required by international commit-

ive, namely it is systemically supplied in the

ments, e.g. the EU membership. There is

ability to criticize own activities by refer-

no way out, a membership in an exclusive

ring to the extended formula of rationality,

club costs. If the European Union uses the

which exceeds a narrow sovereignty of the

language of green modernization by ini-

raison d’etat.”

tiatives like climate and energy packages,

this language has to be domesticated. This

Is the transformation of the contemporary

occurs by means of two main threads of

liberal state to the Green State possible?

narration. The first one tries to reconcile a

Yes, if it is accompanied by a deep transfor-

dominant cognitive perspective in Poland

mation of culture in keeping with the spirit

(denial) with the action proposed by the Eu-

of the Green New Deal. Alain Touraine, a

ropean Union. A cognitive dissonance can

French sociologist, wrote in the book Apres

be avoided by a golden formula, used e.g.

la crise that the world has entered the age

by the Minister of the Environment - even if

of a great cultural change. The driving

anthropogenic global warming did not ex-

force is post-feminism, i.e. the process of

ist, it would have to be invented, because it

real transfer of power to women. They are

forces to take positive action aimed at sav-

systemically accumulating the most vital

ing resources.

future capitals: knowledge and social cap-

ital. Already now they are better educated

As regards rhetoric we are in keeping with

than men, both in developed and developing

the European mainstream, however, a weak

countries. Nothing can stop this tendency

cognitive basis (questioning facts about

in the perspective of the next few decades.

the anthropogenic climate change) al-

Increasing hegemony of women will be ac-

lows formulating subsequent statements

companied by the development of a new

in the following way: green modernization

culture. Will it be consistent with the Green

– of course, but not at the cost of econom-

New Deal?

ic growth. As a result, we are observing a

systemic evolution of rhetoric sphere: the

This question is fundamental, but there is

National Programme for the Reduction of

no way to answer it now in an unequivocal

Emissions of Greenhouse Gases changed

way. The only certain thing is that it will be

into the National Programme for the Devel-

shaped in a confrontation with the men-

opment of a Low Emission Economy. How-

tioned forces of the psychology of denial,

ever, such rhetoric does not even try to hide

which was particularly indicated by Mary

that it is all about the maintenance of the

Midgley. There is no better illustration

status quo.

76

Such a position seems to be the most ra-

ogy of denial does not accept facts, since he

tional. According to the cognitive premises,

or she possesses other sources of knowl-

if we reject the anthropogenic global warm-

edge. Such a strategy is doomed to failure

ing, we have the right to assume that so do

and every accidental success seemingly

other people, which is why they perceive

confirms the validity. If, sooner or later, it

the idea of green modernization as an in-

comes to a disastrous clash with the reality

strument in the fight for a new, political and

standing behind these facts, the blame can

economic order in the period after the cri-

be shifted on external factors.

sis. If so, then the reason of the State im-

poses on us to resist costly commitments

The psychology of denial, although in Po-

as long as possible. With a bit of luck, it will

land it has taken extraordinarily fierce forms

be possible to wait for the salvation in the

of expression, is not a distinctive feature of

silhouette of a miracle, e.g. shale gas.

our country, but it is rather typical for the

human species, as indicated by Mary Midg-

The psychology of denial in practice re-

ley. Unfortunately, it is a cold comfort. Simi-

minds of a sane scepticism, but in fact it is

larly, we can derive no satisfaction from the

basically different. A sceptic respects facts,

observation that the majority of personages

yet (s)he tries not to jump to conclusions

gathering in Davos behave like a crew in a

too rapidly. A person driven by the psychol-

plane that attempts to land in a fog.

Zielony Nowy Ład dla Europy

77

10.

Manifesto for the European election campaign 2009

A Green New Deal for Europe

Europe needs a new direction. The finan-

combating climate change will boost em-

cial crisis and credit crunch have brought

ployment and make us more self-sufficient,

the failings of current economic and social

reducing our damaging reliance on energy

policies sharply into focus. They have ex-

imports. A more sustainable approach to

posed a wider systemic failure. The world is

our agricultural, marine and energy re-

facing a serious and fundamental resource

sources is crucial at a time when energy

crunch that will impact on every aspect of

and food prices are hitting low and middle

our lives, from the food we eat to the energy

income people hard.

we use. We are also at risk of running out of

time to prevent a full-blown climate crisis.

The Greens want a responsible Europe.

The European Union should defend social

These ‘crises’ should be seen as an op-

systems and labour conditions from the

portunity to transform our economic and

pressures of fierce and unfettered com-

social system into one that will offer gen-

petition, both within Europe and beyond.

erations-to-come a future based on stabil-

Economic interests must not come at the

ity, sufficiency and sustainability.

expense of human and civil rights. The Eu-

ropean Union must listen and be account-

Europe faces social, economic and environ-

able to its citizens and residents, while

mental challenges that transcend borders.

championing peace, democracy and hu-

As the financial crisis once again demon-

man rights around the world.

strated, only by cooperating - at European

and global level - can we rise above these

The dominant neoliberal ideology in Eu-

challenges. This requires a European Un-

rope has established a system where the

ion acting strongly for the future of all its

interests of the few come before the gen-

citizens and residents. The Greens want to

eral well-being of its citizens. They have

build solutions for a sustainable future.

put the profits of polluting industries ahead

of the environment and public health. The

Rising to the challenges brings real oppor-

mantra of competitiveness and growth has

tunities. Shifting to a greener economy and

been used to lower social standards and

78

labour conditions. The neoliberal majority

emissions reductions, as well as recognis-

in the European Parliament, the Council

ing their responsibility to support mitiga-

and the European Commission is guilty of

tion and adaptation efforts in developing

bowing to the demands of industry lobbies,

countries, including reducing emissions

putting short-term profits before the gen-

from deforestation and forest degradation,

eral interest. The Greens offer a real al-

particularly from tropical forests.

ternative for Europe.

Combating climate change is a win-win

The Green New Deal means: a Europe of

process. A combination of ambitious and

solidarity that can guarantee its citizens

binding targets, of incentives and of public

a good quality of life based on economic,

investments into green technologies and

social and environmental sustainability;

services will help create millions of green

a truly democratic Europe that acts for its

jobs in Europe and tens of millions world-

citizens and not just narrow industry inter-

wide, which are much needed at a time of

ests; a Europe that acts for a green future.

economic slowdown. The EU must set itself

the target of creating five million green col-

lar jobs over the coming five years.

A real alternative for Europe: secu-

ring our energy and environmental

We must significantly improve on the cur-

future

rently wasteful way we use energy, while

massively expanding energy from renewa-

We need a resource revolution to shift

ble sources. This will reduce our dangerous

from our present course of over-exploita-

dependence on the import of dirty energy

tion and environmental destruction. If we

from unstable countries, with the damag-

continue to ravage our finite natural re-

ing volatility this causes for our economies

sources, we will need two planets to sus-

and societies.

tain our lifestyles within 25 years. This

course is not just economically unsustain-

We must capitalise on the already-existing

able, it seriously threatens our climate, ec-

ways to save energy. Using less energy and

osystems and biodiversity.

using it better will be crucial to maintain-

ing a good quality of life at a time of rising

Business as usual is not an option. The

energy prices. The Greens want Europe to

impact of a resource crunch and danger-

place much greater priority on energy ef-

ous climate change would dwarf that of

ficiency, setting a binding target to reduce

any financial and economic crisis. Thank-

energy consumption 20% by 2020, as well

fully, most of the solutions are already at

as supporting and promoting the intelli-

hand. The current economic slowdown is

gent design of heating and cooling tech-

an opportunity to transform our system,

nology both in industry and in the housing

so that we can avoid the extremes of the

sector.

resource and climate crises, and secure a

good quality of life.

Renewables must be put at the centre of

European energy policy for the 21st Cen-

If we are to avoid dangerous climate change,

tury. The Greens are calling for the crea-

we need to seriously reduce our green-

tion of a European Renewables Community

house gas emissions. The Greens want the

(ERENE) to support the long-term goal

EU to commit to emissions reductions of

of 100% energy from renewable sources.

40% by 2020 and 80-95% by 2050, based on

We need a concerted investment drive in

1990 levels, in line with the current recom-

green technologies in which the European

mendations of the UN IPCC. Europe must

Investment Bank must play a role. A real

also play a leading role in forging a binding

renewables boom requires a new approach

international climate agreement under the

to energy supply: truly unbundling owner-

UN framework based on the latest updat-

ship of distribution and production, while

ed science. This agreement must commit

promoting a grid without borders and the

industrialised countries to the necessary

smarter use of energy.

Zielony Nowy Ład dla Europy

79

Nuclear energy cannot be part of the so-

mutual responsibility between farmers,

lution to climate change. Expensive invest-

fishermen, authorities and consumers.

ments in this dead-end technology will not

The Common Agricultural Policy has en-

be able to contribute to the urgently-need-

couraged agricultural irresponsibility, with

ed emissions reductions and will divert

agro-industry dictating the market terms

muchneeded funds from the promotion of

and gearing production to capitalise on

sustainable energy production.

subsidies, regardless of the environmental

consequences. The Greens want to use the

Uranium is a finite fuel source and the EU is

upcoming review to transform EU agricul-

overwhelmingly dependent on imports from

tural policy in a way that supports and en-

unstable countries, so nuclear is clearly not

courages farmers to produce quality food

the answer to our long term energy securi-

in a sustainable way. The future of agricul-

ty. On top of this, the associated risks of nu-

ture lies in organic farming and fair trade.

clear Nare as real now as they have always

been, whether in terms of operation, fuel

Crucial to this is a ban on genetically-mod-

production or managing nuclear waste. This

ified organisms (GMOs). GM crops pose a

is not to mention the possibility of terrorist

serious threat to Europe’s biodiversity, as

attacks and nuclear proliferation to ques-

well as the risks of cross-contaminating

tionable regimes and even rogue groups.

organic and conventional farming. For this

reason, the Greens are working to make

Revolutionising how we use energy and

the European Union a GMO-free zone.

ending our damaging dependence on oil

means we must also move green. Trans-

Farming and food policies should promote

port is the fastest growing source of man-

local markets for agricultural products,

made greenhouse gas emissions. The EU

eliminating unnecessary transportation.

needs to actively work to create a sus-

They must encourage more sustainable

tainable transport system.

production methods that aim to conserve

biodiversity and water resources, and en-

Ending the direct and indirect subsidisa-

hance soil fertility, reducing the use of tox-

tion of inefficient and polluting transport

ic and polluting pesticides and fertilisers.

modes, like aviation and road transport, is

This approach will help reduce greenhouse

an important step in ensuring the full en-

gas emissions rom intensive agriculture. It

vironmental costs are taken into account.

will also reduce the risks to public health

We want to speed-up investment in trans-

caused by industrial farming. Animals

European railroad connections and net-

must be treated ethically, in agriculture as

works. Freight must be shifted from roads

in all other contexts.

to rail and inland waterways on a much

bigger scale. Affordable public transport

Achieving high levels of animal protection is

and sustainable transport options in our

central to the Green agenda. Europe needs

cities, such as cycling and walking, must

much higher levels of protection for both

be promoted.

domestic and wild animals. We will continue

to work to end the long distance transport

The resource crunch we face runs far be-

of animals, for higher welfare standards for

yond energy resources. A more sustainable

animal farming, and for better implemen-

approach to our agricultural and marine

tation of existing animal welfare legislation.

resources is vital for our wellbeing, the

More needs to be done to promote a reduc-

health of our ecosystems and their wealth

tion in meat consumption for reasons of

of biodiversity.

climate change, food security, and animal

welfare. We want to see the end of the fur

The Greens want Europe to ensure its cit-

trade, and a swift replacement of animal

izens have access to healthy food at fair

tests with non-animal alternatives.

prices, rather than the limited options the

food industry wants to offer them. Farming,

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has

fishing and food policies should encourage

been an exercise in self-destruction, driving

80

many fish stocks to precarious levels.

for corporate revenues and savings, which

It needs to be urgently reformed away from

undermines social justice. The regulation

the current model of waste and over-ex-

of the financial markets also implies the

ploitation, to a tool which gives fishermen

negotiation of an international agreement

responsibility for sustainably managing

to outlaw all tax havens.

fisheries and conserving fish stocks. The

EU also needs to greatly enhance binding

Credit must be tied to realistic valuations

measures to protect our vulnerable seas

and risk. The worst excesses of uncon-

and has to revise its exploitative fishing

trolled markets must be reined in, particu-

agreements with African countries.

larly dangerous short-selling practices by

traders, such as hedge funds. Astronomi-

A healthy Europe is a wealthy Europe. EU

cal financial sector salaries and bonuses

citizens are concerned about the safety of

that reward risk and recklessness must be

the air they breathe, the water they use and

capped. The Greens have long advocated

the food they eat. Environmental pollution

the introduction of a financial transaction

damages public health, which in turn plac-

levy, which would reduce speculation and

es a strain on societies and economies. The

generate resources which could be used to

EU needs to do more to address the threats

finance various social and environmental

to public health, whether water- or air-

goals that are presently overlooked or un-

borne, noise, toxic substances, or through

derfunded.

the spread of diseases. The EU has to halt

the loss of biodiversity at home and over-

Financial markets must be restructured

seas territories.

so that the general public can be offered

protection. This means guaranteeing sav-

ings and keeping loans affordable. During

Social justice and globalisation:

the financial crisis, low-cost credit must be

Fighting for a fairer Europe

available to support European enterprises,

especially those contributing to the shift

The system needs change. The Greens

towards a more sustainable Europe.

want to end the careless deregulation that

has enabled big business to dictate its own

A Green New Deal calls for massive in-

terms regardless of the real impact on the

vestment in education, science and

economy and society at large. This ap-

research in green, future-oriented tech-

proach encouraged the risky speculation

nologies to put Europe at the forefront of a

and overexploitation that has trapped us in

global economic revolution.

a damaging boom to bust cycle. We want

to take this opportunity to develop a new

A truly prosperous, innovative, stable and

economy driven by long-term prosperity,

sustainable economy requires a fairer so-

not shortterm profiteering. We want a re-

ciety guaranteeing fair working conditions,

sponsible and stable Europe, which invests

equal opportunities and a decent standard

ethically and where prosperity is defined by

of living for all. Europe must defend social

the wellbeing of all its people.

values and justice while adapting to the

needs of changing times. Cutbacks on en-

Financial markets must be put on a leash,

vironmental protection or compromises on

so they cease to be casinos in which peo-

social values would be counterproductive.

ple’s homes and livelihoods are the chips

on the table. Their transnational nature de-

The Greens want to strengthen work-

mands a coordinated European response

ers’ rights. The European Union suffers

that leads and links in to international ef-

from profound imbalances. It has de-

forts. We need an EU-level watchdog with

veloped cutting edge rules on business

teeth – a body to scrutinise and regulate

competition, but labour legislation and

financial markets and services. EU regu-

social rights have not kept pace. Loop-

lations must rule out any kind of tax eva-

holes and uncertainties have led to de-

sion and prevent harmful tax competition

cisions by the European Court of Justice

Zielony Nowy Ład dla Europy

81

that tend to put business interest before

Europe must also play its part in building

workers’ rights. Europe must lead by

fairer societies and eliminating poverty in

raising standards, rather than by a race

other parts of the world. We need to speed

to the bottom in terms of employment

up efforts to deliver on the Millennium

conditions. The Greens want a Europe

Development Goals. The principle of glo-

that rejects social dumping and exploita-

bal social and environmental justice must

tion. Social and labour rights must be re-

guide all EU policies and its position in glo-

inforced and workers must have a better

bal institutions. The Greens want to ensure

say in decisions that affect them, through

that European governments finally fulfil

collective bargaining.

their long standing promises and raise EU

overseas development aid to 0.56% of GDP

There must be equal pay for equal work

by 2010 and 0.7% by 2015.

for men and women alike, as well as for

posted, immigrant or temporary workers.

The Green New Deal puts fair trade first.

Equal opportunities for all must be guar-

Trade must deliver a good deal for all in-

anteed both within and outside the work-

volved. Europe’s power in international ne-

place and regardless of sex, age, ethnicity,

gotiations is much too often used to strike

disability, religion or sexual orientation.

a bargain for the rich at the economic, so-

cial and environmental expense of the poor.

EU policies that weaken public services in

Export subsidies for EU agricultural prod-

the name of competition must end. Public

ucts continue to threaten the economies of

services such as health and education are

poor countries and must be stopped im-

crucial to the general interest and must not

mediately. Socially unfair or environmen-

be frittered away by competition rules. We

tally-damaging practices by multinationals

need to balance the freedom to provide so-

elsewhere in the world should be no more

cial services and services of general inter-

acceptable than they would be in our own

est with the obligation to guarantee equal,

backyard. Social and sustainable develop-

affordable and universal access to these

ment clauses in trade partnerships should

services.

therefore be binding. The WTO must be

made to transform its free trade agenda to

Nobody should suffer the indignity of liv-

a fair and sustainable trade agenda, putting

ing in poverty. The Green New Deal aims

the protection of common goods and pov-

to reverse the widening gap between rich

erty reduction first. Europe must practice

and poor and guarantee a decent minimum

what it preaches.

living standard for all Europeans. Govern-

ments should introduce minimum wages

by law or collective agreements and a min-

Democracy and human rights:

imum income above the poverty line, guar-

a responsible EU that listens and

anteed by social security, for all in need.

is heard.

The EU should be guided by the principle of

equal pay for equal work and not be a bat-

Europe needs to listen and everyone’s

tleground for the lowest wage.

voice should be heard. The Greens want to

reform the EU, so that it can become a truly

Europe must offer greater stability to peo-

participatory democracy.

ple of all ages. Senior citizens must be

guaranteed a voice in society, enabling

As the only EU institution directly-elected

them to actively participate in economic,

by the people, the European Parliament

social and civic life. This implies guaran-

should be granted the right to initiate leg-

teeing sound pensions. Community-based

islation. A proportion of MEPs should be

services must exist to address the individ-

elected on Europe-wide transnational lists,

ual needs of the frail and vulnerable. Young

which would allow citizens to vote for can-

people must have access to more secure

didates that represent the whole of the

jobs and better access to education, train-

EU, rather than just their national or local

ing and housing.

constituency. More needs to be done to en-

82

courage young people to participate, for ex-

outside the EU. Efforts to prevent criminal

ample by lowering the voting age. Citizens

organisations, while safeguarding civil liber-

should also have the opportunity of direct

ties, is one of the priorities of the Greens.

democracy through European referenda on

issues of Europe-wide concern.

Media play a crucial role in the democratic

process. The Greens will continue to de-

The Greens will fight to apply the Charter

fend media pluralism and independence

of Fundamental Rights, to include all mem-

and freedom of the press in the European

bers of society and defend the rights of vul-

Union and beyond.

nerable and minority groups. This implies

fighting for equal rights for women, ethnic

The Green New Deal stands for European

minorities including the Roma, people with

values and individual freedoms. All who

disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-

live here should enjoy freedom of opinion

gender people and religious minorities as

and religious expression within a secular

well as for social and civil rights. This also

society.

means continuing the fight against racism,

xenophobia, anti- Semitism and other re-

Hard-won rights and freedoms must not

ligious intolerance, sexism, discrimination

be sacrificed in the name of the “fight

on grounds of sexual orientation and gen-

against terrorism” or alleged threats to

der identity and all forms of violent political

security. The same applies online. The

extremism in the European Union. Human

Greens believe that digital rights should

rights are for all, particularly within EU

be on a par with civil rights. Governments

Member States.

and commercial interests should not have

primacy on your privacy. Your data is your

The fundamental right of equality be-

business.

tween men and women must be made a

reality. Good legislation already exists but

Europe has always been a continent of mi-

is scattered around Europe. The Greens

gration and immigration. A Green New Deal

want to see the best national laws applied

will deliver a European immigration policy

across the EU, whether regarding equal-

that provides a fair chance for people who

ity, pro-choice issues, domestic violence,

wish to live in the EU. The siege mentality

maternity and paternity leave or political

of ‘Fortress Europe’ must not prevail.

representation. Only one-third of MEPs and

European Commissioners are women. The

Immigration is an opportunity, not a

Greens have an equal number of male and

threat. We need positive-minded policies

female MEPs and we want the EU to follow

that will allow people to come here legally

our lead.

and efficiently. Immigrants who work in the

EU deserve equal rights and equal pay, as

The Greens demand full transparency for

well as the opportunity of European citi-

all involved in EU decision-making proc-

zenship and the right to participate in the

esses. This implies taking a tough stand

political process.

against corruption at all levels. The EU it-

self must be more accountable to its pub-

People who seek asylum in Europe de-

lic. It is time to open closed files and closed

serve to be treated better. The Greens have

doors. The Greens will also continue to put

opposed repressive laws on returning unau-

the spotlight on the shady and powerful

thorized migrants and will continue to fight

lobbies that seek to influence decisions in

inhumane or xenophobic legislation. Europe

Brussels. Transparency must be an obli-

has a duty to provide shelter and protec-

gation, not an option.

tion to those who need it. Europe should be

a bridge that will allow people to come and

Organised crime has become a transnational

live here in a legal way. It will only be able

phenomenon and constitutes an emergen-

to do this effectively when all EU countries

cy in many Member States. Its profits have

share the effort instead of leaving border

been growing exponentially both within and

countries to take the strain. A revision of

Zielony Nowy Ład dla Europy

83

the Dublin Convention, which aims to har-

moting a pluralistic civil society across the

monise EU asylum policies and guarantees

globe. Human rights must not be sacri-

protection in line with international obliga-

ficed in the name of economic interest.

tions, is a must. Europe must also do more

to fight the despicable trafficking of men,

Delivering a Green New Deal for

women and children across its borders.

Europe

The European Union must lead by exam-

The Greens have fought for a sustainable,

ple in its engagement with the rest of the

social and more democratic Europe since

world: this implies a new style of foreign

our entry into the European Parliament in

policy. It must devote its energy to solving

1984. Recognising the need for truly Euro-

root causes of international tensions and

pean solutions to European problems, we

not just fighting their manifestations. The

are the most closely cooperating political

EU should strengthen multilateral bod-

family in the European Parliament. This

ies and international law, focus on civilian

has helped us punch above our weight and

foreign policy instruments and follow the

have a much greater influence on decisions

principle of maximum fairness in all of its

at European level than our numbers would

external policies, including trade. European

otherwise allow.

policies must champion peace, democracy

and human rights in the world and do so

We believe a Green New Deal is needed

consistently and coherently. The EU should

to overcome the financial, economic, re-

also devote more energy and resources to

source, energy and climate crises we face.

support the international community (par-

The Green New Deal means massive in-

ticularly the UN) in addressing conflicts

vestments in sustainable sectors, putting

that have been long overlooked.

the quality of life first and ensuring the

creation of millions of ‘green jobs’.

International cooperation and humanitar-

ian aid must be a priority. Establishing a

Realising the Green New Deal means

European Civil Peace Corps ready to make

building alliances. We will look for allies in

non-military interventions for humanitar-

civil society, in parliaments and in govern-

ian purposes would play an important

ments that will work to achieve this change

part of this.

of course. However, ensuring that Europe

gets back on track means getting involved,

We want a European Union that fosters

convincing others and voting Green. You can

democracy and human rights, while pro-

influence what is happening in Europe.

84

Authors

Edwin Bendyk

academic teacher, lecturer at Warsaw’s Collegium Civitas and at the Center of Social Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences, chair of the Center for Futures Studies of the Collegium Civitas, member of the Board of the Modern Poland Foundation and of the Programme Council of the Green Institute. He publishes articles in the Scientific Section of Polityka weekly magazine, Computerworld, Res Publica Nowa, Krytyka Polityczna, Przegląd Polityczny and Mobile Internet magazine. He is the author of Zatruta studnia.

Rzecz o władzy i wolnosci [The Poisoned Well. On Power and Freedom] (2002) nominated for the Nike Literary Award (2003), Antymatrix. Człowiek w labiryncie sieci [Antymatrix.

A Human in the Maze of the Web] (2004) and Miłosc, wojna, rewolucja. Szkice na czas kryzysu [Love, War, Revolution. Sketches for the Times of Crisis] (2009).

http://bendyk.blog.polityka.pl/

Ludomir Wojciech Duda

scientist, inventor, member of the Programme Council of the Green Institute, vice-president of the Management Board of DAPP Technologies Ltd., owner of an educational consulting company, member of the Executive Board of the Kogeneracja Association.

He is the author and co-author of various studies on electricity, sustainable development and energy policies, as well as of the patents in the production of ion-selective electrodes, superconducting coverings, air conditioning, fire protection and monitoring systems.

Bartłomiej Kozek

social and political activist, member of the National Board of Poland’s Green Party –

Zieloni 2004, in 2008-2010 Secretary General of the Party, Internet publicist, founder of the blog Zielona Warszawa [Green Warsaw]; ex-deputy editor-in-chief of Zielono i w poprzek monthly. He published articles in Przekrój, Trybuna and at the websites: lewica.pl, feminoteka.pl and krytykapolityczna.pl. He is interested in i.a. Green New Deal, social policy and public services. He is the author of the project “Stołeczna Polityka Kli-matyczna” [“Capital Climate Policy”].

http://zielonawarszawa.blogspot.com

Beata Maciejewska

political activist and social educator, chair of the Spaces for Dialogue Foundation, member of Poland’s Green Party – Zieloni 2004, president of the Board of Trustees of the Green Institute, coordinator of the Baltic Sea Greens, author of educational projects for women, local leaders, media. She is the author of handbook Jak pisać i mówić o dyskryminacji.

Poradnik dla mediów [How to write and speak about discrimination. Guidebook for media], co-author (together with Dariusz Szwed) of The Green City of the New Generation and Sustainable Development of the Silesia Metropolis. Formerly she was a journalist of i.a. Przekrój, Gazeta Wyborcza and an editor in Magazyn Sztuki (Art Magazine).

www.przestrzeniedialogu.org

Authors

85

Dorota Metera

graduate of Horticulture at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. She is member of the Programme Council of the Green Institute, project coordinator in IUCN-Poland Foundation in Warsaw and Brussels. She took part in projects of: the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) in Seville, Spain, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries of the Netherlands, Heinrich Böll Foundation, EURONATUR Foundation (Germany) and WWF. She is engaged in problems of environmental protection in agriculture, primarily in the context of the European integration and rural development.

Since more than 20 years, she is interested in ecological agriculture which she has been professionally dealing with.

Przemysław Sadura

Ph. D. in Human Studies, assistant professor at the Institute of Sociology of Warsaw University, lecturer at the Faculty of Economic Sciences of Warsaw University. He cooperates with the third sector and public administration by means of researches, trainings and social consultations. He is an editorial staff member of Krytyka Polityczna and sociological quarterly Stan Rzeczy. He is editor and co-author of Polski odcień zieleni. Zielone idee i siły polityczne w Polsce [Polish Shades of Green. Green Ideas and Political Powers in Poland], translator of books i.a. Privatizing Poland by Elizabeth Dunn and Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam. He is interested in sociology of politics and education as well as in development policy.

Dariusz Szwed

economist, ecologist, expert on sustainable development, politician, member of the Board of Trustees of the Green Institute and head of the Programme Council. He was chosen co-chair (together with Małgorzata Tkacz-Janik) of Poland’s Green Party – Zieloni 2004. Since several years he is a consultant on sustainable development and non-governmental sector in several institutions/organizations, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Environmental Law Center, Greenpeace International, Institute for Sustainable Development. He cooperates with European Green Party by taking part in political debates on the issue of the future of the European Union. He is the author and co-author of publications on the subject of sustainable development and ecological lobbying, i.a. (together with Beata Maciejewska) The Green City of the New Generation and Sustainable development of the Silesia Metropolis.

www.dariusz-szwed.pl

Grzegorz Wiśniewski

president of the Board of the Institute for Renewable Energy, formerly Director of the EC BREC/

IBMER European Centre of Renewable Energy. He is a member of the High Level Group “Biofuels”, an advisory body of the European Commission (DG Research) for liquid biofuels in transport, and of the ManagEnergy Reflection Group, an advisory body of the European Commission (DG TREN) for local and regional energy policy, member of the Supervisory Board of the Foundation for Effective Use of Energy and of the Scientific Council of the Central Petroleum Laboratory. He is a scientific editor of the “European Projects” section in the Czysta Energia monthly and a member of the Programme Council of the Agroenergetyka monthly.

http://odnawialny.blogspot.com/

86

Publishers

Green European Foundation

The Green European Foundation is the European level political foundation affiliated to the Green political family.

GEF aims to contribute to a lively European sphere of debate and to ‘Europeanise’ the political debate within and beyond the Greens.

The foundation acts as a laboratory for new ideas, offers cross-border political education and a platform for cooperation and exchange at the European level.

www.gef.eu

Zielony Instytut

Zielony Instytut (The Green Institute) is the foundation dealing with the implementation of green ideas into political and social life and with the promotion of Green movement in Europe and worldwide. It works for the benefit of democracy, protection of common goods, human rights,

civil society, freedom of every individual and self-determination of communities, cooperation and international soli darity, peace, sustainable development and responsible business. The foundation conducts its activities by means of publications, debates, conferences and workshops. The Green Institute cooperates with Greens 2004, the All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions, Spaces for Dialogue Foundation, Research Centre on Future at Collegium Civitas and other green think-tanks from European countries.

www.zielonyinstytut.pl

Heinrich Böll Stiftung

Heinrich Böll Stiftung (The Heinrich Böll Foundation) is a part of the Green political movement. Our main tenets are ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. We are particularly involved in issues of social emancipation and gender equali ty in politics and society, respect for cultural and ethnic minorities, and the social and democratic participation of immigrants. We campaign for freedom from violence and

an active peace policy.

The task of the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation in Central and Eastern Europe is to support the integration of expanded European Union and its Eastern neighbours. European

identity and common values constitute both the subject and the point of reference for all regional activity of the Foundation.

www.boell.pl and www.boell.de