Organised by Forum Energii in partnership with Clean Air Fund, and under the honorary patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the conference brought together EU policymakers, regional leaders, and civil society to explore how energy transition can be meaningfully implemented at the local level — with citizens and communities at its heart.

Although the conference has ended, the conversation must continue. Below are key highlights and insights from the event.

Opening Remarks: Climate Action in a New Geopolitical Reality

Jan Dusik (DG CLIMA, European Commission) opened the conference by emphasizing that climate action now unfolds in a volatile geopolitical context, where instability, economic strain, and security challenges shape Europe's response. At the same time, the urgency of climate action remains, but in these new circumstances, it is even more important to adequately prepare our societies and keep citizens on board. Dusik stressed the role of the €65 billion Social Climate Fund, with Poland as its top beneficiary. He noted that the European Commission will aim to move away from focusing primarily on abstract targets and instead place greater emphasis on practical, local projects that deliver tangible benefits to communities.

Jan Dusík, Deputy Director-General, DG CLIMA, European Commission

Tackle air pollution by aligning local policies with the updated AAQD and scaling up programmes like Clean Air

The conference explored how to improve air quality in line with the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD). The message was clear: air quality is a local issue. Cities and municipalities are where pollution is felt most acutely, and where action must be targeted and specific.

• Reena Badiani-Magnusson (Senior Economist, World Bank) emphasized that Poland’s experience offers important lessons for managing decentralized transitions in residential energy use. Key success factors (not all of them already in place) include strong leadership and coordination across multiple levels of government—from national ministries to over 2,500 municipalities—alongside a mix of “sticks and carrots” - subsidies and regulatory measures, such as fuel quality standards and anti-smog resolutions. Aligning incentives across diverse actors, including those less obvious like domestic boiler manufacturers, is also critical to maintaining momentum and balancing competing interests.
• Marcin Grądzki (Director, Office of Air Protection and Climate Policy, Warsaw City Hall) underlined that Warsaw's success in reducing pollution from individual heating sources rests on several pillars. It's worth emphasizing that the city committed substantial resources to fight smog—something it was able to do as the largest city in Poland. One of the key pillars of success is the fact that thanks to considerable local effort, it gathered valuable data on energy poverty and was able to monitor the process of heating sources replacement. However, such data collection is still not common practice across the country—there is a continued lack of effective national solutions in this area.
• Pedro Gomes (Cluster Lead, POLIS) highlighted that cities currently lack a meaningful voice in discussions and decision-making around Social Climate Fund. Most of the funding and planning power lies with national governments, despite the fact that cities are often best positioned to understand local needs and effectively implement these measures. This centralization overlooks the critical role of local authorities.
• Veli-Matti Uski (Director General, Ministry of the Environment, Finland) emphasized the importance of the extensive district heating system in urban areas of Finland, which is still being expanded. This system plays a key role in decarbonization efforts and improving air quality in cities. Plans are also in place to utilize the heat generated by the emerging data centers in Finland.

Poland’s Clean Air Programme: A Scalable Example

Poland’s Clean Air Programme (Czyste Powietrze) was highlighted as an example of effective policy scaling. With over 700,000 subsidies already granted, it is the largest initiative of its kind in Europe.

Originally designed to help households switch from coal to cleaner heating solutions, the programme has evolved significantly. Lessons learned from earlier implementation phases - such as overly complex procedures or low uptake among the most vulnerable - have led to key improvements.

The programme is increasingly seen as a learning-by-doing model, showing that successful energy and air quality policies don’t need to be perfect from the start - they just need to be responsive and inclusive.

Marcin Grądzki (Director, Office of Air Protection and Climate Policy, Warsaw City Hall): “It is so important to introduce new ways, new programmes, even pilot projects to solve the issue of energy poverty. And to create an environment within institutions, municipalities, and administrations where it is acceptable to make mistakes. To foster the feeling that you are able to explore the best ways to tackle the issue, without the fear of negative consequences in case of failure.”

Joanna Pandera, PhD, President, Forum Energii, EUI -STG, Pedro Gomes, Clean Vehicles & Air Quality Cluster Lead, POLIS, Marcin Grądzki, Director of the Office of Air Protection and Climate Policy, Warsaw City Hall, Reena Badiani-Magnusson, Senior Economist, Energy and Poverty Practice Groups, World Bank, Veli-Matti Uski, Director General, Ministry of the Environment, Finland

Provide meaningful support through the Social Climate Fund

In a fireside chat, speakers explored how to design effective, people-centred support schemes that prepare households for energy transition while addressing energy poverty and inequality.

A just energy transition is not only about technology and regulations - it’s about people. One of the key pillars of support for vulnerable groups in the coming years will be the Social Climate Fund (SCF), which was discussed during the conference from both the EU and national perspectives.

Dorota Zawadzka-Stępniak (President, National Fund for Environmental Protection, Poland): “The Clean Air Programme is not just about financing. It’s about empowering people - providing them with advice, building a scheme rooted in knowledge, expertise, and competence, and fostering strong cooperation with stakeholders at the municipal level.”

Milena Damianova (Policy Coordinator, SCF, DG CLIMA): “Simply giving money to vulnerable households is not enough. The Social Climate Fund is designed to provide qualified actors with the necessary resources to build capacity, share information, and increase knowledge across society. Only then can it fully reach its potential and create a meaningful change.”

Joanna Pandera, PhD, President, Forum Energii, European University Institute, School of Transnational Governance, Dorota Zawadzka-Stępniak, President of National Fund for Environmental Protection, Poland, Milena Damianova, Policy Coordinator - Social Climate Fund, DG CLIMA, European Commission

Leverage local insights, EU funding, and expert advice to build lasting solutions

This panel focused on the experiences of regions undergoing transformation – particularly coal-dependent areas – and the importance of integrated, long-term strategies for a just transition.

Key messages from the discussion:

• The Just Transition Fund has been a catalyst for change

It has initiated meaningful discussions on the energy transition and encouraged the development of strategic long-term visions at the regional level. It has helped build trust - reinforcing the belief that no one will be left behind. Maintaining this momentum is essential, and continued access to dedicated just transition funding must be secured to support regions through the next stages of transformation.

• Effective coordination of EU funds and inclusive policy-making are critical to ensuring the energy transition is indeed just.

Strategic alignment across funding instruments, combined with participatory governance, grounded in meaningful dialogue with local authorities, civil society, business partners, and affected communities – helps build trust and legitimacy. This approach is key to delivering fair outcomes and reinforcing social cohesion.

• Communicating the benefits of the energy transition is essential.

Clear and transparent communication helps build public understanding and support, while demonstrating tangible benefits, such as job creation, cleaner environments, and enhanced energy security, fosters greater community engagement and ensures that citizens feel invested in the energy transition process.

• Local needs and concerns must be addressed proactively.

Job security and job quality should be central pillars of transition policies. Measures such as upskilling, reskilling, and job-to-job support programs must be widely implemented to respond to the concerns of workers. Importantly, these policies should be developed not only for workers but in close cooperation with them.

Paweł Olechnowicz (Policy Officer, DG REGIO, European Commission): “The right coordination between different funding instruments is key. We must ensure that we avoid the cannibalization of various financing mechanisms and promote inclusive cooperation. The funds should be designed in collaboration with those who are most affected. People are embedded in the DNA of the Cohesion Policy.”

Corinna Zierold (Head of Just Transition, IndustriAll Europe): “The social dimension should be an integral part of EU policies, not an add-on. Policies should be designed not just for people, but with them. We must listen to their concerns and respond accordingly. People expect stability and security - and quality jobs are key to delivering that.”

Magdalena Chawuła, People, Cities, Regions Programme Director, Forum Energii, Corinna Zierold, Head of Just Transition, IndustriAll Europe, Belgium, Alexandru Kelemen, Director for Jiu Valley Integrated Territorial Development Association, Annya Schneider, Europe Lead, Environment Program, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Paweł Olechnowicz, Policy Officer, DG Regional and Urban Policy Unit for Smart and Sustainable Growth, European Commission

Strengthen public trust by creating space for innovation – and learning from mistakes

From opening to closing remarks, the message was clear: trust is the foundation of a successful energy transition. It requires clear communication, transparency, and the courage to innovate – even when it means learning from failure.
 
We thank all speakers and participants for contributing to the debate – from EU institutions and national administrations to local governments and NGOs. A just and effective energy transition starts with joint responsibility and shared knowledge.

Thank you

We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, participants, and partners — from EU institutions and national authorities to municipalities and NGOs.

A successful energy transition starts with shared responsibility and knowledge. The journey has just begun.

The full conference recording is available on our YouTube channel.

AGENDA
Venue: Business & Science Poland, Rue Belliard 40, 1040 Brussels
The event will be held in English

12:30-13:30 Registration and welcoming lunch

13:30-13:35 Welcoming remarks

13:35-13:50 Keynote speech:

• Jan Dusík, Deputy Director-General, DG CLIMA, European Commission - Keeping the momentum going. How can the next MFF help citizens navigate through the energy transition?
  
  

13:50-14:05 Social dimension of the energy transition and clean air programmes

• Joanna Pandera, PhD, President, Forum Energii, European University Institute, School of Transnational Governance - From the EU regulatory framework to implementation – lessons for the future
  The presentation is available at the link: Social dimension of the energy transition and clean air programmes
  

14:05-15:10 Programmes supporting air quality improvement and energy transition

• Veli-Matti Uski, Director General, Ministry of the Environment, Finland
• Reena Badiani-Magnusson, Senior Economist, Energy and Poverty Practice Groups, World Bank
• Marcin Grądzki, Director of the Office of Air Protection and Climate Policy, Warsaw City Hall
• Pedro Gomes, Clean Vehicles & Air Quality Cluster Lead, POLIS
• Moderation: Joanna Pandera, PhD, President, Forum Energii, EUI -STG
  
  

15:10-15:25 Coffee break

15:25-16:00 FIRESIDE CHAT: What is needed to support citizens in energy transition?

• Dorota Zawadzka-Stępniak, President of National Fund for Environmental Protection, Poland
• Milena Damianova, Policy Coordinator - Social Climate Fund, DG CLIMA, European Commission
• Joanna Pandera, PhD, President, Forum Energii, European University Institute, School of Transnational Governance
  
  

16:00-17:00 Empowering regions through just transiting and driving future growth

• Paweł Olechnowicz, Policy Officer, DG Regional and Urban Policy Unit for Smart and Sustainable Growth, European Commission
• Annya Schneider, Europe Lead, Environment Program, Bloomberg Philanthropies
• Alexandru Kelemen, Director for Jiu Valley Integrated Territorial Development Association
• Corinna Zierold, Head of Just Transition, IndustriAll Europe, Belgium
• Moderation: Magdalena Chawuła, People, Cities, Regions Programme Director, Forum Energii
  
  

17:00-17:30 Closing remarks and networking coffee

Download the agenda: CONFERENCE Energy transition at your doorstep -AGENDA v-11 May