[Interview] The Core of a Just Transition from Poland and the United Kingdom

[The Path to a Just Transition]
IV. Advice and Solutions for Korea
Poland: "Give Residents and Workers Confidence So They Do Not Feel Anxious"
United Kingdom Announces 'Clean Energy Workforce Strategy' as a Joint Effort of Government, Industry, and Labor

In the phase of energy transition, both the United Kingdom and Poland have adopted the principle of a just transition, ensuring that no one is left behind. The governments have taken the lead, engaging in ongoing communication with stakeholders such as local communities and regional governments to find practical alternatives. Janusz Piechocinski, President of the Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce, advised that when introducing alternative industries to regions where coal-fired power plants are being closed, the central government, local governments, and communities must cooperate to alleviate the concerns of residents and workers. Martin Kent, Trade Commissioner for the Asia-Pacific region at the UK Department for Business and Trade, emphasized the need for cooperation among labor, management, and government to ensure that stakeholders such as workers and fishermen are not marginalized during the energy transition process, and highlighted the importance of sufficient government funding for job retraining.

Janusz Piechocinski, President of the Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce

Janusz Piechocinski identified communication with residents and workers as the core of a just transition. Piechocinski played a leading role in drafting the "Energy Policy 2040 (PEP 2040)," the national energy strategy roadmap announced by the Polish government in 2021. Having served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Poland from 2012 to 2015, he is regarded as the architect of Poland’s first steps toward a just transition.

Piechocinski suggested, "It is important to provide real alternatives during the major transitions in the mining sector and coal-fired power plants, giving residents and workers confidence so that they do not feel anxious." He added, "Through fostering alternative industries, we must create new jobs and help coal industry workers understand that they can work in better environments and with improved wage conditions than before." He also stated, "If we persuade local residents that renewable energy, which enables cleaner facilities and a more sustainable environment, will replace coal power plants, resistance will decrease."

Janusz Piechocinski, President of the Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce (former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Poland), is explaining Poland's energy policy in Warsaw on June 26. Photo by Joo Sangdon

Poland plans to close its remaining coal-fired power plants by 2040 and its coal mines by 2049. Janusz Piechocinski said, "We are maximizing the potential of real estate and establishing special investment zones to build transportation and energy infrastructure." He added, "Of course, this requires thorough business preparation, attracting investors, and plans to secure budget funds or support from the European Union's transition funds."

Piechocinski emphasized that the closure of mines and power plants "is not limited to miners, engineers, or other workers at mines or power plants," and that "it has significant ripple effects on suppliers of coal industry-related products, transport companies, trading companies, and even sectors such as healthcare and education." He reiterated, "To meet these needs, close cooperation programs with regional authorities and local governments are necessary."

Profile: Janusz Piechocinski, President of the Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce

Since 2016, Piechocinski has served as President of the Chamber of Commerce. Previously, he was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Poland for three years starting in 2012. He is a five-term member of the Polish parliament and has served as leader of the Polish People's Party. He majored in economics and international trade at the Warsaw School of Economics.

Piechocinski warned that conflicts arising during the energy transition process must not be left unaddressed. He stated, "From the perspective of energy transition, we must turn the current crisis into an opportunity," and added, "When new alternatives are presented, past problems become new opportunities and lead to a better future." He further emphasized, "We must create new opportunities through alternatives, and the methods for a just transition must be multi-layered and complex."

Martin Kent, Trade Commissioner for the UK Department for Business and Trade

"The UK government will soon announce a 'Clean Energy Workforce Strategy' developed in cooperation with industry and labor unions. It aims to secure the skilled workforce needed to achieve the goal of becoming a clean energy powerhouse."

Martin Kent, Trade Commissioner for the Asia-Pacific region at the UK Department for Business and Trade, revealed that the Clean Energy Jobs Unit under the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will soon announce a workforce strategy. The UK government has made the renewable energy industry a core growth strategy, setting goals to ▲ strengthen energy security ▲ create high-wage jobs ▲ and respond to climate change. This transition in the UK provides significant implications for the Lee Jaemyung administration, which is considering establishing a Ministry of Climate and Energy. The proposed ministry would combine the climate sector of the Ministry of Environment and the energy sector of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, serving as a control tower for climate crisis response policies.

Having ended the coal era, the UK has rapidly transitioned to the renewable energy industry. In this process, the government is investing sufficient funds in job retraining to ensure that stakeholders such as workers and fishermen in related industries are not left behind. According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, one in five jobs will require new skills due to the transition to carbon neutrality, and an estimated three million workers will need retraining. The Clean Energy Jobs Unit is also focused on ensuring that new jobs created in this transition meet certain standards not only in terms of wages but also in working conditions. Kent explained, "The Jobs Unit is also pursuing policies to ensure that jobs in the renewable energy sector are 'good jobs' with fair wages, modern employment rights, and diversity."

Martin Kent, Trade Commissioner for the Asia-Pacific region, UK Department for Business and Trade. Photo by British Embassy Seoul

The UK government has accelerated the energy transition by establishing the state-owned energy company Great British Energy (GBE) in May. Recently, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an additional investment of 300 million pounds (approximately 557 billion won) in the offshore wind supply chain through GBE, drawing significant attention. Kent explained, "The 300 million pounds is part of an offshore wind supply chain support package worth up to 1 billion pounds," adding, "The package includes 400 million pounds to support new infrastructure such as port construction, manufacturing, research and testing facilities, and 300 million pounds from the offshore wind industry for new investments in advanced turbine technology and foundational structures within the supply chain."

Profile: Martin Kent, Trade Commissioner for the Asia-Pacific region at the UK Department for Business and Trade

Since September 2023, Kent has served as Trade Commissioner for the Asia-Pacific region, overseeing all business and trade affairs for the UK Department for Business and Trade in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia. He began his career at Boston Consulting Group in London and has primarily worked with multinational companies and overseas. In 2015, he joined the UK government as Deputy Director for Global Operations at UK Trade & Investment (the predecessor of the Department for Business and Trade). He graduated from St. John’s College, University of Cambridge.

Public-led technology development and investment lead to job growth. Kent added, "GBE's funding comes from government support secured through the spending review and is part of the 8.3 billion pounds (approximately 15.4 trillion won) clean energy investment budget allocated for this parliamentary term." The funding is based on the windfall tax (a 35% excess profits tax) collected by the UK government since 2022 under the name of the Energy Profits Levy.

Kent emphasized, "When a state-owned company takes charge of renewable energy operations, the government can absorb early-stage risks, thereby encouraging private sector participation." He added, "This enables long-term investment in job creation and technological innovation." He concluded, "The goal is to increase the domestic self-sufficiency rate of clean energy such as offshore wind, reduce dependence on energy imports, and ultimately stabilize energy costs in the long term."

This feature was supported by the Press Promotion Fund, financed by government advertising fees.