Greenpeace Poland v. PGE Giec

In March 2020, Greenpeace Central Eastern Europe-Poland filed a lawsuit against PGE GiEK, a subsidiary of state-owned utility PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, at the Regional Court in Łódź. GP Poland demands that PGE GiEK stop any further fossil fuel investments and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its existing coal plants by 2030 at the latest. PGE GiEK is the biggest utility in Poland and also owns and operates Bełchatów’s power plant, the world’s largest lignite coal-fired power plant that produces an estimated 38 million tonnes of carbon each year, making it the biggest single source of carbon emissions in Europe. On average, PGE GiEK generates about 20% of Poland’s total annual carbon emissions.

Relevant Law and Principles

 * Environmental Protection Law (article 323)

Ruling
The case is currently awaiting trial.

Takeaways
While this case is against a private actor, it could move climate politics inside Poland and in the EU, as well as accelerate the energy transition at other utilities. It also has great engagement potential, as studies show that three in every four Poles agree that the economy needs to quit coal in the next decade.

Links

 * Sabin Center Database
 * Grantham Research Institute