After lobbying by countries such as France and Poland, the European Commission reportedly plans to label some natural gas and nuclear energy projects as „green” investments.
The move comes as part of a bid „to help financial markets decide what counts as sustainable investment,” according to a report in the Financial Times (FT) last Saturday. Natural gas and nuclear energy will be considered „green” as long as countries using them meet certain environmental criteria.
While some reportedly see the investments as controversial, they may prove essential in balancing demands for carbon neutrality and energy security, as renewable energy sources may not be stable and efficient enough in some EU countries.
During a summit of European Union leaders in December, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki actively sought to ensure EU support for financing gas and nuclear power plants under the EU’s new “Fit for 55” package.
The package is part of the European Green Deal and includes a series of climate legislative proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030.
Source: Radio Poland, consilium.europa.eu
Poland is ramping up its fight against COVID-19 by launching vaccination drives for young children and encouraging booster shots for those already vaccinated.
As of Sunday, more than 21 million out of 38 million residents had been fully inoculated in Poland, according to Polish Health Ministry data, and a total of 6,674,483 coronavirus booster shots had also been administered.
At the start of last month, third „booster” doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were made available to all adults in Poland, and starting this month, health officials have launched a vaccination drive to innoculate children between the ages of 5 and 11.
According to Health Minister Adam Niedzielski, COVID-19 vaccinations will be compulsory for healthcare workers, teachers, and law enforcement personnel starting March 1.
Poland on Sunday reported 7,179 new coronavirus infections and 33 more deaths related to COVID-19.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP, statista.com
A popular program offering free legal advice to needy Gda?sk residents is set to continue in 2022.
According to representatives from the Municipal Social Welfare Center (MOPR) in Gda?sk, over 10,000 people benefited from free legal advice and mediation in 2021.
Residents who cannot afford to consult a lawyer will be able to continue using free legal assistance at nineteen locations around Gda?sk. The sites provide access to lawyers, citizen advisers, and mediators, and on-site support relating to family, work, insurance, or inheritance matters can also be arranged.
The assistance is provided through non-governmental organizations and the Gda?sk branch of MOPR. Those seeking to take advantage of the services should make an appointment in advance for a visit or telephone advice.
For more information, visit www.bip.mopr.gda.pl.
Source: Radio Gda?sk
Poland’s Aron Dom?a?a and his pilot Maciej Marton won Stage 2 yesterday in the UTV category of the 44th edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.
In Stage 1, the team finished fifth in the UTV category, a mere 45 seconds behind Marek Gocza? and his pilot ?ukasz ?askawiec in first, and Marek’s brother Micha? Gocza? and pilot Szymon Gospodarczyk in second.
Last year’s overall runner-up, Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah, leads the race in the car category after winning both the prologue and Sunday’s stage, marking a solid start to his bid for a fourth victory in the event. He was joined in the top ten by Poland’s Jakub Przygo?ski and his German pilot Timo Gottschalk in ninth place.
Described as „an off-road endurance event” for professionals and amateurs, the annual Dakar Rally features many different classes of vehicles, from motorbikes to quads to cars. This year’s rally will run from Saturday, January 1, to Friday, January 14.
Source: Radio Poland, dakar.com
Weather
Today will be cloudy and cold, with a good chance of rain showers in the afternoon and a strong breeze coming in from the west. Temperatures will peak around a high of 8°C, or 47°F, dropping slightly to an overnight low of 6°C or 42°F. Tomorrow will again be rainy and overcast, with a chance for more snow later in the week.
EP/am
