Conference Program

How does the ecological crisis impact the economy of a nation-state? Indeed, how does it impact the economy of the world?

By way of grappling with these questions and exploring the nature of the relationship between the ecological crisis and the global political economy, this paper argues that based on the existing evidence of the industrial policies of the leading nation-states, especially the United States, the trajectory of the global political economy appears to be promising. That is to say, in light of the ecological crisis, the nation-state individually, the regional bloc collectively, and indeed the world have to take action on climate and national security.

This turn to industrial policies, individually by the government of each nation-state and collectively by all the governments around the world, seems to be catalyzing a wave of private investments much bigger than what might be expected from the size of government subsidies alone such that a virtuous cycle seems to have been produced.

The important implication of this argument about a changing climate, a changing world is that with the right leadership the industrial policy (individually and globally) is very likely to not only spur economic growth but also meet the challenge of the ecological crisis.

Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out a “supremely ambitious and transformational vision” meant to “shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path” for “the full benefit of all”. The design of the SDGs aims for their global and universal character. They intend to help overcome global development disparities at the level of all countries. Completion of the SDGs is set for the year 2030. It means that now is the time to start debate about the achieved outcomes and future plans. This situation raises a question how the efforts of implementation of the SDGs so far have impacted the global development gap. The paper focuses on exploration of the SDGs as a factor of convergence in global development. It poses a question whether contrary to the original intentions of overcoming development gap between the Global South and the Global North, SDGs may actually contribute to its consolidation. This argument is based upon preliminary research indicating that despite of the intended universality of the SDGs, there are persisting differences between how developing and developed countries are engaged in the implementation of the framework. By analysing sustainable development policies of countries at distinct stages of development, the paper intends to provide arguments to the forthcoming debate about a new future global agenda.

European Union is the strongest promotor of corbon taxation on international scene. While pushing for politically important Green Deal it introduced CBAM mechanism that can have deep consequences for both internal balance of interest and EU position in world trade system. Paper is set to analyse how it potentially affects EU's role as a trade organiser and multilateralism promotor using the frameworl providedby geoeconomy paradigm. It argues that EUs actions are more connected with norm-promotion than environment protection. Mainstreaming responsibility for the planet is internal tool for modernisation push; it's external dimension can result both with deeper cooperation and fragmentation of global economy.

The European Union already plays a leading role in global action on climate and biodiversity and wants to set an example for the rest of the world. The goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, together with the EU, has already been declared by other countries, e.g. Japan and Korea. For Poland, the Green Deal is an opportunity to transition to a low-emission economy and move away from an economy that consumes non-renewable natural resources.

Energy transformation is a significant challenge for Poland, but it is also the direction in which the European Union is heading. In Poland, reducing the emission intensity of the economy will focus, among others in areas such as: energy system, construction, industry, transport, households.The problems are related to the implementation of the law in specific areas, which is progressing too slowly. Poland faces new challenges in the perspective of the new government after the elections in 2023.

In connection with the above, we can ask, among others, the following research questions: To what extent will there be progress in the implementation of legislation in the area of the European Green Deal? Are there any threats resulting from the time pressure set by the European Union towards the Member States? How will the European Green Deal affect the Polish economy? Does Poland have real chances to influence the implementation of EU law and the implementation of the European Green Deal within the new term of office of the European Union Institutions (EC, EP, Council, etc.).