Legislative Changes in Poland in 2025: Environmental Protection, Electromobility & Energy Sector

The year 2025 will bring a series of key legislative changes in Poland and the European Union, significantly impacting environmental protection, the development of electromobility, and the energy sector. These new regulations address challenges related to the climate crisis, energy transition, and the need to meet the EU’s sustainable development goals.

New CO₂ Emission Standards for Combustion Vehicles

From January 1, 2025, stricter CO₂ emission standards for new passenger cars and vans will come into force across the European Union. Manufacturers will need to adapt their fleets to meet the following new emission limits:

• Passenger cars: average 93.6 g CO₂/km
• Vans: average 153.9 g CO₂/km

Compared to 2021 levels, this represents a 15% reduction in emissions for both vehicle categories during 2025–2029, with further reductions leading to a 100% decrease from January 1, 2035.

In practice, manufacturers must increase the share of zero- and low-emission vehicles in their offerings. It is estimated that by 2025, one in four newly registered passenger cars will need to be zero- or low-emission.

Non-compliance with these standards will result in financial penalties of €95 for each gram of CO₂ exceeding the limit for every vehicle sold.

New Waste Management and Recycling Laws

In Poland, a revised Waste Act will take effect in 2025, introducing changes to the organization of construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) management. The most significant changes include:

• introduction of a unified system for selective collection of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) to increase recycling rates,
• allowing the transfer of C&DW to authorized entities for segregation outside the site of generation.
• producers of C&DW will remain responsible for its segregation, even after transferring it to other entities.
• budgetary reserve funds will be allocated to municipalities for the removal of illegal waste that poses risks to human health or the environment. Financial support provisions for municipalities will be temporary, applicable from 2025 to 2027, depending on available funds.

The new laws aim to improve waste management efficiency and increase municipal waste recycling rates, which must reach a minimum of 55% by the end of 2025. 

Renewable Energy Development

Last year, the EU adopted amendments to the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), replacing its earlier version (RED II). The EU now has legally binding climate targets covering all key economic sectors.

The new RED III Directive sets a binding renewable energy (RES) target of at least 42.5% in the energy mix by 2030, compared to the previous target of 32%. An additional voluntary goal of 45% RES by 2030 has also been established. This practically doubles the current share of renewable energy in the EU’s energy mix.

Poland, as part of its updated National Energy and Climate Plan, has committed to achieving a 26.1% share of RES by 2025 and 31.6% by 2030. These updates are in response to higher EU demands, partly driven by the energy crisis stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

ReFuelEU Aviation

The EU Council adopted the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, outlining rules for promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). These regulations introduce minimum SAF blending levels with conventional jet fuel by fuel suppliers at EU airports.

The new rules aim to decarbonize aviation and meet EU climate targets for 2030 and 2050. The regulation mandates that fuel suppliers provide airlines with fuel blends containing:
a) 2% SAF by 2025,
b) 6% SAF by 2030,
c) 70% SAF by 2050.

Additionally, starting in 2030, a minimum 1.2% share of synthetic fuels is required, increasing to 35% by 2050. The regulation also includes a requirement for airlines to refuel at least 90% of their fuel needs at EU airports to prevent emissions caused by additional fuel weight.

Sustainable aviation fuels include certified biofuels, renewable fuels of non-biological origin (e.g., green hydrogen), and recycled carbon fuels meeting sustainability criteria outlined in RED II. However, biofuels made from food and feed crops are excluded.

A European system for labeling environmental efficiency will be introduced for operators using SAF, helping consumers make informed choices and encouraging greener flights.

The regulation will take effect 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal, with key provisions on aviation fuel requirements applicable from January 1, 2025.

New Energy Efficiency Regulations for Buildings

By 2030, all newly built buildings in the European Union will be required to meet “net zero emissions” standards. In practice, this means that new buildings will consume minimal amounts of energy, and all energy used to power them will come from renewable sources.

In Poland, stricter requirements will be introduced regarding the thermal insulation of buildings, heating systems, and smart energy management systems. Developers and investors will need to use modern technologies to meet these new standards.

Clean Transport Zones and Zero-Emission Buses

Under amendments to the Electromobility and Alternative Fuels Act, cities with populations exceeding 100,000 will be required to establish Clean Transport Zones (CTZ) starting in 2025, if air quality assessments show excessive nitrogen dioxide levels. This currently applies to cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Katowice, and Wrocław.

Additionally, from January 1, 2026, municipalities with populations over 100,000 must purchase only zero-emission buses for public transport.

The amendment also requires national and local government entities in municipalities with over 50,000 residents to ensure that at least 22% of their vehicle fleets are electric. This requirement has been reduced from the previous 30%.

New regulations, new challenges

The year 2025 will be pivotal in introducing new legislative measures across Poland and Europe. These changes aim not only to reduce environmental impact but also to modernize the energy and transport sectors. While businesses and citizens will need to adapt to the new requirements, long-term benefits, such as improved air quality, reduced CO₂ emissions, and increased energy efficiency, are undeniable.

Prepare for the changes! Contact our law firm, for comprehensive support in adapting your business to the new regulations. Our team of experts will help you understand the key changes and help you avoid risky mistakes.