More than 3000 participants from almost 100 countries had the opportunity to visit the Polish exposition, including those from several hundred companies active in the carbon market worldwide. Individual presentations of the Polish Green Investment Scheme took place during World Bank's seminar put on the Carbon Expo Agenda and at the Polish Stand throughout the Fair duration.

‘Poland's presentation of its Green Investment Scheme (GIS) during Carbon Expo proves an example of our country's proactive attitude towards the international trading in emission allowances. We are showing our stable and reliable scheme which guarantees realistic and measurable reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. And yet we encourage anyone concerned to cooperate. Spain, Ireland and also some private Japanese contractors have trusted us and entered the collaboration bonds. We are ready and prepared to the further cooperation’ said Professor Andrzej Kraszewski, Polish Minister of the Environment. ‘Each year, the Carbon Expo for three days becomes the worldwide centre of the carbon market and provides the biggest platform for bringing potential partners together. I believe, there is no better place in the world to meet new partners and prove that Poland has an excellent greening scheme in place.’

‘Both the negotiations Poland holds currently and its sales transactions concluded in the recent months, as well as the progressing implementation of its Green Investment Scheme, have caused our country being perceived as a reliable business partner. We wish we could use the AAU volume still ready for sales and the credibility of the Polish GIS to continue or even intensify the contracting actions on these remaining AAUs’ said Minister A. Kraszewski.

Next to Russia and Ukraine Poland has its disposable the third biggest AAUs cap worldwide, i.e. about 500 such units in 2008-2012 as a result of restructuring processes pursued during transformation of the Polish economy (30% of real emission reduction against 6% of that required under the Kyoto Protocol) in line with the 70% growth in GDP.

The contracts concluded so far (with Spain that amounts to EUR25 million, Ireland - EUR15 million, and two more ones concluded with private Japanese Partners at more than EUR40 million) have provided for the total combined amount of more than EUR80 million donations to investments. The donations in form of irredeemable grants with the GIS resources will attract additional resources under the financial leverage mechanism.

The sale contracts on the AAUs and implementation of the "greening projects" are feasible under the Polish Act of 17 July 2009 on the System to Manage the Emissions of Greenhouse Gases and Other Substances.

Proceeds from sales of the AAUs are transferred to the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management which keeps the respective climate account, resources from which are used for financing such greenhouse gas reducing investments those relate to biogas, biomass, modification of power transmission networks in view of integration of wind farms, modification and development of heat engineering sector, and energy management in public utility buildings. Those provide support to implementation of the commitments Poland assumed under the EU Energy and Climate Package.(MoE/RK)