Europejski Zielony Ład wyzwaniem dla transformacji polskiego przemysłu naftowego i gazowniczego

The article presents the assumptions of the strategic programme established by the European Commission called the European Green Deal. Its goal is to make Europe a climate neutral continent by 2050. The most important initiatives of this programme were discussed, such as achieving emission neutrality on a global level for CO2, including a wide range of renewable energy sources in the energy system, establishing a circular economy or achieving zero emissions of pollutants for a non-toxic environment. The objectives of the industrial transformation are presented, in which the main role is played by the energy sector focusing on decarbonisation and replacing fossil fuels (natural gas, oil, coal) with new carriers (hydrogen), reducing environmental degradation. Various labels of hydrogen (green, blue, violet, black) used in practice, depending on the source, are indicated. The so-called green hydrogen produced with the use of renewable energy (e.g. from photovoltaic power plants or offshore wind farms) enjoys full acceptance by the EU. It leaves the smallest carbon footprint in the process of generation. Attention was drawn to the hydrogen strategies developed in individual EU Member States, including Poland, which take into account not only new technologies of obtaining hydrogen, but also the entire complex of issues related to its transmission, distribution, storage and use. The discussion focused on the so-called hydrogen programs carried out in Poland by various State Treasury companies, as well as the Oil and Gas Institute – National Research Institute, concerning, among other things, a research station for the refuelling of vehicles with hydrogen, a hydrogen purification system or the creation of a laboratory for testing alternative fuels. Programmes supporting the transformation of the economy in the area of research, development and innovation, such as the Horizon Europe or Digital Europe framework programmes, are presented as a source of financing for these transformation efforts.