Less meat, dairy and travel
A group of politicians from Solidarna Polska criticized a program aligned with the C40 Cities initiative, describing it as not only a scandal but also a striking hypocrisy. The remark came after references to a report produced by the association of mayors from nearly 100 cities, which includes Warsaw among its signatories.
The C40 Cities report urges major cities to curb car ownership and extend the usable life of vehicles while boosting material efficiency. It projects a notable drop in urban car presence, suggesting as much as a 28 percent decrease by 2030 and a 39 percent decrease by 2050.
Additionally, the document envisions significant changes in fashion consumption, predicting a 39 percent reduction in new clothing purchases by 2030 and a 66 percent reduction by 2050.
The dietary recommendations mirror this conservational stance, proposing reduced intake of calories, dairy, and meat, with long-term aims that could drive reductions toward zero. The forecast indicates a 36 percent dietary decrease by 2030 and about 60 percent by 2050.
In Warsaw, the city council, according to local coverage, acknowledged positively the suggested measures, arguing that engagement with the Cities40 project could help implement climate policy and contribute to the city’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target of 40 percent. The idea is to leverage the initiative to accelerate local climate action.
When the topic emerged, the discussion intensified across political circles. Warsaw’s mayor faced questions and the responses included strong criticisms directed at opposing parties rather than direct policy replies.
Additionally, coverage highlighted debates around the C40 plan, referencing how city leaders handle governance and accountability in relation to the initiative.
“Is he going to distance himself from that as well?” was a recurring question after the mayor participated in the C40 Summit in Buenos Aires, as reported by local media outlets.
Trzaskowski should lead by example
At a Sejm conference, members of Solidarna Polska commented on the C40 Cities report. They emphasized that the recommendations advocate limiting meat, dairy, clothing purchases, car use, and air travel as part of countering the climate crisis.
Patryk Jaki, a member of the European Parliament, stated that signing a program allowing flights only once every two years would be a scandal and a sign of hypocrisy. He called for leadership from Rafał Trzaskowski, urging him to set an example by aligning his actions with the proposed policies.
Jaki suggested that Poles did not emerge from the communist era only to return to similar ideas embedded in the C40 agenda, framing the proposals as a step backward in political philosophy.
The call was for the mayor to demonstrate consistency with the signed agenda, avoiding perceived contradictions between public statements and private travel during its implementation.
SP criticizes Trzaskowski’s stance
During the conference, Solidarna Polska released a map detailing a number of business trips attributed to the Warsaw mayor. Critics argued that the demonstrated travel pattern contrasted with the aims of the C40 program.
According to the critiques, the mayor’s reported travel history over a four-year period exceeded what one might expect for the average citizen’s would-be holiday schedule, highlighting a tension between personal travel and policy rhetoric. Observers also noted that the set of assumptions within the report could imply that typical Warsaw families would face changes in holiday patterns and lifestyle costs.
Observers warned that implementing the C40 program might resemble a move that would introduce taxes or other measures affecting everyday goods, potentially making certain options less affordable for residents. These concerns were voiced by opponents who questioned the practicality and fairness of the proposed policies.
Overall, the discussion framed the C40 program as a political instrument with real-world implications for budget, travel, consumption, and local governance.
wkt/PAP/TT
(Attribution: wPolityce reports and local coverage cited in discourse surrounding the issue.)