Polish Cities driving the energy transition
- 13 May
- 14 May
Held over two days, Decarb Cities 2025 in Krakow brought together more than 150 participants from across Europe to explore one of the most pressing challenges of our time: decarbonising urban heating and cooling.
Through five focused sessions, we tackled topics ranging from technical realities and financing options to city cooperation and EU policy frameworks. The event also featured a hands-on World Café, where participants joined small-group conversations on specific tools and challenges, and a memorable gala dinner at Kraków’s City Hall, hosted in partnership with local leaders.
We wrapped up with a site visit to one of Poland’s most advanced public buildings — the National Archives — showcasing a working ground-source heat pump system in action.
Input speakers included:
• Prof. Dr. Hab. Inż. Krzysztof Mendrok, Vice-Rector for Education, AGH University of Krakow
• Paul Kenny, Director, European Heat Pump Association (EHPA)
• Grzegorz Grzybczyk, Climate Officer, Department of Environment, Climate, Krakow City
• Ciaran Cuffe, Co-Chair, European Green Party, Former MEP & Rapporteur on EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
• Waltraut Schmid, Head of Energy, Urban Innovation Vienna
• Pawel Wrobel, Director, Polish Electricity Association Brussels (PKEE)
• Marek Miara, Heat Pump Coordinator, Fraunhofer ISE
• Kristina Lygnerud, Professor, Efficient Energy Systems, Lund Research University, Sweden
…and over 30 other speakers.
Organised by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) and the Polish Association for Heat Pump Technology Development (PORT PC), with the support of the City of Krakow, under the patronage of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union.
- 13 May
- 14 May
| Time | Duration | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| 09:30 - 10:30 | 1h |
Welcoming coffee and registration 📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater Hall |
| 10:30 - 11:00 | 0:30min |
Welcoming session 📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater
• Prof. Dr. Hab. Inż. Krzysztof Mendrok, Vice-Rector for Education, AGH University of Kraków
• Paul Kenny, Director, European Heat Pump Association, EHPA
Format: Keynote speeches
|
| 11:00 - 12:30 | 1:30min |
Session 1: The heat is on Kraków: a city showing the way 📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater
This panel will explore current decarbonization efforts in Kraków’s heating sector. The discussion will explore national and local incentives such as Czyste Powietrze (Clean Air) and Mój Ciepło (My Heat) Heat programmes in Poland, including the transition from coal-based heating, the role of renewable energy, and technological innovations such heat pumps and district heating. The panelists will discuss challenges, opportunities, and future goals for the city.
Moderator: Thomas Nowak, VP Public affairs and government relations, Qvantum Input speech: Grzegorz Grzybczyk, Climate Officer, Department of Environment, Climate, Krakow City
Panel discussion: • Paweł Lachman, President, PORT PC Format: Panel discussion
|
| 12:30 - 14:00 | 1:30min |
Networking lunch
|
| 14:00 - 15:30 | 1:30min |
Session 2: Keeping up with the neighbours: how cities inspire each other in the decarbonisation race 📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater
Moderator: Morgan Henley, EU Heating Sector Decarbonisation Campaigner, CEE Bankwatch Network Input speech: Ciaran Cuffe, Co-Chair, European Green Party, Former MEP & Rapporteur on EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Panel discussion:
Format: Panel discussion
|
| 15:30 - 16:00 | 0:30min |
Networking break 📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater |
| 16:00 - 17:30 | 1:30min |
Session 3: From laws in Brussels to local muscles: how the EU supports cities
This session will focus on how the EU can support cities like Kraków, as well as regional and European urban areas, in their decarbonisation efforts. Panelists will discuss EU funding, policies, and technical expertise that can help cities reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and meet climate goals. The conversation will highlight local initiatives in Kraków and explore broader strategies for urban climate action across Europe.
Moderator: Sarah Azau, Communications and events director, EHPA Input speech: Waltraud Schmid, Head of Energy, Urban Innovation Vienna, “Harnessing EU Support for Accelerating Urban Decarbonisation: Lessons from Vienna”
Panel discussion: • Małgorzata Smuczyńska, Vice-President, PORT PC Format: Panel discussion
|
| 17:30 - 18:30 | 1h |
Session 4: From theory to practice: how to decarbonise a city?
📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater
This session will explore practical steps, challenges, and opportunities in decarbonising urban areas, focusing on the role of city leaders, national policy, and industry in advancing climate action. In Poland, the shift to heat pumps is key to reducing carbon emissions, creating jobs in the green energy sector, and offering reskilling opportunities. The session will discuss how to accelerate decarbonisation through policy, energy system transformations, and the integration of heat pump technologies, boosting local economies and job growth in Poland.
Moderator: Adrian Hiel, Head of Media and Campaigns, Energy Cities Input speech: Marek Miara, Heat Pump Coordinator, Fraunhofer ISE: “Heat Pumps in Multi-Family Buildings for cities: Space Heating and Domestic Hot Water”
Panel discussion:
Format: Panel discussion
|
| 18:15 - 18:30 | 0:15min |
Wrap-up
📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater
Speech: Paul Kenny, Director, European Heat Pump Association, EHPA |
| 20:00 - 23:00 | 3h |
Gala dinner
Opening speech • Maria Wojtacha, Director of the Department of Municipal Affairs, City of Krakow |
| Time | Duration | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 - 11:00 | 2h |
World Café: Dragons’ den of decarbonisation: which pitch works best for your city? With table rotations every 15-20 minutes, industry representatives will pitch on existing tools/best practices for local, national, regional and EU players to design and roll out their strategy (technologies, planning and decision-making tools, business models, start-up ideas).
📍AGH University of Krakow, University Restaurant Krakus
Moderator: Paul Kenny, Director General, European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) Presenters:
Format: Roundtable
|
| 11:00 - 11:30 | 0:30min |
Networking break
📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater |
| 11:30 - 12:30 | 1h |
Session 5: Show me the money! How to finance the urban energy transition? This session will explore the complexities of financing the energy transition in urban areas, with a particular focus on the critical need for collaboration between public institutions, the private sector, and sector-specific stakeholders. While EU policies and financial instruments have made important strides, additional efforts are required to ensure that energy solutions for cities are scalable, sustainable, and integrated.
📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater
Moderator: Agnieszka Szymczyk, Senior Banker, Green Financial Systems, Climate Strategy and Delivery, European Bank for Reconstruction and Develoment Speech: Kristina Lygnerud, Professor, Efficient Energy Systems, Lund Research University, Sweden
Panel discussion:
Format: Panel discussion
|
| 12:30 - 12:35 | 0:5min |
Wrap-up 📍AGH University of Krakow, U2 Amphitheater Speech: Paul Kenny, Director, European Heat Pump Association, EHPA |
| 13:00 - 15:00 | 2h |
Networking lunch in the Old Town
📍Wesele Restaurant, Krakow main square – 15 minutes’ walk |
| 15:00 - 17:00 | 2h |
Site visit
📍National archives in Krakow Visit of an innovative ground-source heat pump installation at the National Archives of Krakow Guided tour by Jakub Koczorowski, Vice-President, Polish organisation of heat pump technology development (PORT PC) |
| 17:00 - 19:00 | 2h |
Cultural visit Guided city tour offered by the City of Krakow |