COP24 in Poland

United Nations Climate Change Conference COP24 will launch on the 2^nd of December in Katowice, Poland. For two weeks, the country will be the host to the most important politicians, economists, climate change experts and industry specialists.  The visitors, parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (“Rio Convention”), will review and implement measures towards climate protection. The conference is held annually. It is the third time that Poland is the host of the event.

The Updates of COP24 in Poland:

The purpose of COP is the implementation of the provisions of the Paris Agreement from 2015. During the climate change summit that took place in the capital of France, participating states vouched to take action to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures. Raising funds for climate action and helping developing countries is another important issue addressed at the COP conferences.

As the UN stresses, climate change is a problem that needs to be addressed globally, and the clock is ticking. According to a recently published report from the United Nations Environment Programme, global carbon dioxide emissions keep rising.

The themes of the conference are technology solutions, the human factor in transformation and nature and forest management. The World Bank Group will announce new climate targets for 2025. The event will be accompanied by photo and art exhibitions. The most important task, however, is negotiating the guidelines of the Paris Rulebook, a document specifying the procedures to be taken by the signees to the Paris Agreement.

The decisions made during the COP24 summit may have a decade-long effect on the global climate policy – says Michał Kurtyka, Polish Deputy Minister of Environment, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Environment, and Government Plenipotentiary for COP24 Presidency.

For two weeks Katowice will be home to over 26 thousand participants and 500 volunteers from around the world.

Implications for Banking and Business

Developments in the Polish banking sector affect businesses operating in the country in several ways. Access to corporate banking services, credit availability, deposit rates, and payment infrastructure are all critical factors for companies — whether established Polish firms or foreign-owned entities entering the market.

For foreign entrepreneurs setting up operations in Poland, choosing the right banking partner is a strategic decision. Major Polish banks including mBank, ING Bank Śląski, Bank Millennium, PKO BP, and Santander Poland offer varying levels of service for international clients, including English-language online banking, multicurrency accounts, and dedicated relationship managers for corporate clients.

The Polish banking market is well-regulated by the KNF (Financial Supervision Authority) and participates in the EU deposit guarantee scheme (BFG — Bank Guarantee Fund), providing deposit protection up to EUR 100,000 per depositor per institution. This regulatory framework provides stability and confidence for businesses maintaining corporate funds in Polish banks.

If you are doing business in Poland or considering entering the Polish market, Zalewski Consulting can help. Learn more about our personal income tax advisory, or contact us for a free consultation.