Extreme weather events have inflicted a staggering €20.1 billion cost on Poland’s economy since 1980, translating to over 86 million zł daily losses. Experts are warning that the situation is poised to deteriorate further.
Disruptions in supply chains, power outages, and soaring operational costs are tangible repercussions of rising temperatures that are increasingly impacting the Polish economy.
A report titled “Resilient and Strong Poland” from the Climate & Strategy foundation reveals that losses attributed to climate change have reached €20.1 billion since 1980, with a significant €4 billion incurred in the past three years alone.
It is estimated that approximately 19% of these losses can be directly traced to heatwaves, marking Poland as the fifth highest in the European Union in terms of economic impact.
Heatwaves Cost Poland Billions
The effects of high temperatures result in decreased productivity, agricultural challenges, and increased business operating costs. Data indicate that even brief heatwaves can lead to substantial economic losses.
According to the Polish Economic Institute, during the record heatwave in August 2015, which lasted 13 days, the Warsaw metropolitan area alone lost approximately 110 million zł daily due to diminished productivity. Agricultural areas suffer even more severe losses, with annual crop losses from droughts potentially exceeding 6 billion zł.
Martyna Kajzerek from Climate & Strategy notes that what is observed in Europe in June 2026 should not be considered an anomaly but rather a new norm occurring sooner than scientific predictions anticipated. The World Meteorological Organization estimates a 91% probability of another temperature record being set between 2026 and 2030. The pace of warming consistently outstrips researchers’ models, with economic costs impacting both the environment and the economy.
Experts stress that businesses must increasingly factor climate risk into their operational and investment strategies.
Europe Faces Rising Costs Due to Climate Change
The surge in temperatures isn’t just a Polish issue; companies across Europe are facing similar challenges, from logistical disruptions to reduced employee productivity.
Data from the European Environment Agency indicates that losses from extreme weather in the European Union total around €738 billion from 1980 to 2023.
Many decision-makers remain unaware of the extent to which climate change can affect economies. According to a report by ClientEarth and the Institute of Reforms, Poland could lose up to 124 billion zł annually by 2050 due to climate change effects.
Businesses Must Adapt to New Realities
Experts from Climate & Strategy emphasize that adapting to climate change must become a top priority for Polish businesses. This includes not only reducing emissions but also preparing for increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
The primary focus should be on minimizing companies’ emissions and their environmental impact. However, it is becoming increasingly crucial to plan adaptive strategies for climate change, which is evidently unavoidable. Analyzing the physical impacts of climate change on businesses, their specific locations, and supply chains must be the starting point.
In Poland, key climate risks involve water availability and extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and floods. The most vulnerable sectors include food production, agriculture, energy, and companies with extensive international supply chains, according to Lukasz Dobrowolski from Climate & Strategy.
