Hazy Kraków
Historically coal has been the major energy, heating and even cooking fuel in Poland, but Kraków says it will introduce a ban on burning coal in households, offices and restaurants, despite protection of the industry becoming an election issue.
The Mayor is introducing the ban on coal use after an amended Environmental Protection Act was signed by the country’s new president, Andrzej Duda.
Poland’s second largest city is as famed for the filthy smog that cakes its buildings and streets, as for its beautiful historic buildings. Krakow is the third most polluted city in Europe with particulate matter pollution reaching six times the safe levels set by EU's environmental agency.
Household stoves burning coal are responsible for about half of Kraków’s smog pollution. The new law which was amended after a long-running battle with the courts gives local authorities the power to prohibit coal use in households, offices and restaurants.
Poland emits more greenhouses gases and sulfur dioxide from coal than any other European country, and also has the continent’s highest coal-related health costs, with around 45,000 premature deaths each year attributed to coal burning.
The coal industry is a major Polish employer, seen as a guarantor of energy independence. The protection of its future has become a major issue in the upcoming October elections, with the leading parties out-bidding each other in its defense.
All of Poland’s political parties are unanimous about protecting coal consumption so when, at local level, people start questioning its use for health reasons, it might become a game changer in the national debate.
The Kraków council now says it will move ahead with plans for new district heating networks, and revamped public transit networks. Vehicle access to the city center is being limited too, even though the national parliament rejected the introduction of low emissions zones in urban areas.
Poland has next to nothing in terms of oil or natural gas resources or reserves within its borders. Coal is plentiful and is depended upon for generating over 90% of Poland's electricity and a similar level for indoor heating during the winter.
The EU is putting enormous pressure on Poland to reduce reliance on domestic coal, but there is no economical substitute and mining is a time honored profession that ranks high in social status not only because of the dangers of the profession, but also the contributions coal energy has played over the centuries.
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| Kraków smog |
The Mayor is introducing the ban on coal use after an amended Environmental Protection Act was signed by the country’s new president, Andrzej Duda.
Poland’s second largest city is as famed for the filthy smog that cakes its buildings and streets, as for its beautiful historic buildings. Krakow is the third most polluted city in Europe with particulate matter pollution reaching six times the safe levels set by EU's environmental agency.
Household stoves burning coal are responsible for about half of Kraków’s smog pollution. The new law which was amended after a long-running battle with the courts gives local authorities the power to prohibit coal use in households, offices and restaurants.
Poland emits more greenhouses gases and sulfur dioxide from coal than any other European country, and also has the continent’s highest coal-related health costs, with around 45,000 premature deaths each year attributed to coal burning.
The coal industry is a major Polish employer, seen as a guarantor of energy independence. The protection of its future has become a major issue in the upcoming October elections, with the leading parties out-bidding each other in its defense.
All of Poland’s political parties are unanimous about protecting coal consumption so when, at local level, people start questioning its use for health reasons, it might become a game changer in the national debate.
The Kraków council now says it will move ahead with plans for new district heating networks, and revamped public transit networks. Vehicle access to the city center is being limited too, even though the national parliament rejected the introduction of low emissions zones in urban areas.
Poland has next to nothing in terms of oil or natural gas resources or reserves within its borders. Coal is plentiful and is depended upon for generating over 90% of Poland's electricity and a similar level for indoor heating during the winter.
The EU is putting enormous pressure on Poland to reduce reliance on domestic coal, but there is no economical substitute and mining is a time honored profession that ranks high in social status not only because of the dangers of the profession, but also the contributions coal energy has played over the centuries.
posted by Denny @ 1:27 AM
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