Work on updating the Air Quality Plan has begun

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The Air Quality Plan for the Malopolska Region is a strategy that will indicate how to achieve compliance with the air quality standards in the Malopolska Region. The Program adopted in 2013 by the Sejmik of the Malopolska Region indicated who is to be responsible for exceeding the limits and what should be done to make the inhabitants of the Malopolska Region breathe healthy air. The main cause of significant amounts of pollutants in the air were the low-quality, obsolete appliances for solid fuels used in the communal-housing sector, but also the high intensity of transport influencing high levels of nitrogen dioxide in Krakow.

Since then, three years have elapsed, and the effects of the implemented actions include 22 thousand of the old sources of coal burning replaced and investments worth PLN 585 million. This resulted in the reduction by more than 350 tons of particulate matter and 180 kg of harmful benzo (a) pyrene. The currently being updated Air Pollution Program under the legislation is expected to revise how the objectives and actions set out in the previous Program are likely to be implemented and what can be additionally accomplished to achieve significant improvements in air quality. On the basis of a new diagnosis of the causes of poor air quality, a new strategy of action will be established, which will enable the Malopolska Region to operate in a healthy atmosphere.

We expect the Program to be co-created with the residents, local governments and institutions that have an impact on creating ecological awareness. We encourage everyone to take an active part in the development of the air quality improvement strategy in the Malopolska Region by participating in public consultations and submitting their proposals and comments. By 29 July, every resident, organization or institution can submit comments and requests that will be analyzed in the context of the document being prepared. They can be sent electronically to the following e-mail address: powietrze@umwm.pl or to the following address: Marshal’s Office of the Malopolska Region, Environment Department, 56 Racławicka, 30-017 Krakow.

In September, a series of consultative meetings will be held in Krakow, Tarnow, Nowy Sącz, Chrzanów and Nowy Targ, during which analyzes will be presented on the proposed pollution mitigation measures under the new Program. The draft of the Air Quality Plan for the Malopolska Region in November 2016 will be subjected to proper social consultations and opinions expressed by municipalities and counties. At the same time, every resident will be able to present their position, submit their comments and proposals related to the draft document.

On the website powietrze.malopolska.pl/aktualizacja-pop you will find information on the current progress of work, planned consultations and source materials that are used in the work on updating the Program.

We encourage active cooperation in updating the strategy for improving air quality in the Malopolska Region.

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