Another year of the LIFE project is behind us
Local anti-smog resolutions, hundreds of meetings of eco-managers with residents, training, workshops and educational campaigns are just some of the activities undertaken as part of the LIFE IP Małopolska project in a healthy atmosphere in 2021. Despite the difficulties related to the Covid-19 pandemic, many important tasks were successfully completed for the fight for clean air.
Anti-smog resolutions
On September 27, 2021, the Seymik of the Małopolskie Voivodeship adopted, at the request of municipalities, local anti-smog resolutions for: Skawina, Krzeszowice, Niepołomice, Rabka Zdrój, Czarny Dunajec, the city of Nowy Targ and the city of Oświęcim. They introduced a restriction on the installation of new coal-fired boilers and the need to replace all coal-fired boilers by 2030.
In May 2021, the Supreme Administrative Court finally dismissed all complaints against the anti-smog resolution adopted in 2017 for Małopolska. Thus, it confirmed the earlier judgment of the Provincial Administrative Court in Kraków that it complies with the law.
The resolution introduces the obligation to replace non-class coal and wood boilers by the end of 2022. Class 3 and 4 boilers can be operated for 4 years longer.
The activity of eco-managers in communes
One of the most important activities of the LIFE project was the creation of a network of eco-managers in the municipalities of Małopolska. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their work in 2021 was difficult. Despite these adversities, 66 eco-managers employed in the LIFE project carried out over 1.5 thousand jobs in 2021. educational meetings and workshops for over 102 thousand. residents. They were often organized outdoors, in the form of picnics and talks with the local community. There were also meetings with various groups – with the elderly, students and preschoolers, people interested in replacing the stove.
In addition, eco-managers helped residents by working in the office and in the field, providing over 152 thousand. advice on subsidy programs and anti-smog regulations. They also provided information materials – over 468,000 in total. air protection materials.
The activities of eco-managers are a significant support for residents in making decisions and completing formalities related to environmentally friendly investments, including, in particular, the replacement of furnaces. I encourage you to use their help in your commune – says Piotr Łyczko – deputy director of the Department of the Environment of the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolskie Voivodeship
Ecointervention application
Last year, almost 10,000 people reported using the Eco-intervention application. violations in the field of environmental protection. As shown by the data, the awareness of the inhabitants of the quality of the air they breathe is growing every year – 78% of reports concerned air pollution, 17% were related to illegal waste disposal, and the remaining 5% were registered in the other category, e.g. illegal waste discharge.
Training and information activities
The Marshal’s Office supported the communes and their employees with trainings on the possibility of obtaining funds from the Stop Smog program and methods of analyzing the problem of energy poverty in communes. He also organized workshops on the inspection of furnaces. A total of 511 employees of municipal offices, city guards and police officers were trained.
There were also extensive information campaigns regarding the anti-smog resolution for Małopolska. Information on the applicable regulations and encouraging the replacement of out-of-class boilers appeared on the air of regional and local radio stations, in the press and on websites.
Follow-up activities
In 2022, the fourth and final phase of the LIFE project implementation in Małopolska begins. It will be particularly important to continue information activities on anti-smog regulations and to help residents replace non-class coal and wood boilers.
Other regions in Poland and Europe are already benefiting from the experience of the LIFE project in Małopolska. The activities of eco-managers in communes increase the ecological awareness of the inhabitants and accelerate the exchange rate of the so-called “Kopciuchów”. On the other hand, the implementation of anti-smog resolutions brings specific effects of improving air quality in the region.
