Carbon dioxide emissions in Poland 2000-2020
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Poland fluctuated during the observed period. However, since 2018, a decreasing trend in CO2 emissions can be observed. Levels amounted to 279.6 million metric tons in 2020, which is a overall decrease during this period. Emissions peaked in 2011 at 324 million metric tons.
Energy industry emissions
In 2019, Poland’s fuel combustion sector accounted for 92 percent of the country’s CO2 emissions, with most of this caused by the burning of coal. Poland is heavily reliant on coal, and in 2019 produced approximately 120 terawatt-hours of electricity from hard coal and lignite. This accounted for almost 70 percent of total electricity production. That same year the Bełchatów coal power plant was the biggest polluter in Europe, emitting 32.7 megatons of CO2 equivalent.
Environmental concerns
According to the World Health Organization, 42 out of 100 European cities with the highest levels of air pollution were in Poland. In a 2020 survey with Polish residents, 46 percent believed air pollution was the most important environmental issue facing Poland.
Energy industry emissions
In 2019, Poland’s fuel combustion sector accounted for 92 percent of the country’s CO2 emissions, with most of this caused by the burning of coal. Poland is heavily reliant on coal, and in 2019 produced approximately 120 terawatt-hours of electricity from hard coal and lignite. This accounted for almost 70 percent of total electricity production. That same year the Bełchatów coal power plant was the biggest polluter in Europe, emitting 32.7 megatons of CO2 equivalent.
Environmental concerns
According to the World Health Organization, 42 out of 100 European cities with the highest levels of air pollution were in Poland. In a 2020 survey with Polish residents, 46 percent believed air pollution was the most important environmental issue facing Poland.
