Carbon dioxide emissions in Poland 2000-2019
Since the turn of the century, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Poland have seen little change. Levels amounted to 303.9 million metric tons in 2019, which is an overall increase during this period. Emissions peaked in 2010 at 323.8 million metric tons.
Energy industry emissions
In 2016, Poland’s energy industry accounted for 52 percent of the country’s CO2 air emissions, with most of this caused by the burning of coal. Poland is heavily reliant on coal, and in 2018 produced approximately 130 terawatt-hours of electricity from hard coal and lignite. This accounted for almost 80 percent of total electricity production. That same year the Bełchatów coal power plant was the biggest polluter in Europe, emitting 38.2 megatons of CO2 equivalent. It is the largest lignite-fired power station in the world.
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 2019 survey with Polish residents, 62 percent believed air pollution was the most important environmental issue facing Poland.
Energy industry emissions
In 2016, Poland’s energy industry accounted for 52 percent of the country’s CO2 air emissions, with most of this caused by the burning of coal. Poland is heavily reliant on coal, and in 2018 produced approximately 130 terawatt-hours of electricity from hard coal and lignite. This accounted for almost 80 percent of total electricity production. That same year the Bełchatów coal power plant was the biggest polluter in Europe, emitting 38.2 megatons of CO2 equivalent. It is the largest lignite-fired power station in the world.
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 2019 survey with Polish residents, 62 percent believed air pollution was the most important environmental issue facing Poland.
