Carbon dioxide emissions in Poland 2000-2021
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 284.2 million metric tons of CO2 in 2020, which is a overall decrease during this period. In 2021, the level of emissions increased, amounting to 309.1 million metric tons of CO2. Emissions peaked in 2011 at 324 million metric tons of CO2.
Energy industry emissions
In 2020, Poland’s fuel combustion sector accounted for almost 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 2021 produced approximately 130 terawatt-hours of electricity from hard coal and lignite. This accounted for 72 percent of total electricity production. In 2020, the Bełchatów coal power plant was the biggest polluter in Europe, emitting 30.1 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 2020, Poland’s fuel combustion sector accounted for almost 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 2021 produced approximately 130 terawatt-hours of electricity from hard coal and lignite. This accounted for 72 percent of total electricity production. In 2020, the Bełchatów coal power plant was the biggest polluter in Europe, emitting 30.1 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.
