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Southern Poland is one of the most polluted regions in the EU. Over the past decade, the population of the Małopolska region has been exposed to very poor air quality, particularly during the winter season, with high concentrations of coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particulate matter and benzo(α)pyrene (BaP), exceeding EU standards. The major source of air pollution in Małopolska is the burning of coal in obsolete household boilers and furnaces for domestic heating. In parts of Małopolska, the EU limit value for NO2 is also exceeded as a result of emissions from road traffic.
An air quality plan was drawn up for the region of Małopolska in 2009. An investigation into the source of air pollutants in the provincial capital, Kraków, identified domestic heating using coal and other solid fuels as the principal source. In 2013, the air quality plan was updated to include a ban on solid fuels, which came into force in September 2019. To support the transition away from solid fuel use, authorities established a programme to replace coal boilers and modernise household heating systems. This was supported by funding from the LIFE Programme and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and awareness-raising campaigns. Kraków adopted an anti-smog resolution in 2016.
A LIFE integrated project was initiated in 2015, with the aim of accelerating the implementation of the air quality measures set out in the Małopolska air quality plan. Actions included:
For the period 2012-2019, the cost of replacing domestic heating systems in Kraków was estimated at approximately €76 million. During that time, 25,182 coal and wood devices were replaced with gas-fired boilers, district heating, electric heating, heat pumps and oil-fired boilers. The local shield programme - which provides funding to improve the quality of life of local communities - subsidised the increased costs of heating for residents, at a cost of over €3 million. It supported over 11,000 households over the period 2015-2020. The cost of inspecting domestic heating systems was about €2.6 million.
In the Małopolska region outside Kraków, the replacement of solid fuel heating systems is still ongoing. All together 36,660 solid fuel boilers have been replaced until the end of 2020 and an estimated 400,000 boilers still needs to be liquidated.
The Regional Assembly of the Małopolska Region adopted anti-smog measures, with implementation at the municipal level. The pace of boiler replacement largely depended on the municipality’s involvement in the process. Non-governmental organisations had a key role in supporting the anti-smog resolution.
Location
Kraków and Małopolska region, Poland
Type of measure
Regulatory measures to control emissions from residential heating
Target pollutants
Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM10)
Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5)
Benzo(α)pyrene (BaP)
Pollution source targeted
Domestic heating
Website
A short description of the anti-smog resolution
LIFE integrated project implementation of air quality plan for Małopolska region
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/managing-air-quality-in-europe/anti-smog-measures-in-the or scan the QR code.
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