Transition In Poland Research Articles

Perspectives of Energy Transition in Poland with an Emphasis on Environmental, Economic and Technical Aspects

Perspectives of Energy Transition in Poland with an Emphasis on Environmental, Economic and Technical Aspects

Energy transition in Poland and Spain against changes in the EU energy and climate policy

The European Union climate policy and the subsequent energy transition are expected to cause fundamental changes in individual EU countries, their economies, and industrial sectors. Furthermore, in order to achieve them, high financial outlays are essential. The main purpose of the article is to present a comparative analysis of the pace, directions, and main factors of the energy transition in Poland and Spain against the changes in the EU energy and climate policy. In particular, the subject of the study is the changes in the fuel structure of electricity generation (energy mix) and the changes in the concentration of energy generation. The analysis concentrates on Poland and Spain against the background of the group of EU27 countries. The study adopted a long-term perspective (1990–2020). The methodology used taxonomic measures of variability of structures and measures of concentration, as well as measures of descriptive and mathematical statistics. The result of the research proves that the EU common climate and energy policy has explicitly accelerated changes in the energy mix, both in the EU27 and in the studied countries, including those traditionally based on coal. The concentration analysis demonstrated an increase in diversification resulting in a significant increase in the share of renewable and low-carbon sources. The taxonomic analysis additionally proved that there was a parallel process towards making the energy mix of the studied countries more similar to the EU27. The limitation of the research is the adopted triangulation arrangement of the studied structures (EU27, EU15, countries that accessed the EU after 2004), enforced in this pilot research, but possible to expand the field of perception in subsequent research. What serves as a proof of the originality of the study is the fulfilment of research gaps in the long-term study of the degree of changes in the concentration of the energy mix structure of EU countries, and especially the study of the degree of intensity of its similarity. The application value of the study is its use in the energy policies of countries traditionally based on coal for the indication of the taken position, the goals, and ways to achieve them based on the experience of other countries.

Pursuing European Green Deal milestones in times of war in Ukraine – a context of energy transition in Poland

Within the sustainable development (SD) paradigm, the European Green Deal (EGD) sets dynamic energy transition goals for the European Union (EU). However, diverse dynamics among member states, exacerbated by events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, directly influence this progress. This paper aims to present the energy transition course in EU countries up against the implementation of the objectives of the EGD. This paper conducts a thematic (scoping) literature review and comparative analysis of energy transition progress in all EU countries, concentrating on Poland, which faces unique challenges, including a sluggish pace of energy transition and the effects of the Russian invasion on Ukraine in this regard. Recommendations for Poland include an intensified focus on investments in renewable energy sources (RES) and low-carbon installations. The results demonstrate that collective success in SD necessitates each EU member fulfilling national climate goals, emphasising the need for a unified commitment to navigate complexities and build a sustainable future.

Green transition in Poland – opportunities and threats

Green transition in Poland – opportunities and threats

“Baltic Power” Energy Transition, Management of Renewable Energy Sources In Poland

The article takes up the topic of wind power plants in the Baltic Sea. Currently, many such investments are being built, as experts estimate the region's potential at 85GW. The paper reviews the achievements of wind power in Poland to date and forecasts their future development. It also highlights the impact of these solutions on the local community, environment and economy of the region. The article points out that wind farms in the Baltic Sea can play an important role in Poland's energy transition. It reviews data from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and the Ministry of Climate, from which it is clear that this energy sector is on an upward trend and worth investing in. One investment was selected which will be the first to be implemented and described in detail.

Overview of social attitudes and applications towards the use of crowdfunding in renewable energy

Background: Crowdfunding has become a popular method for raising funds for various projects, including those related to renewable energy sources. Research objectives: This paper aims to present crowdfunding and the social attitudes of the Poles towards its use in renewable energy sources. Research design and methods: The first section discusses the theoretical assumptions of crowdfunding and presents the possibilities of using this form of financing in the renewable energy sector in Poland and worldwide. The second section of the paper is devoted to presenting the results of my research on the attitudes of Polish society towards renewable energy sources and the use of crowdfunding in the energy transition in Poland and worldwide. The paper uses literature analysis, criticism, comparative analysis, desk research, and a survey method. Results: Crowdfunding is used extensively in various projects in the area of renewable energy sources. There is social support for this type of activity (especially in the age groups 18–29 and 30–44 years) and a growing awareness and openness to support initiatives in the area of renewable energy sources. Conclusions: Based on the analysis, it was concluded that crowdfunding allows local actors to optimize their share of the economic benefits of solar energy projects, including solar energy, and to participate in the energy transition at the same time.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INHERITANCE LEGISLATION IN UKRAINE AND POLAND: CIVIL AND TAX ASPECTS

This comprehensive study delves into the inheritance laws of Ukraine and Poland, shedding light on their common features and distinguishing factors. In an era of increasing cross-border estates and globalized family structures, understanding the intricacies of inheritance laws in these two nations is of paramount importance. The analysis begins by exploring shared legal terminology and concepts, such as "testament," "intestate succession," and the emphasis on family and kinship in determining inheritance rights. Both countries provide provisions for disinheritance under specific circumstances and establish succession rights for spouses and children, underscoring the significance of familial relationships. However, significant disparities emerge in several key areas. Variations in inheritance taxation structures are evident, with Ukraine employing preferential tax rates for close relatives, while Poland bases taxation on asset value. Formalities for creating valid wills diverge; Ukraine allows for simple handwritten wills, while Poland demands more formal notarial requirements. Ukraine's forced heirship provisions safeguard certain family members' minimum entitlement to the estate, a contrast to Poland's absence of strict forced heirship. The study underlines the influence of socio-economic factors, with Ukraine's post-Soviet heritage and Poland's transition from communism shaping their respective legal landscapes. It offers crucial policy recommendations, including the harmonization of inheritance taxation structures, balanced forced heirship provisions, and guidelines for cross-border estate planning. In an increasingly interconnected world, the need to harmonize inheritance laws becomes evident, ensuring fairness, predictability, and the protection of individual and familial interests. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of inheritance laws in Ukraine and Poland, providing valuable insights for individuals, legal practitioners, and policymakers navigating cross-border estate planning and succession cases.

Who are the key players in energy policy in Poland? The role of interest groups in energy transition

The paper presents an analysis of the role of interest groups in Poland's energy policy in the context of the EU climate and energy policy. The main aim of the analysis is to try to answer the question of who shapes the Polish energy policy, which stakeholders have the greatest impact on, who are the key players, and what kind of interest intermediation system has developed in the energy sector. Poland's energy mix is dominated by coal, which results from the ownership structure in the energy sector, strong influence of conventional (coal) energy companies and centralization of energy policy. The interests of coal energy companies are protected by the government both in Poland and at the EU level. The research puts forward a thesis that Polish energy policy is co-shaped by conventional energy companies, which leads to their monopolistic position and the formation of a neocorporatist model with elements of statism, and the process of illiberal backlash and creeping authoritarianism further strengthens their role. Privileging the interests of the state-owned energy companies hampers the process of energy transition in Poland, which is contrary to the EU's climate and energy policy.

From Authoritarianism to Democracy in Poland Catholic church, the Union Movement Solidarity and the History of Democratic Change

The paper examines the complex process of transition from a non-democratic to a democratic regime and the consolidation of the government system in Poland. The specificity of the democratic transition in Poland, in relation to other transitions in Central and Eastern Europe, is reflected in the nature of the non-democratic regime, which was more authoritarian than (post)totalitarian. Hence, while the communist regime was in force, social pluralism managed to be preserved to the highest possible extent. Preserved social and even political pluralism later contributed to success in the transition process. The military-party regime in Poland, after Gorbachev came to power in the USSR, applied the strategy of getting out that took the form of negotiations between the political position and the political opposition at the Round Table. The compromise ended the negotiations and brought about semi-free elections, on one, and the controlled democratic transition in Poland, on the other hand. The event was accelerated when, in semi-free elections, the popular Solidarity movement defeated the then-ruling communist group. The provisions of the Agreement were fully respected by both sides. In the end, after the Second World War, it was Poland whose citizens were the first to overthrow at the regular elections. The Round Table Agreement established the function of a strong president, who was directly elected. That function was first used by Leh Valensa, the leader of Solidarity. The extreme proportional election method and the fragmentation of Solidarity, in terms of the creation of several political parties, resulted in the establishment of a multi-party semi-presidential system. The change in the electoral system and the inappropriate tactics of the political parties that emerged from Solidarity enabled the left-wing government to come to power and ensured the post of president to a post-communist candidate (Darmanovi?, 2002). The transfer of power from Solidarity to their former rivals, who fundamentally changed, managed to end peacefully and Poland slowly entered the phase of consolidation of the government system.

Climate policy relevant sectors in the Polish commercial banks

The aim of the study is to estimate credit exposures and their changes in commercial banks' portfolios in terms of sectors important for climate policy, which exposes them to the risk of transition in Poland in 2013-2022. The research concerned the analysis of changes in the structure of the loan portfolio in terms of sectors relevant to climate change (CPRS) broken down by groups (green, black, brown, dirty), industries (fossil fuels, utility-electricity, production, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture), and types of activity divided into sections. The CPRS methodology was applied (Battiston), which is used in EiOPA, ECB, EBA. The share of green exposures of the entire banking sector in 2013-2022 increased (to 49%) and the share of dirty exposures decreased (to 51%). Due to the link between the sections, the three pillars of industries with the greatest risk to transformation among the CPRS were: buildings, transportation and manufacturing.

Authoritative and Class-Sensitive Parents: Parental Identities Shaped through Personal and Political Transitions

Memories that support our identity usually appear in narratives that we produce. This article presents research findings based on the analysis of biographical narratives of parents involved in the project entitled Parents, school and educational transition in Poland: 1989–2009 (University of Gdansk, 2006–2009). The parents told stories about their childhood (and school education in the former system) and about their parenthood by which they experienced the new social order (and their children’s school education). Being interested in identity work in the light of memory processes, the author analysed parts of interviews that reflect a specific type of influential memory. It resulted in a descriptive reconstruction of the parental identity, strongly informed by the parents’ recollections of their own school experience. On the one hand, memories seem to shape parents’ approaches to the teaching staff and the school. On the other hand, they show what parents learned throughout their transition from childhood to parenthood. Some aspects of identity remain the same, regardless of changing social and political contexts and regardless of personal educational transition. Still, parental identity, based solidly in the past, may determine the future of school education, particularly in terms of family – school partnerships.

Uczestnictwo obcokrajowców w kulturze lokalnej. Studium przypadku Krakowa

The Participation of Foreign Residents in Local Culture. A Case Study of Kraków The article focuses on participation in local culture from a lesser-studied perspective of foreign nationals residing in Polish cities, drawing on a case study of Kraków. In the first part of the article, the authors outline the context of the migration transition in Poland, meaning the passage between a country of net emigration towards a country of net immigration, which has dynamically changed the urban landscape. Next, the results of an exploratory study on foreign residents’ attitudes and experiences of culture in the public sphere in Kraków are presented, which are the testing ground for the analysis of the changing nature of engagement at the local level. This study points to several conclusions for further analysis, namely the overwhelmingly positive evaluation of the cultural sphere by foreign nationals, the potential for social anchoring through this sphere, and the new narratives of local identity that are emerging as a result.

Pedagogical hermeneutics at the time of political transition in Poland

The author analyzed the scientific dissertations of Polish scholars for whom hermeneutics as a direction of contemporary philosophy, including the method of researching ideas, theoretical premises of education and upbringing, contributed to the development of contemporary pedagogical thought and methodological self-awareness. The qualitative research paradigm requires researchers to be competent in understanding and interpreting the phenomena they are interested in. The aim of this article is therefore to make educators aware of the need to see in the analyzed dissertations from the period of the totalitarian state the use of hidden hermeneutics by scientists as a result of the existing political censorship. The freedom to conduct scientific research, regained in Poland after 1989, contributed to the dynamic development of general pedagogy, the theory of education and comparative studies of pedagogical thought. At the same time, the author warns against escaping from the freedom of a part of the scientific community as a result of subordinating the political correctness to the interpretation of the theories studied or the results of empirical research.

Going beyond frontiers in household energy transition in Poland—a perspective

Transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment is mainly driven by co-participation of households, whereas the residents’ transformation willingness is determined by various factors, including an environmentally-friendly attitude and greater public awareness. Simultaneously, the global push for a climate-neutral economy fuels the increasing emphasis on eco-consciousness and promotion of green investments. However, Poland still heavily relies on coal for energy production, despite the opportunities provided by the EU. Poland faces challenges in transitioning its households to cleaner energy sources, particularly due to historical conditions and the dominance of solid fuel boilers. This article shed light on the inefficiency of the energy transition process in Poland, presenting legal, economic, and social aspects. Despite multiple efforts, energy transition in Poland is not as buoyant as in other EU countries. Among the reasons for this phenomenon are the adverse behavior of residents, or government policies that favor the carbon-centric nature of the economy resulting in the low use of EU and state funds. This may lead to a continuation of the slower pace of change and eventually reaching the Frontier of development in Poland’s energy transition. The multitude of campaigns and initiatives encouraging Poles to switch to green energy should be underscored, but due to their scant ecological awareness and orientation towards economic rather than ecological considerations, existing measures should be reviewed. In view of the above, to ensure an effective transition, it is necessary to recognize and clearly define the incentives that would induce Polish households to use climate-neutral energy sources.Foreword: Monetary data has been standardized and, in view of this, the paper uses the euro (EUR) currency, including in places where the original data was given in a different currency. The exchange rate as of 12 June 2023 was used.

Analysis of Possibilities and Impediments for Poland's Transition to an Innovative Economy

This article examines the most significant sources of innovation funding available to Poland. It is also intended to address the barriers to becoming a more innovative economy faced by the country under study. As is widely accepted, innovation is a critical component of any country's economic development and competitiveness in today's world. However, there are countries in the European Union (EU) that, despite their overall development, have lower innovation rates than the European average.

Sectoral resilience through learning in networks and GVCs: A historical perspective on the food-processing and clothing industries in Poland

This paper investigates how inter-organizational learning in networks and global value chains (GVCs) has contributed to resilience in Poland's food processing and clothing industries. The Polish economy has been widely accepted as resilient since Poland's transition from a planned to a market economy. Through drawing on the regional resilience literature, this paper develops a network-oriented framework of sectoral resilience that integrates network evolution, inter-organizational learning in networks, and the role of history. It uses unique primary data from the period of Poland's abovementioned transition (1989–2001), which is complemented with secondary data on the networking activities of Polish firms in the two abovementioned sectors between 2004 and 2018. In turn, the firms' interactive learning is found to function as an important contributor to their path-dependent network trajectories and resilience. Moreover, knowledge networks and GVCs present different dynamics in terms of their effects on learning and result in uneven sectoral resilience. Learning from knowledge spillovers and by interacting with the co-existence of adaptation- and adaptability-related network characteristics has guided both the studied sectors towards developing short-term adaptive capacity for path-extension and sustainability. Learning from advanced science and technology (S&T) and education regarding exclusive adaptability-related network characteristics has driven Poland's food-processing industry's path-evolving long-term capability to be fully resilient.

Local resilience for low‐carbon transition in Poland: Frameworks, conditions and opportunities for Central European countries

AbstractPoland, with its objective of switching from a fossil‐fuel base to renewable sources of energy, is a textbook example of an energy transition economy. In this review, the challenges and opportunities for local resilience were identified, followed by an in‐depth analysis of Low Carbon Economy Plans (LCEP) in the 10 largest cities of Poland. The methodology included a bibliometric analysis of the peer‐reviewed studies published from 2010 to 2022, along with K‐means clustering (empirical analysis) of the selected Polish cities. The challenges and opportunities were classified into social (S), economic (E), institutional (I), political (P), technological (T) and environmental (EN) dimensions. Institutional and political dimensions were identified as having a relatively neglected niche in low‐carbon transition research, necessitating an empirical analysis of LCEP at the city scale. Exploiting the knowledge base of traditional sustainable activities, understanding the power relations between the politics, stakeholders and industry elements, and knowledge‐based governance were found vital for creating relevant policies. Three modes of development, multi‐activity goals (MG), energy transition goals (EG), and transport goals (TG) were identified for increasing local resilience. The results illustrate the need to understand low‐carbon policies and their impacts on both energy transitions and local resilience.

Predicting a Migration Transition in Poland and its Implications for Population Ageing

Predicting a Migration Transition in Poland and its Implications for Population Ageing

The Unpredicted Rise of Populism: The Case of Poland

Abstract This article investigates the rise of populism in Poland, applying an interdisciplinary method, with political, social, and economic factors as the compound reason for the turn from liberalism towards populism. The methodology of the study is the exploratory analysis of research, historical materials on Poland's transition to capitalism, and calculation of the selected empirical data of household incomes, linked to election results, in the regional cross-section. The household economic condition was validated by a report on deprivation and the presented growth of households’ disposable income, exposing regional differences between the selected voivodeships. The populist party Law and Justice (PiS) won the two last elections, with the majority of votes in low-income regions, which proved the hypothesis that economic inequality, amplified by globalisation and transition disparities were the main reasons for populism's prevalence. The democratic backsliding has not changed party-political scenery for very long, which revealed that for the majority of Polish voters, economic upgrading counted more, despite the violation of democracy. Therefore, the advance of knowledge about measures to reduce the in-country socioeconomic disparities between regions has become more important.

RES Market Development and Public Awareness of the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the Energy Transformation in Poland and Lithuania

Energy transformation in the European Union countries is progressing. Its scope is defined by formal and legal regulations and its effectiveness by the position of decision-makers, legitimised by public support for a particular type of challenge. Both issues are the focus of this article. The promotion of environmental protection measures is currently strongly promoted globally. Hence the widespread acceptance in principle of the changes associated with the implementing of the Green New Deal in the energy sector is not surprising. However, to what extent is knowledge of the solutions constituting the mainstream transition (renewable energy sources) ingrained among communities? Does the level of public awareness influence individual consumer choices, modelling the market? The threads outlined above inspired deliberations focused on analysing the assumptions behind energy transition in the EU, with particular reference to the countries directly bordering the line of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine (Poland, Lithuania), in the light of the resulting and escalating restrictions exacerbating the energy crisis. The immediate neighbourhood of the adopted countries, and their similar socio-economic conditions, provided the basis for comparisons and conclusions. The motivation for the choice of the issue and research area was to fill the clear information gap in this study area, strictly in relation to the adopted configuration of these countries. The research proceedings in the outlined area were primarily based on the methodology appropriate for capture and analysis of economic phenomena, enriched with the results of our own findings (questionnaire survey regarding general knowledge of the ZE market and consumer preferences), in order to assess the economic and environmental dimensions of energy transition in Poland and Lithuania and to assess the level of public awareness in this respect in the countries under study. The presented research is an important complementary element of the authors’ series of studies devoted to the analysis of the development of the renewable energy market in Poland and the Baltic States, related to the individual dimensions of RES. Their results give rise to the conclusion that increased social awareness in these countries determines the popularisation of RES solutions in individual use, regardless of their type, stimulating the progress of the energy transformation process.