From Sunday, Warsaw will be coal-free. This is another city that is introducing such regulations. From October 1, it will not be possible to burn coal in stoves and fireplaces in the capital. This is the result of an anti-smog resolution for the Mazovia region implemented by the Regional Assembly of Mazovian Voivodeship. What is the reality of smog in our country? The heating season is fast approaching.
Mazovia fights for clean air
There are already a series of regulations in our country aimed at fighting smog. One example is the resolution introducing restrictions and bans on the operation of facilities in which fuel is burned in the Mazowieckie province area. This has been in force for several years. In April last year, the Mazovian Voivodeship Regional Assembly adopted an amendment to it, which entered into force a month later. This amendment tightened the anti-smog regulations by including, among others, a provision stating that from October 1, 2023, a complete ban on burning coal and solid fuels made using coal will enter into force in Warsaw city. The same document introduces a ban on burning coal in the communes surrounding Warsaw from 2028.
The fact that more and more initiatives are being undertaken in our country in the fight against smog is encouraging. According to the official website of the city of Warsaw – the capital supports residents in giving up coal burning, providing funding for the elimination of smoky stoves in their homes. Applications for funding can be submitted at all times. Currently, residents can count on support of up to 70%. Government programs, such as Home Solar and Clean Air, also contribute to the development of the renewable energy sector in Poland, encouraging investment in photovoltaic installations and providing subsidies for heat pumps in Polish homes. However, there are no electricity tariffs designated for heat pump users, which could be a hindrance in the future for those who want to invest in renewable energy.
Do we have a chance for clean air?
The heating season will start soon. As always at this time, we can expect increasingly frequent announcements about smog. One of the main causes of smog is the emission of harmful dust and gases at low altitude, mainly caused by burning solid fuels – especially low-quality coal. The European Parliament has recently adopted stricter limits by 2035 for a number of pollutants. Moreover, air quality indicators in Europe are to be harmonised, and EU countries must prepare schedules for air quality to meet these requirements.
The arrival of the heating season can be a source of stress and anxiety for many people. In the context of unstable economic situation and rising energy prices, we fear that we will have to allocate a large portion of our budget for heating bills. This is confirmed by a study conducted by Euros Energy, which shows that 73% of respondents feared that they will pay higher bills in the heating season (definitely yes, rather yes) – points out Tomasz Walczak, CTO of Euros Energy.Another cause for concern is the quality of the air we will be breathing – he adds.
According to the latest report by HEAL and Polish Smog Alert, in the heating season of 2022/23 in Poland, out of 211 places covered by air pollution monitoring, only 30 lived up to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines concerning the maximum number of days exceeding the recommended limits for PM10 suspended dust particles.
