SELECTED ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN POLAND AND THE WORLD

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to identify and evaluate selected municipal government activities in environmental management for climate protection and to formulate recommendations for municipalities in this regard. The research methods used are: a literature review, and a quantitative analysis of CSO data on 13 specific indicators of municipalities (counties) on: climate change, air and groundwater protection, land use, biodiversity and waste management and qualitative analysis. The research examines the results of environmental management in municipalities in different parts of the world and on the territory of Polish municipalities (districts) of varying wealth. A comparative analysis of the management activity of municipalities (counties) in three groups of Polish local governments: the most wealthy, medium wealthy and least wealthy has been carried out. The study shows a higher intensity of pro-environmental activities among the more prosperous municipalities. The available CSO data are also insufficient to comprehensively assess the multi-faceted activity of municipalities in environmental management. The current priorities of local authorities and the natural conditions of the municipality due to its location are also important. It is recommended to increase the activity of municipal authorities, especially less wealthy ones, in environmental management, and to increase the activity of all municipalities in the legal protection of environmentally valuable areas and in the creation of biodiversity.