Low-emission economy plans as a chance for sustainable development of municipalities in Poland

Poznan University of Economics, Faculty of Commodity Science, Department of Commodity Science and Ecology of Industrial Products, Al. Niepodległości 10, 61-875 Poznań, Poland

^a Corresponding author: kinga.switalska@ue.poznan.pl

Abstract

Adequate low-emission policy should activate society to take action to achieve the benefits of improving the environment. According to the National Programme for the Development of Low-emission Economy, low-emission transformation is a direction for changes of Polish economic model, which could solve the problem of natural resources depletion. The document, that determines the direction of economic transformation, is the Lowemission Economy Plan (LeEP). It is a derivative of the commitments it has made by Poland in the framework of international agreements to reduce emissions. The results of the study will be presented, which include the analysis of the plans of low emission economy for municipalities from Wielkopolska region, which has been developed in order to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Economy and will be used to develop model guidelines on the preparation of such documents. The municipalities have potential to improve energy efficiency and use of resources of local energy sources, as well as the opportunities associated with the management of public and private transport, especially in urban areas. Low-emission economy plan has to be a document that will allow local governments to establish the right direction to a low-emission economy transformation.