Carbon dioxide emissions from energy in Poland 2000-2023
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Poland fluctuated during the observed period. However, since 2018, a decreasing trend in CO₂ emissions has been observed. Levels amounted to 270.3 million metric tons of CO₂ in 2023, which is an overall decrease during this period. Emissions peaked in 2011 at 324 million metric tons of CO₂.
Energy industry emissions
In 2021, Poland’s fuel combustion sector accounted for over 92 percent of the country’s CO₂ emissions, with most of this caused by the burning of coal. Poland is heavily reliant on coal, and in 2022 produced approximately 126 terawatt-hours of electricity from hard coal and lignite. This accounted for 71 percent of total electricity production. In 2022, the Belchatów coal power plant was the biggest polluter in Europe, emitting 35.1 megatons of CO₂ equivalent.
Environmental concerns
According to the World Health Organization, 42 out of 100 European cities with the highest levels of air pollution were in Poland. In a 2020 survey with Polish residents, 46 percent believed air pollution was the most important environmental issue facing Poland.
Energy industry emissions
In 2021, Poland’s fuel combustion sector accounted for over 92 percent of the country’s CO₂ emissions, with most of this caused by the burning of coal. Poland is heavily reliant on coal, and in 2022 produced approximately 126 terawatt-hours of electricity from hard coal and lignite. This accounted for 71 percent of total electricity production. In 2022, the Belchatów coal power plant was the biggest polluter in Europe, emitting 35.1 megatons of CO₂ equivalent.
Environmental concerns
According to the World Health Organization, 42 out of 100 European cities with the highest levels of air pollution were in Poland. In a 2020 survey with Polish residents, 46 percent believed air pollution was the most important environmental issue facing Poland.
