National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management 1989–2014 Renewable source of eco-development We have changed and are still changing Poland National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management 1989–2014 Renewable source of eco-development We have changed and are still changing Poland Warsaw 2014 Edit: This publication was created in the Department of Strategy and Communication of NFEPWM (National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management) edited by editor Krzysztof Walczak, with graphics by Monika Pietras, involving the following departments, divisions and units of NFEPWM verifying content of individual chapters. The composition, printing, binding and graphic design: Pracownia CC. NFEPWM wishes to thank all, especially Beneficiaries who free of charge made available photos, graphics, archival materials together with copyrights and participated and cooperated at all stages of the preparation this publication. ISBN 978-83934797-6-4 © Department of Communication and Strategy National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management 3A Konstruktorska St., 02-673 Warsaw phone (+48 22) 45 90 100/370 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.nfosigw.gov.pl/en/ Under the patronage of the President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski 25th anniversary of Freedom Honorary Committee of the 25-year anniversary of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in 2014 Minister of the Environment Maciej H. Grabowski The Chairman of the Honorary Committee Deputy to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Stanisław Gawłowski The Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Environment The Secretary of State of the Ministry of the Environment Marcin Korolec Plenipotentiary of the Government for Climate Policy Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of the Environment Janusz Ostapiuk The Chairman of the Supervisory Board NFEPWM Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of the Environment Sławomir Brodziński Main Geologist of the State IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER Beata Jaczewska former Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of the Environment Fr. Bishop of Kalisz, a Conference Delegate of the Polish Episcopate Edward Janiak for the Priesthood of Forestry, Water Management and Environment Protection Workers Józef Kozioł former Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board NFEPWM Adam Krzyśków Chairman of the Board of VFEPWM in Olsztyn Hanna Majszczyk Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Finance Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NFEPWM Maciej Nowicki Chairman of the Program Council “Aura” Jerzy W. Pietrewicz The Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy Senator of the Republic of Poland – chairman of the Environment Jadwiga Rotnicka Committee of the Senate of the Republic of Poland Aneta Wilmańska former Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of the Environment Janusz Zaleski former Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of the Environment Marian Zalewski Member of the Board of Directors – Telewizja Polska SA Senator of the Republic of Poland Adam Zdziebło The Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development Deputy to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Stanisław Żelichowski – chairman of the Environment Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry Committee of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland 3 Renewable source of eco-development – 25 years for eco-development Maciej H. Grabowski Minister of the Environment Ladies and Gentlemen, For 25 years we have seen an amazing change in the protection of the environment in Poland. In the ‘ 80s, it was an ecological crisis, and some of the regions have even been called ecological disaster areas. Acid rains were standard. In Polish power plants there wasn’t even a single SO2 reduction station. Only a small percentage of sewage was properly treated before discharge to waters. The 1989 was a landmark also for the environment. Not all of us remember, that the Round Table had its team dedi- cated to ecology. Its members recognized the need to “make a substantial turn when determining main objectives of further social and economic development of the country. It is necessary to adopt the concept of eco-development and eco-policy when formulating strategic plans concerning changes to the economic structure of country”. The objective was to reduce emission of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen by 50 %, improve water quality and waste disposal. 28 postulates forming the program of activities, which should be achieved in the next decade were adopted. The implementation of these proposals required huge financial resources. The answer to this challenge was the appointment of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management supported not by the state budget, but inter alia by penalties and charges for the use of environment. For polluting parties this was an incentive to take action, and for the system of funds - the assurance of inflow of pollution dependant resources. We have created our own, unique financial system for the environment. You can say, that after 25 years, it has proven to be perfect. Construction of a sewage treatment plants and sanitary sewage system in hundreds of cities, compre- hensive waste management installations, modernisation of Polish energy, construction of retention tanks, remov- ing the effects of extraordinary threats and elimination of mining damage, environmental education - today it is difficult to find an area in the field of the environment, which wouldn’t be supported by the funds from NFEPWM. In the debate about Polish results of the changes, the significant leap, which we have made in the field of envi- ronment protection is noticed too rarely. This success depended to high extent on the modern system of financing the environment protection and improvement of the condition of nature, and, after all, our way of life depends on these changes. In my opinion the decision of the makers of the 3rd Republic of Poland concerning the appointment of NFEPWM can be perceived today as the critical for fast rate of catching-up the backlog in the protection of the environment. Wishing the National Fund not to surcease in its mission, I would like to congratulate Mrs President and her predecessors. Maciej H. Grabowski Minister of the Environment 4 Renewable source of eco-development – 25 years for eco-development Janusz Ostapiuk Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of the Environment The Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NFEPWM Ladies and Gentlemen, No one can deny that over the past quarter century, Poland has made great progress in every possible area, also in the protection of the environment. Not only the awareness of Poles increased but also certain standards, which we want to follow, so to provide sustainable development with respect to the environment. When the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management was established, half of the cit- ies, including the largest ones, did not have sewage treatment plants. The industry and energy sector was not equipped with sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxides reduction installations. Today, when looking at financial effects and ecological activities of NFEPWM, these facts seem to be fiction. Only in the field of “protection of waters” the National Fund has concluded agreements with hundreds of cities and municipalities which amounted to over 12 billion PLN. Hundreds of sewage treatment plants were built or modernized. Thousands of kilometers of sewerage were designed and implemented. There are many facilities for the management of waste-water. The largest in the Europe, conventional power plant In Bełchatów fired with brown coal has been modernised. In the field of water management retention reservoirs, polders, weirs and water stages of fall were built. More than one billion PLN the NFEPWM spent on preventing and dealing with the consequences of exceptional risks, including the effects of floods in 1997 and 2010. The funds of NFEPWM helped in reclamation of coal and sulphur wining areas, protection of environment, forestry and national parks. The money was also spent on science, expert opinions, research and environmental education and on raising ecological awareness of Poles. For 25 years the Fund has spent for the protection of environment and water management more than 53 billion PLN, supporting sustainable development of Poland. And this is probably the money best spent, what you will learn after reading this publication. Janusz Ostapiuk Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NFEPWM 5 Renewable source of eco-development – 25 years for eco-development Małgorzata Skucha Chairman of the Management Board of NFEPWM Ladies and Gentlemen, Twenty-five years ago, in 1989, as a result of the historic events which changed the political face of Poland, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management has been established. The President of the Republic of Poland Bronisław Komorowski has awarded this 25th an- niversary celebration on establishing the National Fund a special mention: “Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland. 25th anniversary of Freedom”. It is granted to honorary projects and initiatives relating to common celebration of victory of freedom and solidarity. Initiatives proposed by us during this jubilee year com- pose the 25th anniversary of freedom, and are the opportunity to summarize social, political and economic trans- formations, which Poland goes through since 1989, with particular reference to solve environmental problems. I am pleased to present to you a publication, which illustrates