20:23 22 April 2025
Over 1.3 million homes burn coal and it’s choking Poland
Despite common beliefs, household heating—not transport or industry—is the main source of Poland’s air pollution, accounting for 85% of PM2.5 emissions. Over 1.3 million outdated coal and wood stoves ("kopciuchy") are still in use. According to the Central Emissions Register, 22% of Poland’s 3.4 million solid fuel heat sources are high-emission, uncertified devices.
By contrast, transport contributes only 4% and industry 3%. In winter 2023, PM2.5 levels in Opole exceeded limits by 1800%. Health costs from air pollution in Poland are estimated at PLN 15.4 billion annually, mostly due to coal and wood burning. Solutions include switching to cleaner technologies like hybrid systems, LPG, or heat pumps. Further action and public education are urgently needed.
