Minister Kowalczyk underlined that the POL-ECO SYSTEM Trade Fair is a suitable place to engage in a debate regarding the current challenges and future directions of development in the area of environmental protection.

“Circular economy or recycling are extremely important topics for the Ministry of the Environment, but also for local governments and the entire country” - said the Minister.

30th anniversary of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management

This year's POL-ECO SYSTEM Trade Fair was also an opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of establishing the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. The Minister of the Environment, Henry Kowalczyk, pointed out that the measures implemented by the Fund have a factual impact supporting the sustainable development of Poland.

“Establishing the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management 30 years ago opened a new era in the history of Polish ecology. Today, the Fund is the leader of the system of financing environmental protection in Poland, and the effects of the co-financed projects are visible throughout the country” - said the Minister.

“The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management is implementing a large-scale, pro-ecological measures. Currently, these challenges include, among others, the Clean Air and My Electricity programmes,” - the Minister added.

Clean Air Programme

A discussion involving the representatives of local governments and the banking sector regarding the Clean Air Program was held during the Trade Fair.

Henryk Kowalczyk, Minister of the Environment, informed that since the Clean Air programme has been launched, over 86 thousand applications for the total amount of nearly PLN 2 billion have been submitted. The management boards of the Voivodeship Funds for Environmental Protection and Water Management have so far adopted nearly 51 thousand resolutions granting co-financing for a total amount of nearly PLN 1 billion.

“In order to increase the effectiveness of the Programme, municipalities have also been included in the programme since July 2019, as a pilot exercise. Appropriate agreements have already been signed with 571 local governments” - said the Minister.

“Through local governments we will be able to reach a greater number or citizens. We are also carrying out an analysis with regards to the possibility of involving commercial banks in the implementation of the Clean Air Programme” - added the Minister.

Results of the “Product in circulation” competition

The winners of the “Product in circulation” competition of the Minister of the Environment was announced during the inauguration of the Trade Fair in Poznań. The competition was dedicated to manufacturers, designers, distributors and service providers, whose products or projects fit into the idea of circular economy. A total of 29 products have been qualified for the third edition of the Competition. The jury has selected three finalists, and awarded three distinctions. The projects can be viewed at the POL-ECO SYSTEM Trade Fair.

More information about the results of the “Product in circulation” competition

Special EMAS award for the Ministry of the Environment

During the POL-ECO SYSTEM Trade Fair, the Ministry of the Environment received a special EMAS award for meeting the highest environmental protection requirements, implementing good practices in the area of environmental protection, as well as for organising the COP24 climate conference in Katowice in compliance with the requirements of the EMAS system.

The POL-ECO SYSTEM environmental protection trade fair is the largest and most important event in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe, displaying advanced technologies, solutions and products for sustainable development.

The aim of POL-ECO SYSTEM is to open up to the issues related to sustainable development, exchange international experiences, inspire the national sector to develop and to provide support in finding business partners. The high substantive level of the fair is supervised by a group of scientists, business and political leaders.

This year's POL-ECO SYSTEM trade fair takes place in Poznań on 9-11 October.