About GDEP
About The General Directorate for Environmental Protection
Basic information
The General Directorate for Environmental Protection (GDEP) is an expert institution responsible for environmental protection and control of the investment process. The GDEP also implements tasks related to the prevention of environmental damage and is responsible e.g., for the coordination of the Natura 2000 network in Poland and the registration of organisations in the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
Each year, GDEP initiates the annual Landscape Day celebration, and every two years grants the Polish Landscape Award (the winner is a Polish candidate for the Council of Europe award). It also implements projects and conducts a number of activities in the area of education and promotion of responsible attitudes towards the natural environment.
The General Director for Environmental Protection appoints and dismisses 16 regional directors for environmental protection who perform their tasks in the areas of respective voivodeships and acts for them as a higher-level authority.
The Directorate was established pursuant to Act of 3 October 2008 on sharing information about the environment and its protection, public participation in environmental protection and environmental impact assessment.
Legal grounds
Statute of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection
Official Journal of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection
Statutes of the Regional Directorates for Environmental Protection