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Cities have always been places that generate problems, but also places where solutions are born. In recent years, cities have become a testing ground for finding and testing solutions to overcome the climate crisis. The subject of the paper is Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) that strengthen the resilience to climate change, influence urban spaces, and improve the quality of life of residents. The study focusses on the identification of NbSs, the diagnosis of its participation in local adaptation activities, and a comparative analysis of the activities planned and implemented in 44 large Polish cities in 2017–2023. The authors analyse data from 44 Polish cities, based on the types of NbSs implemented in European cities that carried out the URBAN GreenUP project. The results of the study show that Polish cities, while introducing sustainable urban lifestyles through NbSs, do not take advantage of all the opportunities inherent in these solutions. They focus on greening urban spaces and implement water interventions and singular green infrastructure measures to a lesser extent. There is negligible use of innovative and energy-using activities. The quantitative data obtained can be used to identify the gaps and potentials in the use of nature-based solutions in the adaptation of Polish cities to climate change and energy transformation. The aim of this work is also to identify recommendations to incorporate NbSs into urban adaptation policies in Poland. The authors conclude that the research conducted can serve to improve the knowledge on the links between NbS planning in adaptation activities and their implementation in urban spaces. An awareness of NbS gaps can influence the intensification of research on the implementation of innovative adaptation solutions, including energy-based solutions. The results obtained can also contribute to a better organisation of urban policies that aim to increase the resilience of cities to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article was to identify the characteristics of HRM (Human Resources Management) portals that can contribute to building a smart, sustainable society in two countries: Poland and Türkiye. The analyzed countries were selected due to their similar economic situation, as well as differences in terms of culture and customs and varying degrees of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) implementation in the economy. Conducting the survey at this particular moment was intended to objectivize users' opinions on the HRM portals and their attributes that may contribute to mitigating the effects of the crisis and facilitating economic development toward the creation of a sustainable society. The survey was conducted in April 2022. It was carried out in both countries and covered a group of more than 850 respondents. The CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) method was used in the survey. The differences between results were identified, and the degree of verification of the hypothesis was established and discussed in this paper. In the first stage of the study, the respondents' environment was examined, as well as their opinions on the use of HRM portals. The second phase consisted of assessing the attributes of the most well-known HRM portals that can contribute to building a smart, sustainable industry. As a result, the finally distinguished features included the characteristics that were most important to the users of the portals and those that supported the development of HRM portals due to their innovativeness. The study fills the research gap regarding the potential impact of HRM portals and their prospective use in first restoring the economic balance of a sustainable society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, photovoltaics (PVs) is the main driver of the renewable energy market growth in Poland. The number of photovoltaic installations, most of which are rooftop prosumer systems, is consistently growing. Therefore, the determination of the applicability and feasibility of photovoltaic systems under different climate conditions is of great significance. This study presents the performance analysis of four prosumer photovoltaic installations situated in the Eastern part of Poland, Lublin Voivodeship. The influence of various tilt angles, ranging from 19° to 40°, and azimuths (south, east, south–east, and east–west) on the final yield have been determined under one year of operation (2022). The average yearly final yield was found to be 1022 kWh·kW−1, with the highest value obtained for the installation oriented towards the south, equal 1079 kWh·kW−1. Then, the PV systems were simulated by the use of four specialized photovoltaic software: DDS-Cad 16, PVGIS 5.2, PVSOL premium 2022, and the PVWatts Calculator 8.2.1. A comparative analysis of the measured and simulated data in terms of the final yield was carried out. The data obtained from PVGIS and PVSOL demonstrated the highest degree of overall alignment of 92% and 91%, respectively. The most significant underestimation was noticed for the DDS-Cad software, which was equal to 77%. The most accurate predictions stand out for the system oriented to the south, while the weakest was found for the E–W installation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, as one of the main media of human existence on earth, is the basis of the functioning of most societies. This article discusses various activities related to water resource management and analyzes the evaluation of selected quality parameters of tap water in Poland and Ukraine. The aim of the manuscript was to compare opinions on tap water quality and habits of its use in Poland and Ukraine, taking into account different seasons of the year as periods of use of supplied water. The hypothesis of the study was that tap water parameters are evaluated differently in Poland and Ukraine at different times of water supply. Due to the complexity of research aspects, a mixed-methods research procedure was used, in which a literature review was combined with a survey and statistical analysis. For the purpose of the survey, the authors' questionnaire "Survey of customers' opinions on selected parameters of tap water supplied in Poland and Ukraine" was created. The results of the research confirmed the hypothesis and allowed for the development a model for the evaluation of parameters of tap water supplied on the territory of Poland and Ukraine and to get to know the expectations of customers of these countries. The presented model provides practical indications that can be used to optimize water supply and meet customers' expectations, including improvement of water quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]