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Agriculture in Poland plays an important social and environmental role. Accession to the EU resulted in structural and modernization changes, following adjustments to CAP obligations. In 2019, the European Green Deal and "From Farm to Fork" strategies called for circularity, zero emissions, and food and energy security. The purpose of this study was to assess the consumption and energy efficiency of Polish farms, identify challenges in energy management, and formulate recommendations. This study used data from Polish Statistics, FADN, and other public bodies collecting relevant data. The assessment of energy intensity was carried out based on the concept of technical efficiency by Farell and Debreu, defined as the ratio of effects to inputs. In addition, methods of comparative and descriptive statistics were used. The average annual dynamics of energy consumption and CO2 emissions were determined using the compound percentage formula. The results of this research indicate positive changes in the energy management in Polish agriculture, including a decrease in production energy intensity, CO2 emissions, and the amount of waste generated by the investments made. It is necessary to improve farm energy efficiency further and to increase the use of renewable energy to maintain cost competitiveness and meet environmental requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Common Agricultural Policy defines the framework directions for the structural changes of the agri-food sector until 2030. The main reason for the actions is a fundamental change in the European Union's approach to environmental protection issues and the dynamically changing conditions on the market for energy and agricultural raw materials. The European Green Deal, the key element of which is the "Farm to Fork" strategy, is the expression of the announced changes. The assumption of the documents is the long-term restructuring and modernization of the EU economy, which will be characterized, among others, by a closed cycle, low greenhouse gas emissions, and food and energy security. The challenges and the current situation in the markets of energy carriers are of significance in the activities of the food industry, which shows a high demand for energy. The aim of the article is to assess the level of consumption and energy efficiency of food industry enterprises in Poland, to identify challenges related to energy management and to formulate conclusions and recommendations in the field of changes adapting to the new conditions. The research results indicate that many positive changes took place in the energy economy of Polish food industry enterprises, among others, as a result of the implemented investments, the energy consumption of production, CO2 emissions and the amount of generated waste decreased. Due to unfavorable external conditions, it is necessary, however, to further improve the energy efficiency of enterprises, so that they can maintain cost competitiveness and meet the growing requirements in the field of environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]