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The issue of energy self-sufficiency is currently crucial. The concept of energy selfsufficiency is closely related to the concept of energy security; yet, there are many definitions for the term energy security. The essence of all of them is for a country to secure enough energy resources to cover its needs. If a country can secure these resources on its own without depending on imports from other countries, one refers to energy self-sufficiency. Energy self-sufficiency can be achieved in a number of ways such as reducing energy demand, improving fuel efficiency, securing physical infrastructure networks, increasing storage capacity, or increasing the use of renewable energy sources. Fundamental forms of energy self-sufficiency are external self-sufficiency, internal selfsufficiency, and energy consumption; overall, energy self-sufficiency consists of four components: availability; affordability; energy and economic efficiency; and environmental stewardship. Low energy self-sufficiency has a significant economic and social impact, which is reflected in a country's balance of payments and employment, it can lead to economic crises and price instability. Lack of access to reliable and affordable energy can result in food insecurity; health problems; limited access to education, social and economic development. The linkages between energy, food self-sufficiency, and self-sufficiency of water resources are considered in terms of the so-called WEF Nexus (Water-Energy-Food Nexus) that focuses on the interconnectedness of water, energy and food systems to promote sustainable development and address global climate change. Based on the application of scientific methods in relation to the investigation of energy self-sufficiency (the "E" Matrix in the framework of the WEF Nexus) on the background of quantitative & qualitative sustainable development and CSR trends, the main aim of our paper is to assess energy self-sufficiency in the context of the WEF nexus as well as in the light of the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in order to formulate opportunities arising from the European Union Recovery and Resilience Plans. When documenting quantitative & qualitative sustainable development trends in the context of the WEF Nexus, our paper addressed the United Nations 2030 Agenda (alias "SDG diplomacy") as well as the NextGenerationEU Agenda (alias "Green Deal diplomacy"). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decrease in fuel consumption for energy production occurs mainly due to the expense of domestic hard coal. This phenomenon is beneficial due to ecological reasons as well as due to short-term economic effects. Pollution of the natural environment in Poland by industrial plants has decreased, while sulfur dioxide emission has decreased. The greatest progress was achieved in reducing dust emissions by installing electrostatic precipitators with efficiency over 95%. The least progress has been made in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It should be remembered that polluted air is the biggest Polish civilization problem. This is related to the use of hard coal by Polish people for heating purposes during the heating season, which has an effect in the phenomenon of smog occurring in our country. According to the report of the Supreme Audit Office, the 50 most polluted cities in Europe are located 36 cities in Poland. Real improvement of air quality is possible only by limiting the use of solid fuels. The aim of the paper was to analyze atmospheric pollution in Polish cities in the recent period. The results of research on the impact of pollutant emissions on the state of the atmospheric air of two cities in Poland were presented. Results of PM10 particulates and benzo(a)pyrene from measurement points of local monitoring stations in the last decade were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses energy efficiency of thermomodernization project on the example of three forest lodges located in the Şwiętokrzyski National Park. Currently, one of the basic requirements posed for the buildings subjected to modernization is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions even above 80% in comparison with the original values. In order to fulfil such criteria, it is necessary to apply alternative solutions based on renewable energy sources. Due to limited budget, low cubic capacity and location of the buildings, solar collectors with storage tanks and biomass boilers provide a rational option. For such a case, the emissions of basic pollutants such as CO2, SOx, NOx or particulates is obtained. The study also gives the results of calculations of payback time (SPBT) for the investment for exemplary forest lodge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EU member states are obliged to introduce measures in order to meet objectives regarding minimum share of energy from renewable sources in gross energy use, as prescribed in Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council adopted on 23rd of April 2009. The present paper contains an overview of main aspects of renewable energy production in Poland with specific perspective of agriculture interests. Starting with a summarizing analysis of shares of renewable energy in total domestic energy production and consumption, structure of renewable sources used for energy production is given and analyzed. Specific attention is given to main source of renewable energy in Poland - solid biomass along with its historical and present quantification in the context of production methods used. Based on this, conclusions are drawn for perspective of meeting domestic target shares of renewable energy in total energy use by year 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the state of its implementation in companies associated in The Polish Chamber of Steelworks (PIKS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]