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The labour market in Poland has undergone significant transformations over the past two decades. The observed changes have been influenced by various factors related to, among other things, the possibility of free movement of the population resulting from membership of EU structures, demographic changes, technological changes, and the automation and robotisation of production processes. Demographic change is becoming a significant challenge, highlighting the shortage of workers with different qualifications and competencies in the labour market in various sectors of the national economy. This paper aims to indicate to what extent Ukrainian citizens can fill the gaps in Poland's emerging labour market. To that end, a survey was conducted in the Qualtrics programme in May-June 2022 among Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Poland before 24th February 2022, i.e., before the outbreak of the war and who were registered in the Gremi Personal database. This particular company provides support connected to employment for Ukrainians. Due to the non-probabilistic sampling technique, the results cannot be generalised with regard to the entire population. To analyse the results, descriptive statistics were used to examine the population structure and determine the significance of the characteristics studied and the correlation between them. The research shows that labour shortages in Poland's labour market can be compensated to some extent by employing migrants from, for example, Ukraine. The commencement of the proper research was preceded by the preparation of a pilot study and the collection and analysis of statistical data related to the situation on the Polish labour market, taking into account the level and structure of employment and an indication of shortages in the labour market when the research was prepared, and the fact that complete statistical data ended in 2020, hence the decision to include this research period in the analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Upward convergence occurs in 7 out of 9 variables from "planet" SDGs. • Upward divergence concerns energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. • Unfavourable trajectories of change in most cases concerned Poland and Lithuania. • Denmark and France compare favourably with the EU average. Sustainable development is a challenge facing humanity. EU countries not only strive to reach their specific objectives, but they also work collaboratively towards shared goals. There is a need to balance synergies and compromises to address these objectives effectively. When discussing countries' development and people's well-being, one often focuses on socio-economic development. However, it is crucial not to overlook the environmental repercussions and the need to care for the planet. Thus, our article pays attention to the sustainable development objectives of the "planets" group. We analysed upward convergence in the scope of the "Planet" goals, i.e. the analysis of improving the results of Member States and, at the same time, reducing the differences between them. Convergence trends were examined individually for each variable and then for all variables combined (Planet). Our article fills a research gap because, to our knowledge, analyses of the trajectories of achieving individual goals in such a context have not been analysed so far. The results of our study indicate a favourable situation in the case of six out of eight examined variables. Areas in which intensification of activities is necessary for some EU countries are an increase in energy productivity and a reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions of land use. The second stage of the study concerned the development paths of individual countries. The most challenging situation concerns the variable sdg_07_20 (final energy consumption in households per capita). In this case, as many as 12 countries belong to the weak group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: The problem of digital deprivation is already known, but the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted its negative consequences. A global change in the way of life, work and socialisation resulting from the epidemic has indicated that a basic level of digital integration is becoming necessary. During the lockdown, people were forced to use ICTs to adapt to a rapidly changing reality. Current experience with coronavirus pandemic shows that the transition to these extraordinary circumstances is not smooth. The inability to rapid conversion to the online world (due to a lack of skills or technical capabilities) significantly reduces professional mobility, hinders access to public services, and in the case of children, exposes them to the risk of remaining outside the remote education system. Purpose of the article: This research paper is addressing new issues of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on deepening and increasing the severity of e-exclusion. The goal of the paper is to indicate territorial areas in Poland which are particularly vulnerable to digital deprivation due to infrastructural deficiencies. Methods: Raster data regarding landform, combined with vector data regarding population density and type of buildings as well as the location of BTS stations are used in so-called modelling overland paths (GIS method) to indicate areas vulnerable to the infrastructural digital divide. Findings & Value added: The research showed that 4% of Poles remain out-side the Internet coverage, and additional ten percent of them are out of the reach of the Internet, allowing efficient remote work or learning. The research indicated that digital 'accessibility gap' is underestimated. E-exclusion has become a pressing issue and requires urgent system solutions, in case of future lockdowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]