The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have negatively affected the sustainability of the food market and contributed significantly to the increase in agricultural prices. The goal of this article is to present the results of a European Delphi study on enabling factors and barriers to developing robustness within food distribution networks. The paper also aims to identify ways to ensure food security and build resilience in supply chains for European Union (EU) citizens, as well as strategies to protect the agricultural sector. The Delphi theses, the expected timing of their implementation and their impact on selected stages of supply chains were assessed. The paper employs a literature review, the Delphi method and STEEPED analysis to identify factors for increasing the robustness of European food distribution networks. The research findings highlighted crucial factors in enhancing food supply chain resilience, including financial aid to farmers, the use of advanced technologies (like AI, remote sensing, GIS, VR, or drones), and the encouragement of conscious consumption practices. The study revealed that severe weather, inadequate financial support for farmers and insufficient favourable legislation at the national level are the main barriers to achieving resilience in food supply chains. The main recommendations for building food resilience include encouraging localised food supply chains and, advocating for eco-friendly, sustainable production approaches and small-scale agriculture and reducing unnecessary food losses. The originality of the study is reflected in the presentation of the opinions of international experts on developing robustness within food distribution networks in view of the disruption caused by COVID-19 and the geopolitical situation.
Poultry meat consumption is a significant element in Poland's overall food consumption. Economic considerations mean that both nationally and globally, conventional intensive rearing dominates. Nevertheless, environmental and health aspects or the will to treat animals humanely make pro-environmental rearing systems increasingly common. The purpose of this article is an environmental analysis of an example farm engaged in intensive rearing of slaughtered poultry (so-called baseline production). For the analysed production, the following scenarios of changes were proposed: (a) conventional rearing based on the use of own fodder, and (b) organic rearing using free range and own organic fodder. An emergy approach was applied in this analysis. Comparison of different production systems using emergy analysis made it possible to show the scale of environmental resource commitment for baseline and scenario-based productions, and to determine the amount of renewable and non-renewable emergy consumed per unit of production. Through the use of selected emergy indicators, e.g.: Environmental Loading Ratio (ELR), Emergy Yield Ratio (EYR), the environmental impact for each case was determined. For the ecological system scenario, the need to change production parameters (stocking rate, maximum poultry house area, free range) was taken into account. The results of the emergy-based indicators showed that the baseline production places the greatest burden on the environment and is the least sustainable. The organic system is the opposite; however, due to production limitations and the lower production efficiency achieved, it may not be economically viable to orient a farm exclusively to the organic system. In an environmental assessment, the information obtained can provide valuable guidance to agricultural producers. They can help make informed decisions on natural resource management to achieve environmental security. The results are also important for political decision-makers in creating policies for more sustainable agricultural production. The results obtained are discussed, pointing out the importance of the analysis used mainly from an environmental point of view.
The development of a green economy in a situation of resource scarcity, global climate change, and environmental degradation means entering a new path of socio-economic development that will more effectively implement the goals of sustainable development. The level of its regional polarisation is stimulated by demographic, natural and technological, economic and social factors. The aim of the research was to identify and assess the level of regional polarisation in terms of the development of the green economy in voivodeships in Poland using a synthetic measure. The basis for the analysis was a set of substantively and statistically analysed diagnostic variables from 2010-2020 available in Statistics Poland. The result of the analysis was the presentation of regional polarisation and the ordering of voivodeships in Poland in 2010-2020 in terms of the synthetic measure - green economy. The green economy of voivodeships should be built based on available endogenous resources and planning and organisational solutions specific to the voivodeship. Using a synthetic measure to assess activities in the area of the green economy makes it possible to evaluate the effects and take corrective measures of the voivodeships' in this area.
The aim is to verify which financial, spatial and systemic importance variables interact with ESG scoring. Based on data from 628 banks from 63 countries, a multinomial ordered logit model was built with the explanatory variables of Sustainalytics and Moody's ESG scores. Results indicate that membership in the EU, being an SIB, capitalisation, and revenues have a positive effect on ESG. In contrast, an increase in leverage, NPL ratio, and profitability are associated with a deterioration in scorings. Results differ in terms of the spatial aspect (in the case of Sustainalytics, additionally, location in the US favours ESG scoring) and the spectrum of systemic importance (in the case of Moody's, it is both global and local dimensions). This study is the first attempt to identify common (to different methodologies) determinants of ESG scoring. Its originality is also determined by the demonstration of a relationship between spatial variables and SIB's membership and ESG scoring.
The aim of the article is to determine differences in getting rid of unnecessary but operational items from households by young and older people. This is a significant problem from the point of view of the implementation of the principles of the circular economy because successful implementation of the circular economy system in municipalities depends on the habits and behaviour of consumers. The article is of a research nature. The survey was conducted in January 2020 using the CAWI method on a representative sample of n=1012 adult Polish residents aged 18 to 60. In the case of most of the product categories studied, there are differences in the way young and older people deal with unnecessary items. Younger people are more willing to buy new things, but on a positive note, they also often declare willingness to resell products they no longer need. However, an unfavourable phenomenon is the inclination of young people to store unnecessary items in their households. Older people - in the case of most of the products tested - are willing to give them free of charge to people in need. By knowing which groups of subjects deal with unnecessary objects less responsibly, one will be able to take targeted actions to change their behaviour.
This paper identifies regions with high environmental performance by assessing the size of green bond issuance in European countries from a cause-and-effect perspective. Cluster analysis and descriptive statistics were used to meet this research objective. The research subject was the size of green bond issuance, understood as the driving force for the green economy in European countries. The main findings of the research show a strong correlation between the size of green bond issuance and environmental performance. Due to limited access to source data, the analysis of green sources of financing was restricted only to the size of green bond issuance, excluding other funding sources. Identifying the regions with high environmental performance and high value of green bond issuance will allow for an effective support plan for pro-ecological actions by using soft and complex tools of green policy, bearing in mind existing limitations, too. This approach determines groups of countries that share similar features, i.e., the ones that take advantage of green projects financed by the issuance of green bonds and simultaneously have a high environmental performance index.
The aim of this article is to identify the critical factors and assess the specific actions conditioning the development of electromobility from the perspective of a zero-carbon, innovative and resilient economy. These issues have a particular dimension in relation to individual mobility. The study used a combination of primary and secondary data, using various research methods and techniques, such as descriptive analysis, desk research, diagnostic survey, cause-and-effect analysis and statistical analysis. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with experts in managerial positions. The literature review and the results of our own research confirmed the importance of the identified factors in the uptake of electric cars. At the same time, the study highlighted the high complexity of problems regarding investment decisions determining the development of electromobility. Taking active steps to increase the level of sustainability and resilience of the electromobility system should first focus on further development of charging infrastructure, uptake of electric vehicles, development of renewable energy sources and creation of an electric vehicle battery value chain. The main expectations for the development of electromobility are to reduce CO2 emissions, reduce dependence on fossil fuel supplies, increase the competitiveness and innovation of the economy and reduce external costs generated by transport. Attempts were made to achieve the originality of the research carried out through its measurable nature. The proposed electromobility development model may contribute to the improvement of decision-making tools regarding the allocation of public funds and other sources for investments so that they contribute to the sustainable development of mobility systems.
The proposed research aims to examine The Impact of Natural Resources and Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth in Algeria during the period 1970-2021 and compare it with the Saudi economy, which is considered the closest economy in terms of natural resources. Analyse the factors influencing economic diversification and innovation. The research seeks to understand the impact of natural resources, including oil and gas, on the Algerian economy and study the factors influencing sustainable development and economic diversification. This research employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach. The findings suggest that, in total, there is The Impact of Natural Resources and Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth in Algeria during the period 1970-2021. The positive correlation between resources and economic growth highlights resource extraction's role in Algeria's economic development. It underscores the need for diversification to reduce dependence on commodity markets. The research focuses solely on economic factors, neglecting social and political dynamics. Limited data availability may constrain the depth of analysis, potentially overlooking nuances in the relationship between natural resources, FDI, and economic growth. The findings offer insights for Algerian policymakers to develop strategies for sustainable economic growth, emphasising the need for diversification beyond natural resources. Recommendations may inform policy decisions aimed at fostering innovation, reducing dependency on volatile resource sectors, and promoting environmental sustainability.
The article addresses two global challenges in the realm of tourism participation: sustainable development and an ageing society. Our research aimed to determine whether European seniors engage in tourism and whether the factors influencing tourist destinations are related to sustainable tourism. To achieve this, we utilized correspondence analysis with representative Eurobarometer data. Our findings confirm that seniors actively participate in tourism. The majority of seniors in the European Union frequently express their heightened concern for health and safety measures when travelling in the post-COVID-19 era.Moreover, the analysis identified the countries where seniors actively pursue sustainable development goals during their tourism activities. Future research should focus on understanding the decision-making processes of seniors when choosing tourist destinations and accessing tourism offers. These results provide a foundation for designing tourism offerings that cater to the current and future needs of seniors.
In the contemporary global landscape, characterised by increasing concerns about climate change, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility, it is necessary to study and address pressing issues at the intersection of environmental consciousness, technological advancement, and governance practices. This paper aims to examine the relationship between the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pillars of a country’s development, green brand and digitalisation. To achieve the study’s goal, partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied. The object of investigation was EU countries for 2016-2020. The findings allow us to conclude that a country's green brand is conducive to ESG performance by attracting green investment in renewable energies, social projects, and innovations. The results confirm that governments should prioritise sustainability initiatives, such as investing in renewable energy, adopting sustainable practices, and implementing environmental and social policies. Such efforts can enhance a country's green brand and lead to positive ESG outcomes, attracting more responsible businesses and investors. Moreover, digitalisation promoted governance by 0.142. The results showed that digitalisation could be a powerful tool for improving a country's green brand and ESG performance. Digital technologies can help countries monitor and manage environmental resources, promote sustainable practices, and engage with stakeholders.
Selecting a site for a landfill should minimise the inevitable ecological effects. The Regulation of the Minister of the Environment (2013) on waste landfills specifies, among others, that it is best to locate a landfill in a place with a natural geological barrier. For landfills other than hazardous and neutral waste, the minimum thickness of the barrier should be ≥1.0 m, and the value of its filtration coefficient k≤1.0·10– 9 m/s. Another criterion for the location of landfills is the expected piezometric table of groundwater, at least 1 m below the level of the planned excavation. In the paper, the last criterion is subjected to a critical analysis based on the results of my own research. It analyses what the piezometric table of groundwater is and what impact it has on the possible penetration of potential pollutants. The considerations are carried out on the example of the ground predicted for a waste landfill, for which tests necessary to determine the hydrogeological conditions were carried out.
The article presents a comprehensive investigation into the prioritisation of environment-oriented Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities among companies within the Visegrad region, encompassing the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. An online questionnaire featuring Likert scale questions was used to collect data from November 2022 to June 2023 on the emphasis placed on 11 distinct environment-oriented CSR activities. Analytical methods covered descriptive and inferential analyses. The study contributes original insights by focusing on the Visegrad region's corporate engagement in environmental CSR activities. The findings reveal significant disparities between countries, particularly in the domains of eco-friendly transportation solutions and investments in green technologies for environmental progress. Statistically significant differences were observed between the Czech Republic and Poland, as well as between Poland and Slovakia, there by shedding light on the diverse CSR orientations and priorities within this geographic context. These findings underscore the importance of tailored CSR strategies within the Visegrad region's corporate landscape to address environmental challenges effectively.
The aim of the study is to determine whether there is a relationship between the value of investments made for nature protection and the area of legally protected areas in Poland. The research problem concerns investment outlays incurred for nature protection in relation to the surface of areas with high natural values in Poland, taking into account the division into voivodeships in the years 2002-2021. In general, the area of legally protected areas in Poland did not show high variability in the analysed period, while the assessment of the relationship between the variables showed differences between voivodships. The results of the statistical analysis showed that there is a positive relationship between investment outlays, and the share of legally protected areas and that the level of investment outlays incurred for nature protection is not proportional to the share of legally protected areas.
This study investigates the impact of teaching programmes on perceptions of sustainable development among students. The researchers argue that existing educational programmes must provide a comprehensive approach to mitigating collapse risk. To address this issue, the study developed a teaching programme to be delivered by experienced educators and experts, consisting of lectures, seminars, exercises, research projects, and related activities. The programme aimed to raise awareness of sustainable development and deepen understanding of the complexity of the subject. The results showed that the teaching programme increased students' appreciation of the importance of complexity and the non-linear impacts of Black Swans in the sustainability discourse without changing their adherence to the New Ecological Paradigm. The study highlights the need for education to enable students to deal with problems characterised by complexity, uncertainty, and low probability, as well as high-impact events that pose a non-linear threat to sustainable development.
Sustainable development is a dynamic process based mainly on quantitative and qualitative changes in the economic, social and ecological spheres in accordance with the needs and preferences of the commune's inhabitants. Municipal management, however, creates favourable conditions for local development and constant improvement of the quality of life of residents. The aim of the study is to analyse municipal management from the perspective of sustainable development. The basic research method used in the study is indicator analysis. The indicators selected for development describe the concept of sustainable development in fundamental areas of the municipal economy, such as energy, water and sewage, waste, municipal housing, public transport and road infrastructure. The research was conducted in Poland in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in 2020-2022. The subjects of the study are the 12 municipalities of the Olsztyn district. On the basis of the results obtained, it can be concluded that the best results in terms of creating a sustainable municipal economy are obtained by municipalities which have carried out the largest number of projects in this area, as well as those which have the largest share of forests and waters in the municipal area, e.g. Stawiguda, Dywity, Dobre Miasto, Gietrzwałd. The implementation of sustainable development in municipal management is determined by many economic, social, environmental, spatial and technological conditions. The research will enable local authorities and decision-makers to practically implement the concept of sustainable development in the municipal economy and may also be used in the process of planning investments and local activities, taking into account the economic, ecological and social aspects. The research constitutes the basis for further research work related to the practical implementation and management of sustainable development in municipal management.
The article is related to the background analysis of the development dilemmas and problems of small towns. The quantitative situation of small towns in Poland was included, as well as a recognition of their functional types and identification of development barriers and dilemmas. And its management challenges. Small towns are important polycentric development centres, being a bridge between large agglomerations and rural areas. The article aims to attempt a typology of small towns in terms of their functions. To better understand the existing types of towns, the case study method and the analysis of literature and existing achievements were used, based on which new functional types of small towns were selected.
The article aims to broaden the understanding of factors affecting natural cosmetics purchasing behaviours and specifically, to specify the role social responsibility, consumers' innovativeness and knowledge play in shaping purchasing intentions for these products. The study uses the extended theory of planned behaviour as its theoretical framework and is based on theoretical support and suggested modification indices. The study applies a quantitative methodology which collects survey data from Ukraine and Poland. It was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. Results reveal that attitude towards purchasing natural cosmetics, social norms, consumers' innovativeness and consumer’s natural cosmetics knowledge all have statistically significant and positive impacts on the purchase intention towards natural cosmetic products. This study contributes to the literature by incorporating other variables into the TPB model. It provides new insights and constitutes a useful step forward in the understanding of consumers’ behaviours towards natural cosmetics.
The cognitive objective of this paper is to assess the motives driving hotel owners and managers to implement environmentally friendly actions from the perspective of hotel guests. The empirical aim of the study materialises through investigations conducted on a sample of 1317 hotel guests in four provincial cities in Poland: Warsaw, Cracow, Wroclaw, and Opole. The study encompassed guests of six hotels classified as three-star establishments. The research methodology employed herein is a diagnostic survey using a questionnaire designed by the authors of this study. The survey was conducted between June and September 2021. In the concluding section of the paper, the analysis of the research allows for the formulation of conclusions. Among these conclusions, a notable observation is the assertion that guests have a remarkably low awareness regarding the impact of hotels on the natural environment. This finding contradicts the more optimistic assessments of such awareness that are found in various works within the field of hospitality. According to the authors, this conclusion could form the basis for educational initiatives and the initiation of mechanisms, including economic ones, aimed at elevating the knowledge level in this domain, not solely among hotel guests but also, perhaps predominantly, among hotel proprietors and managers. Nevertheless, the authors of this paper are cognizant of the exploratory nature of the conducted study, which may serve as a convenient foundation for subsequent, more in-depth investigations, particularly focusing on expanding the array of applied methodologies, significantly increasing the research sample size, and considering a broader range of respondent characteristics in the research.
The aim of the study was to build a corrective model that can be used in the analysed devices and to assess the impact of such a model on the values of the measured concentrations. The novelty of this study is the test of equivalence with the equivalent reference method for hourly data. The study used hourly data of PM10 concentrations measured in a chosen city in Poland. Data was collected from two PM10 sensors and a reference device placed in close proximity. In addition, air temperature, humidity and wind speed were also measured. Among the tested models, a linear model was selected that used primary measurements of PM10, temperature, air velocity, and humidity as the most accurate approximation of the actual PM10 concentration level. The results of the analysis showed that it is possible to build mathematical models that effectively convert PM10 concentration data from tested low-cost electronic measuring devices to concentrations obtained by the reference method.
