16/06/2003 - Poland has made remarkable environmental progress, meeting most of its environmental targets and decoupling some environmental pressures from economic growth over the past decade as it works toward European Union accession. Nevertheless, the road to environmental convergence within the EU will be a long one - priority issues include: pollution prevention, waste water treatment, waste management, biodiversity and landscape conservation, and climate protection.

The OECD Environmental Review of Poland makes 46 recommendations, including those that encourage the integration of environmental concerns into economic policies (e.g. improving price signals, removing subsidies, fiscal reforms) and progress towards its international environmental commitments.

Environmental Management: The EU accession process has lead to a range of new environmental legislation and the reduction of pollutant emissions in Poland. Considerable investment in environmental infrastructure is still necessary though, with an estimated EUR 22 to EUR 50 billion (1.2 - 2.7% of GDP) per year required over 10 years to comply with the terms of EU accession. Poland is also encouraged to further implement the polluter pays and user pays principles and strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations.

Air: Though Poland has significantly reduced emissions of air pollutants, with sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions falling by 53 and 35% respectively, there is much room for further progress. Emission intensities of major air pollutants per unit of GDP are amongst the highest in the OECD due to the use of subsidised coal and a doubling of vehicular traffic over the past decade. Poland should finalise and implement its national air management strategy, continue efforts to reduce emissions of SOx, NOx, particulates, and further integrate environmental concerns into energy policies.

Water: Water abstraction has decreased over the past decade and there has been significant progress to connect both rural and urban populations to water supply and sewage systems. Water metering, reduction of leakage, charging for water abstraction and waste water discharges are signs of progress, as is the decline of nutrient loading (nitrogen and phosphorus) of coastal waters. However, surface water quality is still unsatisfactory and the high investment in waste water treatment plants has not lead to corresponding improvements in surface water quality. Major expenditure for water management infrastructure is necessary to ensure thatwater supply and waste water related infrastructure comply with Europeandirectives.

Waste: In preparation for EU access, waste legislation has been strengthened and hazardous waste regulations are toughened, including a system for the safe disposal of PCBs and obsolete pesticides and a legal framework for the clean-up of contaminated land. Much work is needed though in the area of municipal waste management where the recovery rate is still only 5%. The majority of waste is still landfilled at sites that do not meet technical standards, and many illegal hazardous waste dump sites pose threats to the environment and human health. Suggestions to help Poland comply with EU directives and to meet the high costs involved include: implementation of the national waste plan, public/private financing of waste management facilities, and increasing municipal wastecostrecovery rates.

Nature and Biodiversity: Poland's nature conservation is impressive and Poland has ratified most global and regional conventions on wildlife, habitats, landscapes and biodiversity. That biodiversity will be at risk though as EU accession encourages major infrastructure projects and intensification of agriculture, so safeguards should be established quickly. To this end, Poland should implement and monitor the National Biodiversity Strategy, ensure that development projects respect Natura 2000 concepts, and develop rural economies that encourage green tourism and environmentally sound agriculture.

To obtain the report, journalists may contact the OECD Media Relations Division. For more information, journalists are invited to contact Christian Averous, OECD Environment Directorate (tel. [33] 1 45 24 98 19 ).