We are fully aware how energy production and distribution affects the state of the environment, including the climate, and consequently the life quality of all the people.
Therefore, in a well-thought-out manner, we implement further solutions allowing for monitoring and minimizing our greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants and we rationally manage our natural resources. We also make sure that our mining and generation activities do not endanger biodiversity and continuity of environmental processes.
emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants associated with combustion of energy producing materials
withdrawal and discharge of considerable quantities of water from the Vistula river for cooling purposes
production of combustion waste (ash, slag)
production of large quantities of mining waste
subsidence of land caused coal mining using the top coal caving method, which may lead to degradation of agricultural land
impact of the mining operations on water management (among others discharge of mineralized mine water to the Świnka river)
impact of linear construction projects on ecosystems and landscape of the neighboring agricultural and forest areas
disruption of the morphological continuity of rivers through the use of damming of water for hydroelectric purposes
impact related to the transportation of raw materials (exhaust fumes, noise, dust)
All the above impacts are monitored and mitigated by the environmental protection units in mining and generating companies. Where necessary, remediation actions are taken or compensations are paid out (e.g. compensation for lost crops).
The ENEA Group has in place a number of policies and procedures referring to environmental matters. This area has also been taken into account in the ENEA Group’s rules of conduct as defined in the ENEA Group Code of Ethics. In line with it, the Group:
The commitment to sustainable development and natural environment is also embedded in the ENEA Group Compliance Policy, which among others requires us to:
In turn, the ENEA Group Communication Policy contains provisions stating that the Group’s communication is conducted in a manner that promotes environmentally friendly values and that the Group’s sponsorship activities will focus, without limitation, on the domain of environmental protection.
In 2020, the ENEA Group had no separate document describing the climate policy applicable to all companies or a policy of adaptation to climate changes. As at the date of publication of the Statement, no binding decisions have been made in this matter, however, at the beginning of 2021, a decision was made that Marcin Pawlicki, Vice-President of the Management Board for Operational Matters, will be responsible for managing issues related to the impact exerted by the Group on the climate.
The individual companies have their own policies, procedures, instructions and regulations, which are suitable to their unique character, obligating them to protect the environment and use it in a sustainable manner, which are updated on an ongoing basis (in 2020, e.g. in connection with the amendment to the Waste Act). Some of the principles, e.g. ones setting out the requirements for handling the waste produced, must also be observed by external entities performing work on the sites of and for our companies. Additionally, the ENEA Group companies apply methodologies for monitoring and documenting specific environmental impacts and effects of their pro-environmental activities.
The activities of Group companies are conducted in strict compliance with the accepted internal regulations, general provisions of law as well as all permits and administrative decisions, such as the right to release emissions into air, decisions on environmental conditions of a permit to carry out a project, or water permits.
In 2020, ENEA Ciepło won the ECOLAUREL 2020 award from the Polish Ecology Chamber in the category of protection of the air and renewable energy sources and received an Eco-certificate awarded to institutions and individuals showing special care for the environment by organizers of the ECO FORUM International Congress
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significant non-financial penalties or sanctions imposed on ENEA Group companies for non-compliance with environmental protection laws or regulations in 2020
The ENEA Group Procurement Policy contains a rule that, when selecting suppliers of products and services, non-price criteria should be taken into account, including environmental factors such as energy efficiency of the subject of contract. However, bid evaluation criteria are defined individually for each tender procedure and selected environmental aspects are included only when deemed suitable for the subject of contract. At the same time, contracts with all our suppliers contain an undertaking to observe the provisions of the ENEA Group’s Code of Conduct for Contractors adopted in 2020, which contains our expectations, among others in respect to environmental protection.
In proceedings conducted by ENEA Operator for the supply of means of transport, CO₂ emission is one of the evaluation criteria. The Company has also adopted a rule that it rules out from proceedings any suppliers who are natural persons legally convicted for crimes against the environment under Article 181-188 of the Criminal Code.