Karol Maćkowiak | In Principle

The growing problem of global deforestation and degradation of forests, leading to a loss of biodiversity, has not escaped the attention of EU lawmakers. In 2021, the European Commission proposed a regulation combatting these negative developments. The proposal was adopted and is in force. Now there are many indications that the new rules will not apply until 12 months later than originally planned. However, it is not certain that the European Parliament will have time to delay the application of the new provisions.

The act introducing the deposit-refund scheme in Poland came into force on 13 October 2023. Companies were given a little more than a year to prepare for their new obligations, as the scheme is set to go live on 1 January 2025. But for several months the new government has been announcing changes to the act. The final wording the provisions when the scheme is launched remains an open question.

We devoted the third article in our series on biogas plants to administrative decisions and other requirements for implementation of biogas projects. In this article, we present the most significant legislative amendments concerning biogas plants that came into effect last year.

In the second article in our series on biogas plants, we discussed the requirements for classification of biogas plants during the development process. This time we will take a look at the obligations that must be performed before such an installation can start operating.

Growth of agricultural biogas plants is an essential component of Poland’s energy transition. In the second article of our series on biogas plants, we present the most important aspects and pitfalls of the development process for these facilities.

The energy transition requires decisive actions in many sectors of the economy. This demands a legal framework enabling a shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. In September 2023, regulations for agricultural biogas plants went into effect which are expected to finally unleash Poland’s biogas potential.

Nearly two years after publication of the European Commission’s proposal, the Greenwashing Directive came into force on 26 March 2024. The main objective of the changes is to protect consumers from deceptive commercial practices.

Poland is relatively late in establishing a deposit-refund system for beverage containers. After many years of pronouncements by politicians, the act did not enter into force until 13 October 2023. Functioning of the scheme is set to launch on 1 January 2025, leaving little time for businesses to prepare. But questions remain whether the system will start working as the parliament expected on the designated date.

EU member states’ tardiness in implementing environmental directives has consequences. It has led to a proposal of an EU regulation on packaging and packaging waste, to harmonise the internal market and eliminate the overproduction of packaging waste in the European Union. This article discusses certain aspects of the proposal that could significantly affect both businesses and consumers.

The ambitious climate targets adopted by the European Union at the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015 (the Paris Agreement) require decisive action across many sectors of the economy. The automotive industry will not be spared, and will soon be subject to a series of new regulations.

The environment is a key element of real estate development and construction, and has a major impact on the duration of the process. In 2023, there was increased legislative activity in this area, but we will not know its real impact on the construction process until 2024.

According to estimates by Interpol and the United Nations Environment Programme, environmental crime is the fourth-largest area of criminality in the world. Offences against the environment are also a major source of income for organised crime. Countering these phenomena requires developing a common approach at the European level.