Suspension of the Clean Air program
Attorney Agnieszka Warso-Buchanan assessed in a comment for PAP that suspension of accepting applications for the “Clean Air” program de facto means its suspension.
“This is terrible news for Polish women and men, especially those most sensitive to smog: children, pregnant women, the elderly and those suffering from respiratory and circulatory system diseases,” she emphasized. “We realize that program reforms are necessary. However, the decision to suspend it is a misunderstanding that shows the helplessness of the state administration in the face of the growing interest in financial instruments to fight smog,” said Warso-Buchanan. “Instead of increasing the number of people handling the program, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management is suspending its operation. It’s like exempting taxpayers from paying taxes for the duration of the reform of the tax system,” said the attorney.
Consequences of program suspension
In her opinion, the decision shows the lack of consistency of the authorities, which on the one hand declares care for the health of Poles, and on the other hand suspends the flagship program for replacing heat sources and thermal modernization of buildingswhose primary goal is improving air quality.
The lawyer also stated that actions such as suspending the Clean Air program are another supporting argument the need to pursue the rights to health and clean and safe air in court. “This is why ClientEarth Foundation Lawyers for the Earth on behalf of two asthma patients sued the State Treasury this week for failing to effectively fight smogdemanding financial compensation for the victims,” Warso-Buchanan recalled.
Official information about the program being suspended
National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) suspended on November 28 this year. accepting applications for the “Clean Air” program. The break is expected to last until spring 2025.
“Before launching the next one pool of European funds we need to take a break. There will be a new version of the program, with new recruitment and new applications. This technological and methodological break in the program is very much needed,” she said on Friday Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska. “We want to create such a special pool of funds from the +Clean Air+ program dedicated to flood victims. In the first decade of December, such applications will be considered by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management)” – she added.
New financing for flood victims
She noted that the money was for “Clean Air” program for flood victims will come from a different source than before. “We received from Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy new supply – PLN 300 million, including from KPO,” said the minister.
Hennig-Kloska assured that all applications that have already been submitted under the Clean Air program will be considered.
New priorities of the Ministry of Climate
In the announcement of November 28 this year The Ministry of Climate and Environment emphasized that the main emphasis will now be placed on a special program for thermal modernization of houses, addressed to the voivodeships affected by the flood. “The program for flood victims will start in mid-December,” the ministry announced. (PAP)
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