Implementation of the Air Quality Plan guidelines for the Malopolska Region based on the example of the health resort Rabka Zdrój

Abstract

It is commonly known that Poland has for many years a lot of problems with air quality. However, Polish legal regulation provides the solutions to improve air quality. One of them is the most important local strategy documents – Air Quality Plan for Malopolska Region (MAQP). This programme assumes taking corrective actions in order to improve air quality in the Malopolska Region. The main objective of the work is analysis how the local government Rabka Zdrój implement the assumption of MAQP on the municipality area. In order to understand for the implementation of the procedures set in MAQP, a study of the energy structure was presented. The results of analysis shown that the main usage of heating systems, based on solid fuel boilers, is the cause of the low air quality. The final report on the implementation of MAQP in 2013–2015 made it clear, that local governments did not get involved enough in putting in place air quality activities. On the other hand, since 2016, the municipality of Rabka Zdrój has been taking more and more steps to engage in different actions to achieves emission reduction.