Thursday 28 November 2013

Poland’s Krakow bans domestic coal burning

Householders in Poland’s southern city of Krakow have been banned from heating their homes with coal and wood, reports claim.

The Malopolska regional council voted for the complete withdrawal of the use of fossil fuels in a bid to cut air pollution.

Overall, 22 Malopolska councillors voted in favour of the ban – with 11 voting against, it has been reported. The ban is expected to come into full force in five years.

Local deputy speaker Wojciech Kozak has been reported as saying: “This resolution is a precedent on a national scale, it will introduce many changes in Poland and the region.”

According to a European Environment Agency report earlier this year, Krakow is the third most polluted European city. Around 50% of Krakow’s winter air pollution is said to come from domestic stoves, 30% from traffic and 20% from power plants.

Last week the UK Government said Britain will join the US in agreeing to end support for public financing of new coal-fired power stations abroad.