Globalization and the related processes of land and capital concentration are also present in Polish agriculture. As a result of the occurring changes in agriculture itself and in its environment, the importance of small agricultural holdings is permanently declining. The gradual disappearance of small family farms not only disrupts the direct relationships between food producers and consumers, but also puts food security at risk, primarily on a local and regional scale. The purpose of the article is an attempt to present that the development of Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) can offer an alternative to the occurring current distribution channels. The article is focused on the possibilities of CSA development in the Wrocław district resulting from the proximity of the largest market in the Lower Silesia region—Wrocław (the capital of Lower Silesia in Poland). The survey covered 400 agricultural holdings located in nine municipalities of the Wrocław district. The conducted research has shown that the CSA model opens opportunities for a long-lasting cooperation between farmers and consumers, but its implementation requires an increase in the prices of agricultural products offered by farmers by about 50%, as well as solutions to the cost-related problems of agricultural product transport.

Fossil fuels, which are widely used in Poland, have negative environmental and health consequences. Photovoltaics, used especially by households, contribute to a reduction in CO₂ emissions and indirectly reduce the problem of smog. However, the high cost of photovoltaic installations forces the use of economic incentives, such as direct subsidies to the installation, under the “My Electricity” program (hereinafter referred to as the program). The development of photovoltaics is hindered by the ineffective functioning of transmission grids. In the current edition of the “My Electricity” program, the main emphasis was placed on the use of electricity at the place of generation through the use of energy storage facilities and the transition to a new billing system, so-called net billing. The program indirectly contributes to the growing popularity of heat pumps as an installation that uses electricity generated on-site. Significant changes in the program inspired the authors of the study to plan and conduct nationwide research; they assessed investment plans for energy storage and heat pumps by potential individual investors, i.e., owners of single-family houses. Based on the results obtained, the authors of the article concluded that the new version of the “My Electricity” program will almost exclusively affect the energy storage market. This impact will stimulate the development and application of this technology. In the case of the heat pump market, the current demand will remain at the same level. The program will contribute to achieving the assumed goals, especially energy consumption at the place of production and reducing so-called low emissions. The program will not affect the demand for heat pumps.

The article concerns the impact of stakeholders on project management in non-profit organizations. This issue was presented from the perspective of the organization’s project management maturity. It seems that this issue has not yet been adequately researched by scientists. Contribution was made to the theory of project management by highlighting the need to adjust the level of project management maturity and stakeholder management maturity, and by recommending areas for further research. It has been noted that stakeholder management and risk assessment are just as important as the issues of financing projects and planning their purpose, scope and selection of project teams. The conclusions were based on the analysis of the results of empirical research. The empirical material came from a study based on a sample of 93 non-profit organizations operating in Poland.

Measuring the probability of flood risk is a key issue in the economics of natural disasters. This discipline studies actual and potential effects of natural disasters on the functioning of economic systems. In traditional economic understanding, it is assumed that both the decision making processes and market processes operate within a certain level of access to information. It is also assumed that the effects of certain phenomena are predictable. However, a natural disaster is difficult to predict. It is hard to predict the time of its occurrence, its impact, direct exposure to its effects and finally, its social and economic results. Exposure to a random hazard, combined with the amount of damage resulting from its potential materialization, is called risk. In this study, the authors focus on presenting a method for quantification of the random element of flood risk. We are using measurement data for cross-border areas between Poland and Germany who witnessed a flood of the century in the 1990s. The empirical data illustrate the usefulness and universality of probabilistic quantification methods for flood risk analysis. The analysis of water level is interesting in a much broader context than the hydrological-economic one. In Central Europe, river water level is immediately connected with two other disaster-like phenomena: drought and heavy rainfall. Also, the course of the Oder river is typical for North European Plain. Therefore, the conclusions presented by the authors are universal by nature and describe certain broader phenomena. Employment of methods of probabilistic quantification using extreme values yields very interesting results: flood risk changes dynamically. Five-year period measurements themselves indicate that there are periods of relatively low exposure of the areas to the disaster (with negligible probability 0.02) and periods of disproportionately high risk increase. The risk of exceeding alarm levels and warning levels changes rapidly, reaching as much as 30% in some locations.

Poland is one of Europe’s key carp producers. However, its main consumption (80–90% of sales) is concentrated during the Christmas period. In addition, the marginal sale of fish outside the core season does not allow producers to extend the period for generating revenues. Price is one of the essential factors for determining the behavior of both producers and consumers. In this context, our research addressed the role of price on Poland’s carp market, approaching it as a specific product due to its nature and Polish tradition. Moreover, an attempt was made to indicate the existing correlations between quality factors and the price of carp. The problem of price was examined primarily from the consumer’s perspective. Nevertheless, a simplified simulation of the effect of price on supply was also performed, especially with regard to the development of direct sales. The source material was obtained through a survey conducted among the consumers from Wroclaw, the main urban center of Lower Silesia, located a short distance from the largest complex of carp fishponds in Poland. The research results were statistically processed in the Statistica program. The findings, however, did not confirm that price was a factor in determining the purchasing behavior of consumers in Poland’s carp market. Non-price factors related to consumer tastes and preferences (seasonality of demand) played a much greater role. Therefore, the efforts aimed at restoring balance on the analyzed market should be focused on enhancing consumers’ perception of carp as a high-quality fish presenting health oriented qualities.

Aim/purpose – Energy is traditionally produced using fossil fuels as raw materials, which impacts the environment negatively. Due to the scarcity of fossil fuel supplies, rising prices of energy carriers, and global trends, consumers are turning to renewable energy sources (RES) for home heating. The aim of this study was to determine whether the choice of house heating system using different sources than fossil fuels is driven by any additional components of single-family house users’ purchasing decisions besides cost. Based on research results, the prospects for further transformation of thermal ener- gy in single-family housing in Poland towards RES were determined. Design/methodology/approach – The research on the inhabitants of single-family houses was conducted in December 2022 in Poland. The research method used was a survey using the CATI and CAWI techniques. 600 respondents filled out the question- naire. The results were statistically analyzed. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test (non- -parametric ANOVA) and a post-hoc test were used. The distributions’ normality and the variances’ homogeneity were measured using Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Brownian– –Forsythe tests. Calculations were performed using Statistica software. Findings – The choice of heating energy source in single-family houses, taking CO2 emis- sions into account, is not dictated by income level. Instead, it is determined by the number of people in the household. More numerous households opt for a zero-emission heat source. Households using emission-based heating energy sources are significantly more driven by the cost of using heating appliances; their purchase price, reliability, and product quality are more important than those using zero-emission methods. The partial use of renewable energy source solutions promotes further investment in emission-free heat sources. Research implications/limitations – The analysis illustrates the state of thermal trans- formation in single-family houses during the energy transition process at the national level. A limitation of the research is that it samples only one EU country struggling with too high CO2 emissions compared to other countries. Originality/value/contribution – A unique approach used in this study is to address the variation in incentives for renewable energy purchasing decisions, considering CO2 emissions. This aspect, although noticeable to some extent, is not directly taken into account by users who do not have the tools to assess their CO2 emissions. However, the proposed research approach showed that the CO2 emission level of a heating system is a factor differentiating some aspects of the decision-making process of system users. In particular, it showed what elements of the decision are essential in households that have not yet taken any action towards energy transformation. Keywords: energy, decision-making process, heat source, hybrid heat sources, emis- sion-free heat sources, consumers’ characteristics. JEL Classification: Q56, G51, O13.