Sustainable access to raw materials has been growing concern for the EU policy from 2008. Germany, Finland, United Kingdom, Portugal and Greece were the first European countries to introduce and develop own minerals policy (2010–2012). Each of Member State prioritized own targets, but sustainability, waste management and climate were also underlined. In 2015 the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were established and adopted in the EU policy framework to monitor and measure the social, economic and environmental aspects. Next Paris Agreement targets and climate neutral has been introduced. They have significant impact also on mining industry. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between mineral policy in chosen countries and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and EU climate policy target. Due to limited data for mining sector the impact of mineral policy on sustainable mineral supply and CO₂ emissions have been analyzed to identify the specific challenges, trends and successful factors of transition. It was shown that well developed mineral policy - in case of Finland - allow increase over 20% of production with over 20% decrease of CO₂ emission. Moreover productivity in the sector in almost all analyzed country has been increased, what can show some correlation between mineral policy and SDG 12. However more detailed indicators for monitoring and assess the mineral policy on EU level and in individual country is needed, especially in contest of impact on sustainable development. It can help to provide acceptance of local society for new investment. It is a long term process which required not only significant financial capital, new technological solutions, but also trust and transparency in monitoring in implementing environmental and social aspects.

The inevitable energy transformation can be perceived as an opportunity and as a threat to the actions undertaken to prevent energy poverty in European mining regions. Silesia is a special exemplification of the European region whose economy has been based on coal industry for centuries. There are still about 70,000 miners and coal is also widely used for heating households. Based on developed map of jobs lost in mining and related industry and the demographic and social data the proposal of activities addressed to different group of people has been created. It was also indicated that energy poverty in Poland mainly concerns households inhabited by single women. Therefore, the major conclusion of the paper is postulated that the Just Transition strategy should be extended by issues strictly related to the situation of women in the future labor market. Additionally, the concept of a special hub for women, whose aim would be professional activation of women of various age groups, has been introduced.

The energy transition, aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change, presents both opportunities and challenges in addressing energy poverty. This article explores the differing approaches of Poland and Sweden in energy poverty alleviation within the context of this transition. Poland, with its historical dependence on coal, faces considerable obstacles as it seeks to shift towards cleaner energy sources while minimizing the impact on vulnerable populations. Conversely, Sweden, supported by its advanced energy infrastructure and strong welfare systems, has implemented effective strategies that have largely mitigated energy poverty, though challenges persist for low-income households, especially in rural areas. The article delves into the definitions, drivers, and alleviation strategies of energy poverty in both countries. Through a comprehensive literature review and the analysis of key initiatives such as Poland’s Clean Air Program and Sweden’s Warm Rent scheme, the study underscores the potential for policy interventions to address energy poverty. It concludes with recommendations on how both countries can further reduce energy poverty, highlighting the critical role of energy efficiency, social support systems, and the integration of renewable energy in achieving a fair and equitable energy transition.

Anthropopression has become a factor of many negative environmental changes, including climate change. As a response to these changes, the European Union (EU) has already cut the GHG emission by 24% compared to 1990 levels. However, the goals are far greater since the Paris Agreement states...

The Polish political transformation of 1989 brought significant changes not only on the political and social levels but also on the economic level. The Polish economy, which until then had been a centrally planned economy, had to be rapidly changed into a free market economy. As a result of...

This study explores the potential of deliberative and polycentric governance models to address the complex challenges of the energy transition trilemma, balancing energy security, environmental sustainability, and energy equity. The article aims to develop an integrated deliberative–polycentric framework for managing the energy transition trilemma and to illustrate its implementation relevance through an applied example of heat pump deployment. The analysis primarily draws on evidence and examples from Europe and the United States, reflecting the regions most frequently discussed in the reviewed literature and policy materials. Drawing on an extensive literature review and desk-based analysis, the research adopts a non-empirical, theory-building approach grounded in interpretive policy analysis. The study synthesizes insights from scholarly works and policy documents to construct an integrated analytical framework. It argues that hybrid governance, merging the inclusivity and transparency of deliberative democracy with the flexibility and redundancy of polycentric systems—can enhance legitimacy, adaptability, and effectiveness in energy policymaking. Through thematic synthesis, key governance principles are identified, including multilevel coordination, stakeholder participation, transparency, and justice. The findings highlight that the synergy between deliberation and polycentricity offers a promising path toward more resilient, participatory, and just energy systems, while acknowledging the implementation challenges of such models.