The paper explores the impacts of changes in renewable energy sources (RES) financing in Poland on the profitability of coupled photovoltaic panels and heat pump systems. The profitability analysis is conducted with the use of Net Present Value calculation and the return on investment period. The degree of change in profitability of using photovoltaic panels in Poland is dependent on the method of their financing. The analysis is carried out for two different photovoltaic support schemes: (1) the net-metering scheme currently in force in Poland; (2) the net-billing system scheduled for implementation in the year 2022. It is assumed for the analysis that two alternative heating and electricity supply systems for a single-family building will be operated: (a) a standard solution used in Poland consisting of a natural gas-fired boiler for heating and the purchase of electricity from the power grid, (b) an air/water heat pump used to heat the building, and electricity obtained from photovoltaic panels, also used to power the heat pump. A sensitivity analysis is carried out, examining the impact of several key parameters relevant for the profitability of such investments, such as average annual increase in the purchasing or selling prices of electricity, purchasing prices of natural gas, and inflation rate. The conclusions concern the possible consequences of introducing a new support scheme for photovoltaics in Poland. The highest profitability of all considered solutions is for the current scenario for heat pump and pv installation with the capacity to meet the demand in the last year of operation. The introduction of changes in the new RES law (2021) in Poland will reduce the profitability of investments in pv panels, leading to a slowdown in the investments in the pv installations.

Hydropower as stable power installations play an important role among renewable energy sources. Yet, their share in renewable energy is small. Currently, it is only 10% of energy from renewable energy sources (RES), compared to 27% in 2010. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to assess the RES support schemes in Poland related to hydropower, such as green certificates, auctions and FIT, with the use of the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) analysis in order to determine which support scheme is best incentivizing hydropower development. The evolution of the hydropower support scheme in Poland is presented. The total LCOE and possible revenues from support systems for various segments of hydropower installations are graphically analyzed for two analysis periods (15 and 50 years) and for two discount rates (7% and 11.4%). The analysis shows the great importance of the support schemes in the profitability of the hydropower plants investments. The LCOE graphical analysis proves to be suitable for showing sensitivity analysis of capital and operating costs of various sizes of hydropower plants. The analysis shows that the LCOE in micro-power plants is usually higher than the support and revenues available in the green certificates or auctions or FIT schemes in Poland.

The circular economy is a core approach driving innovative economic solutions. Although the legal system should support the development of such an economy, scientific methods to assess the environmental impact of legal rules are lacking. Legislators and scholars have highlighted consumer law as an area requiring ecologically efficient solutions. This research aims to design a method to calculate environmental costs related to the exercise of remedies for nonconforming goods under a consumer sales contract. Various environmental impact assessment approaches are reviewed to identify those which can be used when designing a method for calculating the environmental impact of legislative provisions. The Life Cycle Thinking is applied and the Life Cycle Assessment method is chosen and used to compare different remedy-scenarios, that is, when the consumer chooses repair, replacement, price reduction or termination. A formula is devised to determine which remedies should be prioritized and whether it is possible to design an eco-friendly hierarchy of remedies in consumer sales law. Though it proved impossible to design a rigid hierarchy of remedies, which would be optimal in every scenario from the perspective of environmental costs generated as a result of the consumer exercising the rights for non-conforming goods, the environmental costs of exercising each of the rights under the remedies available to the consumer can be assessed not only in concreto but also in abstracto allowing for formulation of specific recommendations for legislator.

This article addresses the critical need for effective public-private partnership (further - PPP) models amidst economic, social, and political challenges in Kazakhstan. The results of the study are aimed at improving the identification of risks for making informed decisions. It delves into scientific achievements relevant to assessing business activity and nurturing entrepreneurial culture. Employing comparative analysis, the research examines domestic PPP practices, drawing insights from statistical data. The findings emphasize PPP's role in ensuring national economic competitiveness, with legislative improvements positively impacting growth. The analysis of foreign practices critically examines the evolution of public-private partnership (PPP) development in Kazakhstan by juxtaposing it with the experiences of leading nations. The United Kingdom has demonstrated successful partnership models based on transparency, clear terms, and mutually beneficial relationships, serving as an example for Kazakhstan in enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors. The SWOT analysis identifies inefficiencies, stressing the importance of transparent project teams and systematic risk management. Sectoral insights highlight a decline in private sector involvement, emphasizing the need for regulatory improvements and risk reduction in PPP implementations. The study emphasizes PPP's indispensable role in Kazakhstan's socio-economic development, advocating for continuous reforms and advanced risk management. The proposed PPP project management algorithm aims to foster efficiency, address challenges, and stimulate economic activity, paving the way for sustainable infrastructure development.

The article focuses on wine tourism in Polish vineyards, which has been developing very dynamically in recent years, and aims to look at this phenomenon from the perspective of winemakers. It seeks to explore the primary motivations of winemakers for initiating enotourism activities and to analyse potential factors that support or hinder the development of tourism functions. The study is based on quantitative and qualitative research which involved direct on-site observations, source analysis, and a diagnostic survey that included questionnaires and interviews with winemakers. The primary reasons for introducing tourism offerings by winemakers, often concurrently with the very inception of the vineyard and the commencement of wine production, are the desire to increase direct sales, promote the brand, and establish and maintain relationships with customers and the local community. Many winemakers plan to expand their tourism activities, particularly in terms of accommodation services. However, current obstacles include high investment costs (especially related to the introduction of accommodation and catering services), shortage of appropriate personnel, lack of time, and difficulties in balancing vineyard work with tourist services.