Sustainable development and the creation of smart, green cities requires cooperation in many scientific fields, including those related to ecology, mobility, or sustainable management, among others. Environmental protection is a particularly important element here. Atmospheric pollution, due to air movements, spreads over very large areas; therefore, air quality monitoring is crucial to ensure protection from harmful substances. One of the most severe sources of air pollution, accounting for as much as approximately 25% of total annual emissions within the EU, is road transport. Therefore, the European Union has set an ambitious target to reduce total emissions to 55% for cars and 50% for vans by 2030. In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become increasingly popular in many scientific fields, including environmental protection and photogrammetry. The use of UAVs to identify harmful pollutants allows them to gain an advantage over conventional detection methods, due to the possibility of remote (therefore safe for humans), faster, and area-based measurements. Given the ever-expanding scale of the use of this technology, this paper presents the possibilities of using UAVs to identify and visualize (map) pollution. The examples presented in the foreign literature, as well as our own research, in imaging the altitude distribution of air pollutants; gaseous pollutants: C₆H₆, HCHO, SO₂; and particulate matter: PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀ demonstrate the validity of such measures. This research was carried out in the area of one of Poland’s key A4 highways. The maps obtained allow for an area-wise and altitude-wise presentation of one of the significant air pollutants in the EU. In addition, they can be a valuable source of information for the implementation of future projects and the improvement of road infrastructure, thus contributing to the reduction of air pollution and the creation of so-called “green cities”.

This study provides a comprehensive life-cycle assessment (LCA) of renewable energy sources, focusing on the ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ emissions and ecological impacts associated with photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind energy technologies. The research evaluates emissions from raw material extraction, production, operation, and disposal, as well as the role of energy-storage systems. Photovoltaic systems exhibit life-cycle ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ emissions ranging between 28–100 [g ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$eq/kWh], influenced by factors like production energy mix and panel efficiency. Wind turbines demonstrate lower emissions, approximately 7–38 [g ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$eq/kWh], with variations based on turbine type and operational conditions. Despite low operational emissions, the full environmental impact of renewables includes biodiversity disruptions, land use changes, and material recycling challenges. The findings highlight that while renewable technologies significantly reduce ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ emissions compared to fossil fuels, their ecological footprint necessitates integrated sustainability strategies. The analysis supports policymakers and stakeholders in making informed decisions for a balanced energy transition, emphasizing the need for continued innovation in renewable technology life-cycle management.

The study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation. Additionally, monthly seasonality was taken into account. It was assumed (research hypothesis) that both the COVID-19 pandemic (expressed in individual waves of infection cases) and the month have a significant impact on CO₂ emissions. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to evaluate the significance of the influence of individual explanatory variables on the CO₂ emission. The identification of the studied series (CO₂ emission) was first made by means of a linear regression model with binary variables and then by the ARMAX model. The analysis shows that in the consecutive months and periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, CO₂ emissions differ significantly. The highest increase in emissions was recorded for the second wave of the pandemic, as well as in January and February. This is due to the overlapping of both the increase in infections (favoring stays at home) and the winter season. It can be concluded that working plants, schools and factories had the same demand for electricity, but sources of increased consumption were people staying at home and in hospitals as a result of deteriorated health, isolation or quarantine.

Achieving climate neutrality has become an environmental goal for all European Union (EU) Member States. Thanks to numerous projects and subsidies, EU countries are able to achieve the goal of decarbonizing energy sources. The aim of the presented study is to assess the validity of Member States’ actions to reduce CO₂ emissions based on data provided by Eurostat. The presented study combines, using regression, data on financial outlays dictated by environmental protection, the share of renewable energy, and total CO₂ emissions in individual Member States. This study has shown that, despite differences in the use of energy sources, Member States are able to achieve economic growth in symbiosis with the environment.

Environmental protection is a pivotal element of sustainable development, both essential and indispensable in the construction of smart, green cities. Road transport contributes significantly to atmospheric pollution, accounting for as much as 25% of annual emissions within the European Union (EU). To combat the adverse effects of road transport, the EU has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from both passenger and commercial vehicles. Consequently, sustainable air pollution management has become a focal point for numerous researchers. This study continues the investigation into the distribution of air pollutants along a specific highway segment in Poland. The article addresses two primary research questions: first, the temporal and spatial variations in air pollution adjacent to a major highway in Poland, and second, whether emission levels exhibit significant annual differences and if there is a correlation between pollutant concentrations and the distance from the roadway. The findings offer valuable data on one of the principal substances polluting the air along EU transportation routes. Moreover, the analysis provides recommendations for future road infrastructure renovation projects and strategies to protect the public from harmful traffic-related pollutants, thereby supporting the development of green cities in accordance with sustainable development principles.

Nanomaterials are a new group that has quickly found a wide range of applications in medicine, cosmetology, the food, weapons or automotive industry. They are also used as a fuel additive. This paper reviews the literature and assesses the current state of knowledge regarding the use of nanoparticles in automotive engine fuels. The results obtained so far are presented and further research directions in this field are identified.