The goal of this paper is the research and analysis of municipal waste stream management in rural areas, potentially designed for energy purposes in thermal treatment systems. The research section includes granulometric, morphological, and physicochemical analyses to determine waste parameters. Studies have indicated that the calorific value for mixed municipal waste ranged between 6.5 and 9.5 MJ∙kg, while following mechanical treatment for the oversize fraction over 80 mm ranged between 11.6 and 12.7 MJ∙kg. The biodegradable fraction content analysis of waste—granulation 10 to 20 mm—demonstrated its presence at the level of 80%, which may be used to produce biogas. Studies have shown that the humidity level of waste generated in rural areas is in the range of 32.9 to 40.9%, which does not disqualify it from energy use in the production of refuse-derived fuel. Implementing a circular economy in the municipal waste sector aims at minimizing the use of raw materials, limiting municipal waste generation and greenhouse gases emissions, and increasing the level of energy use. Implementing new municipal waste management models is crucial to achieve a balanced, low-emission, waste-free, and competitive economy. The results are a significant research input for a group of municipal wastes generated in rural areas, such as refuse-derived fuel.

Removing impurities that occur in landfill gas, from sulphur and silicon compounds, is crucial for the energetic use of biogas in a cogeneration unit for energy purposes. The aim of this study was to analyse the shaped activated carbon, examining its structure and elemental composition as part of the biogas purification. The qualitative study of the purified landfill gas performed in this study showed a significant overshoot of hydrogen sulphide at 304.1 ppm with respect to the gas engine manufacturer’s requirements, while the calculated hydrogen sulphide reduction efficiency was 24.58%. Examination of the surface of the spent carbon and its pores with a scanning microscope revealed a high level of clotting by sulphur compounds, which prevents proper reduction of this compound and reduces the efficiency of the treatment plant. Replacement of the activated carbon bed with a new one showed a hydrogen sulphide value of 7.5 ppm in the purified gas and a calculated reduction efficiency of 97.9%. The results of the study confirmed that continuous monitoring of the quality of the purified gas is necessary to control the adsorption properties of the activated carbon and can be used for the operation of gas engines in cogeneration units. The landfill gas treatment method described in this paper constitutes an environmentally sustainable project within the meaning of the EU regulation on the establishment of a framework to promote and facilitate this type of investment in terms of its financing and operation. The topic of the work fits into three key areas of broad research and implementation activities. The first, technological, is the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable and resource-efficient closed-loop economy; the second, environmental, pollution prevention and control. The third area is economics and finance in terms of making financial products available designed to reduce climate change and reporting on these activities.

The energy transition currently defines the economic development of all market sectors, driven by technological progress and increasing environmental awareness. The requirements of a sustainable economy and green energy are evolving dynamically to address environmental challenges, emphasizing the reduction of CO₂ emissions as well as energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. It is essential to study consumer attitudes toward products manufactured using green energy, including FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) products. The aim of this article is to examine the impact of the energy transformation, and consequently rising energy costs, on the decision-making process of consumers of FMCG products produced in accordance with the principles of sustainable development (including green energy). It explores the factors influencing their purchasing decisions and the role that generation plays in this process. Understanding how different generations respond to the energy aspects of economic functioning is crucial for the future development of the energy sector and the implementation of sustainable economic models. Therefore, it is essential to conduct research that demonstrates the extent of the influence of increasing consumer awareness of energy transformation within the framework of sustainable development.

The study analyzes pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors of residents in the mountainous regions of Małopolska regarding energy saving and transportation. The main objective was to determine the extent to which environmental awareness, vehicle technical condition, and driving style translate into actual energy-efficient behaviors. The research was conducted using a quantitative method among 423 respondents from six mountain districts of Małopolska, based on a proprietary questionnaire and statistical analysis employing non-parametric tests, correlation coefficients, and principal component analysis. The results indicate that respondents most frequently declare simple pro-environmental actions such as waste segregation and energy saving, while less often engaging in activities requiring higher effort or investment, such as eco-driving or limiting car use. Women exhibit higher environmental sensitivity and greater support for ecological regulations, whereas men tend to focus on the technical aspects of vehicle maintenance. The most pro-environmental attitudes and motivations to switch to low-emission vehicles are observed among individuals aged 25–44. The findings confirm that demographic factors significantly differentiate eco–energy-saving orientations, and that environmentally friendly transport behaviors are closely linked to everyday energy-saving practices.

Sustainable protein consumption is a key element in the transition toward more environmentally responsible food systems. Poultry, due to its relatively low carbon footprint and favorable health profile, holds significant potential to become an important component of the so-called “protein transition.” The aim of this article is to identify cognitive factors influencing consumer purchasing decisions regarding poultry and to formulate recommendations for marketing communication strategies that position poultry as a choice aligned with sustainability goals. This study is based on an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted on a nationally representative sample of Polish consumers (AgriFood 2024). The results revealed three dominant decision-making determinants—taste, health, and convenience—collectively forming the original THC (Taste–Health–Convenience) model. This model provides a novel interpretive framework, showing how sustainability issues can be communicated through immediate, personally relevant consumer benefits, and subsequently expanded to include environmental and ethical aspects. The findings indicate that effective communication should emphasize tangible, everyday consumer benefits while also leveraging poultry’s lower climate impact compared to red meat. This article makes an original contribution to the debate on sustainable diets by presenting the THC model both as a tool for explaining the mechanisms of the attitude–behavior gap and as a practical instrument for designing campaigns that support the implementation of SDG 3 and SDG 12.

The research relevance is predefined by the need to explain the nature of inflation and assess the effectiveness of anti-inflationary policy in Poland. The research aims to study the factors that cause price growth and the tools to reduce its pace during the global economic crisis. The following research methods were used: analysis of statistical data on inflation dynamics; comparison – for comparing price growth indices; expert estimates – for forecasting inflation; graphical – for displaying results; and generalisation – for summarising information on the use of inflation reduction tools. The main results obtained in this study are: determination of the dynamics of producer price indices, consumer prices and the gross domestic product (GDP) deflator in Poland; comparison of Poland’s inflation rate with other European countries and justification of the reasons for its rapid growth; analysis of the use of inflation targeting in Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary; and assessment of the effectiveness of the central bank’s increase in the key interest rate and required reserve ratios, as well as the impact of these instruments on the inflation rate in Poland; proving the non-monetary nature of inflation and identifying its main drivers in the period 2020-2023 (coronavirus pandemic, rising global energy and food prices, war in Ukraine); identifying the effects of lowering value-added tax (VAT) rates on certain goods on inflation and tax revenues to the Polish budget; comparing the forecast inflation rate and GDP growth by the end of 2023 and 2024-2025 based on expert estimates; substantiating the ways to slow down inflation, considering a wide range of external factors affecting the Polish economy. The results and conclusions are of practical importance for the Government of the country and managers of the banking sector in developing measures to regulate the rate of price growth.