In response to growing environmental concerns, hydrogen production has emerged as a critical element in the transition to a sustainable global economy. We evaluate the impact of hydrogen production on both the financial performance and market value of energy sector companies, using balanced panel data from 288 European-listed firms over the period of 2018 to 2022. The findings reveal a paradox. While hydrogen production imposes significant financial constraints, it is positively recognized by market participants. Despite short-term financial challenges, companies engaged in hydrogen production experience higher market value, as investors view these activities as a long-term growth opportunity aligned with global sustainability goals. We contribute to the literature by offering empirical evidence on the financial outcomes and market valuation of hydrogen engagement, distinguishing between production and storage activities, and further categorizing production into green, blue, and gray hydrogen. By examining these nuances, we highlight the complex relationship between financial market results. While hydrogen production may negatively impact short-term financial performance, its potential for long-term value creation, driven by decarbonization efforts and sustainability targets, makes it attractive to investors. Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights into how hydrogen engagement shapes corporate strategies within the evolving European energy landscape.

Coal continues to play a significant role in Poland’s electricity generation system, making the sustainable management of environmental impacts from hard coal mining a critical challenge during the ongoing energy transition. In line with the European Green Deal and circular economy principles, reducing and managing mining-related waste emissions is an important component of sustainable development in regions undergoing a gradual phase-out of fossil fuel extraction. This study analyzes rock mass and dust emissions associated with underground hard coal mining in Poland over the period 2017–2025 using the most recent statistical data, including estimates for 2025 based on the first three quarters of the year. The scale, structure, and trends of emissions are examined to assess their implications for environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and long-term land use. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between declining coal production and the relatively slower reduction in waste rock emissions, which indicates increasing contamination of extracted material and poses challenges for sustainable mining practices. The results show that while total coal output has decreased substantially, reductions in rock mass emissions have been less dynamic, highlighting the need for improved waste management strategies from a sustainability perspective. The study demonstrates that increasing the utilization of mining waste, through underground use and circular economy applications, can reduce environmental pressure, support compliance with sustainability policies, and mitigate long-term impacts on post-mining regions. Although the analysis focuses on Poland, the findings provide transferable insights for other countries seeking to balance energy security, mining sector restructuring, and sustainable development objectives during the transition away from fossil fuels.

Reducing and managing emissions of mine waters and the minerals dissolved in them, and above all, using these wastes as resources, is an important element of sustainable development in regions undergoing a gradual phase-out of fossil fuel extraction. This article examines selected aspects of mine water management and the mineral substances contained therein, using the Polish hard coal mining industry as a case study, providing valuable insights for both Poland and other mining regions reducing raw material extraction regarding the sustainability of social water demand, mining sector restructuring, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Poland, underground hard coal mining remains a significant source of mine water and mineral salt emissions. Mine waters, discharged into the catchments of major rivers (approximately 200 million m³ per year) along with their dissolved mineral compounds (approximately 1.5 million Mg per year), have repeatedly contributed to serious environmental disruptions, e.g., the phenomena of so-called “fish kill”. This study analyzes both the scale of emissions and the economic utilization of mineralized mine waters discharged to the surface by underground hard coal mining in Poland. Key processes and potential causes for the observed increase in environmental burdens are discussed. Furthermore, the paper presents a current statistical assessment of the trends and scale of emission changes, which can serve as a basis for environmental management decision-making amidst the decarbonization of the economy. Utilizing potential water resources and mineral compounds from mine waters for internal use or within circular economy applications can reduce environmental pressure, support compliance with sustainable development policies, and mitigate long-term impacts on post-mining regions.

Składniki odżywcze gleby na terenach zdegradowanych przez kopalnie mogą się wyczerpać, co może mieć negatywny wpływ na zdrowie i wzrost drobiu i zwierząt gospodarskich. Współuprawa oferuje większe korzyści w zakresie jakości gleby na terenach zdegradowanych przez kopalnie w porównaniu z uprawą wyłączną. Współuprawa soi z kukurydzą może zwiększyć sekwestrację węgla (C) w glebie, poziom tlenu w glebie (O2), poziom magnezu (Mg), poziom krzemu (Si) i dystrybucję tytanu (Ti), zapewniając zrównoważoną opcję dla rolników. Zwiększa również poziom potasu (K) w glebie, poprawia wykorzystanie składników odżywczych i łagodzi toksyczność glinu (Al) dla wzrostu roślin. Współuprawa może zmniejszyć gromadzenie się żelaza (Fe) w glebie, potencjalnie wspierając wzrost roślin i wchłanianie składników odżywczych. Uzupełniające się wzorce pobierania składników odżywczych przez dwie uprawy w systemie współuprawy przyczyniają się do tych zalet. Ta metoda może zwiększyć plony i wspierać zdrowie roślin w systemach upraw mieszanych. Składniki odżywcze gleby na terenach zdegradowanych przez kopalnie mogą się wyczerpać. Uprawa współrzędna oferuje większe korzyści w zakresie jakości gleby na terenach zdegradowanych przez kopalnie w porównaniu z uprawą wyłączną. Uprawa współrzędna soi z kukurydzą może zwiększyć sekwestrację C w glebie, poziom O2 w glebie, poziom Mg, poziom Si i dystrybucję Ti, zapewniając zrównoważoną opcję dla rolników. Zwiększa również poziom K w glebie, poprawia wykorzystanie składników odżywczych i łagodzi toksyczność Al na wzrost roślin. Uprawa współrzędna może zmniejszyć gromadzenie się Fe w glebie, potencjalnie wspierając wzrost roślin i wchłanianie składników odżywczych. Uzupełniające się wzorce pobierania składników odżywczych przez dwie uprawy w systemie uprawy współrzędnej przyczyniają się do tych zalet.

Purpose: The purpose of this publication is to present the results of an original statistical analysis of the monitoring of environmental parameters of hard coal mining in Poland and to identify the reasons for changes in these parameters. Design/methodology/approach: Planning safe and efficient hard coal mining requires continuous and ongoing analysis of the environmental parameters of mining operations. The presented analysis of selected environmental impacts of hard coal mining is based on information reported by mining companies. Data was obtained from the reports of mining companies and the website https://polskirynekwegla.pl/. Findings: The cessation of coal mining will not fully stop greenhouse gas emissions from the previously mined deposit. This article analyzes changes in annual greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions. The text identifies the most important reasons for the changes in the environmental impact of mining operations. Research limitations/implications: The analysis was conducted for the period from 2013 to 2024. One small private Polish mining company does not report its indicators, so the data presented in the article only applies to other hard coal producers. However, due to the limited scope of this company's operations, the aggregated picture of the sector differs little from reality. Practical implications: The presented analysis of selected environmental aspects of hard coal mining in Poland can help prepare a strategy adapting the hard coal mining sector to the dynamic changes in the fossil fuel market and new environmental challenges. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the EU, and thus by Poland, is necessary to slow the growth of unfavorable climate change. Social implications: Halting, or even limiting, the ever-increasing global warming will be possible through the decarbonization transformation of economies. Originality/value: The collected information on the environmental conditions of mining operations can help prepare potentially effective scenarios for the transformation of hard coal extraction in Poland and can also be used in the restructuring of mining in other countries.

Poland is the largest hard coal producer in the European Union. Changes observed during the energy transition, undertaken to slow climate change, is reducing demand for fossil fuels. The restructuring of the hard coal mining industry in Poland is adapting the sector to new market, environmental, and social challenges. Currently, the Polish energy sector is not prepared to rapid phase-out the combustion of thermal coal. A transition period is necessary, during which the Polish hard coal mining industry must provide sufficient coal to stabilize the power grid through coal-fired power plants. Coal extraction occurs in extraction excavations, but to enable their operation, mining companies must conduct a certain amount of preparatory roadways. The article analyzes the changes occurring in the basic technical parameters of excavated preparatory excavations and the difficulties affecting the length and number of excavated preparatory roadways. Selected reasons for the temporary suspension of excavated preparatory roadways are also analyzed. An attempt is made to identify the most important causes of these limitations and proposes recommendations. The obtained results of the statistical review of difficulties in preparatory exploitation will be used to present a picture of the current condition of the sector and to forecast possible directions of transformation of the hard coal mining sector in Poland and can potentially be used in other countries conducting similar decarbonization processes.