There is an observable scarcity of comprehensive research results comparing the environmental damage associated with both the production of windows and their subsequent operation. The environmental impact of the operation of windows depends on their thermal insulation parameters, and thus the amount of heat that must be generated to heat the building. The type of heating system and, above all, the type of fuel used to generate heat are also not without significance. Unfortunately, in Poland, a significant proportion of single-family houses operate on the fossil fuel heating system, including on coal and fuel oil. It is therefore important to present an environmental balance sheet of both the production and operation of windows for different variants of building heating. The purpose of the study was to determine: to what extent the manufacturing of windows of different construction and different insulation parameters affects the environment, to what extent does the negative environmental impact of the process of manufacturing with greater insulation compensate by the lower environmental impact related to savings on fuel (gas, coal, fuel oil) used to generate heat during the operation of windows. Three types of windows were selected for a detailed analysis: a triple-glazed aluminum construction, a double-glazed PVC construction and a triple-glazed PVC. The research results show that in the case of all impact categories, the greater environmental losses related to the improvement of the thermal insulation parameters of the windows at the production stage are fully compensated at the stage of their useful life, regardless of the type of fuel used to heat the buildings. Double-glazed PVC windows should be phased out of production due to significant environmental footprint associated with their operation.

Creating and maintaining the microclimate in livestock buildings is associated with numerous engineering and technical challenges. Together with adequate feeding, the microclimate determines the health, reproductive ability, and production potential of the animals (obtaining a maximum amount of high-quality products). One of the deciding steps in improving the parameters of microclimate, i.e., temperature and humidity in agricultural facilities, particularly in livestock buildings, is to develop reliable and highly efficient air curtains in the vestibules. The objective of the manuscript is to investigate the parameters of the microclimate in livestock buildings using the air curtain, supported by automation and ICT technologies for rational operating modes. The presented theoretical and experimental studies on improving the microclimate parameters in livestock buildings were carried out using an innovative air curtain system. Its power is calculated based on the dimensions of the room, and the flow rate of warm air near the floor level is three times lower than at the installation site. The use of air curtains reduces consumption of thermal energy needed to maintain an optimal microclimate for livestock by 10–15%. Furthermore, the use of an automated digital control system maintains an optimal microclimate in the building. The developed energy-saving system for creating an optimal micro-climate in livestock buildings using air curtains was tested in a pigsty of the Research and Training Farm “Vorzel” of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, located in the Kiev region. The developed automated microclimate system using air curtains significantly improves the microclimate parameters and significantly reduces power consumption. The system can be further developed by adding remote control based on the Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

As global water resources are decreasing and the demand for it is constantly increasing, the problem of proper water management is becoming more pressing. Poland is one of the largest producers of vegetables in Europe, including carrots, with significant exports. However its freshwater resources are relatively small. The paper presents the results of research on the water footprint (WF) life cycle assessment (LCA) in conventional and organic carrot production. The methodology of calculating WF was used in accordance with PN-EN ISO 14046. It was found, e.g., that WF for organic production of carrot (WF = 1.9 m³ ha⁻¹) is over five times lower, as compared to conventional production (WF = 10.4 m³ ha⁻¹). In the case of conventional production, the fertilization process (67.0–67.7%) has the greatest impact on the shaping of WF in the individual impact categories, i.e. Human Health, Ecosystem Quality and resources. In organic production, the WF-shaping factor is carrot harvesting (41.9–43.1%). The research can be used to develop pro-ecological carrot production technologies, as well as to shape sustainable development plans in agricultural areas. It can also be used to outline policy directions regarding foreign trade in water-consuming agricultural products.

The objective of the paper is to present methods of evaluation of real estates used for evaluation of agricultural equipment and types of value related thereto. Alina carrot harvester by Waremczuk company served as an example, for which a detailed methodology and the results of valuation were presented.Evaluation was carried out based on two approaches namely a comparative and cost approach. In the case of the comparative approach, the average price adjustment method was used and in the case of the cost approach - a replacement cost method.As a result of using various approaches and methods of evaluation two slightly different values of the evaluated harvester were obtained. It was respectively: EUR16,406 - at the use of the average price adjustment method and EUR 17,678 - the estimated net replacement value in the cost approach for the replacement method.

The purpose of the work is to analyze the structure of the environmental impact of energy willow cultivation (Salix spp.) on plantations of various sizes, divided per materials and processes. The research covered 15 willow plantations, ranging from 0.31 ha to 12 ha, located in southern Poland. It was found, among others, that the so-called processes, i.e. the use of technical means of production, dominate the structure of the environmental impact (EI) related to the cultivation of energy willow, and that the cultivation of energy willow on larger plantations has a much lower environmental impact compared to cultivation on smaller plantations. Also, in the case of the environmental impact of processes, the largest environmental impact was recorded in the human health category, which is mainly associated with the consumption of fuel, i.e. diesel. It was determined, e.g., that the cultivation of energetic willow on larger plantations is characterized by a much lower environmental impact (as per the cultivation area), at approx. 108 Pt, compared to the cultivation on smaller plantations, where the value of the environmental impact is 168 Pt. A decisively dominant position in the structure of the environmental impact (EI), related to the cultivation of energy willow, is held by the so-called processes, i.e. the use of technical means of production. Their share in the total environmental impact decreases from 148.5 Pt in the group of the smallest plantations to 77.9 Pt in the group of the largest plantations.

The paper analyses the detailed structure of the environmental footprint of technologies used for potato production on plantations covering areas of various sizes. The research was conducted for potato cultivation in Lesser Poland. In order to determine the environmental impact with the LCA method, the SimaPro application was used, ver. 8.1.0.60. The “cradle-to-gate” approach was adopted, taking into account the type of technological practices, as well as machines, duration of their operation, number of seed potatoes, fertilisers, pesticides, used fuel and water. The final results were referred to the area of cultivation (1 ha). It was, for instance, found that one of the greatest impact factors of potato cultivation affecting the natural environment is the use of seed potatoes and relatively high consumption of diesel.