A late wake up call: local climate policies in Warsaw Metropolitan Area

Worldwide, the climate policies are becoming more and more obvious item among local tasks. Yet, as the research shows, in various places of the globe this process is having a different starting point and different dynamics. Studies conducted between 2013 and 2016 in Poland and Norway have shown that in Poland the local climate policies are in general less developed and advanced than in Norway. However, the environmental situation in Poland is alarming since Poland is a disgraceful leader in air pollution in Europe – being home to 33 out of Europe’s top 50 most polluted cities (according to World Health Organization). In the article, we present main findings from the research of local sustainable policies in the Warsaw Metropolitan Area (WMA) from 2018. The research has revealed a remarkable intensification of those policies. We are looking at the local climate policies in the investigated area from two perspectives. First, we look at them as one of the tasks undertaken within metropolitan governance. In this context an obviously important role is played by the policy oriented on air quality improvement (fighting smog being a consequence of intensive road traffic in Warsaw and burning poor quality fuel and garbage in private households at the suburb of Warsaw). Second, we analyse climate policies conducted independently in all 40 municipalities of the WMA, distinguishing undertakings related to adaptation and mitigation; scrutinizing role they play for localities, and grasping the citizens perspective. The method used for this purpose is desk research. Special attention was devoted to two case studies – Legionowo and Otwock – towns within the WMA – being analysed in a more in-depth way using the citizens’ survey and interviews with local actors conducted in July 2018. (Co-Author Anna Dąbrowska, University of Warszawa).