Arkadiusz Piwowar

Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 

Wrocław, Poland

E-mail: arkadiusz.piwowar@ue.wroc.pl

Challenges associated with environmental protection in rural areas of Poland: Empirical studies’ results

Abstract. The paper focuses on important and topical issues of agricultural economy development within the paradigm of sustainable development and reorientation towards a low-carbon economy. The main purpose of this study is to identify the contemporary challenges in the field of environmental protection in rural areas of Poland. Specially designed survey of a large representative sample (random sampling) of Polish agricultural producers has been used. The study is based on the results of quantitative research (questionnaire surveys) carried out among 1101 agricultural holdings and a qualitative research carried out among 24 experts (professional agri-environmental advisors). The research shows that the main challenges in the investigated material and spatial scope include low-altitude emissions and the issues associated with waste sorting. There was a significant variation in responses, taking into account the locations of agricultural holdings as well as characteristics of the respondents and farms. Independent experts indicated and assessed environmental threats in rural areas and classified the activities and implementations in the scope of pro-environmental innovation that may reduce the negative impact of agriculture on the natural environment in rural areas of Poland.

Received: April, 2019

1st Revision: January, 2020

Accepted: March, 2020

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2020/13-1/14

JEL Classification: Q01, Q20, Q58

Keywords: low-carbon economy, development challenges, rural areas, environmental protection, farmers' behaviors, Poland