Since 1996, the Polish Environmental Partnership Foundation has been implementing the programmes which are aimed at the enhancement of ecological awareness through practical measures on a local scale taken by companies, schools, community organizations, local government and individuals in the whole country. We would like to welcome our local partners to participate in the activities focused on sustainable development including the initiatives the objective of which is to reduce “the carbon trace”.

The main programmes which are currently realized by the Foundation include:

PARTNER GROUPS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (www.grupypartnerskie.pl)
The programme supports the rank-and-file partner initiatives through the National Network of Partner Groups which consists of 19 Groups comprising 600 local governments, social organizations, companies, schools, governmental organizations and other institutions.

GREENWAYS (www.greenways.pl)
The programme created upon the initiative of local communities living close to Greenways – the routes which are the cultural and the natural heritage and which are “sustainable development channels”. At the moment in Poland there are 9 Greenways with the total length of 3778 km.

CLEAN BUSINESS (www.czystybiznes.pl)
The programme supports pro-ecological activity of the companies which leads to the increase of company competitiveness on local and global markets. Over 5000 companies have benefited from the programme so far. Currently the beneficiaries of the program are 400 small and medium companies which are associated in 17 Clean Business Clubs. The companies participating in the programme are offered the possibility of monitoring their impact on the environment by means of „Environmental Manager” which is an internet tool .
SCHOOLS FOR ECOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT (www.ekoszkola.pl)
Schools involved in the programme take action to support sustainable development in co-operation with local communities. At present 300 schools from different parts of Poland participate in the programme, which is a part of the international programme “Eco-Schools”.

CLIMATE PROTECTION MEASURES TAKEN BY THE FOUNDATION:

1) In September 2008 the Foundation in co-operation with European Climate Foundation created a new position: a Climate Specialist. The person holding this position will be responsible for:
• The creation of the network ”Climate-friendly” on the basis of the existing Foundation network (300 schools participating in the programme Schools for Ecological Development, 400 companies involved in the programme Clean Business, 19 Partner Groups comprising local governments, companies and non-governmental organizations, 200 local partners in Greenways initiative).
• Interconnecting Polish and international network in order to form an international platform for the exchange of experiences
• The development of tools and methodologies for the monitoring CO2 emissions and “carbon trace” testing
• The collection of information on climate issues

2) Education- the preparation of workshops, seminars and leaflets related to practical climate protections measures.

3) A CO2 calculator was developed under the programme Schools for Ecological Development and at the moment over 50 Polish schools are measuring their ”carbon trace” www.ekoszkola.pl

4) The Clean Business programme led to the development of an internet tool "Environmental Manager” (www.eko-spec.pl) thanks to which the companies can monitor their impact on the environment and measure their “carbon trace”.

5) The foundation is an active participant of all actions which are organized in order to draw the attention of businessmen to climate issues. An example could be the preparation of Polish Businessmen Climate Manifesto in co-operation with The Polish Confederation of Private Employers (PKPP) Lewiatan which was officially signed by the Mister for the Environment, businessmen and NGOs representatives during the annual meeting of The Polish Confederation of Private Employers (PKPP) Lewiatan.

The foundation is planning to introduce new activities under its Programmes which could be a part of the Partnership for Climate. The most important ones are listed below:

1. The beginning of the new edition of the programme Schools for Ecological Development (school year 2008/2009). The motto of this edition will be the measurement of the carbon trace, its reduction and reduction reporting by the schools (an inauguration of the conference will take place at the Ministry for the Environment on 8th September this year).

2. The increase of the geographical scope of the Clean Business programme and focusing the attention of businessmen on the importance of pro-ecological measures taken in order to combat climate changes. During the 10th Anniversary Meeting of Clean Business Clubs which will take place in November we will:

• Run a debate on „The markets of the future” presenting the challenges faced by small and medium sized enterprises in light of climate changes and global economic trends;
• Organize an exhibition with selected Clean Business companies entitled “Competitive thanks to the ecology” during which we will present the most interesting achievements of small and medium companies in the area of environmental impact reduction.
• Award Polish Prizes „Clean Business 2008” to enterprises which take innovative environmental protection measures. The winners can apply for European Prizes Business for the Environment awarded by the European Commission in 2010.
• Announce the Declaration of Polish Businessmen on Climate Protection.

3. The increase of engagement of big international companies which are globally committed to counteract climate changes and partner co-operation with NGOs and local government in order to be able to meet their commitment on a local level in Poland. The action plan is currently being prepared by the representatives of the National Network of Partner Groups and the representatives of big international companies associated in the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum, which has co-operated with the foundation since 1998.

As part of the Partnership for Climate the Foundation organizes:

X Anniversary Meeting of Clean Business Clubs : Promoting Clean Business in Poland- 10 years of Clean Business programme and a debate „Climate changes and future markets- new opportunities for Polish businessmen.” (the Manor House in Tomaszowice n/Kraków, 14th November 2008)

The meeting of businessmen combined with the conference including a debate: “Climate changes and future markets- global economic trends and their implications for small and medium enterprises in Poland” as well as the summary of the implementation of the project ” Promoting clean business in Poland” 2007-2011 and awarding the companies which have been notably active in the area of sustainable development support. The meeting will be accompanied by the Polish Clean Business Awards Gala.

The objective of this event is to summarize 10 years of Clean Business Programme implementation in Poland consisting in the formation of ecological awareness in the area of climate changes and the financial awareness in the company through the promotion of rational management of financial assets; to promote environmental protection as a key element of competitive advantage of a company; to award the companies which manage their assets in the correct way and which at the same time invest in ecological solutions, thus helping to develop clean business in Poland; to show the companies a direction for development consisting in the integration of economic and environmental management as a key element of competitive advantage of a contemporary company.

www.epce.org.pl

For half a century, POLITYKA has witnessed the changes taking place in Poland and earned the unswerving loyalty of its numerous readers. In their eyes, and in the eyes of media analysts, POLITYKA is valued for its accuracy, common sense, expertise and unerring analysis of various aspects of Polish life, as well as the originality of its writers.

POLITYKA magazine is Poland`s leading opinion weekly. For many years it has consistently held on to the first place in terms of sales within its market segment. It owes this strong position to its loyal readers and its excellent team of journalist, columnists and feature-writers.

POLITYKA`s strength lies in its unique team of journalists and editorial staff, including some renowned and honored journalists. As a rule, a well written and well researched text by a good author will sell magazines. This rule has been proven true over the decades, as the title gained ground with the readers as well as media analysts. The weekly`s writers are often hosted as TV and radio commentators as well as featured as columnists in newspapers and on the Internet, covering a range of domestic and world issues.

Every week POLITYKA draws on the expertise of its correspondents in Poland (Kraków, Katowice, Gdańsk, Wrocław) and abroad in Washington, Moscow, London, Paris, Berlin, Brussels and Tel Aviv, as well as its collaborators in other parts of the world.

Among the awards won by POLITYKA journalists are The Adolf Bocheński Prize, The Władysław Grabski Prize, The Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski Prize, The Ksawery Pruszyński Prize, The Andrzej Urbańczyk Prize, and the Polish Journalists` Association Prize. Furthermore, POLITYKA is the only press publication in Poland whose editorial team can boast two winners of the Journalist of the Year title, which is awarded based on the votes of journalists in a survey carried out by the Press monthly. They are Janina Paradowska (2002) and Jacek Żakowski (1997). Among the many prizes and distinctions awarded to POLITYKA and its journalists over the past few years, there are: Grand Press Awards - won by Piotr Pytlakowski (1990, investigative journalism), Barbara Pietkiewicz (2000, feature-writing), Igor T. Miecik (2001, feature-writing), Wojciech Markiewicz (2002, feature-writing), Joanna Solska (2003, feature-writing), Paweł Walewski (2003, specialist journalism), Ewa Winnicka (2005, feature-writing), Bianka Mikołajewska (2005, specialist journalism), Edyta Gietka (2008, feature-writing).
In 2001 the Dariusz Fikus Prize for Media Creators, awarded by the Rzeczpospolita daily, went to POLITYKA`s editor-in-chief „for transforming POLITYKA into a modern political and social weekly and for safely guiding the POLITYKA journalists` cooperative through the reefs of the market economy”.

POLITYKA has remained the leader among opinion weeklies in terms of the number of copies sold. Average weekly sales of POLITYKA in 2007 stood at close to 165,000 copies, with an average press run of 243,000.

Of the total circulation, 95% is distributed in Poland and 5% abroad - mainly to US, Canada, but also to EU countries: Germany, the UK, Ireland and France.

During the Conference „Partnership for the Climate”, Polityka magazine is organizing ,with the participation of Mr. Maciej Nowicki, Minister of the Environment a meeting (Salon Naukowy Polityki) to discuss technologies friendly to the environment and climate.

Tygodnik Polityka
Polityka Spółdzielnia Pracy
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02-309 Warszawa

www.polityka.pl

The Poznań City Hall – on the initiative of the Mayor of the City of Poznań, Mr. Ryszard Grobelny, 2008 was declared in Poznań the Year of Climate and Environment. This decision was related to the fact that Poznań had been chosen as the venue for the organisation of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change.

Within the framework of the Year of Climate and Environment, a number of events is planned to bring the ideas related to the protection of climate and environment closer to the inhabitants of the entire region.

The activities carried out to date for climate protection (selected activities):

• Classes with a Splash: A campaign organised by the Company Aquanet, conducted in primary schools for the pupils of Forms 1 to 3. The classes are organised by qualified staff who are expected, using the state-of-the-art multi-media techniques, to make the children aware of how water is purified, how wastewater is treated and how pollutants impact the surrounding nature. The campaign has already been successfully organised for many years.

• A series of training conferences on “New Environmental Law”.

• Public debates on “The Collection and Recycling of Electrowaste”.

• A seminar on the use of straw and grass for energy generation purposes.

• The setting up of a collection point for problematic waste.

• An action for environmental education called “You Can Also Plant a Tree”.

• A series of lectures on “The Amazon – The Vanishing Heritage”.

• An exhibition within framework of the World Frog Day.

• The training conference on “The Safe Removal of Asbestos”.

• A concert by the only Recycling Orchestra in the world.

• A plenary concert by Nelly Furtado called “Poznań for the Earth”.

• A complete timetable of events can be found on the website: www.poznan.pl/mim/public/wos

Within the Partnership for Climate, the Poznań City Hall organises:

• “Let Us Get to Know It Before It Is Gone": in September in the Botanical Garden, educational workshops will be organised for children and young people on environmental protection, including an exhibition and a fair of rare plants.

• "A Warm Saturday with Dalkia", an open doors day at the Karolin Cogeneration Plant in Poznań. On 13 September 2008, on the site of the Karolin Cogeneration Plant, an open doors event will be organised by Dalkia Poznań and Dalkia Poznań ZEC. The visitors will be able to become acquainted with the processes of electricity and heat generation and distribution. In the course of the visit, they will be shown the most efficient and environmentally friendly energy generation process, both for electricity and heat. On the site of the cogeneration plant, 20-person groups of visitors will be formed, to get to know the installations of the cogeneration plant under the care of a guide. The tour route will lead through the whole production cycle, from the base of coal fuels and biomass up to the place from which energy distribution is controlled. In addition, there will be rescue and firefighting shows. An extra attraction will be a post-competition works by the pupils of schools in Wielkopolska, participating in the worldwide Veolia Environnement competition "Cities around the Word", where the participants presented their cities in accordance with the idea of sustainable development. Within the framework of environmental education, we invite children and young people to participate in competitions on environmental subjects.

• The European Mobility Week and the “In town without my car!” Day on 16 - 22 September 2008. From 16 September, in the City of Poznań, the celebrations of the European Mobility Week will be organised, concluding with the “In town without my car!” Day (on 22 September). In Wolności Square, feasts will be organised, including e.g. a presentation of cars with a hybrid drive and an eco-driving school.

• The 4th Poznań Recycling Days in September 2008. An action consisting of a five-day series of educational, social and cultural events to promote waste segregation and recycling.

• Aquanet – an Open Doors event for the inhabitants of the Poznań Agglomeration in September 2008. In the course of the Open Doors event, all the visitors to the Aquanet sites will be able to get to know the history of water supply and wastewater collection systems and also become acquainted with the processes related to the production and testing of water and those of wastewater treatment. An additional attraction will be shows of Newfoundland dogs – used to save the lives of drowning persons.

• Clean Sidewalks – We Must Keep Our Place Clean – in September and October 2008. The aim of this campaign by the Municipal Guard of the City of Poznań and the companies engaged in the municipal economy is to encourage the residents to clean after their pets. To date, few residents have expressed their willingness to clean after their pets; therefore, the Municipal Guard will oversee selected sidewalks in the city for cleanness and impose penalties on the persons who fail to carry out their obligations. At the same time, billboards and publicity items will be placed in the means of city transport showing the leading message of the campaign “We Must Keep Our Place Clean". Sidewalk slabs will also be colour-painted with the phrase “Clean after Your Dog; I Am Walking into It”. The planned effect is to ensure that sidewalks are cleaned and to keep them in this condition and also to improve the awareness of per owners as to the fact that dogs’ waste contains parasites and bacteria which are harmful for human health and the environment.

• The Climate Depends on Us. The aim of this competition for the best educational project concerning climate is to disseminate the knowledge of the human impact on climate, to shape attitudes consistent with the assumptions of sustainable development and to induce an interest in nature and climate. The most interesting proposals and actions related to climate protection will be chosen in order to prepare the education community to actively respond to the message of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This competition is addressed to the teachers of Wielkopolska kindergartners, primary schools, gymnasiums and higher than secondary schools.

The organisers include: the Complex of the Landscape Parks in Wielkopolskie Voivodship, the Marshall’s Office of Wielkopolskie Voivodship, the Poznań City Hall, the Poznań County Office, the Education Inspectorate in Poznań and the Teachers’ Development Centre in Poznań.

• The Nationwide Polish Students Conference on Climate – Man – Economy. The Conference is the first initiative of the academic community of Poznań to be launched on such a large scale in relation to the ongoing Year of Climate and Environment. In addition to making the participants acquainted with the issues to be considered at the 14th Climate Conference, its aim is to create opportunities for an exchange of views and a substantive academic discussion on the issues related to climate change. Two Poznań higher education establishments - Adam Mickiewicz University and the Economic Academy – became involved in the organisation of the Conference, in the course of which three thematic panels will take place: environmental, social and economic ones.

It is planned that in the course of the Conference, there will be contributions by the Conference participants, thematic presentations, monograph lectures and discussions with the participation of the invited guests. They will include the representatives of the self-government and national authorities, professors and lectures at Polish and foreign universities as well as members of international organisations. In addition to the Conference, a number of side events are planned, including the Festival of Student Films on subjects related to climate change approached in their economic, social and environmental aspects – “The Climate People 2008" and the “City Game" Project.

A complete timetable of events can be found on: www.poznan.pl/mim/public/wos.