Methods of Ensuring Energy Security with the Use of Hard Coal—The Case of Poland

Cluster Analysis of the EU-27 Countries in Light of the Guiding Principles of the European Green Deal, with Particular Emphasis on Poland

The article presents a cluster analysis of the EU-27 countries. The clusters were built to identify groups of countries similar to each other in relation to the set of Eurostat indicators from the Climate Change Drivers and Environment and Energy sections. During the research, tools of spatial information systems were used, such as cluster analysis, diagram maps, rasterization and the TSA method. ARIMA prediction models were also used. The research aims to verify our hypotheses. Particular attention was paid to Poland; therefore, it was verified whether the composition of the country’s energy mix translated into excessive emissions of pollutants in relation to other EU countries. Furthermore, the level of integration of energy markets in the European Union and its changes over time were examined. The authors also proposed a methodology to create detailed energy and climate strategies for designated clusters. The results of the presented research are particularly important in light of recent events in Ukraine.

Social License for Closure—A Participatory Approach to the Management of the Mine Closure Process

The European Union’s climate policy and the assumptions of the European Green Deal require Poland to take decisive transition efforts. The achievement of climate neutrality is a challenge due to the special role of coal in the Polish economy. Closing mines and abandoning coal is the greatest challenge for local communities in mining regions. This article presents the example of Wałbrzych, a Polish post-mining town, which has been experiencing the accumulation of negative consequences of inadequately planned liquidation since the 1990s. The current activities of mining companies in the face of abandoning coal were also analyzed. The gaps identified in the literature indicate the need to define a new method of managing the liquidation processes, based on the consideration of key risks resulting from decommissioning, to minimize the social costs in the first place. In this regard, it is helpful to diagnose the social concerns of the stakeholders. The social aspects of mine closures remain a challenge and finding effective ways to deal with them has become crucial for the industry. This prompted us to propose an approach based on community involvement in the decommissioning processes and the introduction of the social license for closure (SLC). By engaging the community, the SLC gives it a voice, allowing it to accommodate the individual needs of mining regions and ensure a successful and just transition. This article recognizes the key stakeholders and their fears related to the liquidation of mining. The organizational framework for stakeholder approval of the SLC is presented. The analysis was based on the example of Poland, a country facing the challenge of closing hard coal mines. Conclusions formulated on the basis of the case study complement the existing research in the field of social licensing and involving stakeholders in the mine closure planning process in accordance with the idea of corporate social responsibility.