Realization of the Strategy for Responsible Development, which was approved by the Polish Government in February 2017, will support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Poland. The Ministry of Economic Development, coordinating development policies of the country, undertook the leading role in the process of implementing of the 2030 Agenda in Poland.

The Strategy for Responsible Development lays down a new development model: strategic vision, the rules, objectives and priorities for Poland’s economic, social and spatial development in the 2020 and 2030 perspective. The main objective of the Strategy is the growth of income of the Polish population, accompanied by an increase in social, economic, environmental and territorial cohesion. It is directed on inclusive social-economic development. Considering its role and the assigned tasks, the Strategy is an instrument of flexible management of the main development processes in Poland. The Strategy sets the goals and necessary tasks, implementation instruments and key projects that guarantee its implementation. It also provides for a system of coordination and implementation, specifying the roles of respective public bodies and the methods of cooperation with businesses, academics and citizens.

The objectives of development policy will be implemented, in line with the partnership principle, by representatives of social and economic partners, associations and non-governmental organisations, academic circles and private entities, including entrepreneurs. The participation of those entities in all stages of processes related to programming and implementing development measures will ensure their efficiency and effectiveness by building wide social support and trust among public entities and their partners for the purpose of achieving the development goals.

There was no system developed for NSDS to involve sub-national levels strategically, because there is no NSDS.

There is coordination between the national and sub-national levels in environmental policy-making that is based on provisions set out in the law. The regions need to take into account national environmental policy when developing environmental plans (including goals and principles).

There are several LA21 initiatives in Poland. Generally, there is no direct link between the NSDS to the LA21 initiatives. Thus, no formal coordination exists between the national and sub-national level on these activities. However in regards to the Energy Safety and Environment strategy this document is referring partially to the issues mentioned in the LA 21Section II: Conservation and Management of Resources for Development Includes atmospheric protection, combating deforestation, protecting fragile environments, conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity), control of pollution and the management of biotechnology, and radioactive wastes.

The number of LA21s in Poland is unknown. There is no monitoring or any reporting being done on these processes. Therefore, there is need to initiate a survey regarding LA21 initiatives in Poland. However, it is important to emphasize that there is existing inaccuracy in the definition of LA21. Some communities understand their environmental plans (documents demanded by law) as an implementation of LA21.

EU linkages

The renewed EU Strategy for Sustainable Development (EU SDS) that was adopted in June 2006 foresees that Member States bi-annually report about how they address the priorities of the EU SDS. Poland has published its first national report on implementing the EU SDS in summer 2007.

Policy coherence is facilitated by the Coordination Committee for Development Policy, The Chancellery Prime Minister.

The Board of Sustainable Development was responsible for the monitoring of the Polish NSDS.

The first evaluation and feedback on the NSDS was undertaken in 2007 as an internal review by the Ministry of the Environment.

The Polish Government refers to the international indicators, prepared by the Commission of Sustainable Development (UN-CSD), EPOC (Committee of Environmental Policy of OECD) and by the European Commission and EUROSTAT in strategic documents.

The Board of Sustainable Development was set up in 2002 and serves as a consultative body to the Prime Minister on all issues related to SD. It is chaired by the Ministry of Environment and includes members from the public administration and civil society.

Regional SD strategies:

According to the Polish Environmental Law, all administrative regions are due to create environmental programs or plans that are coherent with national environmental policy. Except on the national level, there are three administrative levels (voivodeships, powiats, gminas) The voivodeships are subdivided into powiats (often referred to in English as counties), and these are further divided into gminas (also known as communes or municipalities). Major cities normally have the status of both gmina and powiat. Poland currently has 16 voivodeships, 379 powiats (including 65 cities with powiat status), and 2,478 gminas.

LA 21 initiatives:

The number of LA21 in Poland is unknown. There is no monitoring or reporting being done on these processes. Therefore, there is a need to initiate a survey regarding LA21 initiatives in Poland. However, it is important to emphasize that is existing inaccuracy in definition of LA21. Some of communities understand their environmental plans (documents demanded by low) as an implementation of LA21.

Evaluation:

As mentioned above, all environmental programs and plans are strongly linked with national environmental policy. The monitoring and reporting process is also defined in the Environmental Law - every 4 years the Government presents an environmental policy report.