Poland archive
Final judgment of the EU Court of Justice: logging in Bialowieza Forest breaks EU law
The EU’s top court ruled today that increased logging in Bialowieza Forest violates EU law. The ruling comes into force immediately.
Means to improve access to justice in environmental cases discussed during workshop in Poland
On 21 March 2018, ClientEarth together with the Polish Ombudsman held a national workshop in Warsaw on access to justice in environmental matters.
Polish tourist town illegally charged clean air fees, rules top Polish court
Tourists who are visiting one of Poland’s favourite visitor destinations will be safe to assume they won’t be getting charged to breathe clean air… at least for the time being.
Supreme Administrative Court of Poland denies local resident the right to challenge air quality program
In January 2018 the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland upheld the decision of the Regional Administrative Court denying standing to a resident, to challenge the air quality program adopted by the Silesian Regional Assembly.
Poland breaks EU air pollution laws with illegal levels of PM10
Poland has broken European air pollution laws by continuing to exceed annual limits of particulate matter (PM10) in the air – the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled.
Logging in Bialowieza Forest is illegal, says proposed ruling
The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the EU has today issued a legal opinion confirming that increased logging in Poland’s Bialowieza Forest breached EU nature laws. The final ruling will be published in a couple of weeks.
What you need to know: The culmination of the Bialowieza Forest case
The next few weeks are of real importance in the Białowieża Forest case. In this Q&A we cover everything you need to know about our battle to save Europe’s last primeval forest.
Save Europe’s ancient forest, environment minister told
ClientEarth and other ecological groups have asked the new environment minister to grant the entire Bialowieza Forest national park status.
Insurers may face legal questions if they keep propping up coal
The argument for underwriting coal is on ever shakier ground, but many European companies are still fuelling the fire.
Poland may be forced to pay up over illegal air pollution
Poland faces the threat of a hefty fine if the EU’s highest court finds it is still breaking pollution laws.
Polish minister who ordered illegal logging of Bialowieza Forest dismissed
Poland’s environment minister Jan Szyszko has been dismissed from his job. He was responsible for ordering a three-fold increase in logging in Bialowieza Forest – which ClientEarth and other environmental groups have fought.
Water management cannot be out of public control
The Court of Justice ruled that environmental NGOs must have the right to participate in water permit proceedings and to challenge them before courts.
2017: A big year for Białowieża Forest – and the battle to protect it
We started 2017 determined to do all we could to help save one of the most precious forests in Europe, the ancient Białowieża Forest.
Highest EU Court hears Bialowieza illegal logging case, hopefully for the last time
The hearing that took place today at the Court of Justice of the EU should finally decide whether Polish environment minister Jan Szyszko broke the law when he allowed increased logging in Białowieża Forest. The verdict is expected in early 2018.
The challenge of challenging air quality programs in Poland – The Silesian air quality program and the issue of standing
In February 2016, a resident of the town of Rybnik located in the region of Silesia, Poland, demanded that the Silesian Regional Assembly amend the air quality program it had adopted in 2014 for the region of Silesia.
Poland, bison, and exemptions from nature protection laws
ClientEarth is challenging two decisions allowing the killing of up to 40 bison in Eastern Poland. The European bison, an extremely rare animal, is under strict protection.
Polish authorities face fines of €100,000 per day over illegal Bialowieza logging, court rules
The Court of Justice has today upheld the emergency ban on logging in Bialowieza Forest, saying it will impose fines of at least €100,000 a day if Poland’s Environment Minister keeps ignoring the Court’s decisions.
Poland’s move to derail landmark pollution law “unconscionable” – environmental lawyers
Poland has launched legal action to overturn pollution standards for power stations. Success would compromise the health of people in every EU country.
15 judges at the EU’s highest court to rule on illegal logging in Białowieża Forest
Judges from the EU’s highest Court have heard arguments from Poland’s Environment Minister and the EU Commission on illegal logging in Białowieża Forest.
European Commission makes formal request for financial penalties over Białowieża
The European Commission has submitted a formal request to the Court of Justice of the EU to impose financial penalties over illegal logging in the Bialowieza Forest.
Commission calls for fines as European Court of Justice hears case over illegal logging in Bialowieza Forest
The Commission has today called on the EU’s most senior judges to impose fines on the Polish side for illegal logging in Bialowieza Forest, as the European Court of Justice was deliberating whether an emergency ban on logging in should be upheld.
Polish new Water Law remains detrimental for environment
A new Water Law was signed this month by the Polish president. It is a response to the 2016 Court of Justice ruling that Poland had failed to implement Water Framework Directive. Although this new piece of legislation was meant to fully implement the EU law, it contains provisions that are likely to have a largely negative impact on the environment.
ClientEarth launches action to close down polluting coking plant in Poland
For years, local people have complained about the poor air quality in the area and the increasing incidence of cancer.
EU Court imposes emergency ban on logging in Białowieża Forest
The Court of Justice of the EU has issued a ban on logging in Białowieża Forest, saying all chainsaws and harvesters must be stopped immediately.
