For respective years now, Poland has seen intensive efforts to improve air quality and increase energy efficiency of residential buildings. 1 of the key elements of these activities is the Clean Air Programme, which underwent further modifications in 2025. But will these changes truly deliver the expected results? Or are they just another effort to mask the problems facing Polish energy policy?
New rules, old problems?
In 2025, the Clean Air Programme introduced any crucial changes. First of all, the maximum amount of the grant was raised to –136 200 PLN, to encourage owners of single-family homes to carry out comprehensive thermomodernisation and to replace old heat sources with modern, gathering the highest ecological standards. However, do higher amounts of grants actually translate into greater interest in the programme?
From National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, so far submitted over 80 000 applications For funding. Although this number may seem impressive, it is worth considering whether it is appropriate to the scale of the problem. Poland is inactive functioning hundreds of thousands of obsolete boilers, the alleged ‘copies’, which are the main origin of air pollution. Is the current pace of implementation of the programme adequate to effectively improve air quality in the country?
Who truly benefits from the show?
The Clean Air Programme is aimed at single-family owners, nevertheless the conditions for obtaining co-financing vary according to the level of income of the beneficiary. 3 levels of support have been introduced:
- Basic level: for persons with yearly income to PLN 135 000, the maximum backing shall be PLN 66,000.
- Higher Level: for people with average monthly income per household associate to PLN 1 894 (on multiple holdings) or PLN 2,651 (on single-member holdings), the maximum backing shall be 99,000 PLN.
- Highest Level: for people with average monthly income per household associate to 1 090 PLN (on multiple holdings) or PLN 1 526 (on single-member holdings), the maximum backing shall be 136 200 PLN.
Although the differentiation of support levels is aimed at helping the most deprived, criticism voices emerge. any experts believe complex income criteria may discourage possible beneficiaries from submitting applications, in peculiar older or little administratively oriented people. Should the strategy so not be simplified to increase its availability?
Bureaucracy – an insurmountable barrier?
One of the main allegations against Clean Air is excessive bureaucracy. The application process is complex and time consuming, which may deter possible beneficiaries. many papers are required to support revenue, property ownership or the compatibility of the planned work with the programme guidelines. Can we not simplify these procedures in the digitalisation of public administration to make the programme more citizen-friendly?
Energy efficiency or greenwashing?
Although the Clean Air programme aims to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, doubts arise as to its real effectiveness. any experts indicate that part of the investment carried out under the programme does not deliver the expected resultsand energy savings are little than expected. Does not the programme so become a tool of the alleged greenwashing, i.e. seemingly environmentally-friendly activities that do not truly have a crucial environmental impact?
Alternatives to Clean Air
Against the challenges of Clean Air, it is worth considering alternate solutions. 1 of them is "My Current" programwhich offers backing for the installation of photovoltaics.
Read more:
The backing for the renovation at home has started. Over 80,000 applications were submitted
