About the project
"The European Union's environmental policy and the efficiency of sawmill production and trade companies in Poland in 2014–2024 (in the context of climate change)" project is aimed at supporting young scientists in conducting scientific research by financing the costs related to the collection, processing and analysis of empirical data, including disseminating the results of the research in the national and international scientific community and among residents and entrepreneurs operating in the Metropolis GZM area.
The primary objective of this research task is to assess the effectiveness of sawmill production and trading companies in Poland from 2014 to 2024, whose activities are indirectly regulated through the European Union's environmental policy mechanisms. Previous studies and publications do not directly address the issue under investigation, do not specify a time frame within which accurate conclusions can be made, and are not based on extensive quantitative data, thus failing to provide guidelines for public authorities. The proposed study aims to fill this research gap.
The research task will be conducted by mgr Krzysztof Dróżdż, and involves the following activities:
- analysis of relevant literature (national and international) covered by the research task;
- development of original scientific research on the intertemporal preferences of residents of Metropolis GZM;
- preparation and analysis of statistical data collected as part of the research task;
- presentation of research results at renowned national and international scientific conferences;
- preparation of a scientific paper presenting the results of the research;
popularization of research results among residents of Metropolis GZM (e.g., in the form of public lectures, participation in popular science events, etc.).
The project coordinator is dr hab. Monika Foltyn-Zarychta, prof. UE. This project is part of the "ECOnomics4Climate III" cluster project implemented by Prof. Foltyn-Zarychta, with the support of Internationalization.
"The European Union's environmental policy and the efficiency of sawmill production and trade companies in Poland in 2014–2024 (in the context of climate change)" project has been co-financed by the Metropolis GZM within the framework of the "Metropolitan Science and Education Support Fund" program for years 2022-2024. The total grant amount is PLN 26,010.00.
Project implementation period: March – November 2025.
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Conducted research and publications
Key findings from the research:
- The application of the European Union’s Environmental Policy instruments, intended to optimize economic processes according to the principles of sustainable development and the green transition of the region and the country as a whole, had no economic impact on the operations of sawmills in Poland during the period under review,
- The economic situation of the sawmill sector in the region and across the country depends primarily on market factors, such as market prices for timber, timber materials and semi-finished products, as well as finished timber products,
- The use of the European Union’s Environmental Policy instruments, which foster innovation in green technologies and training on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), could lead to an improvement in the competitiveness of sawmill companies in Poland, and consequently in their economic situation.
Scientific publication
In fulfilment of the project’s requirements regarding the dissemination of research findings in the form of a scientific publication, one scientific paper has been prepared and submitted:
"The impact of EU environmental policy on sawmill operations in Poland – a decade in review" – submitted for publication in Scientific Papers of the Silesian University of Technology – Organisation and Management Series (ISSN: 1641-3466) – 70 points according to MNiSW.
Conferences and project promotion
Conference: "National scientific conference of the Polish National Association of Doctoral Candidates"
Organizer: Polish National Association of Doctoral Candidates
Place and date: Warsaw, April 25–27, 2025
Title of the presentation: "Employment in the Polish timber sector 2002–2022: an analysis of economic variables"
Conference: The 15th conference in the series "Economic systems in the face of technological change"
Organizer: University of Economics in Katowice – Department of Economics
Place and date: Katowice, September 19, 2025
Title of the presentation: "A decade of change: the European Union's Environmental Policy and Polish sawmills (2014–2024)"
Conference: The 19th edition of the conference "Strategies for decision-making in situations of conflict and cooperation" – "The empowerment of contemporary management"
Organizer: Silesian University of Technology
Place and date: Ustroń, September 22–23, 2025
Title of the presentation: "The impact of the European Union's Environmental Policy on sawmill operations in Poland – a summary of the decade 2014–2024"
Conference: 3rd International Conference on the Economics of Climate Change (InCECC)
Organizer: University of Economics in Katowice, CECC – Centre for Economics of Climate Change
Place and date: Katowice, October 23–24, 2025
Title of the presentation: "The European Union's Environmental Policy and the efficiency of sawmill production and trade companies in Poland in 2014–2024 (in the context of climate change)"
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