PRECOP 28 conference in Katowice [coverage]

Our speakers

Sustainable transport and supply chains

Prof. Robert Tomanek, Ph.D., participated in the "Sustainable transport and supply chains" session. The debate included the role of transportation in reducing global temperature rise or the role of infrastructure in reducing emissions in transportation and logistics: adaptation, investment, and modernization.

"Based on two years of research and observation, I can say that the situation in transportation in Poland does not look good. Decarbonization and, more broadly, ESG issues are only in their infancy. Of course, there are exceptions, such as multinational companies transferring some corporate solutions to Poland. On the other hand, in conversations with Polish companies, my students and I also encounter poor advancement, a lot of uncertainty, and another issue, namely, a closed-minded attitude towards information. (...) The advancement of awareness and action in the transport sector is poor. It does not mean, however, that there are no emerging bright spots, for example, attempts to introduce new standards for moving vehicles." – Prof. Tomanek said during the session.

ESG: criteria and strategies

The debate on "ESG: criteria and strategies" was attended by Prof. Monika Wieczorek-Kosmala, Ph.D., who emphasized:

"If we refer to Governance, a great deal of international research results strongly indicate that a lot depends on, for example, the managers' character and what values they hold. There is a confirmed correlation that if a company's board of directors – the management team – adhere to these values daily, there is a completely different approach to sustainability in the company."

During the session, Prof. Wieczorek-Kosmala also talked about the phenomenon of Decoupling:

"This phenomenon revolves around the fact that there exists a discrepancy between what a company 'says,' i.e., what it includes in reports, communications to various stakeholder groups, etc., and what it actually 'does.' There are scientific methods to study the scale of this phenomenon. Scientists may disagree on the best metrics, but numerous approaches are available. They provide that often the qualitative aspects – when a company describes how great they are in addressing ESG or sustainability more broadly – is one thing, and what the company actually does – is another."

Atom, system, climate

In this session, Marcin Kraśniewski, Ph.D., LL.M., spoke on the topic of energy:

"Nuclear power generation is the world's second-largest energy source. Currently, nuclear energy is produced in 444 reactors. Currently, 50 are under construction, and another 100 reactors are already planned. The vast majority are on Chinese territory. The importance of nuclear power in the world is also reflected in the fact that all countries that are members of the UN Security Council include nuclear power in their energy blend and are unlikely to extinguish it. On the contrary, measures are being taken to increase its share, for example, the in the UK."

October 6

On the last day of the PRECOP28 conference, Prof. Monika Wieczorek-Kosmala, Ph.D., participated in the "Business in the face of climate challenges" session.

During the debate, Prof. Wieczorek-Kosmala said:

"We try to look at it in a way where we have these three velocities. The first is the speed related to energy transition, which has a strictly technological dimension; we are looking for new, renewable energy sources. Second, we are taking measures to improve energy efficiency, for example, of buildings. And lastly, amid all this technological jumble, we strive to ensure energy security and stability of energy sources in Poland."