Objective 4
To take into account environmental protection criteria when selecting new investment projects, solutions and technologies
In most cases, industrial activity does have an environmental impact. This is usually harmful to the environment; air pollution, water contamination, depletion of drinking water resources and reduced biodiversity are all examples of this impact. For centuries, especially in the industrial era, man exploited the environment to satisfy his needs. However, the emergence of the first material effects of this irrational management of natural resources has brought about a gradual change in attitudes.
The initiatives currently being undertaken on numerous levels share the single common purpose of eliminating or reducing the adverse effects of human activity. This is consistent with the sustainable growth principle, which provides for enough growth to meet the needs of today’s generation without depriving future generations of the ability to satisfy theirs. This principle also drives the PGNiG Group’s pro-environmental initiatives.
Initiatives/best practices
Reduction in emission of greenhouse gas and other air pollutants
The present legal framework for greenhouse gas emission reduction has necessitated the implementation of CO2 emission monitoring and reporting process at PGNiG Group entities covered by the emissions trading system (EU ETS).
Water and wastewater management
The supply deficit and deteriorating quality of water from domestic sources represent important problems for the PGNiG Group in terms of quality and economic aspects, as well as environmental protection, which is why steps aimed at protecting water resources are of vital importance.
Waste
The waste management objective for PGNiG Group entities is to reuse waste or reduce its volume to the minimum.
Environment-friendly projects
The PGNiG Group carries out a number of projects benefitting the natural environment. This has been a consistently pursued development objective for us over the years, as evidenced by our project portfolio, including the development and launch of CNG filling stations and the promotion of gaseous fuels for the transport sector. Other projects we have pursued are perhaps less spectacular, but equally important for the environment, and include energy-saving process solutions at mines and underground gas storage facilities which enable heat recovery from industrial processes, or the use of expansion turbines for gas pressure reduction.