Poland’s efforts to reduce air pollution through its flagship “Clean Air” program are losing momentum, raising concerns about the country’s environmental and energy security prospects amid ongoing global fuel supply disruptions.

Launched in 2018, the program aimed to replace coal-fired boilers in households and businesses with cleaner alternatives such as gas, wood pellets, or electric systems while improving thermal insulation to reduce domestic energy demand. Coal remains the largest source of air pollution in Poland and a key driver of smog, which has historically led to frequent breaches of European Union air quality standards in several regions.

Since its inception, approximately one million households have benefited from the program, but significant challenges remain. According to Krzysztof Bolesta, Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment, around 2.5 million coal-based heating units still need modernization. The program’s impact can be seen in cities like Krakow, where days of heavy smog have dropped from 150 annually to about 30, illustrating notable progress despite persistent air quality issues.

However, the program’s momentum has slowed sharply after reaching a peak of more than 250,000 funding applications in 2024. A recent government reform, which included a temporary pause on approving new applications, was introduced to curb misuse of funds and ensure more effective allocation. Environmental activists argue that this interruption undermined public trust and led to a significant decline in participation. Data presented by Polish Smog Alert during a March press conference showed a fivefold decrease in applications in 2025 compared to the program’s peak, with the downward trend continuing into 2026.

Activists warn that the slowdown threatens further progress in reducing smog and lowering energy consumption, which they view as critical steps toward enhancing Poland’s energy independence, especially amid geopolitical uncertainties fueled by the Iran war and other global tensions. They contend that improving energy efficiency and cutting reliance on imported fuels is essential to bolstering national security.

The government maintains that the reforms are necessary to protect public funds and target support toward genuinely impactful projects. Bolesta highlighted Poland’s unique challenges within the European Union due to its high reliance on coal for residential heating, underscoring the difficulty of rapidly aligning with EU environmental benchmarks. He acknowledged that despite commitment to improving air quality, Poland is likely to continue lagging behind other member states in the near term.

Environmental advocates, however, emphasize the urgency of reinvigorating and expanding the “Clean Air” program to meet the dual imperatives of public health and energy security. They argue that the recent energy crisis should prompt a more aggressive approach to accelerating the transition away from coal-based heating across Polish households.