A decade ago, Kraków was recognized as one of Europe’s most polluted cities, largely due to emissions from coal and wood-burning stoves used in households. Since then, the city has seen significant improvements in air quality, driven largely by grassroots activism and policy changes.

The transformation began in 2012 when Anna Dworakowska co-founded Kraków Smog Alert after investigating why pollution levels remained high despite growing public concern. The organization mobilized public opinion and pressured regional authorities to take action. Their efforts contributed to the implementation of a ban on burning coal and wood for home heating, which was fully enforced by 2019.

The impact of the ban has been substantial. Recent data indicates that air pollution in Kraków has decreased by approximately 20 percent compared to levels a decade earlier. Health researchers attribute this improvement to measures enacted during this period and estimate that the changes have prevented nearly 6,000 premature deaths nationwide.

Building on this success, Dworakowska helped establish Polish Smog Alert, a coalition uniting around 50 grassroots groups focused on air quality across Poland. Since 2012, the coalition has played a key role in influencing legislation concerning the quality of coal, emissions standards for boilers, the introduction of clean-transport zones, and financial incentives aimed at replacing outdated and polluting heating systems.

This case highlights how sustained civic engagement and targeted regulatory action can lead to significant environmental and public health benefits, providing a potential model for other cities grappling with urban air pollution.