Centre for Environmental Management

SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

Department of Air and Climate Protection Technologies

Acting Head: Sylwia Arasiewicz Dulnik, PhD

The Department conducts scientific research, development work, and research services, and disseminates its findings across a broad range of topics related to the application of technologies in policies supporting air and climate protection.

The responsibilities of the Department include, in particular:

• conducting research and development work in the field of low  and zero emission technologies across all sectors, with particular emphasis on energy generation, district heating, and transport (including aviation), through the development of an interdisciplinary expert base supporting the implementation of new technologies, and through analytical and research activities for public administration, academia, and businesses;
• conducting research and development work on economic and energy transition models for public administration and businesses, including the development of new regulatory frameworks for breakthrough technologies, participation in fuel and energy market reform, and support for the green transformation of enterprises;
• developing tools to support public administration, academia, and businesses in planning, implementing, developing, and reporting activities in line with the principles of sustainable development, including advanced expert services and tools for assessing carbon and environmental footprints;
• building cooperation with scientific and research centres in Poland and abroad within the Department’s thematic scope, and participating in academic advancement processes;
• establishing an advisory team for public administration and businesses in the areas of energy planning, development strategy assessment, and regulatory compliance, including through the development of tools supporting a just and sustainable transition of local energy systems;
• delivering training, consultations, and advisory services within the Department’s scope of activity;
• maintaining databases, registers, and other information resources arising from the statutory obligations of IOŚ PIB.

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Department of Climate Change Adaptation

Acting Head: Michał Marcinkowski

The Department’s activities include:

1. Conducting research and development work in the areas of:
   • environmental, social, and economic aspects of climate change, including the occurrence and impacts of extreme events;
   • climate change adaptation, with particular emphasis on ecosystem services and nature based solutions;
   • climate risk assessment for sectors and areas, as well as risk management and resilience enhancement;
   • climate change adaptation plans for cities, regions, areas, and economic sectors;
   • scientific and analytical methods related to cost–benefit analysis and economic and financial analyses of climate change impacts, mitigation, and adaptation.
2. Supporting central and local government authorities in relation to the research and development work carried out, including:
   • participation in the formulation and implementation of adaptation policies;
   • development of conceptual solutions supporting the implementation of international and national obligations related to climate change and adaptation;
   • proposing legislative solutions consistent with the results of the Department’s research and analyses, the findings of recognised scientific institutions, and overarching policy documents.
3. Operating and developing the Urban Adaptation Plans monitoring system, referred to in the Act of 27 April 2001 – Environmental Protection Law, including verifying reports submitted by cities on the implementation of adaptation measures.
4. Periodically preparing reports on the implementation of climate adaptation measures in cities, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Law.
5. Carrying out commercial commissions within the scope of the Department’s activities.
6. Disseminating the results of work undertaken through publications, participation in national and international scientific and sectoral conferences, and the organisation of meetings and consultations.
7. Monitoring the results of scientific research on climate change, its impacts, and adaptation measures, as well as EU  and national level reports, guidelines, and recommendations.
8. Delivering training on topics within the Department’s scope of activity for local government authorities, businesses, and the general public.

Department of Natural Resource Management

Acting Head: Izabela Zygmunt

The Department conducts research and development work and provides research services related to the protection and improvement of the condition of national natural and landscape resources. It supports public administration at all levels in the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of natural resources.

The responsibilities of the Department include, in particular:

• conducting analyses to identify the spatial diversity and condition of national natural resources;
• developing tools for assessing threats to natural resources, including landscapes;
• conducting research on biodiversity protection, including identifying effective measures for ecosystem restoration;
• carrying out environmental studies in support of spatial planning and sectoral policies;
• developing strategies for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of natural resources using participatory planning approaches;
• conducting research on physical geographical regionalisation and landscapes, and tools for their protection;
• analysing and assessing land surface conditions, including soils and the soil–water environment, to support restoration to good status;
• conducting environmental impact assessments of human activities and analyses of environmental conditions relevant to such activities;
• conducting studies on the sustainable development of local government units, including cities and regions, taking into account biodiversity and ecosystem services in climate change adaptation;
• promoting knowledge on natural resources and the need for their protection;
• developing tools to strengthen environmental assessment systems.

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Department of Waste Management

Acting Head: Tomasz Kaczmarek

The Department is engaged in forecasting and monitoring waste management processes and waste prevention.

Its responsibilities include, in particular:

• conducting research and analyses on waste management and waste prevention practices, and forecasting trends to support sustainable development strategies;
• developing methodological materials, guidelines, recommendations, and guidance notes on waste management and waste prevention monitoring and assessment;
• preparing concepts and frameworks for establishing and reorganising waste management monitoring systems at facility, local, regional, and national levels;
• developing assumptions and specifications for waste management databases;
• providing substantive and technical support for the development and operation of IT systems for waste management and waste prevention data;
• improving the national system for monitoring waste prevention;
• developing waste management strategies treating waste as a source of raw materials and renewable energy;
• supporting sustainable development through phytoremediation and zooremediation of degraded and protected areas;
• cooperating with public administration in the preparation of reports and information on waste management and remediation actions in Poland;
• supporting international reporting and assessment processes for bodies such as the European Environment Agency, European Commission, and OECD;
• reviewing documents, strategies, programmes, and legislative acts related to waste management and food waste monitoring;
• developing programmes to promote responsible waste management based on corporate social responsibility principles;
• establishing cross sectoral partnerships for sustainable waste management projects;
• delivering training, consultations, and advisory services within the Department’s scope;
• assessing the innovativeness of technologies and their environmental benefits.

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Department of Environmental Education

Acting Head: Agnieszka Stangreciak

The Department conducts a wide range of educational and training activities within formal and non formal education systems, aimed at raising environmental awareness, developing pro environmental competencies, and shaping attitudes supportive of environmental protection.

The responsibilities of the Department include:

• coordinating and implementing educational activities within national and international projects;
• developing educational materials and curricula for various education levels and target groups;
• cooperating with universities and research institutions on internships and joint educational projects;
• supporting educators, public officials, and community leaders;
• developing model programmes in environmental and climate education;
• designing and implementing digital educational tools, including applications, games, and e learning courses;
• conducting research on the effectiveness of environmental education;
• engaging local communities in environmental and climate protection activities;
• organising outreach events, campaigns, and competitions;
• supporting local initiatives for ecology and sustainable development;
• cooperating with public authorities, NGOs, and businesses;
• providing commercial services in environmental education.

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Department of Environmental Law

Acting Head: Jerzy Jendrośka, DSc

The Department conducts research, development work, and research services in environmental law and sustainable development.

Its responsibilities include:

• preparing analyses, comparative legal reviews, and reports;
• issuing legal opinions and expert assessments;
• supporting legislative and strategic processes in public administration;
• assisting public authorities in fulfilling international and EU environmental law obligations;
• monitoring developments in international and EU environmental law;
• participating in conferences and international research networks.

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Department of Environmental Sociology and Economics

Acting Head: Przemysław Sadura, DSc

The Department conducts research and provides expertise in social sciences concerning interactions between society, the economy, and the environment.

Its responsibilities include:

• conducting interdisciplinary research in environmental sociology and economics;
• providing analyses and reports to decision makers and the public;
• applying behavioural economics to improve public policy effectiveness;
• researching social acceptance of environmental, energy, and climate policies and transitions;
• analysing the socio economic impacts of sustainability transitions;
• disseminating research results through publications and conferences;
• participating in international research projects and academic exchange;
• cooperating with other IOŚ PIB units in applying social science knowledge.

Department of IT Systems

Acting Head: Paulina Fiborek

The Department of IT Systems performs tasks related to the design, development, support, operation, and maintenance of information and communication technology (ICT) systems operated or planned to be operated by the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute. The Department is also responsible for implementing projects involving the use of IT systems for information provision, change design, data collection, and environmental management.

The Department of IT Systems comprises the following teams:

• IT Systems Development Team
• IT Systems Analysis Team
• Quality Assurance and User Support Team

IT Systems Development Team

The IT Systems Development Team is responsible for software development. It consists of software engineers, software architects, and software development process managers.

The Team’s responsibilities include:

• developing software using appropriate programming languages;
• designing low‑level IT system architecture;
• developing algorithms and data structures;
• deploying software solutions;
• fixing bugs identified during software development;
• creating unit tests;
• documenting source code.

IT Systems Analysis Team

The IT Systems Analysis Team is responsible for requirements analysis, preparation of requirements specifications for relevant teams, and medium‑ and long‑term planning. The Team consists of business analysts and systems analysts.

Its responsibilities include:

• analysing user requirements;
• verifying the feasibility of requirements;
• developing and maintaining requirements specifications and documentation;
• designing and modelling business processes;
• participating in project meetings;
• supporting the preparation of project schedules;
• supporting the development of medium‑ and long‑term plans;
• developing user documentation;
• cooperating with development teams and IT architects in the design and implementation of IT systems;
• supporting testing teams in system testing and deployment activities;
• creating, developing, and optimising project management procedures and processes;
• preparing and updating product acceptance documentation and overseeing the product delivery and acceptance process.

Quality Assurance and User Support Team

The Quality Assurance and User Support Team is responsible for ensuring software quality and for receiving, categorising, prioritising, and monitoring the resolution of user reports. The Team consists of manual testers, automated test designers, Help Desk consultants, second‑line support specialists, and trainers.

In the area of software quality assurance, the Team’s responsibilities include:

• verifying the correct operation of IT systems;
• organising and maintaining test environments;
• contributing to acceptance documentation related to system testing;
• developing and updating test scenarios;
• performing manual and automated testing of IT systems;
• maintaining a bug and defect register in a dedicated system;
• monitoring test results;
• providing developers with detailed information on identified bugs and defects;
• analysing reported defects.

In the area of user support, the Team’s responsibilities include:

• diagnosing reported issues;
• recording bug and incident information in a dedicated system, including detailed descriptions;
• informing IT system users about bug fixes and resolutions;
• managing IT incident reports;
• maintaining a register of reported incidents;
• generating reports on reported issues and incidents.

In the area of training and communication, the Team’s responsibilities include:

• organising and delivering training sessions for project stakeholders;
• developing informational and training materials;
• drafting, editing, and publishing announcements submitted by project stakeholders;
• carrying out mailing campaigns in accordance with requests from project stakeholders.

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