Transboundary environmental problems: the case of the burning of coal in Poland for heating and electricity purposes

Transboundary environmental problems have increased in prevalence over recent years in Eastern Europe where the scope and extent of the problems, and hence possibility of impacts outside of national borders, have been considerably greater than in western nations. This paper examines an example of a transboundary environmental risk problem, namely that of coal burning in Poland. The case study focuses on determining both Polish policy makers’ and the public’s views regarding the perceived importance of local vis-a-vis transboundary environmental concerns.