Silesia is a coal mining region in Poland that is also experiencing a "green transition". Since not only one region but essentially the entire country depends on coal and its extraction, the Poles face major changes and the search for solutions. It should be noted that coal mining is not just an issue related to heat or electricity, but also an industrial one (employment, production). How can Polish industry become greener?

Piotr Kuczera (Piotr Kuczera), the mayor of the city of Rybnik, began implementing the "green transition" in his city, located in the Silesia region, several years ago. In conversation, he emphasises that local governments cannot carry out changes alone; they require help and support. In his view, future action requires three things: education and knowledge, subsidies and clear objectives for their allocation, and a strict system of penalties in the event of non-compliance with the rules.

Although the "green transition" is already underway, there is no readiness in Silesia or the country as a whole to completely close coal mines. The Deputy Minister of Climate of Poland (Ireneusz Zyska) explains that the "green transition" in Poland will certainly be implemented and will work, but at the same time, he anticipates serious problems for the country's economic stability without coal mining and use. The Deputy Minister believes that a certain transition period is necessary, during which Poland could use energy obtained from coal without polluting the environment, until the country's energy systems are transformed or adapted, for example, to nuclear energy.