Business vs. smog - We support the climate: volunteers have already conducted workshops for
The sixth edition of the educational program 'Business vs. smog - We support the climate' has successfully concluded. Our invaluable volunteers from numerous affiliated companies have been the backbone of this initiative, running classes for children and young people. These classes focus on crucial topics such as combating air pollution, addressing climate change, and water resource conservation. The program has had a significant impact, with over 63,000 children trained and more than 2,800 workshops held. The program' Business versus smog - We support the climate' was initiated by PwC Polska six years ago and is a collaborative effort with 30 companies, the Krakow Smog Alarm (Krakowski Alarm Smogowy), the ASPIRE Association, and UNEP/GRID-Warszawa.
In the school year, 186 volunteers - employees of 28 companies - conducted almost 500 environmental workshops for more than 11,000 children and young people. The program's inclusivity and adaptability are not just words but a reality. This is evident in its three parallel thematic tracks - air quality, climate change, and caring for water resources. We have been educating children and young people in 4 age groups (kindergarten, grades 1-3, grades 4-6, and grades 6-8), ensuring that our content is tailored to their needs and understanding.
“Corporate environmental responsibility is becoming a priority, and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) initiatives are crucial in transforming companies to be more climate-friendly. Organizations need to integrate sustainable practices into their strategies to meet regulatory requirements and contribute to the long-term well-being of society and the planet. This is important, especially from the perspective of the environmental changes currently taking place. However, the most important thing is to prevent unwanted changes, which is why I strongly encourage everyone to participate in the subsequent editions of the "Business vs. Smog- We Support the Climate" program. The best investment is to educate the next generation on combatting air pollution and climate change and protecting water resources”
In last year's survey, almost half of the respondents (49.2%) indicated that they did not yet perceive a threat to the availability and quality of drinking water in Poland, which is why we have launched a new thematic track as part of the "Business vs. smog - We support the climate" workshop. - Water and Water Resources. According to the Central Statistical Office, Poland is threatened by water stress. Being in 24th place in the European Union regarding renewable water resources per capita (less than 1.6 thousand cubic meters), only the Czech Republic, Cyprus, and Malta are lagging.
"Water is a fundamental natural resource – the quality and availability of water are crucial for the functioning of diverse ecosystems and the well-being of their inhabitants, as well as for production and sanitation capabilities. According to the UN, droughts affect up to 55 million people directly each year, making them the most serious threat to food production worldwide. Reducing water use, increasing retention capacity, preventing excessive runoff in cities, and implementing closed-loop water systems are significant challenges for both businesses and local governments globally. These actions undoubtedly require the participation of each of us, which is why partnerships and spreading knowledge in this area are of great importance”
Over the six years of the program, volunteers have trained 63,000 children in schools and kindergartens across Poland. As many as 27 organizations joined the 6th edition of "Business vs. smog - We support the climate": ABB BS, Airly, Akamai Technologies, Amer Sports, Amway GBS, Aon, ASPIRE Poland Association, Cisco Systems, Dyson, Euroclear, Ferro Group SA, Herbalife, Hitachi Vantara, HSBC, IAG GBS, Inter Cars Foundation, Jacobs, Krakowski Alarm Smogowy, Knowable, Maxima Consulting, Motorola Solutions, PwC Polska and PwC Service Delivery Center, SIG, State Street Bank Polska, UBS, UNEP/GRID-Warszawa.
"Krakow has ceased to be the smog capital of Poland. The introduction of a ban on burning coal and wood, along with the elimination of approximately 30,000 polluting stoves, has led to an unprecedented improvement in air quality. From 2012 to 2023, the number of smog days, during which PM10 particulate levels exceed permissible limits, has decreased by about 100 days. Krakow has succeeded, setting an example for cities and municipalities that still have much to do. In Poland, there are still 3 million outdated heating devices emitting, among other things, suspended particulates and carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene”
Over the six editions of "Business versus smog - We support the climate":
- 63,347 children learned about why smog is formed, how it affects our health and how to prevent it, why the climate is changing, its effects, what everyone can do to influence this process, and about caring for water resources.
- Volunteers delivered more than 2,816 educational workshops, both onsite, online, and hybrid (one volunteer at the facility and another remotely).
- More than 1,000 staff volunteers were involved in the program.
The invitation to new companies wishing to participate in the 'Business vs. Smog - Supporting the Climate' program will start soon.
Contact us
