Poland: Green Investment Scheme (GIS)

In 2010 the Polish Government set up a Program of Energy Management in Public Buildings on the Revenues from Sale of Emission Credits (AAUs) as part of a national Green Investment Scheme (GIS). The objective of the program was to support energy efficiency improvement measures in public buildings that would lead both to immediate reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and to the initiation of a long-term trend of sustainable energy management in public buildings. Main energy efficiency measures included insulating the buildings’ walls and roofs, replacing windows, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, conversion of heating systems and installation of solar panels and energy management systems.

In addition to carbon dioxide emissions reductions, other benefits generated from the scheme included the creation of new jobs in Poland, limiting energy import dependence, creating savings for municipalities in heating energy and electricity payments and reducing emissions from other pollutants.