Enea celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Paul II in a unique way
On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of Karol Wojtyła’s birth, Enea, together with the Emobi association, is implementing a project dedicated to the Polish Pope. In this way, he wants to show the ecological heritage of John Paul II and draw attention to the fact that responsibility for the climate rests with each of us.
John Paul II already pointed out that ecology is important in our everyday life. He was the first among the people of the Church to loudly promote climate and environmental protection, calling for respect for the immediate surroundings, the animal and plant world.
Today, more and more countries, regions and even global corporations are setting their own greenhouse gas emission reduction targets to stop climate change. The way to do this is, among others, rational transformation of national energy sectors. Polish energy producers are aware of this, including the Enea Group, the runner-up in electricity production in Poland, which focuses on the sustainable transformation of its assets towards the use of renewable and low-emission technologies. As a socially responsible company, the Group is also involved in ecological projects, taking care of the environment, especially where its energy infrastructure is located and the Group has a business presence.
Environment and its protection
The industrial and economic activities of companies impact the ecosystem. Business responsibility is expressed through actions that will limit this impact. Therefore, the Enea Group takes actions to minimize the negative impact, while maintaining a balance between technical needs, financial goals and ecology.
As part of its responsibility towards the environment, the company effectively takes care of environmental issues in every area of its operations. Modernizations of the Group’s generation assets are carried out using the best available technologies, and their aim is to adapt the power plants to stringent EU environmental standards, including BAT conclusions. The sustainable and responsible transformation of the Enea Group will significantly reduce the level of specific CO2 emissions. The goal is a 30% reduction in the CO2 emission index by 2030. Enea also supports the development of the electromobility ecosystem in Poland by participating in projects to build a network of chargers for electric cars, modernizing its power infrastructure and increasing the potential of the network.
The Vatican’s eco-message
Environmental protection problems are the subject of increasingly complex analyzes not only in Poland, but all over the world. The Vatican also decided to focus on eco. There are several charging points for electric cars in this smallest country in the world. More than 10 years ago, 2,400 photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof of the Paul VI Hall, which led to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and saved 80 tons of crude oil per year. The Vatican has also become a model and record holder in eliminating single-use plastic.
However, not everyone is aware that the papal reflection on contemporary culture, nature and the natural human environment has been developed over the last several decades. John Paul II was the first pope who devoted so much space to environmental protection issues in his teaching and published documents. He introduced broadly understood ecological issues and human ecology into the Church’s deliberations, and is a precursor of activities that have today acquired global significance. It was John Paul II who first spoke about energy transformation, renewable energy, the development of photovoltaics and biomass in November 1980 during the seminar “Energy and humanity”. And finally, it was the Polish Pope who announced Saint 40 years ago. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of ecologists.
Among his numerous statements to his compatriots, the homily delivered on June 12, 1999 in Zamość, about the conscious side effects of transformation and the economic catching up with the standards of the richest European countries, made a great impression. He then asked Poles not to forget about their duty to protect their homeland against ecological destruction.
A project in honor of the Polish Pope
– The hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Great Pole is an excellent opportunity to remind us all of the richness of his life and teachings. Together with the Emobi association, we are implementing a project dedicated to Karol Wojtyła – explains Magdalena Hilszer, director of the Public Relations and Communication Department at Enea. – We want to jointly promote his teaching in the field of climate and environmental protection and ecological awareness, and build an attitude of responsibility for the environment in society – emphasizes Magdalena Hilszer.
Emobi (Institute for the Development of Electromobility and Sustainable Transport) deals with the promotion of electromobility, ecological education and interdisciplinary education in the field of sustainable development. The aim of the joint project is to present the ecological heritage of John Paul II and promote his teaching on climate, environmental protection and “ecological conversion”.
– With this initiative, we want to show how important ecological education is and increasing awareness that the climate is a common good, which is what our Pope asked Poles for. Electromobility promoted by Emobi is intended to help stop environmental degradation and air pollution. John Paul II already spoke about “ecological sin”, sensitizing us to the needs of the environment and the need to take care of natural resources for ourselves and subsequent generations – says Magdalena Taczkowska from Emobi.
The use of electric cars is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mainly carbon dioxide and ozone. Pope Francis himself could see the advantages of using such a vehicle because he received an electric three-wheeler from Poland. The event took place as part of the 1st Emobil Pilgrimage, organized by Emobi.
During the implementation of the project dedicated to the Pope, you will be able to see the exhibition “Ecological Heritage of John Paul II”, touching on many important topics related to environmental protection. The exhibition will be available both on-site and on tour in Europe, South America, Asia and the Middle East. The Ecological Heritage initiative is not limited only to Poland, but wants to promote the wealth of our country in the world. And John Paul II is the best ambassador of Polish nature in the world.
A documentary film about our compatriot and the Pope of human hearts will also be shown. Viewers will go on a journey with John Paul II through picturesque corners of Polish nature. Those interested will be able to take part in an artistic competition called “Ecological comics with JPII”. The campaign is international in nature, currently participated by children, teenagers and adults from 14 countries around the world, and has gained particular popularity in South American countries. Details about the competition can be found on a specially created Facebook page with the hashtag #100jp2.
Additionally, the project is also intended to promote Polish declarations from COP24 internationally: Just Transition and Solidarity, Driving Change Together, Forests for the Climate.
Enea cares about the environment
This is not the only initiative undertaken by the Enea Group.
– The most valuable actions for us are those organized and carried out by our employee volunteers. Such activities are tangible proof that environmental protection is important to them and is of great importance to the communities from which our employees come – emphasizes Magdalena Hilszer. The company actively supports, among others: the management of the State Forests, and Enea employees took part in Enea’s #TrashChallenge, cleaning forests and river banks in the areas where the Group’s companies operate. Enea also takes special care of birds and insects. The latter can use various species of melliferous plants in a specially prepared canteen-meadow at the Kozienice Power Plant. A bee hotel was also built there.
In north-western Poland, Enea Operator has been taking care of stork nests on power poles for thirty years. Workers build special platforms there so that birds can nest safely. 3.3 thousand have already been placed. such structures. The endangered ospreys, medium-sized birds of prey, may also use similar platforms. This year, 22 new platforms were added in the Lubuskie Voivodeship and Western Pomerania. In total, there are 33 of them on twenty-meter-high power poles, and ospreys are increasingly building their nests on them.
Read more at Gintrowski.pl.
The article was created in cooperation with the Enea Group.