Specialization I: Green Economy

Green Economy is a specialization of significant importance for the development of the region. It is based on the priority directions existing in Poland and throughout Europe related to the dynamic development of environmental technologies, including eco-industry, eco-innovation and renewable energy technologies.

This specialization includes:

  • the development of environmental technologies in particular in conjunction with a bioeconomy encompassing virtually all sectors and related services that produce, process or use any form of biological resources. According to the OECD definition, environmental technologies include all kinds of products, technological processes, services and even concepts of operation which, during their life cycle, cause much less environmental impact than other, alternative substitutes. Their use is related to, inter alia, reducing pollution, environmental risk and other negative impacts resulting from the use of resources (including energy) in relation to alternative solutions. The tools used in the framework of environmental technologies are products and services, including IT systems, measurement systems and procedures, which improve the eco-efficiency of environmental technologies or support their innovative development.

Environmental technologies include:

  • renewable energy sources (RES),
  • recovery of raw materials and energy from waste,
  • unconventional fuels,
  • waste disposal.

As part of the bioeconomy, intensive research in many fields of science is combined with the innovative, comprehensive use of renewable raw materials generated in the world of plants, animals and microorganisms.

  • related industries, such as: the ICT sector, the metal industry providing services for the area of environmental technologies and services, logistics processes (e.g. distribution and warehousing, etc.). The area of specialization is mainly focused on the technological area, in this case services are a complementary link

As part of environmental technologies, we can talk about cleaner production technologies, these are environmental technologies, with the exception of those that rely on removing the effects of pollution instead of preventing it.

The area of ​​environmental technologies includes:

Biotechnologies for environmental protection, Technologies for intelligent and energy-saving construction in terms of sustainable development, Technologies for environmental protection and reclamation, including biogeochemical engineering and waste management, Technologies for industrial and hazardous waste management, Processing technologies (purification and separation) of water and gases, collection and treatment water, Technologies limiting the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere, Technologies supporting environmental management.

The potential of this area of ​​specialization is created by:

enterprises involved in the production of environmental technologies, enterprises from the bioeconomy sector - also created by enterprises from the agri-food sector, complementary to the production directions present in the region, e.g. linseed oil and business support institutions - R&D centers such as the Lubuski Center for Agrotechnical Innovation and Implementation and centers in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency, such as Gorzowski Ośrodek Technologiczny, Park Naukowo-Przemysłowy Sp. z o.o., Center for Renewable Energy in Sulechów and the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Zielona Góra.

In line with the trends in highly developed countries aimed at improving the quality of life - this specialization is closely related to the Health and Quality of Life specialization in the region, allowing for the creation of value chains and the generation of added value between these specializations, e.g. the environmental technology industry can be an important link in the value chain in relation to industries such as tourism and agritourism.

The developing natural potential of the voivodeship, creating opportunities for the development of this industry, including the area of ​​arable lands conducive to the cultivation of perennial energy crops, significant forestation of the region, a large share of non-urbanized areas in the total area; systematically increasing number of installations producing energy from renewable sources; well-used potential of hydropower; production of electricity in combination with the production of heat in modern generation sources, using local resources of natural gas; diversity of entities representing a significant part of enterprises dealing with renewable energy sources, i.e .: biogas plants with wastewater treatment plants, onshore wind farms, run-of-river hydropower plants, pumped storage or run-of-river hydropower plants with a pump element, raw materials produced from biomass: from forest waste, agricultural waste , garden, agricultural biogas, landfill biogas.

Environmental technologies can be found in almost all sectors of the economy, especially in the pollution control, water and waste management sectors, and in the energy sector. These technologies reduce emissions, generate less waste and have a lower impact on health and biodiversity, as well as helping to reduce costs and increase competitiveness; in addition, bioeconomy, which is part of the area of ​​specialization, also covers the issues of energy obtained from renewable sources, as well as manufacturing processes, including such industries as: paper, some chemical, cosmetic or pharmaceutical. The bioeconomy, playing an integrating role in this regard, is of key importance for the further development of the European Union; development in the area of ​​environmental technologies and bioeconomy is related to the necessity to apply new innovative production methods stimulating greater interest in innovative technologies, products and services.

Economic effects:

  • development of companies in the area of ​​specialization;
  • creation of new innovative companies in the field of environmental technologies and services;
  • increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of bioeconomy companies, also by increasing the export of high-quality products;
  • focusing development on domestic and foreign recipients;
  • strengthening the image of the region as a region with significant natural potential, clean environment, also focused on the development of highly innovative environmental technologies and services, and bioeconomy;
  • development of support companies, especially in the field of information technology;
  • creating new links within the framework of specialization between the area of ​​environmental technologies and services and bioeconomy and other supporting industries, including, for example, the ICT sector, the metal industry providing services for the environmental industry, the packaging industry, or logistics processes related to e.g. distribution;
  • strengthening the scientific and research and development potential in the area of ​​specialization; development of cooperation between the spheres of science, research and development and the enterprise sector;
  • development in the area of ​​human capital (development of scientific staff, development of specialist staff in the regional economy, creation of well-paid jobs), which is an important link in the area of ​​environmental technologies and services, and bioeconomy.

Innovative effects:

  • acceptance of pro-innovative attitudes, increased interest in: sale of new or significantly improved products / services introduced to the market, new solutions both in the field of environmental technologies and services and in relation to companies in the bioeconomy area and companies supporting the development of specialization, especially in the field of information technology;
  • growing share of companies from the Lubuskie Voivodeship in the group of leaders on both local and regional markets as well as foreign markets;
  • increase in the level of technological advancement of the surveyed companies;
  • increase in the level of involvement in international activities;
  • increased interest in cooperation between companies in the area of ​​specialization and the sphere of science and business environment institutions;
  • increase in the development potential of companies in the specialization area, in accordance with the opinions of experts indicating that: "Lubuskie Voivodeship will be a leader in the development of environmental technologies and services in Poland" by 2030 at the latest.