A model of introducing Clean Transport Zones in Poland – between optionality and obligatoriness

Abstract

Clean Transport Zones are a novelty in Polish legislation. It is true that the formal possibility
of introducing them should be bound by the Act of 11 January 2018 on electromobility and
alternative fuels, nevertheless their actual establishment requires the adoption of an act of local law.
Its proceedings are lengthy, hence only one such zone has been createds o far, in Krakow, in the
Kazimierz district, but eventually it was abolished. In the initial text, the act was very strict, the emphasis
was placed on zero emissions, hence the municipalities carefully used this instrument. The
changes introduced in recent years, which can be considered significant, lead to the question whether
the introduction of these zones should not be obligatory, as the deterioration of air quality is an
objective value, or whether, as a result of flexibility, leave them optional.