Climate Watchdogs Score a Win on the Periphery! Świeradów-Zdrój to Develop Environmental Plan

The Bender Society is conducting the project “Climate Watchdog for Peripheries.” The initiative is financially supported by the PROTEUS program, conducted by the Transatlantic Foundation, the European arm of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

The project is co-financed by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the EU or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the EU nor the granting body can be held responsible for them.

Eight Lower Silesian municipalities with populations under 20,000 were selected to examine climate issues: Jedlina-Zdrój, Kamieniec Ząbkowicki, Karpacz, Malczyce, Mirsk, Szklarska Poręba, Świeradów-Zdrój, and Walim. The flood-affected town of Lądek-Zdrój was also included in the project.

Activists submitted a proposal to city council members and officials in spa town Świeradów-Zdrój, calling for the development of a climate strategy and a nature protection plan to guard against excessive development.

The proposal stemmed in part from two visits to Świeradów-Zdrój in the Izera Mountains as part of the project, during which activists toured the spa, mountain gondola area, train station, and spoke with residents and local advocates.

Why a climate strategy?

As noted in the proposal, a climate strategy would serve as an important document aligning local government efforts with broader national and EU-level climate action. The strategy isn’t seen as an end in itself, but rather as a tool to improve quality of life, protect natural resources, and promote sustainable tourism.

There’s no insistence on a particular legal format. The plan could be developed with neighboring municipalities and counties or as part of a broader environmental protection program.

The strategy could include reducing fossil fuel use, boosting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency in both public and private sectors, and promoting sustainable transport and a circular economy. Key actions might include building bike paths, supporting pedestrian traffic, and especially developing public transport. This is particularly important for improving access to the train station in Świeradów-Zdrój and for long-demanded train connections to Szklarska Poręba.

Adapting to climate change

Another key issue is adapting to climate impacts already being felt. This includes improving water retention, protecting infrastructure from extreme weather, safeguarding biodiversity, and developing green and blue urban infrastructure. These measures aim to reduce the risks of flooding, drought, and heatwaves, which can affect public health, food security, and the economy. They’re essential to building local resilience.

„The strategy should be developed through social dialogue, preceded by consultations, and involve cooperation between administrative levels, the private sector, and NGOs. It should also include mechanisms for progress monitoring, regular updates, and flexibility to adapt to evolving conditions and scientific knowledge,” said Jeremi Jarosz from the Bender Society.

A plan to protect against excessive developement

Activists say a key part of the strategy should be a plan to protect nature from overdevelopment, especially as real estate pressure grows in Świeradów-Zdrój. Mountain areas hold high natural and scenic value, and their steep slopes, erosion sensitivity, and rich ecosystems make them particularly vulnerable to construction and land transformation.

Overdevelopment leads to a host of negative consequences: reduced water retention, higher risk of flash floods and landslides, biodiversity loss, and faster soil erosion. Construction often involves deforestation and the loss of mountain meadows, which are crucial for climate mitigation and act as natural cooling zones and water reservoirs.

„Development is of course necessary, but its location should be balanced with environmental needs and the ecosystem’s capacity,” said Jarosz.

Świeradów-Zdrój to develop climate strategy

The Świeradów-Zdrój municipality responded positively to the proposal. The reply came from Kamila Jednorowska-Męcina, the town’s environmental protection officer.

„In response to the proposal regarding the development of a climate strategy, which includes both mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as a plan to protect nature from overdevelopment, I would like to inform you that Świeradów-Zdrój is taking steps to implement the requests outlined in your letter,” wrote Mayor Edyta Wilczacka.

As the mayor noted, Świeradów-Zdrój is a signatory of the “Climate Adaptation Plan for the Jelenia Góra Agglomeration,” a document created through regional intermunicipal cooperation. Through this framework, the town is already carrying out actions to improve local resilience and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The mayor also announced that the municipality will prepare a new Environmental Protection Program, which will serve as the main guide for local environmental policy.

„This program will address the issues raised in your proposal, including the need to reduce urban pressure on environmentally valuable areas and the importance of climate protection. Your proposal and its rationale will be passed to the team preparing the Environmental Protection Program for detailed review and, where possible, inclusion in the document. Thank you for your engagement in climate and environmental issues and for your valuable suggestions,” added Mayor Wilczacka.

Activists to monitor the process

Activists say they will continue to stay involved in the plan’s development.

„Even after the project ends, we plan to support efforts to strengthen climate protection in this important municipality in the Izera Mountains,” said Jarosz.