About the Institute
The Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas (IETU) is a research institute acting under the minister of the climate. The research and services offered by IETU focus on environmental challenges posed by industrialised and urbanised areas in the context of circular economy, resource efficiency, adaptation to climate change and mitigation of its effects.
Mission
Our mission is to provide solutions beneficial for the environment and the economy which will ensure welfare of the public.
Vision
The Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas is an innovative and independent business entity providing and developing attractive and effective solutions which significantly reduce pressure or have a positive impact on the environment.
Strategic goal
The strategic goal of the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas is to initiate actions for sustainable management of environmental resources in the context of economic growth and social development (on a local, regional and European scale) by conducting R&D works and implementing their results.
History
In 1972, on the basis of the Katowice Branch of the Institute of Water Management, an Environmental Protection Centre was established as an initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Until 1991 the Centre was acting as a Katowice branch of the Institute for Environmental Management supervised by the Minister of the Environment, later on referred to as the Institute for Environmental Protection. In 1992 the Katowice branch of the Institute for Environmental Protection became an independent unit under the name of the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas (IETU).
With the development of environmental protection in Poland the scientific and research profile of IETU was gradually changing, starting from surface water protection, water and wastewater treatment technologies, through atmospheric protection and municipal management, towards comprehensive, systemic, integrated protection and management of the environment.
Over the last three years IETU's scientific expertise, experience and organisational skills, as well as the availability of IT and telecommunications services, enabled scientific and research cooperation and exchange of knowledge with more than 200 units involved in the implementation of joint national and international projects.
Calendar
1972
On the basis of the Katowice Branch of the Institute of Water Management, an Environmental Protection Centre was established as an initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which until 1992 acted as the Katowice branch of the Institute for Environmental Protection.
The Institute's scientific activity in 1972-1992 contributed to:
- the development of the basis of an environmental quality management system and environmental quality control system in the Katowice / Silesian voivodeship,
- launching the first regional air quality monitoring system in Poland based on average daily measurements of pollutant concentrations (PM, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides),
- implementation of environmental impact assessment (EIA) to environmental protection law,
- development of techniques and technologies to reduce pollutant emission to the environment,
- development of systemic solutions for comprehensive environmental protection of industrialised and urbanised areas in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region,
- development of methodology for creating multi-annual environmental protection programmes,
- changes in the structure of crop cultivation in the allotment gardens due to soil contamination with heavy metals - lead, cadmium, zinc (1980-1994).
since 1986
IETU has been operating and developing a testing ground for comprehensive environmental research, also at a cellular level.
1992
Decision on the establishment of an independent unit - Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas.
1992-2002
Rapid development of international cooperation (US Department of Energy, US Environmental Protection Agency, Florida State University, European research units); active involvement in actions carried out by the Ministry of the Environment; undertaking numerous initiatives at a voivodeship level.
since 1994
Implementation of research funded under the EU Research Framework Programmes, active cooperation with European research institutions. By 2015 IETU was a member of more than 60 international scientific consortiums carrying out research and implementation projects.
1996
1996-1998
Organising one of the first demonstrations of bio- and phytoremediation technologies in Poland for more than 200 participants each, in cooperation with US partners.
1998
1998-2002
Cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment in the development of rules, procedures and environmental management tools to ensure harmonisation of the Polish law with the European Union regulations.
2000
2000-2009
Supporting the implementation of the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP) at a national level: participation in the development of a Roadmap for Environmental Technologies Action Plan in Poland / KETAP / preparing the concept of the National Environmental Technology Monitoring System as a tool to support the promotion of eco-innovative solutions in Poland (in cooperation with the Institute of Mining Technology - KOMAG and Polish Centre of Testing and Certification - PCBC).
2001
2001-2006
IETU is one of the top ten Polish research units implementing research projects under the 5th and 6th EU Framework Programmes.
since 2002
Coordination of international scientific networks: AIRCLIM-NET (International Thematic Scientific Network for Problems of Air Pollution and Climate Change) and ENVITECH-NET (International Thematic Scientific Network
for Environmental Technologies)
since 2005
Coordination of the Polish Platform for Environmental Technologies, currently the Polish Technological Platform for Eco-innovation.
2010
2010-2014
Development of IT infrastructure for collection, processing and analysis of environmental data.
since 2011
Participation in the development and implementation of the EU Pilot Programme of Environmental Technologies Verification (EU ETV).
2015
2015-2018
Restructuring of IETU financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
2016
ETV Body-IETU got accreditation from the Polish Centre for Accreditation for compliance with PN-EN ISO / IEC 17020 standard for the type A inspection unit in the field of verification of innovative technologies and products for water and wastewater industry in accordance with the European Union Environmental Technology Verification Programme
2017
2017-2019
Development of Climate Adaptation Plans for Bytom, Chorzów, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Katowice, Mysłowice, Ruda Śląska, Siemianowice Śląskie and Sosnowiec in cooperation with local governments, as part of the project: “Development of Urban Adaptation Plans for cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants (44MPA)” implemented by the Ministry of the Environment
2019
ETV Body-IETU extended the scope of environmental technology verification to materials, waste and resources, including recycling of industrial by-products and waste into recycled materials and recycling of construction waste into building materials
2020
IETU expert represents Poland in the Horizon Europe Mission Board for Soil, Health and Food