The Department of Sustainable Development Finance is comprised of scientists whose research and practice focus on key challenges facing the modern world, such as sustainable development, ESG, the climate crisis and environmental protection, renewable energy sources, the circular economy, municipal entrepreneurship, and innovation in the public and private sectors. In their work, they combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience, influencing economic policy, including energy policy, and environmental policy at the local and national levels.
The areas of interest of the Department of Sustainable Development Finance staff include:
- Economic instruments of environmental protection – analysis of financing systems for pro-environmental investments, the effectiveness of environmental fees and taxes, and the impact of public policy on the implementation of sustainable development concepts in economic practice.
- Circular economy – research on effective natural resource management, waste reduction, and the implementation of innovative solutions in industry and municipal services.
- Financing sustainable urban development – analysis of financing models for green infrastructure, water management, and energy efficiency in urban spaces.
- Business restructuring – development of recovery and development strategies for enterprises, with particular emphasis on the public utility sector.
- Innovations and technologies of the future – research on the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on business models, resource management, and the distribution of public goods.
- Municipal entrepreneurship – research on the effectiveness of municipal waste management companies, as well as analysis of public utility services in local public transport.
The Department’s staff plays key roles in both academia and business practice. They include:
- research project managers and participants – under national and international grants funded by, among others, the National Science Centre, the Ministry of the Environment, and the European Union;
- experts in environmental policy and local government policy – collaborating with public institutions such as the Central Statistical Office, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, and local government units;
- business practitioners – holding managerial positions in capital companies, advising on the restructuring of enterprises and economic sectors, including the energy sector, in the area of risk management, including environmental risk, and the implementation of pro-ecological solutions in enterprises and local governments;
- educators – conducting classes on financial restructuring of enterprises, tools for assessing the economic and ecological efficiency of investment projects, environmental management, energy transition, ecological accounting and ESG strategies, and the economics of sustainable development.
The academic achievements of the Department of Sustainable Development Finance staff include:
- numerous scientific publications – including monographs and chapters in collective works, as well as articles in renowned scientific journals;
- participation in prestigious research projects – such as the analysis of environmental protection financing systems, the assessment of the effectiveness of municipal waste management, and research on the impact of climate change on the energy sector;
- awards and distinctions – including awards for scientific and teaching achievements, medals for long-term service, medals from the National Education Commission, scholarships from the Minister of Science and Higher Education for outstanding achievements in science, and scholarships for outstanding young scientists;
- conference activity – regular participation in international and national conferences and congresses, where research results and innovative concepts in the field of sustainable development and green energy transformation are presented.
The Department of Sustainable Development Finance team collaborates with the socio-economic community: businesses, local governments, and public institutions, implementing solutions based on the latest scientific advancements. Projects include:
- Efficiency analyses of pro-ecological investments – developed for municipal enterprises and local government units;
- Sustainable development strategies – developed for cities and regions, taking into account the challenges related to water management, energy, and waste management;
- Advice on obtaining EU funds – supporting businesses and institutions in applying for funds for projects related to environmental protection and innovation.
The Department actively supports the Energy and Climate Transition Research Group, whose members engage in interdisciplinary research and social projects, combining issues in economics, finance, technological innovation, environmental protection, and public policy. The Group’s activities include organizing workshops, debates, and collaborating with scientific and business institutions, which contribute to deepening the knowledge and experience of its members in three areas of sustainable development: environmental, social, and governance.
The Department of Sustainable Development Finance aims to further develop scientific research and implement its results in economic practice. Its focus remains on the challenges related to energy transition, adapting to climate change, and building an economy based on the principles of sustainable development. Thanks to its interdisciplinary approach and close collaboration with practitioners, the Department influences the future in the spirit of ecological and social responsibility.
From the History of the Department of Sustainable Development Finance
1937 – Professor Stanisław Bieńkowski, PhD, Eng., from the Lviv Polytechnic University – considered one of the founders of organization and management studies and enterprise economics in Poland – becomes head of the newly established Department of Organization and Management of Enterprises at the Academy of Economics in Kraków – his achievements lay the foundation for the development of the scientific, research, and teaching areas of the current Department of Sustainable Development Finance;
1950 – The name of the Department of Organization and Management of Enterprises is changed to the Department of Industrial Economics;
1958 – The name of the Department of Industrial Economics is changed to the Department of Industrial Enterprise Economics;
1963 – The Department of Industrial Economics is reestablished under the supervision of Professor Józef Gajda. Since then, the Department’s history has been defined by the directions of its research and teaching activities;
1969-1992 – The Department operated as the Department of Industrial Economics and was part of the Institute of Industrial Economics, alongside the Departments of Economics and Organization of Industrial Enterprises, Theory of Organization and Management, and Economics of Construction and Investment;
1992 – The Department of Industrial Economics was transformed into the Department of Industrial and Environmental Policy under the supervision of Prof. Kazimierz Górka;
2009 – Prof. Józefa Famielec was appointed Head of the Department of Industrial and Environmental Policy;
2020 – The Department of Industrial and Environmental Policy was renamed the Department of Sustainable Development Finance;
2020 – Prof. Małgorzata Kożuch was appointed Head of the Department of Sustainable Development Finance;
2025 – the Energy and Climate Transformation Research Group begins operating at the Department of Sustainable Development Finance, co-created with the Department of Public Economy.