Polska Grupa Energetycza (PGE) is largely fossil-fuel based, with coal as its core source of energy. As was found by IEEFA, the company's hard coal and lignite plants accounted for 91% of its total generation in 2017. The use of coal-fired power plants negatively impacts human health, the environment and climate change. Coal-fired energy generation causes air pollution, which can affect people's health. Health issues that arise are illnesses (like bronchitis and asthma), but they can also result in premature deaths. Due to the health impacts of coal, considerable costs are created as well. In 2013, these costs were estimated to be between 32.4 and 62.3 billion Euros. These costs are not covered by the coal sector but are borne by society.

Polish coal plants cause the most health damage in the EU and caused 5800 premature deaths across the EU. Of these deaths, 1100 occurred in Poland. Moreover, the most damaging plant to human health in the EU is owned by PGE (lignite-fired plant Belchatow).

As mentioned, coal pollution also negatively affects the climate. Coal-fired power generation processes emit greenhouse gases and therewith directly contribute to climate change.

As reported in Europe's Dark Cloud, Polish coal plants are the worst CO2 emitters of the EU. Unsurprisingly, Poland is struggling to meet the European air pollution requirements. The worst CO2 emitter of the EU is the lignite-fired plant, Belchatow, which is owned by PGE. This plant emitted 37,646,220 CO2 in 2017.

As reported by IEEFA, PGE is facing enormous pressure regarding the stricter standards on air pollution that will come into effect in 2021. The company is majority state-owned, and the Polish government is backing the use of coal. However, as market forces are shifting, the government is now facing economic pressures.