ABSTRACT
Capital privatization is perhaps the most spectacular 'privatisation path' pursued in Poland, and its importance, particularly in terms of revenue, is in no doubt. Despite the multiplicity of privatisation techniques, what really matters from the point of view of environmental liabilities is that state-owned enterprises are liquidated as legal entities, and, unlike in capital privatisation, there is in principle no legal continuity between them and the new firms which take over all. The only source of hope is so-called mass privatisation in the process of which hundreds of state-owned enterprises will be turned into public limited companies. The chapter shows that various elements of the process of systemic transformation may, at least potentially, have a negative effect on the natural environment. The policy of sustainable development means a manner of consumption and production which preserves the qualities and resources of the environment in a sustainable manner and active protection of natural habitats.'
