National parks
The Czech Republic has several national parks:
Krkonoše National Park: located in North Bohemia, adjoining the Polish Karkonosze National Park, it protects the ecosystems of the Giant Mountains (Krkonoše). It is classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
Podyjí National Park: in South Moravia, on the Austrian border (bordering the Thayatal National Park), it is home to a rich biodiversity, associated with the ecosystems of the Dyje Valley: forests, meadows, moors and wetlands. The park also includes a very old vineyard (Šobes hill).
Bohemian Switzerland National Park (or Czech Switzerland): this territory has been protected since 1972. It is characterized by picturesque landscapes linked to its geology (rocks, gorges)
Šumava National Park: located in South Bohemia, this park protects the Šumava massif and its ecosystems of lakes, forests, moors and peat bogs. The park has one of the largest forests in Central Europe. Adjacent to the Bohemian Forest in Germany, it is an integral part of the "Green Heart of Europe". A UNESCO biosphere reserve, it is however threatened by logging.
An energy mix that is still very carbon intensive
The Czech Republic is among the largest consumers of coal in the European Union. Its energy mix was still largely carbon-based in 2020, with 30% coal, 20% oil and 18.5% natural gas. This situation is highlighted by the International Energy Agency (IEA), which in 2021 urged the country to "an early exit from coal," a situation linked to the importance of the resource in the country. The Czech Republic is considering an exit from coal by 2038, with a transition to renewable energies and a greater share of nuclear power, which represented 20% of the energy mix in 2020. These measures are deemed insufficient by an NGO, a municipality (Svatý Jan pod Skalou) and citizens, who launched a lawsuit against the state in April 2021 for climate inaction and human rights violations.
And its corollary: poor air quality
According to a study by the Ministry of the Environment, 68% of the country's inhabitants were exposed to poor air quality in 2016-2017. The cause: fine particles emitted by thermal power plants, the chemical industry, but also by diesel vehicles and coal-fired heating, which moreover comes from outdated facilities.
Cross-border controversy
The Czech Republic filed a complaint in 2021 against Poland at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The subject of the dispute? The exploitation of the Polish lignite mine in Turów, which threatens the environment and the health of the inhabitants, but also the water resources. Condemned to pay a penalty of €500,000 per day until the mine ceases operations, Poland has ignored the decision of the CJEU. In 2022, however, the two countries reached an agreement. It consists of keeping the mine in operation in exchange for financial compensation to the Czech Republic, and the implementation of pollution prevention measures.
Prague encourages soft mobility
Prague has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The municipality is considering actions in the areas of energy efficiency in buildings, circular economy and tree planting. In terms of transport, while the city has a well-developed public transport network, it is also looking to promote cycling(via facilities), electric cars(via charging stations), and to facilitate car-sharing and intermodality. It should be noted that the country is accessible by train and by bicycle (convergence of four European bicycle routes).
