New Delhi, April 9 -- Poland is one of Europe's most polluted countries, and a flagship national program to clean the air and curb household heating demand is losing momentum - threatening both public health and the country's energy security as global conflicts, including the Iran war, destabilize fuel supplies.

European Union air quality standards were routinely breached in parts of Poland until the government launched a sweeping anti‑smog initiative in 2018. The program, known as "Clean Air," offers grants to households and businesses to replace coal‑fired boilers, improve thermal insulation and cut domestic energy consumption. Coal‑based home heating is the largest source of air pollution in the country and the aim i...