The General Directorate for Environmental Protection is an institution responsible for implementation of environmental protection policy with regard to:

• environmental protection management including Natura 2000 area,
• investment process control.

The institution also conduct the tasks related to prevention and remedying of environmental damage. It supervises environmental information management and registration of organisations in the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme EMAS as well as creation of European Network of Environmental Authorities (ENEA) which is responsible for the exchange of knowledge and experience between EU countries and institutions implementing EU funds.

The Directorate was established pursuant to Act of 3 October 2008 on sharing information about the environment and its protection, public participation in environmental protection and environmental impact assessment.

The General Directorate for Environmental Protection is managed by the General Director for Environmental Protection. At present, the position of the General Director for Environmental Protection is held by Andrzej Szweda-Lewandowski.

Core activities of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection include:

• participating in implementation of environmental protection policy in the scope of environmental protection and investment process control including:
  • strategic environmental impact assessment,
  • procedures relating to the transboundary impact on the environment.

• performing tasks related to:
  • Natura 2000 network - preparation of draft list of sites, supervision of their functioning and record-keeping, submitting reports and notifications to the European Commission,
  • participation of organisations in Eco-Management and Audit Scheme EMAS,
  • establishment of ENEA network in Poland.

• preparing a draft project of the national strategy for environmental protection and sustainable use of biodiversity and an action programme,
• preparing programmes for protection of endangered species of plants, animals and fungi,
• issuing permits including:
  • derogation from prohibitions in force in natural reserves,
  • breeding and reproduction of animals and plants, permits for export of meteorites and fossil plant and animal remains and acquisition of protected species and others,
  • establishing and running a botanical or zoological garden as well as animal rehabilitation centre.

• running the central register of forms of environmental protection.

The General Director for Environmental Protection appoints and dismisses 16 regional directors for environmental protection who perform their duties in particular provinces. The General Directorate for Environmental Protection is a supervisory body of the regional environmental authorities.