Impact of hard coal usage for metal production on economic growth of Poland

This study provides an analysis of causal links between GDP and usage of hard coal in production of metals in Poland. In order to assure the correctness of computations a third variable – employment – was included in the dataset. Linear and nonlinear dynamic interactions were investigated for the period 2000–2009 on a quarterly basis. The results suggest that in examined period there was a short–run unidirectional causality from GDP to coal usage. On the other hand, the usage of hard coal in production of metals was found to cause GDP and employment in the long–run. Moreover, the impulse response analysis confirmed that the impact of coal usage on GDP and employment was generally negative. All these findings lead to conclusion that in recent decade the usage of hard coal in production of metals did not have a positive impact on economic growth and employment in Poland.