Subject and purpose of work: The article presents research aimed at creating the ranking of provinces due to the degree of environmental pollution. The presentation of the spatial distribution of pollutants should result in taking appropriate pro-ecological actions in the provinces.
Materials and methods: Secondary material included in the research was the publication entitled “Environmental Protection – Environment 2017” by the Central Statistical Office. The method of ranking diagnostic variables was applied and then a synthetic variable determining the level of pollution in individual provinces was constructed, which made it possible to create their ranking. In the final stage, the author’s own method was implemented in order to divide the provinces into 3 groups.
Results: The provinces were ranked from a relatively little to very polluted ones. Three groups of provinces were distinguished according to the criterion discussed. It has been revealed that the third group with the highest degree of environmental contamination includes as many as 8 provinces, that is half of them.
Conclusions: The author believes that in order to prepare a more precise spatial diagnosis of the state of the natural environment in Poland, research has to be extended by including adequate information at the county level.
