The Role and the Importance of Social Capital in the Green Transition of an Industrialized Region during Crisis Economy

Purpose: The objective of the presented study is to diagnose the readiness of Polish society for a "green" economic transition. Design/Methodology/Approach: The primary research methods applied in this article are analyzing domestic and foreign subject literature, strategic documents, and available statistical data. In order to better illustrate the issue of the social capital significance for the "green" transition, a survey was used among the inhabitants of the Silesian Province. The survey was conducted as part of the statutory research of the Department of Social and Economic Policy at the University of Economics in Katowice at the turn of 2019/2020. Using the questionnaire survey method, the study was carried out by a specialized research unit of the University of Economics in Katowice: Research and Development Centre. It was conducted based on a sample of 300 inhabitants of the province. Findings: The survey performed among the inhabitants of the Silesian Province allowed for assessing the current level of environmental awareness. Analyzing the research results, it can be concluded that nature, as an essential value, exists in the minds of the inhabitants of the Silesian Province. Nonetheless, this awareness is not necessarily related to the readiness to act for the benefit of nature protection. The indicated state of affairs is a vital challenge in terms of environmental education of the province's inhabitants under study, especially in the implementation of the Regional Just Transition Plan for the Silesian Province 2030. Practical Implications: The results of research and analyses presented in the article may be helpful in the context of the implementation of green transition programs in Poland, especially the Regional Just Transition Plan for the Silesian Province 2030. Originality/Value: So far, the issues discussed in this study (especially about the Silesian Province) have not been the subject of broader interest in the economic literature. The research results shown in the text have not been previously published.