EN
In the paper, Author reviews fundamental documents in the OECD countries, which address some of the most important environmental issues confronting agriculture and rural areas today with focus on the main policy instruments and actions in relation to the environment and sustainable development. Additionally, the sources of financing environmental improvements both at national and local levels were indicated. Central funds are generally used for the implementation of minimum environmental standards and for programmes covering the whole country, self-government funds are allocated for strengthening the capacity at regional and local levels. Author concludes that a more progress is required in the field of integrating Polish environmental policy with that existing in the European Union and characterises the stages of this integration.