During each stage of the project its impact on the environment is examined. An Environmental Impact Report is drawn up both for the Preliminary Plans and Specifications (based on the location decisions) and for the Final Plans and Specifications (based on the building permit). Such reports are preceded by public consultations and include the assessment of how the construction of the motorway affects:

1. (surface and underground) waters
2. air
3. soil and farmlands
4. cultural heritage
5. people and animals

The major goal of the report is to present the required protective measures to be taken during the construction of the motorway in order to effectively protect the environment.

Construction designs which are the basis for the applications for the building permits for the section of A2 between Świecko and Nowy Tomyśl have been developed in line with the applicable Polish laws, including the environmental protection regulations convergent with those of the European Union. The Environmental impact report is an integral part of the construction design, as it is meant as the basis for the reassessment of the environmental impact of the intended project. Said documentation (the report and the entire construction design) has been developed basing on the final environmental conditions decisions issued in 2007  for the project, such decisions specifying the environmental requirements to be met during construction. This is true of the quantities, features and locations of the animal passages, conditions of works, mitigation of the environmental impact of the motorway and compensations resulting from the motorway intersecting Natura 2000 areas.

It is noteworthy that at the present stage of preparation, it was decided to analyze the motorway impact on the new Natura 2000 areas , to be established in future. Additional activities resulting from such analysis will be included in the project scope.

The majority of the environmental issues, including the animal passages, were analyzed when issuing environmental decisions. This involved active participation of environmental organizations, especially in Lubuskie where  administrative proceedings were held involving an NGO. At the present stage the NGOs raise their comments regarding the number of animal passages only in Wielkopolskie region. e expect that agreement will be reached in this respect.

The alignment of the motorway in the section Świecko – Nowy Tomyśl:

• crosses 3 Natura 2000 areas in the total length of almost 7 km with no possibility to avoid these areas in view of its landscape;

• in the vicinity of the intended A2 section there are 9 Natura 2000 areas of which 4 are on the governmental list , and 5 on the  Shadow List.

• additionally, 2 further areas are intended to be established (Stara Dąbrowa in  Koryta and Rzepin Lake Area)

• affects 1 Natura 2000 area (max up to 30 km)

80% of the whole route runs through forest land where trees, and subsequently self-sown trees, were cut by road administration many years ago.

The costs related to environmental protection correspond to about 10% of general costs of construction of the section to Świecko.