In 2018, a report initiated by the Europe Beyond Coal campaign, found that CEZ Group ranks fourth in the top ten of the most toxic coal companies in Europe. CEZ Group was found to be responsible for 730 premature deaths in 2016. The company was also found to be responsible for 13,000 asthma symptom days in children, 330 chronic bronchitis in adults and 590 hospital admissions due to respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms.

Nearly all health impacts caused by CEZ Group come from burning lignite in the Czech Republic. Air pollution from its plants spreads a toxic cloud across the region as well as the city of Prague. The company's most damaging plant is Počerady, which is located near the city centres of Prague and Dresden.

Being one of the most toxic coal companies in Europe, CEZ Group's air pollution also negatively affects the climate. According to the Fool's Gold report, CEZ Group has emitted 26.8 megatonnes of CO2 in 2018. Through its emissions, the company directly contributes to climate change.

The coal-fired power plants operated by CEZ Group also use enormous amounts of water. As was found by Greenpeace in 2016, "a 500 MW coal-fired power plant can withdraw enough water to suck dry an Olympic-sized swimming pool roughly every three minutes".