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Proposals for the development of an environmental action programme

The Environmental Action Programme for Central and Eastern Europe (EAP), which was used as a partial base for the development of Latvia’s NEPP, is a broad spectrum document that includes both strategic approaches and specific actions for the solution of specific problems. EAP sets easy-to-achieve short-term goals, but appropriate care has been taken to ensure that these activities would complement the goals of long-term economic, social and environmental special-purpose programmes.

When elaborating the concept of the NEPP, it was decided to draft two separate documents, i.e. one to discuss long-term goals, policy principles and measures for the solution of priority problems - the National Environmental Policy Plan, and another to discuss measures for the solution of specific problems - the National Environmental Action Programme (NEAP). Such an approach was deemed necessary, since this was the first attempt to formulate environmental policy, even though much had already been achieved in practical environmental protection. In order to start reassessing required actions, it was first necessary to agree on strategic goals, principles and basic directions.

Strategy and specific action are inseparable. To implement a strategy, specific actions are necessary. However, to be able to choose the optimal actions, a strategy is needed.

As inferred by its title, the NEAP considers only environmental problems and measures for their solution that improve environmental quality. However, action is often connected with the need for changes in legislation, the establishment of new institutions or reorganisation of existing agencies. In NEAP, the following three types of action will be discussed separately:

• Actions directly solving environmental problems: usually, one measure involves multiple actions (e.g. construction of treatment facilities, changes of technology, establishment of protected territories etc.).
• Implementation of environmental policy instruments: listing the laws, standards, norms, etc., together with the measures for solution of priority problems; improvement of different economic instruments; discussions with representatives of target groups.
• Establishment of pre-requisites for environmental protection: enforcing the use of environmental monitoring system, scientific studies for more information on individual environmental problems, or the development of public awareness.

In order to formulate a clear action programme, several tasks need to be undertaken.

First, the present or planned actions should be co-ordinated with solutions as provided by the NEPP. Simultaneously, it should be determined which problems are to be addressed, what targets are to be aimed for and what the expected results should be. The preferred structure, specific measures and flexibility of the action programme should be understood. Possibilities for action outside the scope of MEPRD’s operations should also be studied and possibilities of involving other ministries, regional structures and other organisations should be considered. Results of such activities might offer good insights for other present and future environmental activities, and it could provide a good basis for future co-operation.

Second, the method of implementing the environmental policies formulated by the NEPP should be clearly defined. Before undertaking planned activities, an assessment should be made of other desirable or necessary activities, their possible implementing agencies, possible results, timelines and approximate costs. Agreement should also be reached on the criteria used to determine priorities within the scope of total possible actions. This basically refers to activities that were less popular before, e.g. public education, ‘good housekeeping’ activities by industries, or consumer participation.

It can be seen that a mechanism needs to be created to connect the rather theoretical NEPP to specific environmental actions in order to promote the sustainable development of Latvia even more.

The NEAP will be reviewed during each current fiscal year, as well as every 2-3 years. This is necessary in the first place to enable the more efficient use of existing environmental protection funding, channelling it to most urgent activities, and secondly, the NEAP can be used as a substantiation for requests for further budget funding and foreign assistance.

Since the first step in developing a NEAP is the gathering of information and assessment of present activities, the programme will be elaborated mainly by MEPRD specialists. Over time, more and more interested parties should become involved in the elaboration and implementation of NEAP: representatives of other ministries, industry and agriculture, target groups, NGOs etc. Thus, NEAP would reflect the interests of all society.

By solving urgent priority problems and improving the system of environmental protection in the country, it would be possible to pay more attention to measures for reaching long-term targets. Thus, over time, the need for two separate documents - NEPP and NEAP - will be reduced, and they will be substituted by a single, comprehensive plan for environmental protection.

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Last updated: November 8, 1996. The information prepared by Valts Vilnitis: fuxis@varam.gov.lv