Environmental action programme for Central and Eastern Europe

This report represents a synthesis of a two-year process involving numerous studies, detailed technical reports on the most important topics, joint meetings, workshops and international conferences. The Environmental Action Programme provides a framework and guide for identifying the highest priority problems; and for developing realistic, efficient and cost-effective solutions. It is intended as a basis for each country in Central and Eastern Europe to set its own national environmental priorities, and to improve and promote cooperation between and among Eastern and Western countries. The Programme identifies the damage to human health caused by poor environmental quality as the first concern in the region. However, in certain regions, the following are of major concern: 1) productivity losses caused by damage or destruction of physical capital and natural resources; and 2) the deterioration of or threat of irreversible damage to biodiversity in general, and in particular to wetlands. The analysis in this report highlights air pollution as the highest environmental priority for Central and Eastern Europe. However, preliminary analysis suggests that air pollution will dramatically improve as a consequence of higher energy prices, the fall in the output of the metallurgical sector, and investment in new capital equipment with better environmental controls. Projections suggest that the output of the food processing, wood products, paper and chemical industries - all significant sources of water pollution - will grow much faster that that of the building materials, metallurgy and electricity industries. The balance of industrial emissions will, therefore, shift towards water pollution and away form air pollution. Finally, the reports makes the following recommendations: 1) base environmental priorities on a careful comparison of costs and benefits; 2) implement policies and invest in projects which provide both economic and environmental benefits; 3) harness market forces for pollution control wherever possible; 4) concentrate on local problems first; 5) donor countries should consider providing funding to accelerate measures to reduce emissions in Central and Eastern Europe; 5) clarify responsibility for past environmental damage; 6) set standards that are realistic and enforceable; 7) more research, training, and exchange of information are needed to help decision-makers set sensible priorities; and 8) finding, implementing, and financing solutions will require building partnerships.