Background and additional information
The Sofia Initiatives were adopted by the Third "Environment for Europe" ministerial
conference in Sofia, Bulgaria in October 1995. The aim of these initiatives
is to accelerate the implementation of the Environmental Action Programme
(EAP) for Central and Eastern Europe, through policy, regulation and investment
measures. One of these initiatives is the general improvement of local air
quality in Central and Eastern Europe with two areas of emphasis: (1) the
advanced promotion of unleaded gasoline throughout the region, and (2) the
significant reduction of sulphur and particulate emissions.
The Sofia Initiative on Local Air Pollution promotes cooperation among air pollution control experts at national and municipal levels in developing and implementing activities for measurable improvements in air quality in highly polluted urban areas. The initiative relies on east-east experience sharing, in cooperation with western partners and has the following objectives:
- To exchange information on local air pollution control strategies and their implementation;
- To harmonize policies, standards and regulations among the participating countries (with regard to international practices and approximation to the EU); and
- To develop and implement national or municipal strategies for least cost reduction of airborne lead, particulates and sulphur, as well as public information and participation.
The Initiative is open for all participants in the Environment for Europe process, who wish to contribute to the program's objectives and outcomes. Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia have supported the Local Air Pollution initiative already prior to the Sofia conference. Since then, two more countries joined the core Working Group of governmental officials, namely the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Participation in the Initiative is open-ended -- both CEE and Western participants are welcome to join all or some of the activities in accordance with their interests and at any point in time. Reporting commitments are voluntary; however, participants are expected to carry out their commitments, once such commitments are made. In line with the decisions of the Sofia conference to encourage gradual shift of activities to the CEE countries, core meetings related to the Initiative take place in CEE countries.
The work programme under this Sofia Initiative focuses mainly on:
- Data collection in order to obtain a comprehensive overview of the situation in the participating CEE countries with respect to phasing out leaded gasoline and reduction of sulphur and particulate emission;
- Exchange of experience in the two main areas of work, through Regional Workshops for experts from both, CEE and Western countries;
- Preparation of a synthesis paper which will provide a comparison among the participating CEE countries, including their situation, approach taken, policies used and experience with implementation of those policies;
- Development of a database of available technology options and alternatives containing pertinent data;
- Support to the participating CEE countries with the preparation of country analyses and development of possible scenarios, specific projects and project proposals, legislative, economic and investment measures for implementation.
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