Chapter 2: Estonia

(continued)

2.4 Project Opportunities

Major environmental problems

The National Environmental Strategy (see Box 2) lists the major environmental problem areas needing to be addressed. Those environmental problems which are of major concern are listed in Table 2.9.

TABLE 2.9: MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
Category	Problem Description and Expected Duration	Geographic Location

Air	Major air pollution from extensive oil-shale burning. Expected to continue at current rate for next 20 years.	Northeast Estonia, Ida-Viru County
Air	Dust emissions from Kunda Nordic Cement AS factory, including 1,500 tons of klinker dust emitted annually. Levels are expected to decrease by as much as 200-300 tons per year.	Town of Kunda, Laane Viru County
Water	Municipal wastewater treatment. Construction of new and renovation of old treatment plants is expected to continue for another 5-10 years	Most municipalities
Soil	Military damage and pollution. Clean-up work is expected to continue for another 5-10 years.	Tapa, Laane-Viru County; Pakri ps., Harju County, many other locations
Waste	Municipal landfill, Tallinn; closure of old landfill site in Paaskula, and the design of a new site in Joelahtme	Tallinn, Harju County
	Small-scale municipal waste landfills, expected to close down in the next 5-10 years	Most municipalities
	Silmet AS, radioactive waste landfill, expected to remain a major environmental problem for the next 10-20 years	Sillamae, Ida-Viru County
	Site selection of a new radioactive waste landfill, next 2-3 years	Not yet selected
Energy	SO₂ and CO₂ emissions from power plants, expected to remain a significant problem for the next 10-15 years	Narva, Ida-Viru County

The national environmental objectives contained in the National Environmental Strategy are divided into the following short and long-term objectives:

Air

Short-Term Objectives (1997-2000):

to eliminate the sale of ozone depleting substances and impose considerable restrictions on the consumption of such substances;
to stabilize emissions of nitrogen compounds at 1987 levels and to aim for their further reduction;
to establish a strict control system for checking the compliance of exhaust gas emissions with the established emission standards;
to reduce the emissions of volatile organic compounds by 50 percent compared to 1990 emission levels;
to reduce 1995 consumption levels of leaded petrol by 80 percent.

The responsibilities foreseen by the MoE pertaining to the EU approximation process include the following:

adoption of ambient air pollution limits, specifically for SO₂, NO_x, CO₂, ozone and other pollutants, and standards for ozone depleting substances;
adopt emission limits for the exhaust gases of light vehicles and diesel motors;
adopt requirements for limiting volatile organic compounds emitted to ambient air from petrol-based vehicles and at petrol terminals and stations;
reduce the lead content in petrol and sulphur content in liquid fumes, and adopt the requirements for fuel quality control;
adopt emission limits for new and old boilers;
adopt new specifications for fuels;
adopt requirements for ozone depleting substances control;
minimize the emission of volatile organic compounds to the ambient air, according to the list of solvents;
establish a licensing system for the import of ozone layer depleting substances.

Long-Term Objectives (2001-2010):

to meet the requirements of the EU's quality standards for air;
to reduce the emissions of sulphur compounds by 80 percent based on 1980 emission levels;
to reduce the emission of solid substances by 25 percent based on 1995 emission levels;
to terminate the use of leaded petrol;
to terminate the use of diesel fuel with a sulphur content in excess of 0.05 percent;
to ensure that emissions of polluting substances do not exceed the European Union standards.

The Environmental Action Plan for Euro-Integration, 1998-2003 aims to:

establish BATNEEC in industrial enterprises by the year 2007;
meet the requirements of the IPPC-Directive in big industrial enterprises by 2007;
establish programs to raise air quality in-line with EU Directives 84/360/EEC, 96/61/EEC, 93/73/EEC, 93/389/EEC, and 96/82/EEC;
adopt a monitoring and supervision system for ambient air quality, and for the volume of emitted pollutants, volatile organic compounds, ozone and CO2 and to adopt monitoring requirements for industrial enterprises;
bring the sampling of emitted pollutants and determining of their volume in-line with EU requirements;
approximate information, reporting and public involvement to EU requirements;
adopt sampling and reporting with regard to ozone and CO2, and to establish a database on BATNEEC for industrial enterprises;
develop an action plan for ambient air quality improvement, including developing a program of vehicle inspection, traffic management, encouraging use of public transport, and alternative fuels.

Water and Wastewater

Short-Term Objectives (1997-2000):

The aim is to optimize the use and protection of groundwater by the year 2000. This will be achieved by:

reducing the number of leaking water supply systems by 50 percent;
introducing sustainable groundwater consumption systems in regions where there is a groundwater deficit;
minimizing losses of groundwater during extraction, distribution and consumption;
eliminating local past and existing pollution sources;
building municipal wastewater treatment facilities to ensure high quality drinking water.

Long-Term Objectives (2001-2010):

to develop drinking water supply systems in small settlements (especially in those cases where contaminated water is abstracted);
to ensure the effective protection of the groundwater formation area on the Pandivere Upland;
to eliminate the main sources of groundwater pollution;
to localize areas with contaminated groundwater;
to reduce the use of quality groundwater in industry;
to increase the use of water-recycling systems;
to eliminate leaking water supply systems as far as technically and economically feasible;
to reduce the use of water per production unit.

Waste Management

Short-Term objectives (1997-2000)

to stabilize waste generation in industry and in households at 1995 levels;
to appoint owners/operators for existing landfills and to close down landfills that do not have an owner/operator;
to increase the amount of waste recycled to 30-40 percent;
to establish new landfills and to close down old disposal sites in accordance with the requirements of the EU;
to dispose of 40 percent of municipal waste in accordance with environmental and health protection requirements;
to introduce a hazardous waste management system;
to develop a program for radioactive waste treatment and to ensure the environmental safety of existing disposal sites;
to achieve compliance monitoring of all waste generators.

Long-Term Objectives (2001-2010)

to improve disposal methods and to utilize oil-shale processing waste;
to increase the share of waste recycled to 50 percent;
to stabilize municipal waste generation at an annual level of 250-300 kg per person;
to optimize the number of municipal landfill sites (up to 150);
to treat, dispose and dump all wastes according to internationally accepted environmental and health protection requirements;
to reduce the share of hazardous waste in the total waste volume;
to construct a radioactive waste storage facility that meets European Union requirements;
to offer waste management services throughout Estonia.

As far as surface water bodies and coastal seas are concerned, the main task set out by the NES to the year 2000 is to bring the main municipal and industrial wastewater treatment indicators (BOD, phosphorus, etc.) in line with the recommendations of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) of the Convention on the Protection of the Baltic Sea Region Marine Environment.

The tasks to 2010 include the removal of nitrogen compounds from the wastewater of municipalities with over 5,000 inhabitants in accordance with the HELCOM recommendations in order to maintain the ecological balance of water bodies sensitive to nitrogen. The construction of wastewater treatment facilities in major cities and regional centers is the main priority identified in the EU approximation program of the MoE. Active international cooperation is required for the improvement of the quality of surface waters and the Baltic Sea.

According to the NES, raising environmental awareness would be largely focused on promoting public participation in environmental decisionmaking and in encouraging the public to adopt environmentally sound and sustainable consumption habits.

With regard to the promotion of cleaner technology initiatives to enterprises, criteria, standards and normatives for assessing technological processes and products from a sustainability viewpoint first need to be developed. Awareness raising to environmental management systems (EMS) and general "good housekeeping," as well as BAT and BATNEEC principles should, however, attract the attention of companies. Economic incentives would also play a significant role in the process.

Significant Environmental Projects in Progress

State and Local Level

According to the allocation of resources by the Estonian Environmental Fund in 1996 (see Table 2.10), the majority of funds (some 42 percent of the total annual budget) were spent on the water protection program, which also comprises municipal wastewater treatment facility construction.

TABLE 2.10: BREAKDOWN OF ESTONIAN ENVIRONMENTAL FUND EXPENDITURES, 1994-1996 (MLN USD)

Expenditures by Sector

1994

1995

1996

Water protection program

1.49

2.32

2.81

Waste management program

0.90

Air and radiation program

0.29

Supervision program

0.18

0.39

0.45

Monitoring and information program

0.13

0.09

0.23

Training and public awareness program

0.09

0.19

Game management program

0.02

0.16

0.17

Nature conservation program

0.14

0.24

0.32

Mineral resources program

0.40

Planning, construction and investments program

0.74

Nature use program

0.18

Administrative costs

0.03

0.06

0.07

Reserve fund

0.31

0.33

0.02

Total expenditure

2.39

3.78

6.58

Source: Keskkond 1994-1996

In 1995, in terms of environmental projects the list overwhelmingly consisted of water management related activities /10/. The same trend also continued in 1996 /11/. The preliminary calculations made by the Ministry of Environment as to the cost of approximating present water management practice to EU Directives show that about USD 400-500 million is required /13/. If the drinking water requirements, for example, are not met, considerable problems regarding the export of food products from Estonia to the EU will arise.

Company Level

The Cleaner Production Information and Advisory Center (PT-Keskus) in Estonia was formally established in 1994 by the Estonian Ministry of Environment and the World Environment Center (WEC), although some projects had already started in 1993. The primary objective of the Center is to disseminate information concerning simple and inexpensive opportunities for the minimization and prevention of environmental pollution by enterprises, mostly through good housekeeping. PT-Keskus provides training and consulting services primarily for Estonian industrial enterprises, but also to state authorities and other organizations.

In 1993-1995, seven companies were involved in a cleaner production program entitled; "More effective utilization of resources and minimization of industrial waste in Estonia." The program was initiated by PT-Keskus. The major share of environmental investments went into modernizing the systems and pattern of industrial water consumption with the ultimate aim of minimizing use (see Tables 2.11 and 2.12).

TABLE 2.11: NUMBER OF CLEANER PRODUCTION PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS IN ESTONIA, 1993-1995
Industrial Sector	No. of enterprises/ projects	Minimizing air pollution	Minimizing water use	Minimizing wastewater generation	Minimizing waste generation	Energy saving	Use of raw materials

Chemical industry	3	1	3	4	3	2	5
Food manufacturing industry	3	-	4	1	2	-	-
Metal industry	1	-	1	-	-	-	1
Total	7	1	8	5	5	2	6
Source: WEC, PT-Keskus, 1995

TABLE 2.12: NUMBER OF CLEANER PRODUCTION PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS IN ESTONIA, 1996-1998
Industrial Sector	No. of enterprises/ projects	Minimizing air pollution	Minimizing water use	Minimizing wastewater generation	Minimizing waste generation	Energy saving	Use of raw materials

Pulp and paper industry	2	-	4	4	4	3	4
Food manufacturing industry	1	-	1	1	1	-	-
Total	3	-	5	5	5	3	4
Source: PT-Keskus, personal interviews

According to the MoE and certification companies, no enterprises in Estonia have yet been certified under ISO 14001. However, some companies have said they are working toward certificaton, for example AS Kunda Nordic Cement with a target date of around 2000 /25/.

Over the past two years some 35 environmental experts have successfully completed training courses on environmental management and auditing, and have formally been recognised by the minister of the environment, since there is no other accreditation body yet in place. Given that there are no approved formal procedures for environmental auditing, the audits made so far are more comparable to site audits, rather than EMS audits. It is hoped the adoption of the Act on Environmental Auditing will provide the necessary preconditions and incentives for introducing EMS in companies.

Major Sources of Information on Business Opportunities

With regard to public procurement and tender announcements, according to the Act on State Supplies, an open competition should be organized if the total budget of the project exceeds EEK 100,000 (USD 7,800). Forthcoming amendments to the Act foresee that the lower limit of the project budget will be increased to USD 40,000. Announcements are currently published in the Bulletin of State Supplies. Table 2.13 lists the significant contact points for learning about environmental project opportunities.

TABLE 2.13: IMPORTANT CONTACT POINTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES
Category	Organization name and address	Contact name and phone

Air	Air Division, Department of the Environment Ministry of Environment, Toompuiestee 24, EE0001 Tallinn	Mr. Jaan Saar, Head Tel: (372-6) 262-865
	Radiation Center, Ministry of Environment Mustamae tee 33, E-E0006 Tallinn	Mr. Juhan Kalam, Director Tel: (372-2) 472-462
	Estonian Central Environmental Research Laboratory Ltd. Marja 4d, EE0006 Tallinn	Dr. Enn Otsa, Director Tel: (372-2) 471-474
	Estonian Society of Heating and Ventilation Engineers Ravala pst.6, EE0001 Tallinn	Mr. Ants Vikerpuur, Managing Director Tel: (372-22) 596-266
Water	Water Division, Department of the Environment Ministry of Environment, Toompuiestee 24, EE0001 Tallinn	Mr. Harry Liiv, Head Tel: (372-6) 262-850
	Estonian Union of Water Companies Kadaka tee 5, EE0006 Tallinn	Mr. Enn Lenk, Director Tel: (372-6) 563-685
	Estonian Geological Survey Center (EGSC) Kadaka tee 80/82, EE0006, Tallinn	Dr. Vello Klein, Director (Underground Water) Tel: (372-2) 537-331
	Estonian Environment Information Center (EEIC) Mustamae tee 33, EE0006 Tallinn	Karen Pachel, Coordinator of Surface Water Monitoring Tel: (372-6) 565-373
	Estonian Water Society Jarvevana tee 5, EE0001 Tallinn	Mr. Heino Molder, Chairman Tel: (372-6) 202-502
Waste	Waste Division, Department of the Environment, Ministry of Environment	Mr. Matti Viisimaa, Head Tel: (372-6) 262-861
	Hazardous Waste Management System Coordination Center Mustamae tee 33, EE0006 Tallinn	Mr. Peeter Rungas, Director Tel: (372-6) 565-413
	Estonian Solid Waste and Street Cleansing Association Mustamae tee 44/46, EE0006 Tallinn	Mr. Mati Arro, Chairman Tel: (372-6) 562-826
Energy	Estonian Regional Energy Centers (REK) located in individual counties (e.g. Viljandi, Voru, Rakvere) - coordination office Rahu 2a, EE3461 Vandra, Parnumaa	Mr Priit Enok, Project Coordinator Tel: (372-44) 95-859
	Estonian Regional Energy Center (REK) - Rakvere Rakvere REK, Kreutzwaldi 5-13, EE2100 Rakvere	Ms. Meeli Huus, Mr Aare Vabamagi, Tel: (372-32) 23-463
	Estonian Regional Energy Center (REK) - Voru Liiva 12C, EE2710 Voru	Mr. Elmu Potter, Mr Roho Koks Tel: (372-78) 20-145
	Estonian Regional Energy Center (REK) - Viljandi Vabaduse plats 4-42, EE2900 Viljandi	Mr. Kalle Joks, Mr Aadu Vares, Tel: (372-43) 33-620
	Estonian Society of Power Plants and Distant Heating Vilmsi 53, EE0001 Tallinn	Mr. Rein Hanni, Managing Director Tel: (372-6) 422-652
	Estonian Society of Heating and Ventilation Engineers Ravala pst.6, EE0001 Tallinn	Mr. Ants Vikerpuur, Managing Director Tel: (372-22) 596-266
	TAASEN - Renewable Energy Center Toostuse 3, EE0004 Tallinn	Mr. Tonu Lausmaa, Director Tel: (372-6) 542-047
Noise and Vibration	Department of Acoustics and Non-Ionizing Radiation, National Board for Health Protection, Ministry of Social Affairs Paldiski mnt. 81, EE0035 Tallinn	Mr. Vernhold Kallasmaa, Head, Tel: (372-2) 476-050
Environmental Planning and Management	Environmental Management Division, Department of Nature Protection, Ministry of Environment Ravala pst. 8, EE0001 Tallinn	Mr. Mikhel Vaarik, Head, Tel: (372-2) 433-531
Environmental Planning and Management	PT-Keskus Sutiste tee 21, EE0034 Tallinn	Ms. Anne Randmer, Director Tel: (372-2) 521-629
Nonspecific	Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe Ady Endre út 9-11, 2000 Szentendre, Hungary	Mr. Gerald Fancoj, Business Services Tel: (36-26) 504-000
	Estonian Environmental Fund Ravala pst. 8, EE0001 Tallinn	Mr. Peep Pobbul, Director Tel: (372-6) 262-807
	Center for Ecological Engineering Jannseni 6, EE2400 Tartu	Mrs. Merit Mikk, Board Member Tel: (372-7) 422-746
	Estonian Environmental Information Center (EEIC), Ministry of Environment, Mustamae tee 33, EE0006 Tallinn	Mr. Leo Saare, Director Tel: (372-6) 564-151

According to survey respondents, the main sources of information on environmental technologies and services appear to be exhibitions and trade fairs; however, strictly speaking, "environmental" fairs and exhibitions are rare. Environmental issues are exposed in many other fairs and exhibitions, for example, eco-gardening in gardening fairs, or eco-toursim in tourism fairs. Other examples include energy-saving technologies in electricity fairs and environmentally friendly finishing materials in building fairs (see Table 2.14).

TABLE 2.14: COMMERCIAL FAIRS WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT HELD IN ESTONIA
Name of Fair	City/Venue	Approximate Date	Focus

Eesti Aiandus (Estonian Gardening)	Tallinn/ Eesti Naitused	Varies (September 1997; May 1998)	Gardening tools, chemicals (including biodynamic gardening aspects)
Tourest	Tallinn/ Eesti Naitused	Annually in September	Tourism (including eco-tourism)
Eltex	Tallinn/ Eesti Naitused	Every second year in January	Electrical equipment, energy saving issues
Keskkond (Environment)	Tallinn/ Eesti Naitused	Every second year in November	Varies, "Environment and Waste Management" will be the title of the Nov. 4-6 fair in 1998
Elukvaliteet (Quality of Life)	Tartu/ Tartu Naitused	Every second year in April	Sustainable development in various fields: water supply and management, energy and waste.
Innovaatika (Innovation)	Tartu/ Tartu Naitused	Every second year in March	Innovative technologies and methods, also includes environmental technologies
AGRO-Tartu	Tartu/ Tartu Naitused	Every year in September	Agricultural exhibition, including modern environmental technologies
KEEMIA (International chemistry exhibition and conference)	Tartu/ Tartu Naitused	The first exhibition was held in 1996	Exhibition of laboratory equipment, chemicals and kits

The positive role of the journal Keskkonnatehnika in business information dissemination was also acknowledged (see also section 2.8) while information on environmental technologies can be obtained from business unions.

In addition to the fairs listed in Table 2.14, the Estonian Government has approved a select list of annual international fairs and exhibitions where Estonian companies may participate and exhibit their products and services in introducing Estonian technologies and services to the international market.

The governmental regulation lists 14 international fairs and exhibitions that are to be held during 1998 in which Estonian companies can participate. Five of these fairs relate to tourism, while four events provide opportunity for the Estonian food industry and agricultural enterprises to introduce themselves. The remaining events are related to heavy and light industry, and transport.

Sources of Information on Available Environmental Technologies

Municipalities often use exhibition and trade fair catalogues coupled with direct contacts to a company to learn about available environmental technologies, while industrial enterprises collect their information from a number of different sources, looking first to clarify price and quality.

An important driving force behind raising awareness to environmental technologies and other providers are the technology manufacturers themselves. Since Estonia is a small market, the majority of technologies are imported. The major trading partners tend to be the European countries and in 1996, 54 percent of the country's imported goods originated in Finland, Sweden and Germany /1/. Given the higher environmental standards in those countries, Estonian companies recognize the competition and benefit from the quality. Therefore, information on the characteristics of certain products is available through comprehensive marketing channels, while other opportunities to market environmental technologies lie in advertising products in professional publications.

Environmental companies have stressed the informative value of the journal Keskkonnatehnika (Environmental Technology). This publication appears to be the only business-oriented publication on environmental technologies available in Estonia. Keskkonnatehnika was established in 1996 and has been well received by companies operating in various environmental sectors. The journal offers readers a variety of topical issues, such as the introduction of new environmental and business legislation, new technologies, products and services, and information on fairs and exhibitions. An important element of the magazine is the company advertisements, which introduce many environmental products and services coupled with other commercial advertisements.

REC * PUBLICATIONS * ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY MARKET - BALTICS * ESTONIA