The goals were two-fold: to provide an overview of the factors that affect the development of the "green" business sector in each country; and to provide the results of the REC's survey of the environmental businesses operating in this market. For the purpose of this report, environmental businesses are firms that generate a majority of their income from a wide range of services and products related to environmental protection, including:
Before sustained environmental progress can be achieved in Central and Eastern Europe it is necessary to build the capacity of local environmental professionals. They are essential for the practical implementation of environmental policies, regulations and innovative ideas in the industrial setting. As environmental challenges grow and financial resources shrink, these professionals require a greater understanding of the "best available" environmental technologies and management practices as well as assistance in preparing business plans, budgets and financing proposals.
The international community and CEE governments can promote sustainable industrial activities by building the capacity of the local environmental business sector. In Western countries, history has shown how effectively a well-developed environmental business sector can lobby for and succeed in getting tougher environmental standards, more rigorous enforcement and stricter corporate environmental reporting standards. Therefore, an appropriate strategy for assistance programs provides access to information, delivers practical professional training and encourages equitable relationships between local and Western environmental businesses.
This report provides the results of the REC's survey of almost 600 environmental businesses operating in the Visegrad countries, as well as an overview chapter. The four country surveys were conducted using a specific, standardized methodology to maximize the comparability of information. Mary McKinley and Emil Dzuray developed the survey questions, format and concept, while the following leading, local market research companies conducted the country surveys: ARDA Environmental Business and Development (Czech Republic); SZONDA IPSOS Media, Opinion and Market Research Institute (Hungary); Centrum Bandania Opinii SpoŁecznej (CBOS) (Poland); and FOCUS Center for Social and Market Analysis (Slovak Republic).
Emil Dzuray developed the report concept, compiled the four country surveys and wrote the report. Kerry Zobor provided the political and economic overviews for each country. The following REC staff provided valuable content review and editorial support; Winston Bowman, Kerry Zobor, Miroslav Chod‡k and Ivelin Roussev. Jeff Gailus copy edited the final version. Sylvia Magyar and Cynthia Fedler designed the report layout and graphics.
I would like to thank all the contributors to this report for their dedication and commitment.
Stanislaw Sitnicki
Executive Director