Key Environmental Needs
VI. Priority environmental problems
An integrated approach
49. Concentrating on the physical environment while searching for priority problems is characteristic of current attempts to develop environmental policy in the CEE countries. Decisions regarding priority actions are mainly reduced to choosing from an inventory of the most acute environmental problems. Actions are targeted toward achieving measurable environmental improvements through regulations and/or investments. Integrating environmental problems in order to identify their interrelation and the various options for coping with them is often a missing element in environmental programs. The impact of a proposed solution on other environmental and economic issues is not usually fully assessed. The environmental decision-making process needs to be strengthened before priorities are set for the physical environment and programs implemented. A procedural rather than target-oriented approach is an important, but missing prerequisite in identifying priorities and realizing successful environmental programs.
50. Exclusively focusing on the physical environment while identifying priority environmental issues leads to unbalanced and unrealistic environmental programs. A clean-up proposal can look good on paper but be technically not feasible or financially unrealistic. A proposed activity may also be unrealistic because of a lack of experience and skills, or improper planning and management. A very ambitious environmental program often represents wishful thinking and a negligence of the problems impeding the efficiency of the program.
51. Technical and financial issues aside, priority problems related to the physical environment tend to be similar in the CEE countries. They are usually determined according to the most polluted environmental media. The environmental problems which appear at the top of priority lists of CEE environmental experts are reported below.
Air quality
52. Due to the prevalence of heavy industry, the intensive use of low quality fossil fuels, and the substantial lack of modern production and environmental technologies in the CEE countries, air quality problems are reported as the top environmental priority by the majority of experts. Recent rapid growth in the number of passenger cars in the CEE countries is further increasing the load of pollutants in the air, especially in cities. Several areas have been so heavily impacted by air pollution that they are considered environmental hot spots where human health and the environment are at severe risk. It should be noted that while air quality was most often cited as a priority issue, there was some regional variation and water resources were emphasized especially in southern CEE countries.
53. Air pollution has direct impacts on human health and the state of the living environment. While air dilutes discharged substances, it also transports them over long distances, contributing to the problems of acid rain and transboundary pollution. Well-targeted and cost effective action against air pollution needs a sound methodology and careful planning. Regional air quality management systems are an example of a promising approach to this issue, however, they are almost non-existent in the CEE region.
Water resources
54. Water resources received the next most mention as a top priority environmental issue in CEE countries. In some of the Balkan countries surveyed they were given priority even over air issues. The integrity of ground, surface and marine waters are compromised by pollutants coming from industrial, communal and agricultural sources. Some major waterways in the region are considered dead and a significant portion of surface waters is not fit even for industrial use. Waste water treatment facilities (poorly functioning, having inadequate capacity or simply non-existent) were frequently described as critically needed. The multiple functions of surface waterways (e.g., Danube, Elba, Vistula) also create conflicts among their users. This applies as well to the marine environment and coastal zones. In addition, there is a rapid deterioration of underground water reservoirs. Threats from pollution, increasing demands for supply, and drought are all placing regional groundwater reserves in jeopardy. Protection of underground water is placed very high on the list of priorities for action.
55. The shortage of clean water has evolved into a shortage of any water in the CEE countries. The availability of clean water for economic (agricultural, fishing and industrial) purposes has become a topic of intergovernmental and international disputes. The growing demand for water can only be resolved through more efficient consumption and improved quality of existing sources supported by international agreements and better cooperation among the CEE countries.
Municipal waste
56. Problems related to municipal waste management are growing rapidly and have become major issues in the CEE countries. While satisfactory, modern solutions to municipal waste problems have begun to be developed in some CEE countries, others have not made much progress in addressing these issues. Very few proper disposal facilities exist in the region, and the need for such facilities intensifies as throwaway packaging, high in non-degradable plastic content, makes up a larger portion of the waste stream. The municipal waste problem is highly ranked as a direct threat to the physical environment in densely populated areas. Cross media pollution created by municipal waste dump sites is also an issue.
57. The typical solution to the municipal waste problem is to open new dumping sites. However, there is growing resistance from surrounding communities against creating dumping sites nearby. Incineration and composting technologies are alternative solutions. Opponents of municipal waste incinerators argue that they will not mitigate cross media pollution and require excessively large capital outlays. In addition, incineration of municipal waste reduces incentives for employing alternative, sustainable solutions such as waste reduction, requirements for long-life reusable packaging, and recycling.
Hazardous waste
58. Freer access to environmental information has made hazardous waste a high-profile issue. Apart from the huge deposits of each country's own hazardous waste, this problem is exacerbated by the illegal importation of hazardous waste from abroad. The hazardous waste problem is widely recognized by the public, especially with respect to nuclear waste.
59. Standard techniques for handling hazardous waste (e.g., incineration and storage tanks) are poorly developed in the CEE countries. As with municipal waste, very few modern management facilities exist. Attempts to develop programs for dealing with hazardous waste are, however, underway in the majority of countries. Inventories of hazardous waste are usually the first step in that direction. This has been accomplished in some countries and data has been published. The proper handling of toxic waste will require additional time, effort and money. The hazardous waste problem has a big impact on regional environmental cooperation because of conflicts over transboundary shipping of hazardous materials.
Deforestation
60. CEE environmental experts have highly ranked the problem of deforestation. This affects entire ecosystems and pristine natural areas. Deforestation has significance beyond the loss of trees as it also hastens soil erosion, reduces the water retention capacity of the landscape, and exacerbates the problem of global warming.
61. Deforestation usually comes as a direct result of air and water pollution. Acid rain is a frequent phenomenon in and around industrial areas. Thousands of hectares of mountain forest were lost due to SO2 and NOx pollution emitted by power plants fueled by hard or brown coal. Deforestation is also reported as a result of intensive logging for fuel by local populations. In some parts of southern CEE deforestation has been caused by extensive fires, the conditions for which were set by recent years of extremely dry weather.
The response
62. The list of environmental problems identified here is certainly not all inclusive. Other problems, including those of particular importance in individual countries of the region could be listed. The priorities shown above are those most frequently mentioned. Such an inventory and ranking of problems, however, is still not an adequate basis for successful environmental improvement action. Methodological capacity and managerial skills are needed to formulate clear environmental policies and law. These in turn can help to identify useful tools and procedures as well as require consideration of the economic and political impacts of proposed programs. For such policies and laws to be effectively implemented expertise in a variety of fields is needed as are strong public support for environmental protection, sufficient financial resources and modern technologies. Though major challenges, these elements must be gradually realized.
REC * PUBLICATIONS * STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 1 * KEY ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS
