64. Managerial skills are an additional element missing in the region and are necessary for creating and guiding the methodological capacity required for environmental protection. There is a huge gap between Western and Eastern managerial practices and although the proactive and very focused nature of Western management is not always suitable for directing work in CEE countries, there can be no doubt that substantial improvements in management skills are needed in the region and Western experience can be helpful in this regard. Besides better skilled managers, successful environmental programs require qualified staff who are capable of performing at the standards set by the demands of existing challenges, and under the conditions present in contemporary CEE. Unfortunately, there is a lack of such staff at this time and extensive training is required to address this need. (When qualified staff does exist in government administrations, they are difficult to retain because of the low salary levels.)
65. The impacts of environmental protection efforts on other environmental activities as well as on economic and social programs need to be assessed, and the methodological capacity described above provides the base from which this can be accomplished. A variety of mechanisms exist to help with such assessments and these are beginning to be used in the region, though this trend should be accelerated. Environmental impact assessments and environmental audits are reported as already in use (on a limited scale) in the CEE countries. There are also several tools that can be used to promote environmental protection in a market economy. Environmental charges and non-compliance fees for pollution discharges are effectively employed in some countries, and non-financial instruments, such as permits and compliance schedules, are also used as positive options.
66. Standard business practices also strongly influence the effectiveness of environmental protection endeavors. As in government organizations of the region, environmental management capacities of business are as well far from ideal. Though economic reforms have forced businesses to become more conscious about their use of natural resources and production of waste by-products, commercial enterprises still lack experience in responsible environmental management and their willingness to pay for environmental protection is weak. The situation is exacerbated by the competitive pressures businesses are under to "profit now" and cut costs wherever possible. While the "polluter pays" principle (under which polluters bear financial responsibility for environmental clean-up, and are thus encouraged to implement pollution prevention measures) has been widely adopted in the West this is not yet the case in the CEE countries. One obstacle to effectively utilizing this principle here is the financial hardship that some businesses find themselves in, which has resulted in reduced environmental investments and shortfalls in National Environmental Funds. Another obstacle is the fact that privatization of industrial enterprises is still in progress, meaning that the State remains owner of many facilities and is thus in the paradoxical position where it is technically both the regulator and the regulated.
68. An enforceable environmental policy must have several important characteristics including:
Apart from being focused on practical goals, environmental policy should take into account the impacts of proposed activities on other environmental goals and economic undertakings. Support from diverse interest groups assures greater internal integration and allows for coordinated action. Technical and financial solutions must be sought which maximize the efficiency of environmental programs.
69. Environmental policy that facilitates proper enforcement is critical to properly start and continue environmental improvements. It should provide directives for carrying out environmental programs on the national and local levels, as well as in different sectors of the economy. It should also address obstacles which can only be gradually overcome. Therefore, environmental policy should be sensitive to changes taking place in the economy and society as it may be assisted or hindered by those changes.
70. The state of environmental law varies considerably amongst the countries of the region. While some have developed quite extensive contemporary legislation others are still relying on old laws established under previous political systems which are largely inappropriate for the current circumstances. Some gaps and weaknesses in environmental law exist in all of the countries which also leads to the absence of necessary regulations. Comprehensive yet practical environmental law is crucial as it legitimizes a clean environment as a social priority, provides government administrations with the authority to act and guides the development of regulatory policies and improvement efforts. "Practical" environmental law is emphasized as a need on the one hand because currently law enforcement is regarded as the weakest element of existing environmental protection systems in the CEE countries, while on the other hand, law which is too strict renders enforcement unrealistic and provides incentives for illegal activities.
72. Most environmental experts in the region agree that the environment has fallen far on political, economic and social agendas. In order for environmental administrations to be able to properly enforce laws and implement policies, and to encourage businesses to adopt environmentally friendly operating procedures, an atmosphere of strong public support for environmental protection must exist. While awareness of environmental issues within the region is rising, this has not translated into widespread active support. It is necessary to foster understanding and appreciation of the vital significance of a sustained healthy environment within all social sectors, from business leaders to politicians, and school children to industrial workers. Comprehensive information and education campaigns are needed at the local and national levels. As public awareness and concern for environmental issues grows, citizens will become more motivated to solve environmental problems. In the new democracies of the region this motivation can be channelled into citizen initiated environmental protection activities and public participation in environmental decision-making. A high level of environmental awareness is likely to prompt citizen groups to demand stricter measures that require polluters to be in compliance with environmental standards. Public interest and support, as well as participation in environmental debates, will help to avoid environmental degradation. Public participation in environmental decision-making complements the enforcement of environmental regulations. During the transition period of the CEE countries, public participation and pressure is especially necessary to compensate for weak environmental law enforcement or the absence of environmental regulations.
74. Related to the lack of funds in the region is the need for modern technologies. Many of the environmental problems in the CEE countries result from the operation of obsolete, inefficient production systems using outdated technology in conjunction with poorly functioning or completely absent environmental protection equipment. New production and environmental technologies of all types are needed but they are slow in coming as the costs are often prohibitive for the public as well as private sector.