UPDATED NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN (UNEAP)
Tirane 2002
National Environmental Action Plan Updated National Environmental Action Plan 2001
Contents Page
Foreword...... 4 Working Group ...... 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 1 Country Profile...... 1 Economic development...... 1 Environment in Albania...... 2 1. ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION...... 11 1.1 The situation in the physical environment...... 11 1.1.1 Air quality...... 12 1.1.2 Water Resources...... 13 1.1.3 Management of waste and chemicals ...... 14 1.1.4 Land management ...... 15 1.2 The situation in the built environment...... 17 1.2.1 Population migration...... 17 1.2.2 Environmental health ...... 18 1.2.3 Urban Environment...... 20 1.3 The situation in natural areas...... 21 1.3.1 Forests...... 21 1.3.2 Protected Areas ...... 23 1.3.3 Bio-diversity...... 23 2. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT...... 25 2.1 Legal, regulatory and institutional framework ...... 26 2.1.1 Application of Legal Acts and By-laws...... 31 2.1.2 Scientific research and environmental education...... 31 2.2 Environmental monitoring...... 32 2.3 Environmental protection funding...... 33 2.4 Economic tools for the environment...... 34 2.5 Privatization and environmental responsibilities...... 35 2.6 International co-operation...... 36 2.7 Public awareness and participation...... 37 3. NEAP UPDATE – OVERVIEW...... 40 31 The Need for an updated NEAP ...... 40 3.2 Methodology for NEAP update...... 40 3.3 Objectives of UNEAP ...... 41 3.4 Identification of Priority Actions...... 41 3.5 Discussion on the costs and benefits ...... 42 4. ACTION PLAN COMPONENTS ...... 44 4.1 Integrated environmental management and main elements of the Action Plan...... 44 4.2 Policies and Programme Development...... 45 Actions and projects ...... 45 4.3 Improvement and completion of the legal framework...... 59 4.4 Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building...... 60 4.5 Directions of priority investments ...... 61 4.6 Public Information and Awareness...... 63 4.7 Environment and poverty reduction ...... 64 5. EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PLAN...... 65
National Environmental Action Plan 5. 1 Public awareness and participation of concerned parties ...... 65 5.2 Institutional organization...... 65 5.3 Financing ...... 66 5.4 Risks and mitigation measures ...... 67 5.5 Monitoring and Evaluation...... 68
National Environmental Action Plan Foreword
The National Environmental Action Plan is the basic document that presents the government’s policy in the area of environmental protection. The ultimate goal of its development, approval and implementation is to meet the constitutional obligation towards the citizens who have the right to a healthy ecological environment. It is aimed at a rational use of natural resources, as well as the prevention and control of cross-border pollution and damage to the global environment.
The updated National Environmental Action Plan is not a repeat of the National Environmental Action Plan which was approved by the Government of Albania in 1994. It starts from the achievements in Albania, the shortcomings and present national environmental problems, the regional and global tendency in environmental policies and the respective action plans, the consideration of the environmental protection as a national priority and the increase of awareness of the decision-makers, the public and the community. Based on these considerations this plan establishes a series of important tasks and responsibilities for many actors, whose successful fulfilment and implementation is expected to improve the environmental situation at a low cost.
Some of the main requirements for this Plan to achieve the abovementioned objective are:
- design of environmental sectoral policies and the implementation of the respective action plans, - strengthening of the national system of environmental management with all its components, - preservation, development and sustainable utilization of natural resources, - increase in the utilization of renewable resources as opposed to non-renewable resources, - completion of the legal regulatory framework, whilst ensuring its approximation with the European Acquis Communautaire, and its enforcement, - increase of the gradual transfer of the natural resource management process to the community, - strengthening of the role of the public and civil society, - sustainable rehabilitation of the hot spots and sensitive environmental areas, - promotion and education of prevention practices as opposed to corrective practices, - establishing the need for an environmental impact assessment for defined activities, - strategic environmental assessment of plans, Programmes and policies, - meeting the obligations resulting from the signature of international agreements and the active participation in regional and global environmental Programmes, - active involvement of local government in the area of the environment and the development of their legal responsibilities, - active participation in pan-European and global environmental processes, - establishment of inter-ministerial communication structures in the field of environmental protection, - strengthening of the inspectorates that promote environmental protection, - reinforcing the system for the preparation of environmental information and the increase of the level to it for all the interested parties, - promotion of clean production technologies, - encouraging environmental education in schools, - raising public awareness for environmental protection, - development of urban administrations , with particular reference to the treatment of urban discharges, and - urban planning.
Every main requirement has been detailed in this document into the activities which must be implemented and monitored.
An important part of this document will be presented through an analysis of the potential financial resources which will be needed for its implementation. For the period 2001-2005 also, the main source in the field of environmental management remains foreign technical and financial assistance. Nevertheless, it is necessary that support from the state budget for this sector increases considerably, especially in relation to the following issues:
National Environmental Action Plan • rehabilitation of the sensitive environmental areas • the national system of environmental management • monitoring of the environment and establishment of the environmental data base • institutional strengthening at central and local level • the preservation and development of natural resources • environmental infrastructure projects • territorial planning which takes into consideration the necessary environmental protection measures.
The process of preparation of UNEAP has coincided in time with the preparation of the Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation Strategy. This timing offered the possibility for joint consultation between both teams, resulting in the inclusion of an environmental dimension into the Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation Strategy. In particular, this enabled the concept of Sustainable Development to be incorporated into this very important document. Conversely, this process has had its impact on the NEAP preparation itself by making it possible to understand that environmental protection was not seen as a stand alone objective, but also as a way for simultaneously developing the economy and improving people’s lives.
Preparation of this NEAP has required the establishment of a Steering Committee, whose main role has been to oversee and assist the implementation of this plan. This is a permanent body with the highest level of representation of the ministries that have important duties in the implementation of this plan, and that of the public and civil society. It has been achieved through the establishment of an interministerial committee coordinated by the NEA (now the Ministry of Environment), and chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Ministry of Environment would like to thank all of the people involved in the preparation of NEAP 2001. This document represents a successful collaboration between MoE, central institutions and civil society. We are especially thankful to the technical and financial assistance from the Institutional Strengthening component of the 1997 Phare Country Operational Programme of the EU that has made the preparation of this document possible. The National Environmental Action Plan for 2001 is the most important governmental document in the field of environmental protection and comes at a time when environmental protection has obtained a important place in the attention of the government and the public. Today it has become clear to all people that the protection of the environment it is not a luxury but an essential need for achieving lasting economic and social development for present and future generations.
Ethem Ruka
Minister of Environment
National Environmental Action Plan List of Abbreviations
1. AAP Anglo-Albanian Oil Company 2. ASL Above Sea Level 3. CGS Centre for Geographic Studies 4. CIDA Canadian International Development Agency 5. CM Council of Ministers 6. DFID Foreign Department for International Development 7. DHE Directorate of Hygiene and Epidemiology 8. ECAT Environmental Center for Administration and Technology 9. EIA Environmental Impact Assessment 10. EU European Union 11. GDFP General Directorate of Forests and Pastures 12. GDP Gross Domestic Production 13. INSTAT Institute of Statistics 14. IPH Institute of Public Health 15. ISS Institute of Soil Studies 16. LEAP Local Environmental Action Plan 17. MAF Ministry of Agriculture and Food 18. MECT Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Trade 19. MF Ministry of Finance 20. MH Ministry of Health 21. MJ Ministry of Justice 22. MNS Museum of Natural Sciences 23. MPEP Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization 24. MPW Ministry of Public Works and tourism 25. MT Ministry of Transport 26. MoE National Environmental Agency 27. NGO Non-Governmental Organization 28. REC Regional Environmental Center 29. UNDP United Nations Development Programme 30. UNEAP Updated National Environmental Action Plan 31. UNEP United Nations Environmental Programme 32. UT University of Tirana 33. SIDA Swedish International Development Agency 34. WB World Bank 35. WHO World Health Organization
National Environmental Action Plan Working Group
The MoE is grateful to the Inter-ministerial Group, the Thematic Groups, the Core Group, NGOs, the Co-coordinator, and all institutions and experts involved for their valuable contribution to the preparation of the UNEAP.
Coordinator of UNEAP: Prof. Assoc. Dr. Lirim Selfo, MoE
Members of Inter-ministerial Group:
1. Ms. Makbule Çeço, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairperson 2. Dr. Tatjana Hema, Deputy Minister of Environment, Deputy Chairperson 3. Mr. A. Çaçi, Ministry of Public Works and Tourism 4. Prof. Dr. Vjollca Ibro, Ministry of Food and Agriculture 5. Mr. Gjergj Koja, Ministry of Health 6. Mr.. Viktor Doda, Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization 7. Mr. Blendi Klosi, Ministry of Local Government 8. Mr. Sokol Tona, Ministry of Justice 9. Ms. Adriana Berberi, Ministry of Finance 10. Mr. Marko Bello, Ministry of Defence 11. Mr. Engjell Skreli Ministry of Economic Collaboration and Trade 12. Mr. Ermal Mulosmani, Ministry of Transport 13. Mr. Kolë Malaj, General Director of Forests and Pastures 14. Mr. Leke Gjiknuri, Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment (NGO) 15. Ms. Alma Bako, Ministry of Environment
Core Group:
1. Dr. Tatjana Hema, chairperson, Deputy Minister of Environment 2. Prof. Dr. Dhimitër Haxhimihali, University of Tirana 3. Prof. Asoc. Dr. Lirim Selfo, Ministry of Environment
Thematic Groups
1. Air, Water, Waste
1. Dr. Majlinda Vasjari, MoE Chairperson 2. Mr. Petraq Krastafillaku, MPEP 3. Mr. Rikard Shllaku, MoE 4. Mr. Agim Hysko, MPW 5. Mr. Kushtrim Aliko, MT 6. Mr. Arben Maloku, MT 7. Prof. Dr. Elmaz Shehu, NGO 8. Prof. Dr. Alqi Çullaj, NGO
2. Bio-diversity
1. Dr. Zamir Dedej, MoE Chairperson 2. Prof. Asoc. Dr. Vasil Marku, MAF
National Environmental Action Plan 3. Mr. Nihat Dragoti, GDFP 4. Dr. Roland Kristo, MAF 5. Prof. Asoc. Dr. Përparim Laze, ISS 6. Dr. Ferdinand Bego, MNS
3. Institutional Strengthening and Legal Framework 1. Prof. Asoc. Dr. Bajram Mejdiaj, MoE Chairperson 2. Mr. Enio Haxhimihali, MJ 3. Ms. Madalena Rroco, MoE 4. Mr. Petraq Krastafillaku, MPEP
4. Health and Environment 1. Dr. Petrit Vasili, MH Chairperson 2. Ms. Marita Selfo, MH 3. Mr. Agim Shehi, MH 4. Mr. Jorgo Kosta, MH 5. Mr. Arben Luzati, IPH 6. Mr. Kujtim Zazo, DHE
5. Sustainable Development, Public Participation 1. Ms. Drita Dade, MoE Chairperson 2. Ms. Marjeta Mima, ECAT-Tirana 3. Dr. Mihallaq Qirjo, REC-Tirana
6. Funding for Environment and Financial Instruments 1. Dr. MSc. Narin Panariti, AAP Chairperson 2. Prof. Asoc. Dr. Vasilika Kume, UT 3. Mr. Xhafer Baloshi, MF 4. Mr. Trajan Vasili, MoE
7. Environmental Projects 1. Ms. Violeta Zuna, MoE Chairperson 2. Ms. Ermira Basha, MoE 3. Ms. Adela Franja, MECT
8. Population and Urban Development 1. Prof. Dr. Arqile Bërxholi, CGS Chairperson 2. Ms. Alma Bako, MoE 3. M. Sc. Merita Dollma, CGS 4. Prof. Dr. Mevlan Kabo, CGS 5. Prof. Asoc. Dr. Dhimitër Doko, UT
National Environmental Action Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Country Profile
The Republic of Albania is situated in South Eastern Europe, in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula, facing the Adriatic and Ionian Sea to the west. Its surface area is 28,748 km² with a population of 3,373 million inhabitants (1999). Administratively, it is organised in 12 prefectures, 36 districts (plus Tirana municipality that has a district status), 74 towns and 2,985 villages.
Albania borders with Montenegro and Kosova to the north and north-east, with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the east, and with Greece to the south-east and south. The overall length of its borders is 1,094 km, of which 657-km are land borders, 316 km sea, 48 km are river borders and 73 km are lake borders. The coastline is 427 km long, 273 km is of the sandy Adriatic coast (70% of the coast - sandy) and 154 km of the rocky Ionian Coast (30% of the coast – rocky).
The average altitude is 708.5 m ASL, which means that from the topographical and morphological viewpoint, the country has a hilly-mountainous relief. Forests occupy 36% of the surface, pastures over 16% and the arable land about 24%. The surface occupied by protected areas (PA) is 109,000 ha or 3.7 % of the territory.
Albania is one of the richest countries of Europe in water resources; nevertheless, the per capita consumption of water is still very low. About 33% of the catchment area of all rivers is situated outside Albanian state territories, which represents a rare case in the world regarding trans-border waters.
Although Albania is a small country, it is renowned for its rich biological diversity and its characteristic landscape. The highest point is 2,751 m ASL (Korabi mountain), whilst the lowest point (8 m BSL) is found in the ex-marshland of Tërbufi. The great diversity of landscape and the different microclimates associated with them have shaped the conditions for the existence and preservation of a number of relict, endemic and sub-endemic species.
The climate of Albania is Mediterranean. The average annual temperature oscillates between 16- 17°C in the coastal area to around 7°C in the mountainous areas in the north. The average annual rainfall throughout the country is 1430 mm. In Albania, unlike the other Mediterranean countries, the distribution of the rainfall differs very much from area to area. The average solar energy that the Albanian soil receives is estimated to be 2,107 kWh/m2.
Economic development
Before 1990, industry accounted for the largest share of GDP – about 58%. After the start of the transition period, industrial production decreased considerably owing to the closure of the main branches of heavy industry. In 1998 and 1999, the share of industrial production in the GDP was 11.9%, whereas the share of agricultural production was 54.5% and 52.6% respectively (current (1999 or 2002??) prices).
The mid-term economic Programmeme 1993-1996 was successful in stabilising the main economic indicators. This success was short-lived owing to the deep economic crisis of 1997-1998 which was characterised by a quick fall in all of the economic indicators.
After the distortion of macroeconomic balances in 1997, the economic policies implemented by the Albanian authorities - in close co-operation and with the support of the international institutions -have aimed at re-establishing the balances that guarantee the appropriate environment for steady economical growth. Despite the measures taken by the government, the budget deficit,
______1 Updated National Environmental Action Plan unemployment, lack of foreign investments, fiscal evasion, corruption, etc., remain items of concern.
One of the important ways of reviving the Albanian economy is the continuation of public sector restructuring. The drafted Programme for Public Investments 1998-2001 now responds better to the priorities of the Albanian economy. It aims at priority interventions for stabilisation after the crisis, as well as the creation of basic infrastructure for a stable and sustainable economic development.
Environment in Albania
At the beginning of the transition period the accumulated damage to the environment due to the unsustainable environmental practices of the centralized economy become quite visible and occupied a important position in public opinion. The Committee of Environmental Protection (CEP) was established, a modern environmental legal system was initiated, the first NEAP was prepared and a series of environmental projects and studies was carried out with the financial help of international donors. Despite the promising start the environmental movement lost momentum as a result of the economical hardships and social and political unrest that followed. The war in Kosovo also had its own impact in further lowering the profile of environmental issues in Albania. Recently the Albanian Government has been turning its attention again towards environmental issues. In 1998 the CEP was transformed into the National Environmental Agency (NEA) which reported directly to the Prime Minster. This important step forward increased the profile of environmental administration in Albania and paved the way for the creation of the Ministry of the Environment on September 2001.
The role played by the environmental NGOs has steadily increased and the same can be said for the time and space allotted to the environment into the public media. Nevertheless, the awareness of the public and the business community is still low and the impact of the NGOs on the public life is small.
______2 Updated National Environmental Action Plan The environmental situation
The use of the natural resources of the country during the transition period has continued to be unsustainable. The existing institutions lack human and financial resources as well as the necessary experience for an effective management of the broad spectrum of environmental problems. The legal and regulatory framework, despite the improvements in recent years, still does not meet the demands of international standards, and the monitoring and enforcement capacities of the country are poor. The pressure of human activities on the environment is visible in all sectors.
The unplanned development of the cities under the conditions of a rapid development of private activities accompanied by uncontrolled interventions into the existing infrastructure has had a negative impact in the public health. The creation of new population centres and the fast growth of the existing ones has put a huge pressure on the already derelict infrastructure, exacerbating old problems such as drinking water and sewer network overloads, lack of management schemes for urban waste, and contamination of soil and groundwater. The loss of bio-diversity, damage of forests and land erosion have reduced the availability of natural resources that might generate material goods.
In summary, the main issues regarding the environmental situation are:
▪ Degradation of bio-diversity (loss of fauna and flora), deforestation ▪ Soil erosion ▪ Specific sectoral problems (pollution of surface and ground waters, air and soil pollution) ▪ The presence of hot spots with respect to pollution ▪ Shortcomings in the legal and institutional framework ▪ Low level of environmental awareness among the public and the institutions
National Environmental Action Plan 2001 The first NEAP was prepared in 1993 based on the earlier National Environmental Strategy a document prepared with the assistance of foreign donors. Based on a detailed analysis of this strategy, the NEAP determined the duties and responsibilities of Albanian ministries and institutions which activities impacted the environment. From the very beginning the NEAP was considered as a progressively evolving document representing the development of the country. After eight years have passed, it is appropriate for the creation of a new NEAP which should keep in mind the lessons learned during the implementation of the first NEAP. NEA/MoE coordinated the preparation of the NEAP 2001 with the financial help of the PHARE Programme. The new NEAP is the result of a coordinated effort from several thematic groups from different Albanian ministries and institutions. It demonstrates the process of achieving collective agreement on environmental priorities and establishing a continuous collaborative framework for the accomplishment of short, medium and long- term goals through a series of preventive and reparative actions. The Plan defines key measures to be taken for institutional strengthening, investment Programmes, and increasing public awareness. At the same it re-evaluates possibilities for mobilising the necessary resources needed for its successful implementation.
Objectives of the Action Plan The main objective of the Action Plan is to provide the basis for ensuring an integrated form of environmental management that optimises the utilization of natural resources whilst taking into account environmental and economic sustainability. It aims to make environmental management more effective by improving the institutional capacities, mitigating and preventing environmental
______3 Updated National Environmental Action Plan problems, strengthening the basis for the utilisation of natural resources in conformity with the principle of sustainable development, promoting economic growth and reducing poverty.
The expected results from the implementation of the Plan are:
▪ Strengthened institutional capacities ▪ Improvement of the legal framework and its enforcement ▪ Prevention and mitigation of environmental problems ▪ Improvement of the environmental situation ▪ Reduction of the present level of poverty ▪ Participation of the public and business community in sustainable environmental management, as well as in poverty reduction ▪ Increase of public participation in environmental protection ▪ Creation of conditions for the membership of the country to the European Union (EU)
Plans and actions to be taken for the implementation of environmental projects, policies, legal, regulatory and institutional framework, capacity building, public participation and investment are divided into three phases. The plan will be implemented in a 5-year period and consists in: • Short-term projects of relatively low cost, which can be considered as a pre-condition for implementation of the Plan. • Mid-term projects of low or medium cost, many of which are included in the on-going economical Programmes. • Long-term projects of medium or high cost, which are linked with considerable investments that do not have accurate estimates owing to a lack of feasibility studies for specific projects.
Main areas of the Action Plan
The Action Plan supports activities in the following areas:
1Development of policies and Programmemes a. General strategy for sustainable development: Based on the assessment of the overall economic, social and environmental situation in the country, the directions of development, through integration of environmental protection into sectoral policies are to be determined.
b. Strategy of Sustainable Agriculture: - Analysis of the existing situation - Application of practices that promote ecological agriculture - Application of the system of integrated protection of plants c. Strategy for environmental monitoring: - Improvement and completion of the legal and regulatory framework for environmental monitoring - Identification of environmental indicators, driving forces, environmental pressures and status, impact and response. - Design of the national environmental monitoring Programme and assessment of the costs of its implementation d. Strategy for managing the abandoned industries: - Assessment of environmental and health risks
______4 Updated National Environmental Action Plan - Identification of measures and their classification according to priorities - Design of Programmes for controlling, eliminating and monitoring pollution e. Strategy and Action Plan for the development of sustainable transport: - Analysis of the present situation and identification of problems - Improvement and completion of the legal framework - Determining directions for the development of a sustainable transport system f Strategy for sustainable tourism: - Inventory of tourist areas - Their classification according to the characteristics of the natural landscapes and their capacity - Determining areas where the environmental protection is a priority - Design of action plans for the priority tourist areas g. Strategy development for public information and participation h.. Strategy and Action Plan for land protection against erosion: - Analysis of existing situation and identification of priority actions - Completion of the legal framework i. Strategy for the co-operation with business associations and introduction of environmental management systems into the economic activities: - Promotion of the organisation of businesses into professional associations - Capacity building in the field of environmental management of business and introduction of cleaner technologies - Determining the directions of co-operation and commitment of the business to environmental protection and sustainable development j. Strategy and Action Plan for sewage treatment in urban areas: - Assessment of the situation and performance of this sector - Identification of the main problems and their solution k Strategy and Action Plan for sustainable management of urban waste and sewage in rural areas: - Assessment of the present situation, improvement of legal and institutional framework - Design and implementation of demonstration projects l. Development of Programmes for the implementation of water strategy: - Completion and improvement of legal and institutional framework - Development of an inventory of water resources and their present use - Design of sustainable management plans for some watersheds m. Strategy and Action Plan for the management of hazardous, industrial and medical waste: - Preparation of an inventory of hazardous wastes - Assessment of environmental and health risk by hazardous waste and its monitoring - Improvement of the legal and institutional framework n. National Programme for banning substances that deplete the ozone layer: - Identification of sectors that use ozone depleting substances - Defining measures for replacing the ozone depleting substances o. Design of the Strategy and Action Plan for sustainable management of wetlands: - Preparation of an inventory of wetlands at country level - Analysis of bio-diversity and social-economic values - Assessment of their situation and the guidelines for their sustainable use
______5 Updated National Environmental Action Plan p. Programme for safe closure of hazardous urban and industrial waste sites that pose a risk to health: - Preparation of an inventory of discharges of urban and industrial waste - Situation assessment - Determining the measures based on the environmental health impact q. Strategy for protection against natural disasters: - Analysis of the situation and identification of endangered areas - Improvement and completion of the legal and institutional framework - Determining organisational and technical measures r. Strategy and Action Plan for physical territorial planning: - Analysis of the situation and assessment regarding land use - Preparation of the legal and institutional framework • Design of action plans for the most difficult areas that are rich in development assets s. Development of local environmental action plans: - Assessment of the environmental situation at the local level - Identification of priorities and solutions - Development of a partnership between local government and NGOs t. Strategy for the control of gases that cause climate change: - Preparation of an inventory of greenhouse gases - Preparation of guidelines for the control of greenhouse gases
II. Improvement and completion of the legal framework
The proposed actions aim to complete and improve the country’s environmental legal and regulatory framework. The proposed actions address sectoral problems and prepare the legal basis for orienting the economic and social developments towards sustainability. The specific actions include:
Amendment of several basic laws to incorporate the principle of sustainable development and environmental protection (Penal Code, Civil Code, Law on Local Governments, etc.) Drafting of the New Environmental Protection Law Completion and further improvement of the legal framework in approximation with EU requirements. In this context draft laws that need to be prepared in the short-medium term are: • Air protection and the standards for gas emissions • Protection of land from pollution and erosion • Water protection and standards for liquid effluent discharges • Environmental impact assessment • Environmental information • Protected areas • Biodiversity • Waste management • Protection of the marine environment • Industrial accidents • Treatment of urban waste • Burning of waste • The coastal Area • Management of dangerous chemicals
- Improvement and completion of legal and regulatory framework on:
______6 Updated National Environmental Action Plan - Liberalization of fuel prices - Introduction of a carbon tax for vehicle fuels - Introduction of charges for gaseous, liquid and solid industrial discharges - Amendment of the law on taxation and other laws that provide for financial instruments, and the introduction of taxes for the environmental rehabilitation of mining areas
III Institutional strengthening and capacity building
The goal of the proposed activities is to build the institutional capacity for management of environmental issues at central and local level. a. Strengthening of MoE : - Increase in the capacity to draft policies and legal documents, and for environmental management - Improvement of the vertical and horizontal co-ordination within the structure of the Ministry - Capacity building and development of inter-sectoral collaboration - Strengthening of the international relations unit - Organisation of the Inspectorate for Environmental Protection and making it operational, as a separate unit under the Ministry of Environment • Training of the structures responsible for the development of local environmental policies and legislation • Improvement of the project cycle from conception, financing, implementation and monitoring • Establishment of a Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable development • Strengthening the control on enforcement of the environmental legislation by MoE, central institutions and local government b. Establishment and strengthening of environmental protection units within the central institutions: - Training of the structures for the development of environmental sectoral policies and legislation drafting c. Establishment and strengthening of environmental protection units in local government bodies: d. Strengthening of environmental monitoring institutions: - Strengthening the units for environmental monitoring in the responsible institutions - Implementation of the environmental monitoring strategy - Development of a coordinated pollution control system - Establishment of the monitoring networks for air, water, land, industrial pollution, erosion, etc. E. Establishment of the National Council for Sustainable Development: - Establishment of a permanent inter-ministerial structure, in the Council of Ministers, for drafting, coordinating and controlling the implementation of sustainable development policies. - Drafting of the respective legal framework f. Establishment of a centre for cleaner technologies: -
IV. Priority investments
Priority investments will be based on the policies for environmental protection and in compliance with the legal framework and institutional capacity; they will be oriented mainly towards protecting
______7 Updated National Environmental Action Plan biodiversity, sustainable management of natural resources, improvement of the urban and rural infrastructure, poverty alleviation, improvement of environmental quality and public participation.
1.Programmes for sustainable management of watersheds: - A series of demonstration projects regarding the sustainable management of waters, agriculture production, animal farming, orchard-farming and forestry - Implementation of projects to reduce erosion, regenerate degraded forests, preserve the hydrologic balance and increase agricultural, animal and fruit production - Development and introduction of integrated practices to combat pests and diseases of agricultural crops in selected areas - Encouragement of activities that reduce poverty and protect the environment - Feasibility studies and management plans for Prespa and Shkodra lakes and the watersheds of the Drin, Shkumbin and Vjosë rivers. 2 Forestry Programmes/Programmes for the Management of Biological Diversity: - Introduction of sustainable environmental practices for forest exploitation - Establishment of forest nurseries, private or state-owned - Reforestation of the areas under the threat of ecological damage - Regeneration of the illegally cut forests - Regeneration of degraded forests - Preparation of an inventory of forests and bio-diversity - Development and introduction of integrated practices to combat forest pests and diseases in the areas having most problems. - Urban forestry activities, including restoration of forests in urban areas that were cut during the transition years - Introduction of private forestry and pasture activities: creation of private forests and pastures - Strengthening the effectiveness of the Forestry Service to prevent illegal cutting - Increase of the inventory of communal forests and pasture land
3. Mitigation of flooding and its effects in some areas of the country: - Preparation of a land improvement plan and the technical-economical assessment for an improvement Programme divided into stages
4 Improvement of solid waste management: - Improvement of the collection and transport system for municipal waste through training of personnel and supply of necessary equipment - Closure of dumping sites for municipal waste representing environmental hazard. - Construction of sanitary landfills for waste, starting with those cities that already have studies and projects prepared (Shkodër, Lezhë, Elbasan, Fier, Pogradec, Korçë), as well as for the cities along the Tiranë-Durrës axis - Safe closure of the old urban waste sites in those cities where the new landfills will be constructed
5 Improvements in the Water Supply Service as a top priority in the cities of Tiranë, Durrës, Elbasan, Vlorë, Shkodër, Fier, Korçë, Berat, and after that in other cities (Kukës, Lezhë, Krujë, Kavajë, Lushnjë, Pogradec, Gjirokastër, Sarandë, Has): - Reduction of water losses in the distribution network - Improvements to the process of purification of drinking water - Measures to avoid penetration of sewage waters into the drinking water network - Increase in drinking water quantity - Improvement of the management capabilities an day to day functioning of water and sewerage enterprises 6 Improvements in the sewerage networks and the treatment of waste waters: - Completion of the rehabilitation of sewerage system in Tiranë, Durrës, Korçë, Krujë, Vlorë, Sarandë, Lezhë, Kavajë, Shkodër, Gjirokastër, etc.
______8 Updated National Environmental Action Plan - Construction of sewage treatment plants in those high priority cities whose pollution causes major environmental impacts: Vlorë, Pogradec, Sarandë, Shkodër e Lezhë, Kavajë, Krujë, Korçë - Design and construction of the sewerage and collection system for the beach area Durrës- Golem
7 Plans for improving urban management: - Redrawing of urban plans for the cities allowing for present and future economic and social developments - Preparation of action plans for interventions in the new and uncontrolled suburban developments outside city limits. - Development of Programmes for the rehabilitation of those industrial sites polluted by past activities that are close to important urban centres and/or areas of special ecological importance. Such sites are: the PVC plant in Vlora, the Copper Processing Plants in Rubik and Laç, and the former Chemical Plant in Durres - Development of institutional capacities for management and urban planning within the Tirana municipality - Financing of basic infrastructure development in the recently developed suburb areas of Tirana Municipality (Bathore, Laprakë, Kamzë)
V. Public Information and Awareness
The main activities foreseen in this field are:
1. Design of the National Strategy for public information and awareness 2. National Centre for Environmental Information made fully operational 3. Capacity building to develop the process of public participation in the field of environmental impact assessment and decision-making 4. Training Programmes with representatives of central and local government, interested parties and civil society, regarding the public participation in the design of policies, development plans, monitoring activities and EIA 5. Integration of environmental aspects into education Programmes at all levels 6. Financial support for NGOs, in order to increase their activity and the quality of work in the area of public awareness 7. Preparation of National Communication Programmes for: - Water management - Waste management - Biodiversity management - Development of sustainable forestry - Training of journalists to understand the management of environmental problems
Securing an effective implementation of the Action Plan
A fundamental condition for the successful implementation of the Plan is a continuous political and financial commitment together with the support of the public. Achieving the objectives of the Plan and meeting its requirements asks for the commitment of the Government through changes in legislation, institutional arrangements and appropriate financing. The successful implementation of NEAP, depends not only on public participation, but also on the active participation of the different parties involved in its implementation. The interested parties have actively participated in the preparation process and are expected to continue throughout the implementation process of the Plan.
______9 Updated National Environmental Action Plan The main responsibility for implementation of the NEAP rests with the MoE. The co-ordination of the specific activities foreseen in the Programme will be the responsibility of a specially created unit within the MoE. The executive responsibility for different activities will rest on different institutions and will include several ministries. An inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral level Steering Committee should be created chaired by the Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers. The Secretariat of the Committee will be the responsibility of the MoE. The task of the Steering Committee will be the analysis of policies and the monitoring of the implementation of the NEAP. Each of the ministries involved will appoint a coordinator responsible for directing the projects specific to its ministry.
Funding and International Co-operation with other organizations
Although the Albanian Government recognises the environmental problems that the country is facing, spending on the environment has not been among the national priorities. This can be first explained by the shortage of public funds and second by a failure to identify and show to the Ministry of Finance the economics of the environment i.e costs and benefits related to environmental deterioration or improvement. Until today, public funds for the environment have been allocated mainly for covering the administrative costs of the MoE and its regional branches. The funds allocated for environmental investment are totally inadequate even for accomplishing environmental baseline monitoring and equipping of regional branches. The underdeveloped banking system combined with economic instability (expressed in high interest rates in banking loans) makes it virtually impossible to invest into environmental activities that have a long payback time. Owing to reduced public funding and lack of other sources of financing there is strong need to prioritise future interventions in the field of environment. Another source of environmental finding is user fees and charges. However, so far, the income generated through this mechanism goes directly to the state budget with the exception of the street cleaning tax that goes to the local budget. In this situation, environmental taxes (Eco-taxes) remain the safest source of internal environmental income for the near future. These new taxes should not have negative effects on the economy, but should have a progressive effect by directing the economy and public attitudes towards more environmentally benign practices. The Eco-tax and eco charges must be accompanied by compensating measures, e.g. reduction of other taxes (regarding labour, income, etc.).
In the future, financial resources will be focused on investment for mutual profit such as those that increase production output and at the same time generate environmental gains, such as investments on new technology. Small and medium private enterprises will be encouraged to become involved in activities that protect the environment.
Owing to the economic transition and the very high demand for limited natural resources it will be impossible in the short and medium term to contemplate major environmental investments without foreign partners or cofinancing. There is potential for increasing the role of the international donors, although this would require an increase in the internal public spending for the environment in order to provide the infrastructure which would be able to absorb the bigger influx of foreign money. At the present in Albania is a significant number of environmental activities financed by donors and implemented by the MoE. The technical and financial assistance comes from a series of collaborating Programmes of the EU, UNEP, UNDP, GEF, and international financing institutions such as World Bank Group, EBRD as well as several private foundations. The first step in increasing the efficiency of environmental financing is the preparation of the new NEAP that clearly identifies the priorities for environmental investment. These priories serve as the basis for the selection of projects to be financed from internal or foreign donors.
______10 Updated National Environmental Action Plan 1. THE ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION
At the beginning of the transition period, as a result of the serious adverse environmental impacts resulting from centralized economic development, political attention for the environment and its protection was high. During this time, emphasis was mainly placed on the creation and strengthening of the institutional structure dealing with environmental protection at the central and regional levels, the creation of a new effective legal framework, the development of sustainable policies, entry into a series of international agreements, and co-operation in international environmental protection programmes. The establishment of a central and regional environmental protection structure constituted an important achievement, especially when considering the fact that Albania has in the past lacked almost any institutional or legal experience in the field of the environment.
In recent years a number of projects with foreign and state budget funding have been implemented, including various feasibility studies, development and implementation of management plans, design of strategic documents for the management of natural resources, coastal areas management plans, etc. Nevertheless, financial support for the environmental sector through the state budget is limited.
1.1 The situation in the physical environment The development of economic activities and the difficult transition towards a market economy has put a strong pressure on the environment.
The responsible governmental institutions have not had the necessary professional experience or sufficient financial resources to manage all environmental problems sustainably. Despite the achievements to date, the present legal framework is still inadequate and is not being rigorously enforced.
Unplanned urban development, unsustainable consumption patterns, the lack of economic incentives for preservation, development and utilization of natural resources, the inherited historical pollution, the uncontrolled migration of people, ineffective management practices on the issue of pollution discharges into the environment, and lack of a strong monitoring system, are some of the key factors that have aggravated the environmental situation and have furthermore caused it to deteriorated it to a certain extent. Unplanned urban development under the conditions of rapid development of private sector activities has been accompanied by unmonitored interventions into the existing infrastructure. The deficiencies in the urban infrastructure (such as the drinking water and sewerage networks), the deficient management of urban waste, have not only caused damage to land, pollution of groundwater, etc. but have also in some cases aggravated public health and environmental problems. The loss of bio-diversity, mismanagement of natural resources, particularly deforestation and land erosion have adversely affected the natural resources that can generate material benefits.
The deterioration of the environment has not merely been a result of activities that have not taken into consideration the environmental aspects. The deterioration was more a result of the cumulative effects caused by a failure to integrate planning with environmental management. The main environmental problems in the country are indicated in Table 1
______11 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Table 1 Main problems
- Deterioration of bio-diversity (deforestation, loss of flora and fauna) - Massive deforestation - Land erosion - Specific sectoral problems (water, air and land pollution) - Hot spots (high risk areas) with respect to environmental pollution - Shortcomings in the legal and institutional framework and in its implementation - Low level of environmental awareness - Lack of inter-sectoral coordination
1.1.1 Air quality
The air monitoring programme is suffering from a lack of resources, is not carried out regularly, and does not include all of the required indicators for air quality.
Available data for air quality in urban areas, although incomplete, show that the composition of suspended particles and dust is of great concern. The values of other indicators, such as the concentration of lead, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and ozone are poorer than the national and WHO standards. The transport sector has an adverse impact on air quality because of its uncontrolled development, which has resulted in an increase of the number of old vehicles using mainly diesel fuel.
In areas with active industry large quantities of air pollutants are discharged into the environment; however, no air quality monitoring Programmes are implemented. In recent years, with funding from the state budget, air quality monitoring has been carried out in 6 cities for a number of important indicators for air quality. There is no monitoring of air quality in the rural and suburban areas. In such a situation it is impossible to evaluate the effects of air pollution on sensitive ecological receptors, such as natural and agricultural vegetation.
Industrial sources that have a large contribution to air pollution are the iron, metal and chrome industry, the oil extraction and refining industry, hydropower plants and the cement industry. The technologies of these industries are out-of-date and do not have exhaust gas treatment plants.
The legal and regulatory framework for air quality monitoring is insufficient. The developments of recent years in the road transport sector have not been accompanied by the necessary legal acts for the protection of the environment from vehicle exhaust gases.
Albania has not yet been able to prepare an inventory of industrial sectors with gaseous discharges that have an impact on air quality on a national, as well as on a global scale. Regarding greenhouse gases, based on the preliminary data from studies in this field for 1994, it is concluded that the energy sector is the largest contributor.
The development and implementation of a national programme for air quality monitoring, the inventory of discharges according to modern methodologies, the preparation of a register of emissions, the collection, processing and interpretation of data, the determining of environmental indicators of impact and mitigation, all require an increase of institutional capacities in this field, which cannot be achieved without the necessary financial support.
Albania has signed a number of international conventions on air quality, and in response to the resultant obligations, inventories will be prepared and reported as a first step towards controlling and reducing the national contribution to cross-border and global air pollution. Table 2 presents the main issues in the area of air quality.
______12 Updated National Environmental Action Plan
Table 2 Main problems
- High levels of dust and soot in urban air - Partial and periodical monitoring - Out-of-date monitoring equipment - Lack of monitoring of indicators of impacts on ecosystems - Lack of monitoring of indicators of impacts on human health - Incomplete legal and regulatory framework - Lack of financial resources
1.1.2 Water Resources
Albania is rich in water reserves. Its hydrographic network comprises rivers, groundwater, streams, lagoons, natural lakes, artificial lakes and seas.
Groundwater is the main source of drinking water supply . The use of water for industrial needs has decreased owing to the closure of a significant part of the heavy industry.
Losses in the distribution network are high, owing to the old network and illegal connections. These are some of the reasons why the water supply for the population is limited, often consisting of only a few hours a day, especially during the hot season.
The sources of groundwater pollution are industrial activities and discharges from sewers. In some coastal areas the underground waters have high salinity caused by mixing with seawater. The measures for the protection of this category of water are insufficient, and the unsustainable use of groundwater is making this situation worse.
The surface water close to urban areas is characterized by pollution from organic matter, originating mainly from untreated sewage. The rivers upstream, far from the urban and industrial pollution sources are suitable for drinking water, but deteriorate downstream. Organic pollutants are present in high concentrations in the rivers flowing through oil fields and close to refineries. Coastal waters are generally clean, except for some restricted areas that are polluted by urban discharges. Values exceeding the standard for bacteriological pollution have been observed in these areas.
In general terms, the quality of the surface water within industrial areas has improved when compared with that of ten years ago. The reasons are: closure of most industrial sites, reduction in the use of waters for irrigation as a result of damages in the irrigation-drainage network, as well as a drop in the use of chemicals in the agricultural sector.
Floods occur mainly in the northern and central part of the western plain, and cause serious economic, social and environmental problems to the communities in these areas.
The lack of necessary financial resources and inter-sectoral coordination has limited the monitoring of water resources, in terms of both geographic cover and frequency of analysis. The analytical methodology is outdated and there is no system to monitor its quality. The need for upgrading the monitoring network is evident.
From an administrative point of view, the competent decision-making authority for the utilization and use of water is the National Council of Water, with an inter-sectoral membership and chaired by the Prime Minister. Similarly, interdependent subordinate bodies such as the Technical
______13 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Secretariat of Waters and the River Basin Councils have been established. The legal framework in place for water management is incomplete and is characterized by some conflicting and overlapping competencies of authorities. In particular, there is a need to establish and approve the quality standards for groundwater, surface and marine waters, as well as acceptable levels for liquid urban and industrial discharges, which will be dependent on the absorptive capacity of the receiving environment.
Albania is a signatory party in the UNECE convention for the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, as well as the accompanying protocol “On water-related diseases”.
In the year 2000, Albania ratified the agreements based on new documents of the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution and Preservation of Bio-diversity, as well as the six accompanying protocols.
Based on the obligations resulting from the ratification of these Conventions, the country should determine and apply clear and measurable objectives for the further reduction of pollution discharges into cross-border waters and coastal areas, the development of plans for the management of accidents, preventing pollution of the sea, etc. The main problems arising in the water protection area are presented in Table 3.
Table 3 Main problems
- Pollution of ground and surface waters - Pollution of drinking water - Limited monitoring - Losses from the distribution network - Lack of management plans for water basins - Lack of inter-sectoral co-ordination - Shortcomings in the implementation of the legal and regulatory framework - Phenomena of unsustainable use of water sources
1.1.3 Management of waste and chemicals
The increase in the consumption of material goods in recent years has not been accompanied by any attempts to raise environmental awareness through education in the use of sustainable consumption practices. The average percentage increase of urban waste production in the country is between 8 and 10%. In 1998, the annual generation of waste reached 520,000 ton.
The present treatment of urban waste consists only in their removal and dumping on sites designated by the local authorities. Despite the efforts made to designate urban waste sites based on environmental criteria, there are many cases where these sites are built in totally inappropriate areas. So far there is still no sanitary landfill in Albania.
The system for collecting and transporting urban waste is already privatised. The number of containers and vehicles is insufficient, and often the service does not cover the entire urban area. There is no recycling system and there is no analysis of urban waste composition. At rural level, there is no system for collecting and transporting wastes and there are no designated sites for dumping. Taxes for the existing service are low and the allocated funds are insufficient.
The environmental situation around the closed industrial sites is a serious concern. The copper, chromium, iron-nickel and oil industries have produced several million tons of industrial wastes.
______14 Updated National Environmental Action Plan The impact on the surrounding environment is considerable and has adversely affected the potential of natural resources. In addition, this situation constitutes a potential health risk for people who are continuously exposed to this pollution. Some of the dumps are prone to landslide risks because of poor maintenance.
Table 4 Main problems
- The equipment for collecting and transporting urban waste is inadequate - Dump sites for urban waste do not meet environmental criteria - There is no waste recycling - There is no waste management service in rural areas - There is a lack of monitoring systems for urban and industrial waste dumping into the environment - Taxes are too low to finance an efficient service - There are no management plans for hazardous waste - The legal and regulatory framework is incomplete - Economic instruments are not used - There are considerable quantities of chemicals stored in unsafe conditions - There is no management plans for chemicals - There is a low level of awareness regarding the environmental and health risks from hazardous chemicals and wastes
The management of industrial solid waste and especially of the landfills where they are deposited is a priority because of their polluting potential for humans and the environment, especially considering soil, groundwater and the effects on bio-diversity.
In the country a number of unusable chemicals are stored (obsolete stock). They represent different levels of risks for health and the environment and should be effectively managed. There are an estimated 3,100 tons of chemicals in the public economy sector and 1,000 tons of pesticides in the agricultural sector. In spite of this there is still no accurate inventory of these substances at the national level and there is no plan to avoid or minimize their threat as hazardous waste. The main problems in the management of urban waste, industrial waste and chemicals are presented in Table 4. Chemicals stored inside the production lines of closed chemical factories pose a serious problem. It is necessary that the decommissioning of such plants must include measures for safe disposal of such chemicals.
1.1.4 Land management
The inappropriate use of land for decades has caused its environmental degradation including erosion, salination, and pollution by urban and industrial discharges.
At present, arable land is the property of, or is rented to the farmers who, in many cases, have caused its degradation through the use of unsustainable agricultural and animal-farming practices. Recently, farmers in some areas of the country have started to apply more sustainable practices in agriculture.
Data from research institutes show that the losses caused by erosion in our country are about 20-30 ton/ha/year, but in special areas this value reaches 150 ton/ha/year. The geological characteristics and the country’s relief are responsible for 20% of the total erosion; however this phenomenon is
______15 Updated National Environmental Action Plan aggravated by a number of other factors. Particular causes are massive deforestation, especially in the hilly and mountainous areas, the uncontrolled grazing of goats which has increased during the last decade, and the damage of erosion protection works including the drainage channel network. A new phenomenon in the last decade is abandonment of land, which has caused exposure to inappropriate use and degradation. This category includes arable land created in the 1960’s to 80’s far from inhabited areas, arable land in steep and very steep terrain, arable land of low fertility and shallow lands. The total figures of land with a limited fertility factor, is 300,000 ha. These lands need a strategy for their rehabilitation/improvement.
Floods and landslides occur frequently as a result of damage and destruction of the infrastructure for land improvement. Erosion problems are more visible in hilly and mountainous terrain where landslides often occur. All these factors influence the reduction of land fertility.
Soil pollution is caused by the oil industry, the extraction and processing of minerals, the obsolete stocks of chemicals in closed plants of the chemical industry, and the dumping of urban and industrial waste. This is more visible in urban and industrial areas.
The high growth rate of the population and its migration to urban areas has created an uncontrolled increase in the population of the largest cities and their suburbs. In addition to other negative effects connected to environmental damage and pollution, this phenomenon has caused damage to the landscape and tourist values, especially in the coastal areas because of widespread illegal constructions.
Another serious concern is the compensation of owners by giving them land in the coastal area. In many cases, the tourist facilities built on the compensated lands have not considered measures for environmental protection; indeed, these legal facilities have often damaged and polluted the environment. In addition, numerous illegal constructions have been built in the coastal areas without the necessary infrastructure. The awareness of the law and the willingness to respect it are low and the organisations that are in charge of its enforcement are still very weak.
The responsibility for land management and use belongs to several ministries. There is an overlap in the responsibilities of different institutions and the tasks of each institution are not very clear. At the national level the highest decision-making body regarding land use and territorial planning is the Territorial Planning Council of the Republic. At the local level, the authority is the municipal or prefecture council. Several master plans have been designed for territorial planning in the coastal areas. The majority, however, does not take environmental protection into full consideration. In practice there is no integrated policy for land use. The main problems in the land management areas are given in Table5.
Table 5 Main problems
- Land degradation (erosion, fertility decrease, salinity) - Land pollution (urban and industrial) - Landslides and floods - Unsustainable land management - Lack of plans for integrated land use - Unclear responsibility of responsible institutions - Uncompleted legislation and poor law enforcement - Uncontrolled urbanization
______16 Updated National Environmental Action Plan 1.2 The situation in the build environment
1.2.1 Population migration
The substantial changes that started in Albania during the 1990s have induced a demographic development that is completely different from the previous periods. It is linked to both internal and external migration. In 1994, the population of Albania was 3.2 million inhabitants, while at the end of 2000 the number was 3.4 million inhabitants, having an annual growth rate of about 1%. If emigration were excluded, the population growth rate would be 1.2 % per year.
The region between Durrës and Tirana is the most preferred destination for internal migration. More than 1/3 of the population is now concentrated there, whereas in 1990 the area contained less than 1/5 of the country’s population. In 1994 the urban population was 42% of the general population, while the rural population was 58%. In 2000 these figures were respectively 46.3% and 53.7%. Within this period the urban population has increased by 2.9% per year, while the rural population has decreased by 0.01% per year. This means that a major role has been played by internal regional and inter-regional migration from rural to urban areas, especially in the area of the Western Lowlands.
According to the demographic prognosis the general number of the population can reach 3.6 million inhabitants, while in 2010 this figure can be 3.76 million inhabitants. Only in Tirana- Durrës region, the population may already reach 1.7 million inhabitants or 45% of the whole population of the country. The specific population density in this region and the whole western lowlands, creates a number of problems regarding the biophysical and social-human environment, problems that need a solution.
With the increase of population, the density of the population has increased, from 111.4 inhabitants/km2 in 1994, to 118.2 in 2000. This figure also represents the increase in human pressure on the environment, especially if we consider what it is called the biological density of human population, which has increased from 4.6 inhabitants/ha to 4.9 inhabitants/ha, respectively in 1994 and 2000. This was a result not only of the general population increase, but also of the abandonment of arable land. In the lowland regions the density of the human population is 4 times the country’s average, while in the internal hilly areas around the lowlands the average oscillates around the country’s average. This means that there is a decrease in population density in the hilly and mountainous areas, and an abandonment of the bio-physical environment, while in the lowlands there is an increase of human pressure on the physical environment. 43.5% of the country’s population has settled in the Western Lowlands close to Adriatic Sea, which is 23% of the country’s surface. The population density here is 223 inhabitants/km2, reaching 467 inhabitants/km2 in the triangle between Tirana – Durres – Elbasan. The lowest density is in Albanian Alps area.
The relationship between human population and altitude, is associated with several environmental problems, such as a) The abandonment of cultivated land and its exposure to natural erosion; b) Increase of pressure on the environment in some other areas and the impossibility to meet the needs of the community; c) Direct and indirect impact on environment, such as: forest cutting, elimination of arable land through construction, human pollution, etc.
Human migration has been spontaneous, and has affected urban, suburban and rural planning, as well as the rural living environment itself. In this framework, there should be revisions of the law on urban planning, of the control of the sale of cultivated and non-cultivated land, and in the competencies of the Territorial Planning Councils, so that the legislation would be effective.
If they are developed outside the control of effective policies on population, economy or territory planning, all the elements of the demographic changes will continue to have a considerable negative impact on the environment.
______17 Updated National Environmental Action Plan 1.2.2 Environmental health
The transition in Albania has had a considerable impact on the public health, especially in urban areas.
The health problems are directly linked to the social-economic situation and the way of living. In many cases they are related to the exposure of the people to air, water and land pollution, as well as other factors that influence the quality of environment.
The economic collapse of the beginning of ’90 caused a reduction of industrial production which directly reduced the discharge of pollutants into the environment. This phenomenon was accompanied by a reduction in health problems and occupational diseases. On the other hand, different health problems emerged.
Urban development, often not based on technical standards and criteria, was accompanied by damage to the drinking water supply system and its consequent contamination, and by ineffective urban waste management systems. The above-mentioned problems have caused a high level of water borne and food related diseases compared with other European countries, though there is a lack of data to confirm this connection.
Important steps have been made in the development of institutions and legislation, and a number of studies and projects have been carried out. They aim towards a modern treatment of environmental health problems and the integration of social and economic developments with protection of the environment and health.
Despite these achievements, there are still shortcomings in identifying those cases of diseases caused by environmental pollution. The level of public information regarding environmental health is also low.
The Government approved the National Environmental Health Action Plan in June 1999. Its objective is to lay the ground for sustainable ecological development, effective prevention and control of environmental health risks, as well as uniform access to a healthy environment. This plan foresees the necessary measures for environmental rehabilitation in various areas. Central and local institutions, civil society and the public must be involved in the implementation of the plan. In the process of implementing this plan, local action plans for environment and health are being prepared for cities of Durrës and Vlora.
From an institutional point of view the respective infrastructure exists, but there are considerable deficiencies in the exchange of environmental health information. Its improvement would create a better management of these problems.
Water Pollution
Surface and ground waters are exposed to pollution from urban sewage and industrial waste, and by infiltration of chemicals used in agriculture. As a result of the lack of treatment plants sewage from coastal cities causes bacterial pollution during the summer months along some adjacent beaches.
Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for both urban and rural areas.
The present system for monitoring groundwater quality is poor with regard to legal, institutional, organizational aspect, or considering the technical aspects related to the monitoring network. The monitoring of drinking water in the cities by public health laboratories during 1997 has shown that over 5% of the samples had chemical or bacteriological pollution.
______18 Updated National Environmental Action Plan The incidence of water borne diseases are considered high compared to other European countries. Over 50% of the epidemics of enteric typhoid in rural areas, have been spread through drinking water. The contaminated drinking water is responsible for the increased cases of dysentery and viral hepatitis.
Solid Waste While the quantity of industrial waste has decreased as a result of the closure of the activity of many industrial sites, the quantity of urban waste has increased as a result of the population growth and the increased use of paper, plastic or metal products in packaging materials.
The industrial waste, deposited for years is not subjected to any public health and environmental control. The urban waste represents an acute problem for the main cities, especially for Tirana, Durres and Korça, considering collection, transport or their disposal at sites designated by the local authorities. The municipal collection and transport system suffers from lack of containers and vehicles. The facilities at disposal sites do not ensure the protection of ground and surface water from pollution.
The deliberate burning of urban waste in the open air is typical for many dumpsites. Illegal constructions near these sites have increased in the last years with the inhabitants near these dumps being potentially endangered by infections and intoxication from the chemical products formed during the burning process. There are no epidemiological studies to determine the impact of waste on the health of people living close to dumps. Measures should be taken to stop this activity and the construction of landfills is required that meet the criteria for preserving the health and environment.
Air Pollution Air pollution problems are mainly related to urban pollution caused by transport and to a lesser extent to the pollution by industry and energy production. During recent years the number of private vehicles has continued to increase. The vehicles entering Albania are mainly second hand cars and their majority has diesel engines. There are no legal barriers to limit this phenomenon.
Data from IPH on the nitrogen oxides for main cities and sulfur oxide for Tirana during 1998 show that in all cases, the concentration of these gases in urban areas is below the allowed levels. Regarding the determination of the levels of dust, only measurements for particulate matter (PM10), carried out at several locations in Tirana have been carried out starting from 1996. The comparison of the measured values with the values recommended by WHO (due to the lack of local standards), shows that the level of PM10 is higher than WHO recommendations.
The lack of a national network for air quality monitoring, as well as the lack of data on morbidity caused by air pollution, makes impossible the assessment of the health impact of air pollution. The data of the health service show that the diseases of the respiratory system are responsible for 16% of the deaths in Albania and are in second place in the mortality causes. In these figures the infant mortality due to respiratory diseases is high.
Noise The nuisance caused by noise is reduced as a result of the closure of the majority of industrial activities. Developments during the last decade in transport and economic activities have increased the noise level in many cities. There are no maximum allowed levels for noise in inhabited areas. There is need for monitoring noise levels in the critical urban and industrial spots, as well as the impact of noise on the most exposed groups of population.
______19 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Spatial planning, urban developments, new industrial developments and constructions, must be accompanied by appropriate measures for limitation of noise. In this framework, the noise levels allowed in urban and industrial areas should be reviewed based on WHO recommendations.
Hot Spots
Based on the environmental information provided by MoE and the recent country evaluations made by UNEP some environmental "hot spots" can be identified. These are: - Chemical Plant in Durres - Sodium and PVC Plant in Vlora - Oil-fields in Marinëz-Patos - Oil-refining Plant in Ballsh - Urban Waste Dump in Sharrë-Tiranë
The land, air and water pollution level, according to the specifications for each "hot spot", is very high. Families migrating north and northeastern part of the country have occupied many of these “hot spots” representing abandoned industrial sites. The new inhabitants are continuously exposed to toxic and carcinogen substances such as mercury, hexavalent chromium, lindane (isomers of hexachloride), thiram, dioxine, furam and other residues of pesticides or oil products.
Despite the lack of monitoring and the poor information on the level of toxic substances in air, land and water, the surveys carried out by several Albanian and foreign institutions have identified very high concentrations (hundreds and thousand times over EU levels) of some toxic and carcinogen substances in drinking water, agricultural products and animal milk. In many cases, the walls in the premises occupied for living in the former industrial sites are highly contaminated by toxic substances such as mercury, etc., which further increases the health risks.
Table 6 Main problems
• Cross-sectoral cooperation for implementing environmental health policy is not at the proper level. • Set of environmental health indicators is missing and it is not integrated into the actual information system • Support for the activity of NGOs and public participation in the process of decision making for the environment must be a priority • Providing safe drinking water for cities and rural communities, and monitoring of drinking water supplies, surface and waste water will be priorities • Legislation and discharge limits on air and water quality based on WHO standards do not exist • There is very high exposure of people living in the hot spots to harmful environmental polluters • Identification monitoring and implementation, of measures for nose reduction in urban and rural areas is inappropriate
1.2.3 Urban Environment
The degradation of the urban environment, and urban pollution, are serious environmental problems that have developed in recent years. The situation is critical not only in large urban centres and in the coastal areas, but also in rural areas. The lack of management of urban solid waste has created problems throughout the country. At present, the collection, transport and dumping of waste is done through simple processes. As a rule, the wastes are directly thrown into
______20 Updated National Environmental Action Plan specific areas, without any environmental protection measures and without using strict criteria when selecting disposal areas. Also the urban wastewater situation is critical. Up to now, there is a total lack of sewage treatment facilities in the cities, and some of the new residential areas in the suburbs are not connected to the sewerage system.
The considerable demographic changes in urban areas during the transition period have caused the spread of urbanized areas. This has caused environmental damage and especially the destruction of green areas. The damage to green spaces still continues owing to construction activities, such as those for kiosks and high buildings, without taking into consideration the criteria for urban and territorial planning.
It is estimated that in the main cities green spaces have decreased by 2 m2/person in recent years. This is a direct result of the environmental damage caused by uncontrolled migration, and as a consequence, by the illegal occupation of these areas. At country level, the green space is 14-17 m2/person, with an average of 5-6 m2/person in the urban areas. The green surface in Tirana has decreased from 12.3 m2/person to 5 m2/person.
The considerable increase of vehicles and traffic has created major problems in the urban environment regarding pollution by sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, dust, lead and noise.
The rates of changes in urban areas, and especially in Tirana, are unprecedented and urban planning does not guide these developments. The existing urban plans date back to before 1990, hence they are completely outdated they do not meet the present requirements of urban development. These plans show environmental damage also outside the city limits.
Table 7 Main problems
- Increase of pressure on the physical environment by the internal migration from rural to urban areas, especially towards lowland areas. - Degradation of the urban environment and urban pollution. - Lack of management of urban waste and lack of sewage treatment, with sewage being directly discharged into rivers and irrigation systems. - Uncontrolled extension of the urbanized area, resulting in environmental damage, especially destruction of green areas. - Non-respect for environmental criteria of urban and territorial planning. - Decrease of green space in main cities, especially in Tirana. - Damage of historical, cultural and archaeological centres. - Lack of capacities and financial resources in the field of urban planning. - Low level of public awareness.
1.3 Situation in natural areas
1.3.1 Forests
The present situation of the forests in Albania is a consequence of the continuous over-exploitation during 60 years, and especially during the last 10 years. It reached a peak in 1997, when more than 550,000 m3 timber was cut.
Fires that in the majority of cases were intentional have caused considerable damage to forests and grasslands in recent years. The existing structures in the General Directorate for Forests and
______21 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Pastures (GDFP) are powerless to manage these situations, whereas the commitment of local and central institutions in this field has been insufficient. Funds are needed for fire protection in forests and grasslands.
The data on forest cutting are not accurate. It is necessary to prepare an accurate inventory of the general volume of standing timber.
The forest situation brings out the immediate need for designing and implementing plans for the regeneration of forests damaged by uncontrolled cutting.
The lack of investments and organizational measures for silvicultural work (for new plantings or reforestation, for combating pests, maintaining forest roads, for fire protection, etc.) has caused the loss and degradation of the habitats of many plant and animal forest species. Since 1998, there have been improvements through investments by GDFP as well as through the Forestry Project supported by the World Bank. Nevertheless, the reforested areas during all these years have been insignificant when compared with the cut areas.
The forests close to the villages are the most damaged and degraded. The majority of these forests are oak forests that are known for their high biological diversity. On account of poor economic conditions and owing to tradition the villagers continue to over-exploit the forest through cutting without technical criteria, in order to secure wood for heating and cooking. Over-grazing by animals, mainly goats, is another related phenomenon.
Recently forest protection has become better organized through the creation of communal forests around the rural habitations, which are managed by the communities. The pace of creation of private forests should be accelerated. These measures will considerably mitigate illegal cutting and other forest damage.
The cutting in the coastal makia and forests has created problems, especially for birds that use these areas for nesting. In this framework, it is imperative that the nurseries and reforested areas managed by GDFP grow in number, and the private sector is encouraged to be involved.
Weaknesses have been identified in the legal and institutional framework. The present organisation of forest management includes a conflict of interests, because protection and production belong to the same institution. There is also a need for field staff to be trained to increase its capacities. Although the legislation has been visibly improved, its enforcement and implementation is not sufficient. The institution for fine collection can be considered almost to be non-existent.
Table 8 Main problems
- Massive forest damage and degradation. - Unsustainable forest exploitation. - Reduction of bio-diversity. - Lack of complete inventory of forest resources. - Ineffective collection of fines. - Present institutional organization bears conflict of interests. - Slow pace in creating private and communal forests. - Low forest protection awareness. - Local personnel does not have necessary qualification. - Considerable logistical lack in the Forest Policy and the fire protection structures.
______22 Updated National Environmental Action Plan 1.3.2 Protected Areas
The Protected Areas constitute some of the biggest economic and ecological values in the country.
The general surface of the protected areas is 109,048 ha, which is 3.9% of the territory of Albania. The network of protected areas includes forests, lakes, lagoons and nature reserves, which are famous for the diversity of land and marine flora and fauna, including many endemic species. Their classification is based on the IUCN system. For this classification, it is necessary to review the status of some areas and, in some cases, to merge two or more areas in order to manage them properly. In some other cases different ecosystems and habitats must be combined with others aiming at creating more representative areas.
The biggest challenge for the protected areas is now to protect these areas from damage and illegal constructions. Special attention should be paid to the national park of Lura, where massive tree cutting has occurred. The same occurred in the national parks of Valbona, Qafë-Shtama, Bredhi i Hotovës, Llogora and the hunting reserves of Kune-Vain, Rrushkull, Pishë-Poro, Levan, Maliq and Cangonj. It should be stressed that there is a lack of qualified staff and equipment for the effective protection of these areas.
The restructuring of the protected areas, based on the IUCN concepts, has started since 1992, based on the new legislation on environment, forests and wild fauna.
Despite the achievements in the classification of protected areas, there is still a lot to do regarding the increase of their surface, as well as their conservation and management.
The sustainable conservation and management of the protected areas requires the preparation of a specific legal and regulatory framework, and the design of management plans for each area. All these activities must be preceded by stringent measures for their protection from anthropogenic damages. In this direction, private services that promote the natural values of the protected areas will be encouraged.
From the institutional point of view, more space should be given to local government regarding the management of the protected areas that are situated within their territory. Table 9 Main problems
- Damage of flora and fauna by anthropogenic factors. - Lack of a specific legal and regulatory framework. - Lack of management plans. - Human and financial resources for the protection of protected areas are insufficient. - The role of the community is vague. - The qualification of the management personnel is low.
1.3.3 Bio-diversity
Even though Albania is one of the smallest countries in Europe, the climatic features, geographic position, its relief and geological, hydrological and pedological factors favour a very high diversity of natural habitats and sub-ecosystems. They offer conditions for the existence of about 3,200 kinds of higher plants (30% of the European Flora) and 756 kinds of vertebrates, in which many relicts, endemic and sub-endemic species can be distinguished.
Among bio-diversity damage we can mention: loss and fragmentation of habitats, damage, impoverishment and degradation of ecosystems and habitats, disturbance of wild animals,
______23 Updated National Environmental Action Plan extinguishing of species or threat of genetic erosion. The rate of bio-diversity loss in Albania in the last 50 years is thought to be among the highest in Europe.
During the last 5 years, considerable damage has been inflicted by spontaneous flora. The forests of laurel, birch and oak have suffered considerable damage in particular. There is also a critical situation caused by the massive collection of medicinal and aromatic plants (Albania is the second country in Europe for their export). Different species of the families Orchis and Fucus virciodes (algae) are under the threat of extinguishing. The latter has disappeared from the southern border of its area. This situation in general is a consequence of the uncontrolled development of human activities in these areas and especially of illegal constructions, mainly for tourist purposes. The lagoons and big lakes of the country are important habitats for birds. 91 threatened species have been identified.
The indiscriminate use of lake and river water has caused a severe ecological crisis in these systems. Illustrative are interventions in the lakes of Micro Prespa, Dumre and the glacial lakes (Lura and others). Also the indiscriminate use of rivers for irrigation without considering the "biological minimum" of water flow in the riverbed has endangered biological life.
Even though the legislation provides for the establishment of Watershed Management Authorities, no such units yet exist. In the framework of bio-diversity protection and sustainable development of natural resources in the watersheds of the rivers and lakes, these units must start working and respective management plans should be developed.
Fishing practices in recent years and especially the uncontrolled development of fishing activities have adversely affected biodiversity. Thus, in the last 5 years, fish reserves have been seriously depleted in the depths of 2-30 m.
Uncontrolled and indiscriminate hunting, especially during winter, is the main disturbing factor for those animals that are hunted, especially the wintering birds which are mainly migratory. As a result, these birds have abandoned these areas, which is more evident in areas with small water surfaces such as: Kune-Vain, Patok, Pishë-Poro, Seman delta.
The use of illegal means for capturing and killing wild animals, including the use of poison for fishing has caused a considerable reduction of the populations, especially of carnivorous mammals and birds of prey.
Out of 390 bird species that have been observed in Albania, 18 have an unfavourable preservation status at global level. The natural and artificial habitats offer a shelter for about 120 species (35% of the species) with an unfavourable preservation status. Thus it can concluded that Albania is an important station for European avifauna.
Destructive human intervention on the environment has contributed to the creation of the unfavourable conditions through forest cutting, illegal hunting and illegal construction.
The number of rare and threatened vertebrate species is high and increasing. Thus, the number of vertebrates that are included in the list of threatened species has reached about 273, or 36% of the vertebrates population in the country. The lack of data on flora and fauna does not allow an accurate assessment of the bio-diversity situation in Albania. However, at least 2 species of plants and 4 species of mammals are totally extinguished, whereas 17 species of birds no longer nest in the country.
______24 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Table 10 Main problems
- Considerable damage to flora and fauna. - Illegal fishing and hunting of wild species. - Use of extermination means in hunting. - Fragmentation and damage of habitats. - Progressive increase of endangered species. - Non adequate institutional organization. - Non enforcement of legal framework. - Incomplete legal framework. - Lack of management plans.
The main types of most endangered ecosystems and habitats in Albania include the marine ecosystems (the medium and infralitoral levels), coastal ecosystems (sand dunes, river deltas, alluvial and very humid rivers, coastal lagoons and lakes), as well as alpine grasslands, continental and glacial lakes, oak and coniferous forests.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
The environmental management system in Albania consists of three elements:
- Environmental policies which identify the priority objectives and goals, and foresees actions and measures to be undertaken to accomplish them. - Legal framework - Administrative structures
Effective environmental management can be obtained if sectorally integrated policies are implemented and if it is in accordance with national development policies.
The Albanian Government Policy on environmental protection was embodied for the first time in the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP), approved in 1994. It was prepared with assistance of the World Bank on the basis of the National Environmental Strategy, formulated in 1993.
This Plan aimed at the integration of environmental protection in the country’s development Programmes, and the outlining of a series of duties for various ministries and institutions in relation to environmental protection. It also foresaw organisational, administrative, legal and technical measures for environmental management.
In addition to the MoE, other ministries responsible for the implementation of NEAP are: Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tourism and Public Works, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Local Government and Decentralization.
While implementing this plan, since 1993 several sectoral policy documents have been prepared, including the National Water Strategy, National Plan for Urban Waste Management, Strategy and Action Plan for Bio-diversity, Coastal Zone Management Plan, Green Strategy for Agriculture, National Environmental Health Action Plan, Strategy for forestry protection, Strategy for Tourism Development (now in the updating process), Strategy for Energy, Public Investment Programme and Strategy for Privatisation.
Environmental protection has been widely included into the strategy for development and poverty reduction by giving to this strategy the dimension of sustainable development
______25 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Table 11 Main problems
- Lack of sectoral environmental policies - Lack of capacities for formulating and implementing sectoral policies - Delays in the approval of policy documents by competent authorities - Lack of inter-ministerial structures to monitor the implementation of sectoral environmental policies.
The sectoral documents already prepared and approved, contain little or no environmental considerations. Furthermore, the monitoring process and sectoral co-ordination did not function appropriately. The main problems in this area are provided in Table 11.
2.1 Legal, regulatory and institutional framework The environmental legal framework is in a phase of completion and improvement. It is all totally new legislation, with a clear intention for approximation with European legislation. It consists of all levels and types of legal and regulatory acts, starting with the constitution, specific laws, governmental decisions, decrees, regulations, norms, standards etc. It should be pointed out that the environmental legal framework currently supports and promotes the use of control and command measures more than economic instruments.
The Law on Environmental Protection, 1993 is the basic law which directs in a summarised way the aims, principles and rules of environmental management. This law was amended with Law No. 8364, dated 02.07.1998. The amendments brought about improvements of an institutional and organisational character, by increasing the competencies of the environmental protection institutions. All activities that affect the environment should be subject to an environmental impact assessment and licensing system. The latter should provide the permit for a specific activity.
Special paragraphs in the Constitution state the objectives “for an ecologically healthy environment for present and future generations” and “rational exploitation of forests, waters, pastures based on the principle of sustainable development”, as well as “the right of the public to have access to information on the state of the environment”.
The Council of Ministers has approved several decisions in relation to environmental monitoring and transportation of hazardous wastes.
A series of sectoral laws have become effective and they contain provisions for environmental protection, for example the law on water reserves, law on mining, regulatory entity of waste waters, hunting, forestry, soil, urban planning etc. These laws are accompanied by a considerable number of normative acts.
Several important draft laws are in an approval process, including the management of protected areas, protection of marine environment, air protection, new amendments of the law on environmental protection, as well as a draft decision on environmental monitoring in the Republic of Albania.
The drafting of other laws such as EIA, water protection, soil protection from contamination and erosion, gaseous and liquid emissions, access to environmental information, bio-diversity conservation and urban waste management is being finalised.
In the framework of active cooperation with international environmental Programmes and institutions, the country has become a party to many multilateral environmental agreements.
______26 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Meeting of the obligations derived from the membership in these conventions and agreements will lead not only to environmental protection, but also to economic growth of the country, because the essence is the principle of sustainable development.
Despite the considerable achievements in relation to the drafting of a contemporary legal and regulatory framework, there is still much to be done in relation to its improvement and completion. The problems and requirements implicit in the environmental situation in the country should be taken into account when formulating new acts, which must show conformity with social-economic developments and the sustainable development principle, the principle of the polluter pays, the promotion of ecologically clean technologies, increasing the possibility for public participation in decision-making, sanctioning of the obligations that result from being signatory to internationakl conventions and other international acts, and approximation of the legislation to EU legislation.
In institutional terms, MoE is the highest governmental body specialised in environmental protection, under the Council of Ministers. MoE was created in September 2001 from the National Environmental Agency, which was established in 1998, based on the Committee for Environmental Protection in the Ministry of Health and Environment.
The organogram of the present MoE structure (approved in October 2001) is given in Figure 1. The tasks and responsibilities of MoE are political and technical and deal with the development of environmental policies, development of environmental legislation and enforcement control. MoE coordinates the environmental monitoring, determines the main policies and investment priorities for environmental protection, and represents the national focal point for many environmental Programmes and international agreements.
The Regional Environmental Agencies (REA), established at prefecture level, control and ensure the implementation of the environmental legal framework, supervise and apply preliminary environmental licensing, collect and process the data on the environmental situation at municipal and prefecture level. An important role is played by other inspectorates such as the Sanitation Inspectorate, Forest Police, Construction Police, etc.
The management of forests, land and fisheries is carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) through the General Directorate of Forests and Pastures, the Department of Lands and Department of Fishing. The Territorial Planning Council of the Republic and the Territorial Planning Councils of municipalities and prefectures manage territorial planning. The National Council of Waters and the River Basin Councils, as well as the respective executive structures manage the water resources, while waste waters are managed by the regulatory Institution of waste waters.
Many ministries have established environmental units, but their role and responsibility are unclear, especially regarding the bilateral communication and collaboration with MoE. At national level, a number of high level inter-ministerial structures with a permanent or temporary mandate, decision- making or advising, exist such as: the Territorial Planning Council of the Republic, National Water Council, Committee of Energy Policies, which are chaired by the Prime Minister; Council of Tourism Policies, Steering Committee of National Environmental Health Action Plan, Steering Committee of the National Environmental Action Plan, which are chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister. MoE is represented at the highest level in all the above mentioned committees.
Despite the above, MoE, as an inter-ministerial body, must be strengthened to enhance its coordinating role, to assist and control the ministries and other governmental institutions over the fulfilment of their legal tasks regarding environmental protection.
Some of the main problems related to the legal-regulatory framework and the strengthening of the environmental institutional framework are presented in Table 12.
______27 Updated National Environmental Action Plan
Table 12 Main problems
- Lack of normative acts that are required by the laws in force. - Lack of the sanctioning of economic instruments in the legal acts. - Lack of environmental principles in sectoral legal acts. - The need for approximating the local legislation with that of the EU. - Considerable lack of legal framework for urban wastes. - Lack in legislation on bio-diversity. - Lack in a legal institutional framework. - Lack of inter-ministerial coordination. - Lack of environmental structures in ministries and municipalities. - Lack of human resources, quality and quantity.
______28 Updated National Environmental Action Plan
Figure 1. Structure of the Ministry of the Environment
The Minister
DIRECTORATE OF DIRECTORATE OF NATURAL DIRECTORATE OF DIRECTORATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY CONTROL & PREVENTION BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT & MONITORING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATIOON
DIRECTORATE OF Sector of Personnel & Services PERSONNEL, SERVICES, ORGANIZATION
Sector of Economics
Sector of Legislation
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES
ECAT TIRANA
______30 Updated National Environmental Action Plan 2.1.1 Application of Legal Acts and By-laws
The implementation of environmental legislation is mandatory for all local and foreign physical or juridical persons acting in the Republic of Albania. The main obligations of the physical and juridical persons refer to environmental licensing, monitoring the environment and discharges, disseminating information on environmental discharges and the environmental situation, measures to reduce pollution and environmental damage, provision of public information on environmental damage and pollution, public participation in the process of environmental impact assessment, etc. Despite the achievements, the implementation of the environmental legislation leaves much to be desired. The environmental inspectors and REAs should be given better logistical and professional means to enable them to carry out effective controls and enforce the implementation of the legislation. The number of illegal activities and operations without an environmental permit has noticeably decreased, whilst the number of applications that are subjected to the environmental licensing process is continuously increasing. However, the conditions stated in the permits are not respected, especially regarding the monitoring of reported environmental discharges. The environmental licence must be renewed only when there are changes compared to the situation at the date of issue. Now, in the new amendments it is proposed that the renewal of the license should take place on a yearly basis, particularly for activities that make use of natural resources, and the other activities stated in the permit. This is required to control the level of use of natural resources and to enforce the compliance of all the conditions set forth in the environmental licence.
Non-compliance with the legislation is punishable in principle by administrative fines, but the collection of fines is almost impossible. Collaboration with the other inspectorates and the forest police is not at the desired level required to enforce the environmental legislation. MoE is preparing mutual agreements with GDFP and the Ministry of PublicWorks to promote and enforce the environmental legislation and the respective sectoral legislation.
The completion of the legislation dealing with environmental impact assessment and environmental licensing will result in the preparation of very clear and specific conditions, which do not leave room for misunderstandings and can be easily monitored by the environmental inspectorate. In the process of its institutional reform, MoE is trying to improve the national system of environmental impact assessment and licensing, by preparing a number of sectoral guidelines.
Table 13 Main problems
- Shortcomings in the existing legislation regarding the control and penalisation of activities that impact the environment. - Lack of logistics and professional capacity in REAs. - Lack of coordination and cooperation between the organizations for the enforcement of environmental legislation. - Ineffectiveness in fine collection for the penalized activities.
2.1.2 Scientific research and environmental education.
The system of scientific education and research has been one of the most developed in the country. The professional and academic level in general is very high. But during the last 15 years, this sector experienced a decline, owing to weak management and considerable shortcomings. Meanwhile, efforts have been made to reform the education system, its restructuring including school curricula, new text books and professional training of the teachers. Simultaneously, several specific environmental education programmes have been introduced, and a good part of the scientific research at the universities and research institutes is for the benefit of the environmental protection.
______31 Updated National Environmental Action Plan The non-governmental organizations, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science, are implementing a number of projects to introduce environmental education programmes. At present a pilot project of academic environmental education is being implemented in secondary schools. In 1995, the branch of environmental engineering was established at the faculty of Civil Engineering.
The coordination between sectors of environmental management and those of academic education and scientific research is not performed at the required level. For several years, environmental protection was an integral part of the national governmental programme for research and development. This is however, no longer the case.
The inclusion of environmental education at different levels of the academic system, despite the recent developments, does not meet the present demand for environmental education. The Ministry of Education and Science should develop a strategy for the integration of environmental protection into curricula at all levels.
Furthermore, environmental study and research, including the activity of academic and ministerial institutions are limited owing to the lack of funds. In recent years, MoE has had increased funds for environmental "research and development". These are however, insufficient to cover the broad spectrum, of environmental problems. The main problems in this field are given in Table 14.
Table 14 Main problems
- Lack of a strategy for the integration of environmental protection into school curricula. - Lack of environmental publications in Albanian. - Lack of a strategy for the integration of environmental protection into the curricula of all levels. - Failure of scientific research in the environmental field to meet present demands. - Lack of post-graduate schools in the environmental protection field.
2.2 Environmental monitoring
According to Decision of the Council of Ministers, No 541, Date 25/09/1995, environmental monitoring is executed by a considerable number of scientific research institutes.
Environmental monitoring is financially supported by the state budget and is coordinated by MoE. Despite huge difficulties, during the last ten years a periodic monitoring of the quality of urban air, surface waters, sea and bio-diversity has been conducted. The results of the environmental monitoring are presented in the State of the Environment Reports that MoE publishes every second year.
The institutes that are involved in the monitoring of environmental quality are not connected to an organised information network. Even the data reported and published, are not effectively used by the respective law enforcement institutions.
The funds allocated from the state budget have increased in recent years but still remain insufficient to sustain the environmental monitoring network. The equipment in the institutions in charge of monitoring is not working well and often lacks spare parts.
Based on the environmental legislation and the decision of CM on monitoring, public and private enterprises are obliged to perform the monitoring of the pollution discharged into the environment themselves, and send data to MoE periodically. In general, the enterprises do not fulfil their obligations.
______32 Updated National Environmental Action Plan There is still no centre for collecting and processing monitoring data, which should be disseminated to the respective institutions and the public. A centre for environmental data management is being created at MoE. MoE is also working to develop a national environmental monitoring Programme that includes the environmental indicators, their measurement and calculation methods, monitoring stations, the control of the data quality, etc. Table 15 presents the main problems in this field.
Table 15 Main problems
- Lack of sufficient funds for monitoring the environmental and bio-diversity elements. - Shortcomings in professional and logistics capacity of the environmental monitoring institutions. - Lack of a central body for the management and publication of environmental data. - Non-compliance by private or state-owned enterprises with the legislation requiring the monitoring of their polluting discharges. - The monitoring data, though poor, are not used by the central and local institutions to take mitigation measures in the respective sectors.
2.3 Environmental protection funding The main source of funding for environmental protection comes through projects. During the period 1993-2000, a number of projects have been implemented, funded by the state or foreign donors. The topics of these projects mainly refer to a) institutional capacity building and strengthening; b) completion of the legislation; c) preparation of strategies for specific environmental fields; d) preservation of nature and reduction of pollution and damage.
Environmental projects funded by the state budget With Decision of CM No. 3, Date 27/06/1995, the Research and Development Programme was approved. In this Programme environmental projects were funded to a value of 3 million Leks every year for a 4-year period. As a result of this Decision, the former Committee for Environmental Protection (today MoE), was able to finance a programme of projects in scientific research institutions, which ended in 1998.
Based on this positive experience, even though the Research and Development Programme has ceased in the environmental field, MoE decided to fund scientific institutions from its own budget for conducting studies that should serve to assess the environmental situation in Albania, determining the ways for its preservation and protection, as well as taking concrete measures in specific areas. As a result, in 2000-2001 MoE has allocated funds to be used for environmental monitoring and scientific research projects. Although other ministries too have allocated funds for environmental protection their overall contribution remains small.
Therefore, it could be concluded that the very limited resources that are allocated for the environment from the state budget, are not enough to properly manage the environmental problems and to deal with the present challenges, while environmental investments are also indispensable in different priority sectors of the country, such as water and air protection, rational use of energy, protection of land from erosion and pollution, etc.
Projects funded by foreign donors
A project of high importance was funded in the framework of PHARE Programme AL 93/06, to the value of 3.3 million ECU. The Programme, which started in 1995 and ended in 1997-1998, included 10 specific projects. It provided technical assistance to the Committee for Environmental Protection (today MoE) for institutional strengthening, preparation of national strategies and action plans, purchase of
______33 Updated National Environmental Action Plan equipment, training of staff, etc. During this Programme laws and strategies were drafted, and technical-economical studies and technical projects were implemented.
Other projects funded through GEF (a total of 4 million USD), which started to be implemented in 1998, are linked to the strategy and the national action plan on bio-diversity (the strategy is already approved by the government), the preservation of Lake Ohrid, the development of an inventory of greenhouse gases and the protection of coastal wetlands and ecosystems.
During 1993-2000 further environmental projects were implemented, funded by the Programmes UNEP, METAP II, MED-POL/UNEP, LIFE etc., with projects such as: the plan for the integrated management of the coastal area, Mediterranean Pollution Assessment, solid urban waste management in 6 main municipalities of Albania. Albania has also secured several projects in the framework of the Multi-Country PHARE Programme.
Another Programme implemented with foreign assistance is the Update of the National Environmental Action plan – Urgent measures, financed by the World Bank. The project started in September 2000 and is under development. Its goal is to determine the urgent measures in the framework of the National Environmental Action Plan and to present concrete projects for identified problems. The present project to update the National Environmental Action Plan (UNEAP) is supported by PHARE.
It is worth mentioning that a large number of environmental projects, funded by different donors, are implemented or under implementation by other Ministries and Agencies, scientific institutions, different NGOs, etc. These projects cover the field of water supply, treatment of waste waters, urban waste, rehabilitation of the irrigation system, pesticides, fishing, forests, environmental impact assessment for road and highway construction, environmental education, etc.
2.4 Economic tools for the environment
Economic tools are important in changing the attitude of polluters towards the environment. These instruments are applied to control or reduce pollution and the use of renewable environmental resources (air, water, forest, etc.), and of those that are non renewable (minerals, oil, etc.). The goal of their application is also to provide compensation for the shortcomings of the present market, which does not reflect the real price of products and goods. Their application aims to internalise the cost of goods as close to their social cost as possible, in such a way that the price of the goods will reflect the exploitation of natural resources. They are very effective instruments towards Sustainable Development, which is now taken into consideration in the Constitution of Albania (1998).
Use of economic tools in Albania
The application of the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP), together with a number of economic tools, such as: fines for polluting air and water and taxes for waste treatment, were foreseen in the NEAP of 1993. But they still do not appear in the environmental legislation package, and are therefore not enforceable.
The taxes that are based on the User Pays Principle (UPP) regarding the use of limited natural resources, such as raw materials, minerals, etc., anticipated by NEAP in 1993 have been implemented through the Mineral Law of RA of 1994. Similarly, a number of measures were foreseen regarding the liberalization of firewood and gasoline prices. Their price has been liberalized since 1994 and the government no longer subsidises them.
With regard to electricity, although the average price now covers the average operational cost, the price has not been liberalised yet. Despite the efforts made for the liberalisation of the price of water (DCM no. 479, DT. 29.7.1998 “On the liberalisation of the price of potable water”) drinking water is still partially subsidised by the government. In addition, not all (non-family) consumers have been provided yet with water meters.
______34 Updated National Environmental Action Plan In this respect the environmental policy in Albania is still dominated by regulatory control instruments, whereas the number of economic tools aiming directly at sustainable management of the environment and natural resources is very limited and has started only to be used in this decade. They are conceived as user fees (ex. Local cleaning tax) but not as incentives. However, since they are part of the actual levied taxes (although they serve simply as source of budget funds) they do have potential impact on the environment. Another serious problem is the non-application in practice of the instruments which have already been approved, such as is the case with the tools foreseen by the law “On the water resources”. The legislation now being developed, however, foresees the use of economic instruments.
Table 16 Main problems
- Lack of financial means from internal sources for environmental investments in priority fields (water and air protection, land protection from erosion and pollution, rational use of energy). - Low number of economic tools that aim at the sustainable development of the environment and natural resources, and which do not include many important components of the environment. - Ineffective practical application of approved instruments. - Legislation shortcomings regarding the forecast of the use of financial tools.
2.5 Privatisation and environmental responsibilities
The basic law for privatisation was approved by the Parliament of Albania in 1991. The privatisation of the economy in Albania has followed the same stages as in the other CEE countries:
- Privatisation of small enterprises - Privatisation of small and middle-sized plants - Privatisation of the strategic sectors/sites
The privatisation of small units took place very quickly and already by 1992 75% of the commercial and service units belonged to the new owners. The privatisation of arable land was completed even earlier. At present, 71% of employees at national level are in the private agricultural sector, 10% in the non-agricultural private sector and only 19% are employed in the governmental sector.
The policy of the Government for the development of the private sector is focused on the creation of a stimulating environment for businesses, facilitation of commerce, and development of the agricultural sector.
The Albanian Parliament approved in 1998 the Law “on the privatisation of the sectors of special interest for the economy” and “The Privatisation Strategy”. The goals of the law and the objectives of the strategy are: 1. To increase the effectiveness of strategic sectors. 2. To reduce their impact on the state budget. 3. To abolish the monopoly by the liberalisation of prices. 4. To create a favourable environment for fair competition.
The privatisation of strategic sectors is proceeding well. The National Commercial Bank was privatised in mid-2000, and the privatisation of the Savings Bank is under way. The mining industry is one of the strategic sectors where the privatisation is presently under way, mainly through the provision of concessions to foreign companies. In the process of privatisation of industrial enterprises it is necessary
______35 Updated National Environmental Action Plan to include a clear definition of legal responsibilities regarding the clean-up of the existing contaminated sites.
According to the basic law “On environmental protection”, it is required that giving permission to any project or activity, the applicant must first have an environmental permit. So, any request for privatising a state enterprise must be accompanied by an environmental permit, issued by MoE. The agency will issue this permit only after the applicant has conducted an environmental assessment. A new law and two amendments to the basic environmental law have been prepared to ensure this.
Table 17 Main problems
- Shortages in the clear definition of legal responsibilities regarding the environmental rehabilitation of industrial sites. - The concession process is not accompanied by an environmental licence procedure.
2.6 International co-operation
International co-operation in the field of environmental management and protection is guided by the orientation of the Government’s environmental policies. It aims at fulfilling the obligations that result from being party to international environmental conventions and agreements.
Cooperation with international organisations is an important component of the policy of the Albanian Government and MoE. Cooperation by Albania in the international efforts for environmental protection includes fields such as: coastal protection, protection of transborder waters, preservation of bio- diversity, protection of nature, waste management, climate change, and public information and participation.
The cooperation of MoE with UNECE is developed within the framework of activities implemented by the Environmental Policies Committee, in which Albania is represented. Representatives of MoE and other Albanian institutions have participated in the discussion and preparation of environmental policies and new conventions and protocols. They participated in the examination of their implementation and conformity with signed conventions. Albania has actively taken part in the “Environment for Europe” process.
The cooperation of the Albanian Government with Global Environmental Fund (GEF), World Bank and UNDP has made it possible to realise several very important environmental projects, such as “Ohrid Lake Preservation” (in cooperation with FYROM), “First national communication regarding the obligations to the Convention on climate changes”, “Preservation of wetlands and coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean region”, etc.
Cooperation with UNEP consists of the membership of, and fulfilment of respective tasks in, several important international environmental conventions. Participation in the Action Plan for the Mediterranean, Medwet, and in different related activities are some of the most important activities in this direction.
Cooperation with the Council of Europe has applied particularly in the field of bio-diversity and landscape preservation. Albanian experts have participated in various regional activities for the preservation of bio-diversity, sustainable development of coastal areas and tourism. MoE is a member of Naturopa, which acts in the framework of the Council of Europe. This Centre promotes the concept of sustainable use of natural resources, as well as the conservation of endangered or threatened species, through regional and local projects, various activities, training, etc.
______36 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Within bilateral and multilateral environmental cooperation, specific attention has been given to environmental cooperation with the neighbouring countries, such as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece and Montenegro. In cooperation with these countries and with the support of the international organisations, several agreements have been signed and a number of environmental initiatives, activities and projects have been undertaken. Amongst them can be mentioned the memorandum for environmental protection and sustainable development between Albania and FYROM (September 2000), the agreement with Montenegro regarding issues of the environment and bio- diversity of Lake Shkodra (February 2001), the establishment of a trilateral coordination committee between Albania, FYROM and Greece for the protection and sustainable management of the Prespa national park, etc. Collaboration in the field of environment with our neighbours may be an important factor in strengthening political ties in the region. Albania has also signed a memorandum of cooperation in the environmental field with Germany in 1993, the only inter-ministerial environmental agreement with western countries. As part of this cooperation, in 1994, it was possible to remove 450 ton of expired pesticides that presented a serious threat for many regions of Albania.
Albania is actively participating within the Stability Pact and the Programme for regional environmental reconstruction (REReP), being the leading country for several regional projects.
During 2001 there have been intensive negotiations with WB, DFID, SIDA, CIDA, Italian government and especially with CARDS Programme of EU for outlining programmes of assistance in the field of environmental protection and financing of some concrete projects.
Table 18 Main problems
• Slow pace in the extension of the bilateral cooperation with the neighbouring countries and beyond. • Shortcomings in the fulfilment of obligations resulting from the membership in international conventions. • Delays in funding and implementing the projects in the framework of the Stability Pact • Lack of institutional coordination
2.7 Public awareness and participation
Stimulation of public awareness and participation has been among the main activities foreseen in NEAP.
In the last 5 years, public information has increased as a result of numerous activities of civil society in general and the environmental NGOs in particular. Mass media, especially the printed and the electronic media, have been and remain the most committed in this area.
The number of NGOs acting in the environmental field has increased. In 1994 there were only 7, while at the end of 2000 the number had reached 70 NGOs. The projects implemented by these organisations have increased year by year and their main topic has been informing the public and raising awareness about environmental protection.
The contribution of MoE in support of the NGO activity, even though modest, has increased, especially in the funding of awareness programmes on the public TV and supporting some NGOs in different cities of Albania.
In order to formalise the cooperation with the environmental NGOs, MoE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NGOs. MoE and the local government in many cities of Albania implement activities in coordination with NGOs, especially on the national and international environmental days.
The right of the public to access information is incorporated in the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, which was approved in 1998. In this context, the amendment made in 1998 to the law “On
______37 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Environmental Protection” guarantees the right of each individual to be informed. The Albanian Parliament ratified the Aarhus Convention in 1999 dealing with this issue.
Nevertheless, the developments and achievements in the field of public information, awareness and participation can be considered to be modest. Since there is no NGO strategy on public awareness and participation in environmental protection, there can be no coordination and effective results by NGOs towards the achievement of public participation in the decision-making process. It is necessary to have financial support for the NGOs–Government partnership, allocated by the State.
An Environmental Information Centre is in the process of being established within the MoE, but is not organised yet to publish and offer the necessary environmental information upon request.
In order to give the public the possibility to participate in the solution of national and local environmental problems, it is necessary that the results of EIA of economic and social projects should be available for the public in understandable ways and forms.
Another way for increasing active public participation in the development and implementation of environmental protection programmes is the preparation of Local Environmental Action Plans. The preparation of these plans is closely related to the decentralisation of local government, strengthening of environmental protection institutions, and increasing the role of public participation in the development and implementation of environmental programmes. Meanwhile, the preparation of LEAPs will strengthen the authority of local government. This will mark a step forward towards the fulfilment of the conditions for Albania’s membership of the EU. The sanctioning of LEAP preparation requires an approval by the Government of the respective legal act, which puts a legal foundation to the obligation of each municipality to prepare the LEAP. So far, experience with LEAPs is restricted to two cities (Peshkopi and Fier). These cities have prepared these plans and the preparation of a LEAP is under way for the city of Pogradec. REC has prepared and distributed guidelines for this purpose.
MoE, other central institutions and the local government must programme and coordinate their activities with the media and NGOs, in a way that their activities on public information, awareness and participation in decision-making are not only spontaneous, but a continuing process that extends to all ages and social categories.
The level of environmental knowledge of the employees and specialists in local government concerning the identification and solution of environmental problems is relatively low. Therefore, MoE and NGOs need to plan and implement activities for the training of local government employees, taking into consideration the specific problems of their administrative units.
Although the media are paying increasingly more attention to subjects of environmental concern, a professional approach is lacking in some cases. Training of journalists to treat environmental problems in an objective, professional and timely manner, is another field which should be supported and encouraged by the MoE.
The main problems regarding the public awareness and participation are shown in Table 19.
Table 19 Main problems
- Low level of public information, awareness and participation, as well as of the employees of local government in environmental protection. - Lack of a National Strategy for Public Information and Participation, keeping in mind the fulfillment of the obligations of Aarhus Convention. - The NGOs are still unconsolidated, and the professional level of the mass media in dealing with environmental problems is relatively weak. - Little financial support for NGOs by the Government and local authorities.
______38 Updated National Environmental Action Plan
______39 Updated National Environmental Action Plan 3. NEAP UPDATE – OVERVIEW
31 The Need for an updated NEAP
The first NEAP was prepared in 1993 and approved by the Albanian government in 1994. The process was led by the Committee of Environmental Protection involving central Albanian institutions and was supported by technical assistance from the World Bank. The first NEAP was to be implemented over 3 years. This plan was the first experience of the Albanian institutions in preparing a policy programme to be implemented by the government in the area of environmental protection.
The present review of the existing plan is required for the following reasons: a) The economic and social changes in the years 1994 – 2001 are significant, and have considerably influenced the environmental situation. b) Some of the tasks foreseen in the Plan have not been fulfilled owing to lack of commitment, lack of funds and non-enforcement of the legal framework. c) Presently, there are more institutions working in the environmental field, on both central and local government level. The quantity and quality of environmental information have increased, and the level of awareness of the environmental situation in the country has improved. Strategies and management plans in different fields of environmental protection and economic sectors have been prepared. d) Public opinion is better formed and more sensitive as a result of the increasing activity of central and local government, NGOs and the greater involvement of the media with regard to environmental problems. e) The increasing participation of the country in international agreements and activities, adherence to conventions or other instruments of environmental protection at global, European or regional level, require new commitments
The Plan should present the environmental demands of the country, identified by a broad and thorough process of identifying the state of the environment, based on the realistic evaluation of costs, financial and human resources, as well as responsibilities for its implementation. An Updated NEAP (UNEAP) should not be seen as a final document. It must undergo a cyclic process of implementation, monitoring, examination and modification.
The main goal of the UNEAP is to present the wide spectrum of priority environmental actions, including costs and possible funding sources. It also aims to shape future allocations from the state budget, the Public Investments Programme, local budgets, enterprises and donors. The Plan will enable the orientation of funds towards the interventions of the highest priority, for which the necessary financial resources have not yet been secured.
It will give donors clear information regarding the most effective allocation of funds, in line with the assessed needs of the country. The transformation of plans into projects will increase the possibility to ensure more funding from local and foreign sources.
3.2 Methodology for NEAP update The methodology of preparing the updated NEAP is based on the experience gathered during the implementation of the first Plan, the experience with the Environmental Action Plan for Central and Eastern European Countries, as well as through consultation with the UNEAPs of several other countries.
The preparation of the UNEAP is the first result of the work by the experts from various ministries, research institutions and NGOs. The basic material has been provided by eight Thematic Reports prepared by the experts according to the following groups:
- Working Group on institutional strengthening and legal framework - Working Group on air, water and wastes
______40 Updated National Environmental Action Plan - Working Group on bio-diversity - Working Group on health and environment - Working Group on financial instruments - Working Group on public awareness and sustainable development - Working Group on population and urban development - Working Group on environmental projects
The Thematic Groups have made use of information and data on the environment in Albania, prepared by MoE, strategies for sectoral development and administration plans prepared by the respective ministries and results of environmental projects. Many of these documents have been prepared with foreign technical assistance. The Working Groups have assessed the situation, identified the problems and have determined the measures for eliminating, mitigating or preventing the environmental problems. These Reports were presented in a workshop organized in Tirana in January 2001. Besides the Thematic Groups, representatives of central institutions and NGOs participated in this workshop.
The draft of UNEAP was prepared by the Core Group based on the Thematic Reports, as well as through consultation of other sources. This draft was presented at the workshop “Environment Growth and Poverty”, organized in Tirana, on 18-19 April 2001 by WB and DFID, with the participation of directors and experts from central and local institutions, research and scientific institutes, NGOs and other invitees.
The Inter-ministerial Group, led by the Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers, has monitored the process of preparing the UNEAP in all stages.
The draft of the updated NEAP has been sent to ministries and other central institutions for comments. After the presentation of comments by the Core Group, the final draft should be approved by the Inter- ministerial Group and finally by the Council of Ministers.
3.3 Objectives of UNEAP The main objective of the new Plan is to create the basis in ensuring an integrated environmental administration. It aims at making the environmental administration more effective, improving the capacities of the institutions, communities and individuals, mitigating and preventing environmental problems, strengthening the basis for the utilization of natural resources in line with the principle of sustainable development and with promoting economic growth and the reduction of poverty.
The expected outputs from the implementation of the Plan will be: • Strengthening of institutional capacities • Improvement of the legal framework and its implementation • Prevention and mitigation of the environmental problems • Improvement of the quality of the state of the environment • Involvement of the community and private entrepreneurs in poverty alleviation and sustainable environmental management • Reduction of the present level of poverty • Increased public participation in environmental protection • Creation of the required conditions for membership of the country of the EU
3.4 Identification of Priority Actions
The problems and actions identified by the Thematic Groups have been evaluated.
The criteria to select the most effective activities for achievement of the objectives of the Plan relate to: • The urgency of the problem • The financial implications of solving the problem • Sustainability (long-term economic and environmental solutions)
______41 Updated National Environmental Action Plan • The level of institutional capacities (the ability of the institutions to solve the determined problem) • The possibility of inter-sectoral integration of the activity in a synergic way • The effect on poverty reduction • The level of public support.
The plans and actions linked to the implementation of environmental projects, policies, legal, regulatory and institutional framework, capacity building as well as investments, are to be undertaken in three stages. Their implementation will be accompanied by activities promoting public information and participation. The Plan is expected to be implemented over a 5-year period:
1. Short-term projects represent a low cost and at the same time are considered as a prerequisite for the implementation of the UNEAP - 2001. 2. Mid-term projects with low or middle cost that can be integrated into the on-going economic Programmes. 3. Long-term projects with middle or high costs are related to considerable investments, for which there are not sufficient technical and economic data.
The criteria, problems, objectives and the respective categories are provided in Table 20
Table 20 Development of Action Plan: Criteria, Objectives and Actions
Criteria for The groups of Objectives of the Criteria for Groups of priority problem priority problems Action Plan classifying the actions assessment actions • The impact on • Overexploitatio • Implementation of • Financial • Political the economical n of natural the principle of capacities measures productivity resources and sustainable • Institutional • Legal and and endangered development implementation regulatory effectiveness ecosystems • Regeneration of capacities measures • Impact on • Problems of natural resources • Level of • Institutional human health Environmental • Prevention and political and capacity • Impact on Health and mitigation of public support building poverty hazardous environmental • Sustainability • Investments reduction materials problems • Inter-sectoral • Public • Impact on the • Specific • Promotion of integration information ecosystems problems of the optimal use of • Emergency and awareness • Spatial environmental natural resources • Impact on • Increase of distribution of elements for economic poverty public and civil the problem sustainability and reduction society role in • Level of effectiveness decision- emergency of • Increasing of the making the problem capacities of the institutions and communities in the area of environmental management • Improvement of the quality of life
3.5 Discussion on the costs and benefits
The actions and projects included in the UNEAP are related to items that influence economic growth and poverty reduction:
______42 Updated National Environmental Action Plan • Improvement of the environmental, urban and rural infrastructure as determining factors in the reduction of the water borne diseases (contaminated drinking water, sewerage and urban waste). • Improvement of living standards through implementation of Programmes for the management of natural resources and bio-diversity. • Encouragement and support of professional associations and other organisations, for resource management (organisations of foresters, fishermen, beekeepers, farmers, fruit-growers, etc.) • Clean up of contaminated sites which will bring about the rehabilitation of damaged natural resources and reduction of environmental and health risks. • Preservation of biodiversity, forests and other natural resources. • Strengthening of environmental education in relation with reduction of poverty. • Encouragement of NGOs to extend their activities in those rural and urban areas with a high level of poverty. Furthermore, projects that aim at the sustainable utilisation of biodiversity, are important for environmental education and awareness.
The preservation of natural resources ensures indirect benefits. For example forests have a considerable effect on cleaning the air from pollution, in reducing erosion effects and in regulating the climate. The economical assessment of these benefits is relatively difficult. On the other hand, natural resources provide people with a series of enjoyable experiences such as nature walks, tourism, etc.
A number of activities proposed in the Action Plan will have indirect benefits for capacity building and may improve and complete the legal framework. The benefits from the preservation of natural resources may not only have a local character; they might be of regional and global importance for example the preservation of coastal lagoons that are the habitats for many migratory birds.
Table 21 Benefits of the Action plan
Projects Benefits Institutional Projects Development of human resources; improvement of administrative effectiveness; increase of income from the sustainable use of natural resources; increase of quality of life through the environmental improvement Reduction of air Improvement of health through the reduction of dust and polluting components by pollution traffic, increase of aesthetic values of bio-diversity Protection of waters Improvement of health, reduction of poverty Water supply Improvement of health, reduction of poverty Projects related to Improvement of health, quality of life, preservation of water resources, drinking water and development of tourism, increase of economic effectiveness, poverty reduction sewage treatment Increase of awareness Increase of effectiveness in the use of water, reduction of pollution, reduction of water use rehabilitating costs Management of land Increase of productivity and sustainable use of land, poverty reduction, incentives resources on development of sustainable agriculture Management of Improvement of health, increase of aesthetic values, prevention of environmental wastes pollution Forestry Reduction of land erosion, reduction of floods, improvement of bio-diversity, stabilization of watersheds, increase of income from firewood and timber, poverty reduction and economic growth, tourism development, reduction of climate changes, cleaner air, improvement in the quality of life Preservation of bio- Improvement of the protection of watersheds, improvement of the protection of diversity habitats of endangered species, improvement of the protection of habitats of migratory birds, improvement of the recreational environment and increase of income from eco-tourism. Rehabilitation of hot Improvement of health, regeneration of natural resources, poverty reduction, spots and sensitive increase of the economic value and reestablishment of the natural function of the areas polluted areas
______43 Updated National Environmental Action Plan
Many activities in the Action Plan have been dedicated to capacity building. The advantages resulting from the implementation of these activities will include an increase of technical skills in environmental management in public institutions, NGOs and the private sector in the direction of preservation of biodiversity in the protected areas, protection of plant genetic diversity, monitoring techniques, administration of ecological data and land use planning. As a result, central institutions will improve their capacities for dealing with environmental problems.
Through adequate implementation of actions for the improvement of the environmental situation, the Government will achieve the objectives established in this Plan and will fulfil the country’s obligations towards the international community. These obligations arise from being a party to environmental conventions or other agreements on a bi- or multilateral scale.
Table 21 represents a summary of some benefits resulting from the activities described in the Action Plan. These gains and benefits represent part of the overall impact that will be generated by this Plan.
4. ACTION PLAN COMPONENTS
4.1 Integrated environmental management and main elements of the Action Plan. In order to have an effective environmental administration it is necessary to have an integrated environmental policy. This Action Plan gives a general framework for the different management activities, which determines a number of specific areas that together form the basis for an effective environmental policy. The common factor that makes environmental management successful is inter- sectoral integration with the participation of all interested parties. The Plan also presents a number of legal and regulatory reforms next to the actions that increase the management and operational capacities of the institutions involved in environmental issues. These actions are completed by a number of priority investments that aim at preventing and mitigating pollution and promote the effective utilisation of resources. A general raising of awareness and dissemination of environmental information are both embodied in all the activities.
In brief, the Action Plan supports the activities in the following key areas: • Development of environmental policies and programmes • Legal and regulatory reforms • Institutional strengthening and capacity building • Priority investments regarding prevention and mitigation of pollution, as well as preservation and effective use of resources • Environmental awareness and education
Phases in the implementation of the Action Plan The National Environmental Action Plan will be implemented in phases: short-term (0-1 year), mid-term (1-3 years) and long-term (3-5 years). Technical assistance and capital investments are divided into three groups. According to calculations activities within the short-term phase will need a total of US$20 million. The mid-term phase will need approximately US$32 million, whereas for the long-term phase the figure is about US$108 million. The total cost for the implementation of the Action Plan not including sectoral Programmes included in the PIP 2001-2003 is calculated at about US$160 million. Financing from the state budget might vary between 10 to 20% of the total viz. about US$32 million. Different phases of the plan are represented in Tables 22-25. Specific activities are described in detail hereunder.
Many of the activities included in the Plan are being implemented within complementary sectoral Programmes, which have secured or partially secured funding - for example the construction of sewage treatment plants in Pogradec and Vlora and the waste landfill in Lezha, and the measures for improving the water supply and sewerage systems in several cities. These activities reach a total of 250 million
______44 Updated National Environmental Action Plan USD. The proposed structure of the Action Plan is given in the Tables 5.1 - 5.4. The specific activities given in these tables are described in more detail later.
4.2 Policies and Programme Development
The development and implementation of sustainable environmental policies, action plans and their integration into sectoral policies during the process of economical reform, is the main component of the environmental management system.
The development of sectoral environmental policies requires the implementation of a number of supporting studies based on a detailed analysis of the environmental situation, sources of environmental impact and mitigation measures at national level. Environmental integration and sustainable development will be achieved through a number of activities in the area of policies, institutional strengthening, development of national capacities in environmental management to establish an effective system for identifying the priorities, their transformation into action plans accompanied by economic, legal administrative and technical measures. Political documents that need to be prepared are:
1- Action Plan for the implementation of the Water Strategy In order to meet the challenges in the area of sustainable management of water reserves, the implementation of the existing water sector through a realistic action plan is urgently required. The activities to be carried out include: • Development and completion of the legal framework that strongly supports sustainable utilization, and avoids overlapping of legal competencies • Establishment and strengthening of water management structures • Development of capacities in the area of sustainable water management • Situational assessment in the water sector • Inventory of water sources and their use
2- Strategy and Action Plan for managing and cleaning urban sewage There is still no operational sewage treatment plant in Albania. Sewage is directly discharged into surface waters. The design of the strategy and Action Plan for sewage management will provide the optimal solutions for controlling and mitigating environmental pollution from these pollution sources, especially in the coastal area. The specific activities of this plan include: • Situational assessment for this sector and its performance • Identification of main problems and their solution • Design of the strategy and Action Plan for sewage management
3- Strategy for sustainable management of urban waste and sewage in rural areas The sustainable management of domestic wastes and sewage is one of the aspects in poverty reduction. It is directly connected to improvement of human health and often has economic benefits.
Actions and projects
Table 22 Environmental policies (short-term and mid-term stage)
Fund, Responsible Funding No Action Funding Source Mil. Institution Situation USD 1 Sustainable Development MoE, MBET Donors, Government 0,20 Requested Strategy 2 Sustainable Agriculture MBU, MoE Donors, Government 0,60 Requested Development Strategy 3 Environmental Monitoring MoE, ASH, Donors, Government 0.05 Requested Strategy MBET
______45 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Fund, Responsible Funding No Action Funding Source Mil. Institution Situation USD 4 Strategy for the Management of MEPP, MM, Donors, Government 0,2 Requested Abandoned Industries MBET 5 Sustainable Transport MT, MM, Donors, Government 0,4 Requested Development Strategy MBET 6 Sustainable Tourism MPPT, MM, Donors, Government 0,4 Requested Development Strategy MBET 7 Public Information and MoE, NGO, Donors, Government 0,1 Requested Participation Strategy MBET 8 Strategy and Action Plan for MBU, MM, Donors, Government 0,4 Requested Protection of Land from Erosion MBET 9 Natural Disaster Protection MPVD, Donors, Government 0,3 Requested Strategy MBET 10 Strategy for Cooperating with Business Associations and the MoE, OJQ, Introduction of Environmental Donors, Government 0,25 Requested MBET Management System in Economic Activities 11 Strategy and Action Plan for MPPT, MM, Sewerage treatment in Urban Donors, Government 0,15 Requested MBET Areas 12 Strategy and Action Plan for MPPT, Water Supply, Sewerage and MPVD, Donors, Government 0,15 Requested Waste Management in Rural MBET Areas 13 Development of Programmes MPPT, for Water Strategy MBU, Donors, Government 0,1 Requested Implementation MBET 14 Strategy and Action Plan for KRrTSH, Physical Territorial Planning MoE, KRrT, Donors, Government 0,5 Requested MBET 15 Strategy and Action Plan for the MM, MEPP, Management of Hazardous, MSH, Donors, Government 0,45 Requested Industrial and Medical Wastes MBET 16 Strategy and Action Plan for MoE, Phasing out Ozone Depleting MPEP, OJQ, Donors, Government 0,1 Requested Substances MBET 17 Strategy and Action Plan for the MoE, Sustainable Management of MAF/GDFG Donors, Government 0,05 Requested Lagoons K,DP, MBET 18 Programme for safe closure of MEPP, urban and industrial waste MPW, MoE dumps that pollute the Donors, Government 0,5 Requested MBET, environment and endanger the MPVD human health 19 Renewal of Sectoral Respective Development Strategies towards Ministries, Donors, Government 0,25 Requested Sustainable Development and MBET Environmental Protection 20 Preparation of Local MoE, MLG, Environmental Action Plans NGO, Munici- Government 0,15 Requested palities, MBET
______46 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Fund, Responsible Funding No Action Funding Source Mil. Institution Situation USD 21 Preparation of Local MoH, MoE, Environmental Health Action MLG, NGO, Plans Munici- Government 0,15 Requested palities MBET 22 Design of Public MoE, MPW, Communication Plans for MAF, NGO, Donors, Government 0,1 Requested Water, Waste, Bio-diversity and MBET Forestry Management 23 Action plan for climate change GEF/UNDP, MM Albanian 0.01 Secured Government
______47 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Table 23 Legal and regulatory framework (short-term and mid-term stage)
No Action Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation 1 Law on Environmental Impact MoE Government, 0.02 Planned Assessment Donors 2 Law on Protection of clean Air MoE Government, 0.02 Secured Donors 3 Law on Air Emission Levels MoE, Respective Government, 0.02 Secured Ministries Donors 4 Law on Protected Areas MoE, MAF/GDFG Government, 0.03 Secured Donors 5 Law on Nature and Biodiversity MoE, MAF/ Government, 0.05 Secured Protection GDFG, MEPP Donors 6 Law on the Protection of Marine MoE Government, - Secured Environment from Pollution and Damages 7 Environmental framework for MoE, MF, MBET Donors 0.1 Requested environmental economic instruments (tax on carbon, packaging, construction rubble, air emission, hazardous waste, urban waste, selective taxing on vehicles, charges on the use of hazardous chemicals 8 Law on Environmental MoE, MBET Government, 0.03 Requested Protection Inspectorate Donors 9 New law on Environmental MoE, MBET Government, 0.03 Requested Protection Donors 10 Law on Standards of Water MoE, Respective Government, 0.02 Planned Discharges Ministries Donors 11 Law on Protection of Waters MoE, Respective Government, 0.03 Planned Ministries Donors 12 Law on Protection of Soil MoE, MAF Government, 0.03 Planned Donors 13 Law on Levels of Discharges in MoE, Respective Government, 0.02 Planned the Soil Ministries Donors 14 Law on the Protection of MoE Government, 0.02 Secured Transboundary Lakes Donors 15 Law on the Protection of MoE Government, 0.05 Requested Coastal Area Donors 16 Law on Industrial Accidents MoE, MEPP Government, 0.02 Requested Donors 17 Law on Waste Management MoE, MEPP Government, 0.04 Requested Donors 18 Law on Hazardous Waste and MoE Government, 0.04 Requested Chemicals Donors 19 Law on Public Information and MoE, NGO Government, 0.02 Requested Participation Donors 20 Amendment of the Constitution MoE, MJ Government, 0.01 Requested of RA Donors 21 Amendment of Penal Code MoE, MJ Government, 0.01 Requested Donors 22 Amendment of Civil Procedure MoE, MJ Government, 0.01 Requested Code Donors 23 Legal framework on the MoE, MPVD Government, 0.05 Requested responsibilities of local Donors government in the are of environmental protection 24 Amendment of Urban Planning MoE, MPW, Government, 0.02 Requested
______48 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Law KRrTSH Donors 25 Amendment of Laws that MoE, MF Government, 0.02 Requested Include Economic Instruments Donors 26 Application of Economic MoE, MJ,MF, Government, 0.05 Requested Instruments foreseen in the Law MPW, MAF, Donors on Water Resources MBET 27 Law on the administration of MEPP, MM, MSH Government, 0.05 Requested chemicals Donors
Table 24 Institutional framework (short-term and mid-term stage)
No Action Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation 1 Creation of the State Commission for Council of Government, 0,2 Requested Sustainable Development Ministers Donors
2 Creation of the Ministry of Council of Government, 0,25 Requested Environment Ministers, Donors Parliament 3 Organization as a separate structure Council of Government 1.2 Requested of Environmental Protection Ministers Inspectorate 4 Strengthening of MoE and Regional MoE Government, 1.2 Requested Environmental Agencies Donors 5 Creation and Strengthening of Council of Government, 0,5 Requested Existing Environmental Protection Ministers, Donors Structures in Respective Ministries Respective ministries, MM 6 Creation and Strengthening of MLG, Government, 0,5 Requested Existing Environmental Protection Munici- Donors Structures in the Local Government palities 7 Creation of the Center for Clean MoE, MBET Donors, 0,25 Requested Technologies Government 8 Strengthening of the Environmental MoE, MBET Donors, 0,5 Requested Information Centre Government 9 Strengthening of Environmental MoE Donors, 0,5 Requested Monitoring Institutions Government 10 Institutional Strengthening and MoE GEF/WB 0,5 Planned Regulatory Framework for Bio- diversity Protection 11 Establishment of the National MH, MoE, WHO, 0,25 Requested Information System for MBET Albanian Environmental Health Government 12 Capacity Building for Public MoE, NGO Donors, 0,15 Requested Participation in Decision-making Albanian Government 13 Establishment of the centre for MM, MBET Donors, 1.5 Requested sustainable development and its Albanian laboratories Government
Table 25.1 Projects (short-term stage)
No Project Title Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation 1 Feasibility study and project for MPW, EU/PHARE 0,551 Secured cleaning polluted waters in Gjirokastra Gjirokastra Municipality
______49 Updated National Environmental Action Plan No Project Title Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation 2 Elimination of 50 tonnes of toxic MM Switzerland 0,69 Secured waste, stock of the Albanian army 3 Improvement of public services and MPW/ Tirana Italy 4,67 Partially environment in Tirana Municipality Secured 4 Project for the conservation of Ohrid MoE GEF/WB/ 2 Secured Lake Albanian Government 5 Inventory of greenhouse gases MoE GEF/UNDP, 0,364 Secured Albanian Government 6 Study and design of sewage cleaning MPW, Tirana Italy 2,5 Planned plant in Tirana Municipality 7 Construction of urban waste site in MPW, Lezha Italy 1,3 Secured Lezha Municipality 8 Elimination of arsenic solution in the MEPP, MoE, BU/Italy 2 Planned nitrogenous fertilizers plant in Fier Fier Municipality 9 Design of action plan for the MoE, GEF/WB, 0,2 Secured watershed management of Ohrid lake Pogradec Albanian Municipality Government 10 Feasibility study and management MB, MoE, Donor, 0,4 Requested plan for the watershed of Drin river Shkodër Albanian Municipality, Government MBET 11 Rehabilitation of the small scale MAF IFAD/UNDP 10,9 Secured irrigation system , Albanian Government 12 Irrigation system in Korça MAF BI, Albanian 6,3 Secured Government 13 Removal of pesticides MAF/MoE BE/PHARE 2,2 Secured 14 Feasibility study for the development TDC EU/Bangkok 1,1 Secured of tourism in the southern coast of Facility Albania 15 Preparation of the Master plan for MT EU/PHARE 0,55 Secured transport sector 16 Rehabilitation of water supply MPW, Durrës WB/IDA 12,5 Secured system; construction of sewerage Municipality system in Durrës 17 Reconstruction of the potable water MPW Italy 34,15 Partially distribution system and sewerage of Secured Tirana 18 Reconstruction of main supply lines MPW, Austria 4,1 Secured of potable water in Shkodër Shkodër Municipality 19 Rehabilitation of sewerage in Vlora MPW, Vlora EU/PHARE 10,3 Secured Municipality 20 Renewal of management plan for the MoE, KZHT, Donor 0,5 Requested coastal area MPW 21 Renewal of the plans for the urban KRrTSH, Albanian 1 Requested development of the cities KrRT of Government Municipalities 22 Management of Coastal Lagoons MoE,DPPK EU/PHARE 1,5 Planned 23 Design of Environmental MoE, MBET Donors, 0,5 Requested Rehabilitation Plans for Ishëm and Albanian Erzen rivers Government 24 Integration of Environmental MH, MoE, Albanian 0,15 Requested Education Programmes in the MBET Government Curricula of the schools of all levels
______50 Updated National Environmental Action Plan No Project Title Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation 25 Strengthening of MoE and its MM DFID 0.7 Secured Environmental Inspectorate Albanian Gov. 26 Strengthening of MoE MM Italian Gov 0.6 Secured Albanian Gov 27 Emergency rehabilitation of the Bashkia SIDA 0.4 Secured urban waste site in Tirana Tirane Albanian MM Gov 28 Inventory of hazardous materials MEPP, Donors 2 Requested and their disposal MM Albanian MBET Gov 29 Implementation of end of pipe MEPP Donors 4 Requested technologies in the industry of oil MM Albanian extraction and refining MBET Gov
Table 25.2 Projects (mid-term stage)
No Project Title Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation 1 Forest management project MAF/GDFG Italy, Switzer- 19,9 Partially land, Japan/ Secured WB, Albanian Gov. 2 Irrigation system II MAF, Japan/WB, 25,3 Partially Municipaliti Albanian Gov. Secured es 3 Rehabilitation of water supply system MPW, Germany 22,27 Partially in Korça Korça Secured Municipality 4 Reconstruction of water supply and MPW, Kruja Germany 7,1 Partially sewerage in Kruja Municipality Secured 5 Reconstruction of sewerage system in MPW, EU/Cross 5,34 Secured Saranda Saranda Border Municipality 6 Rehabilitation of sewerage system in MPW, EU/PHARE 2,04 Secured Lezha Lezha Municipality 7 Rehabilitation of water supply in MPW, EU/Cross 3,35 Secured Gjirokastra Gjirokastra Border Municipality 8 Construction of sewage treatment MPW, Germany 7,89 Secured plant in Kavaja Kavaja Municipality 9 Machinery and equipment for MPW Italy 1,43 Secured collecting and transporting urban waste 10 Management of coastal area MoE, Japan /WB 8,35 Planned KZHT, Municipaliti es 11 Construction of sewage cleaning MPW, Germany 9 Secured plant in Pogradec Pogradec Municipality
______51 Updated National Environmental Action Plan No Project Title Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation 12 Reconstruction of sewerage system in MPW, Donor 10 Requested Shkodër Shkodër Municipality 13 Construction of urban waste landfill MPW, Donor 0,56 Requested in Shkodër Shkodër Municipality 14 Construction of urban waste landfill MPW, Donor 1 Requested in Pogradec Pogradec Municipality 15 Design of management plans for MAF/ GEF 1,5 Planned National Parks GDFG / MoE 16 Feasibility study for the protection MoE, Donor 0,4 Requested and sustainable management of the Shkodër watershed of Shkodra lake Municipality 17 Feasibility study for the protection MoE, Devoll Donor 0,4 Requested and sustainable management of the & Korça watershed of Prespa lake Municipa- lities 18 Feasibility study for centralized MPBT, MM Donor 0,65 Requested treatment of hazardous wastes 19 Design of management plan for the MoE, Donor 0,5 Requested watershed of Shkumbin river Municipality Elbasan & Librazhd 20 Conservation of the coastal eco- MoE, Vlora GEF/UNDP, 1,85 Secured system in the Vlora Bay Municipality Albanian Gov. 21 Creation of private forests MAF/ Albanian 0,5 Requested GDFG, Government Local Gov. 22 Implementation of the management MAF/GDFG Donor + 1 Requested plan of National Park of Dajti , MoE, Albanian Gov. Mountain Tirana Municipality 23 Action Plan for the rehabilitation of MoE, Donor + Local 5 Requested industrial and urban “hot spots”, and Respective Gov. feasibility studies Ministries and Munici- palities 24 Support for NGOs in the MoE, Albanian Gov. 0,2 Requested Organization of Activities for the Respective Public Awareness Ministries & Munici- palities
Table 25.3 Projects (long-term phase)
No Project Title Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation 1 Construction of sewage treatment MPW, Kruja Germany 10 Planned plant in Kruja Municipality 2 Construction of sewage treatment MPW, Germany 12 Planned plant in Korça Korça Municipality
______52 Updated National Environmental Action Plan No Project Title Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation 3 Construction of sewage treatment MPW, Donor (Italy) 9 Requested plant in Lezha Lezha Municipality , MBET 4 Construction of sewage treatment MPW, Donor 25 Requested plant in Shkodër Shkodër (Austria) Municipality , MBET 5 Construction of sewage treatment MPW, Donor (The 10 Requested plant in Saranda Saranda Netherlands) Municipality , MBET 6 Construction of urban waste landfill MMP, Korça Donor 20 Requested in Korça Municipality , MBET 7 Project for urban waste landfill in MPW, Italy 0,5 Planned Tirana and Durrës Tirana & Durrës Munici- palities 8 Construction of urban waste landfill MPW, Italy 10 Planned for Tirana and Durrës Tirana & Durrës Munici- palities 9 Development of responsible fishing MAF/DP Japan/WB 9 Secured operations 10 Rehabilitation of irrigation/drainage MAF WB/France 40,8 Secured network
11 Rehabilitation of the protected area in MAF/ Donor 0,65 Requested Rushkull GDFG, MoE, MBET 12 Feasibility study and sustainable MAF/ Donor 0,5 Requested management plan of the watershed of GDFG, Vjosa river MoE, Respective Munici- palities, MBET 13 Increase of state and private tree MAF/GDFG Donor, 5 Requested nurseries Local Gov., Albanian Gov. MBET 14 Design and implementation of pilot MPW, Local Donor, 0,5 Requested projects for sewage treatment in rural Gov., MBET Albanian Gov. areas 15 Design and implementation of pilot MPW, Local Donor, 1 Requested projects promoting economic Gov., MBET Albanian Gov. activities in areas with high levels of poverty 16 Rehabilitation of the industrial MM, Donors, 35 Requested and urban hot spots in Durres, Ministries Albanian Vlora, Sharre, etc and, Local Gov. Gov. construction of an facility for the MBET treatment of hazardous wastes. 17 Preparation of urban master plans MPPT Donors, 1,5 Requested for the cities of Tirane, Durres, MM Albanian
______53 Updated National Environmental Action Plan No Project Title Responsible Funding Fund, Funding Institution Source Mil. USD Situation Vlore, Sarande, Pogradec, Local Gov Gov. Shkoder, Lezhe, etj MBET 18 Preparation of development MPPT Donors, 1,2 Requested master plans for the coastal area. MM Albanian MBET Gov. 19 Reforestation in the coastal area MBU, MM, Donors, 0.5 Requested OJQ Albanian MBET Gov. 20 Implementation of the action plan MBU, MM, Donors, 1 Requested for protection of land from the MBET Albanian erosion Gov.
The strategy will provide: • Analysis and assessment of the situation • Determining directions for sustainable management of waste and sewage, in conformity with economic-social conditions • Preparation of the legal and regulatory framework • Preparation and implementation of demonstration projects
4 - Local Environmental Action Plans
The preparation of local action plans by municipalities has recently started. The development of local action plans is in conformity with the strategy of decentralization of power to local government. The increase of the role of NGOs and communities in the decision-making process is very important. Specific activities in these plans include: • The organization of training programmes with the participation of interested parties • Assessment of the environmental situation at local level • Identification of priorities and solutions • Establishment of local structures for inter-sectoral coordination • Development of partnership through NGOs and local government
5 - Strategy for approximation of the environmental legislation with EU legislation
In line with the efforts of the country to start the negotiations and sign the Association and Stabilization Agreement with the EU, development of environmental legislation will be conducted within the framework of the national strategy for the approximation of Albanian legislation with that of the EU.
6 - National strategy for integrated territorial planning
The uncontrolled urban and rural developments, especially the developments in main cities and along the coast, have caused considerable damage, which in some areas is irreversible. With this in mind, the need for strategic territorial planning that would cover urban, rural and coastal areas is a priority. Meanwhile, some plans for specific areas have been approved, but these plans have not taken environmental protection into consideration as much as they should have done . The preparation of the strategic plan will determine the directions for an integrated policy for territorial planning and development, as well as environmental protection, with the stress on protection and wise use of land as a important natural asset. The plan will create the necessary framework for sectoral policies, also taking into account different forms of property. The specific activities will include: • Approval of the management plan for coastal areas • Assessment of the existing situation and design of maps on this subject
______54 Updated National Environmental Action Plan • Inventory and preparation of plans for the mitigation of pollution for contaminated and damaged lands • Identification of priorities • Renewal of existing plans taking environmental protection into account • Design of the territorial planning strategy • Design of action plans according to priority problems (for urban, rural, and coastal areas, infrastructure, etc.)
7 - Plan for hazardous, industrial and hospital waste management
In 1998, the Government prepared the National Plan for Urban Waste Management, which did not include industrial and hazardous solid wastes. The situation is causing concern and requires an action plan that should include the following activities: • Assessment of the situation and identification of priorities • Preparation of a record of hazardous wastes • Assessment of the environmental health risk emanating from hazardous, industrial and hospital waste • Preparation of the legal and regulatory framework • Establishment of institutional structures for management of these wastes • Establishment of a monitoring system • Preparation of training Programmes
8 - Management Plan for Chemicals
The system for controlling the use of chemicals is the responsibility of several central institutions that do not coordinate their activities effectively. The legal framework for the management of chemicals is also very poor. There are considerable quantities of expired or unusable chemicals that are stored after industrial plants were shut downs (obsolete stocks). A system for the management of chemicals is urgently needed. The international community has elaborated a number of instruments and programmes for the management of chemicals. These include obligations but also offer possibilities for national capacity building in this area. The activities in the framework of this plan are: • Inventory of the stored chemicals, expired or unusable • Analysis of the existing legal framework • Design of a modern legal framework • Analysis of institutional needs in this area • Training Programme for the management of chemicals • Pilot projects for safe removal of chemicals
9 - Action plan for managing the pollution in abandoned and destroyed industrial sites
In the transition period, most of the chemical and heavy industry was shut down. In addition to soil pollution these sites constitute an environmental health risk owing to contaminated equipment and buildings. The rehabilitation of these sites must include the removal of contaminated materials, which should be properly treated. The PVC plant in Vlora, the industrial tanks containing arsenic solution in Fier and the remains of the pesticide plant in Durres, are examples of some serious environmental problems that must be carefully managed. The activities in this plan are: • The assessment of environmental health risk • Environmental auditing • Identification of measures and their prioritisation • Design of action plans for pollution mitigation and prevention • Estimation of rehabilitation costs • Raising of the necessary funds
10 - Strategy and Action Plan for the protection of land from erosion
______55 Updated National Environmental Action Plan
Erosion is one of the most serious environmental problems in our country. Erosion must be prevented and damaged areas should be rehabilitated. The strategy and the respective action plan constitute one of the main priorities. The included activities are: • Analysis of the present situation • Identification of priority actions • Completion of the legal framework • Strengthening of the monitoring system • Design of action plans for priority areas
11- Action Plan for climatic changes
In order to respond to the expected climate changes, as a global phenomenon, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere an action plan is required. The activities in the plan are: • Preparation of the inventory of greenhouse gases • Analysis of vulnerability • Analysis of adaptability measures • Design of an action plan
12 - National Programme for removing the ozone depleting substances
On account of Albania’s membership of the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol regarding the removal of ozone depleting substances, there is a need for a national programme and respective action plan. Activities that should be included are: • Knowledge of the sectors that use ozone depleting substances • Inventory of responsible substances • Identification of measures to put these substances out of use and their substitution by substances that do not harm the environment and human health • Design of a national programme • Establishment of inter-sectoral structures
13 - Strategy and Action Plan for environmental monitoring
Environmental information, which is derived from a national monitoring system, is a very important basis for decision making and for the development of adequate and long-term policy. Environmental monitoring is performed in Albania by many institutions with overlapping competencies. The need for a clear environmental monitoring strategy is a priority. This will serve as a basis for the establishment of an effective system for monitoring the quality of water, land, air and bio-diversity. The activities to be included are: • Analysis of the existing situation regarding the legal and institutional framework • Assessment of professional and logistical capacities of the monitoring institutions • Identification of environmental indicators, moving trends, pressures, situation action and counteraction • Design of the national environmental monitoring Programme • Analysis of potential financial resources • Building of the institutional environmental monitoring scheme • Design of an action plan and assessment of the costs for its implementation • Improvement and completion of the legal and regulatory framework for environmental monitoring • Creation of a National Information System for monitoring, collecting, processing and publishing environmental data • Strengthening institutional capacities for monitoring, control and periodical reporting by public or private entities (environmental and sanitation inspectorates) • Establishment of a pilot network for the monitoring of air pollution in the city of Tirana • Improvement of the system for monitoring bio-diversity and surface and coastal water quality
______56 Updated National Environmental Action Plan • Preparation of the National Register of Hazardous Wastes
14 - Strategy and Action Plan for sustainable transport
The main objective of this plan is to develop sustainable transport practices and systems that will integrate the developments in different transport sectors with environmental and human health protection. This will include: • Establishment of a Programme for vehicle inspection • Development of the legal framework to control the technical condition of vehicles and their pollutant emissions • Examination of the urban infrastructure, including traffic management • Application of practices that encourage the development of public transport, use of unleaded petrol, vehicles with catalytic converters, etc.
15 - Strategy for sustainable tourism
The country has a large potential for tourism. However, this potential should not be reduced through short-sighted development of the tourism sector leading to undue pressure on the environment. The need for updating of the strategy for on sustainable tourism represents a priority. The activities that might be included are: • Inventory of tourist areas • Their classification according to their capacity and characteristics • Determining areas where the environmental protection is a priority • Design of action plans for priority tourist areas • Design of infrastructure projects
16 - Strategy for sustainable agriculture
Albania is a country where agriculture continues to be considered as a priority sector. The introduction of sustainable agriculture practices is indispensable. The activities that can be undertaken are: • Assessment of the sustainable agriculture practices • Application of practices that promote eco-friendly agricultural systems • Analysis of the existing situation • Preparation of an action plan • Implementation of pilot projects for eco-friendly agricultural systems in selected areas of the country
17 - Design of the strategy and Action Plan for the management of wetlands
Albania has a considerable number of wetlands and coastal lagoons. The wetlands are of great importance to the development of tourism and of economic importance to the neighbouring communities. They should be managed in a sustainable way. In this context, there is a need for a strategy for wetland management, which can include the following activities: • Inventory of wetlands at national level • Analysis of their biological and social-economical importance • The assessment of their situation and the preparation of a strategic paper • The preparation of the action plan
18 - Action Plan for the monitoring and safe closure of urban and industrial waste dumps, which pollute the environment and risk the health of people.
The dumping of urban waste, construction sector waste and industrial waste is taking place in natural areas and not in controlled landfills allocated for this purpose. The negative environmental impact of these dumps is made worse by leachate pollution through soil and into waters. Furthermore, there is an
______57 Updated National Environmental Action Plan unknown number of illegal dumps whose environmental threat should be evaluat6ed, and subsequently they should be controlled. For this purpose, a management plan for urban and industrial solid waste dumps and their control until their closure must be prepared. The necessary activities within this plan are: • Inventory of urban and industrial dumps • Identification of their environmental health hazard • Classification according to the level of environmental health risk and selection of priority interventions • Creation of a data base • Preparation of a management plan • Implementation of pilot projects for priority dumps
19 - Strategy for the protection from floods and other natural disasters
One of the most frequent events of the last ten years is flooding, especially in the coastal area. Erosion, deforestation, damage caused by land improvements and drainage network, etc., are some of the factors that have resulted in a more frequent occurrence of this phenomenon. Its consequences are especially severe for the poorest groups, who suffer from damage to agriculture, livestock, shelter, etc. As well as the technical measures, a system for responding to these kinds of natural disasters with all its components should be established. The activities of this strategy are: • Analysis of the situation and identification of sensitive areas • Analysis of causes • Preparation of an action plan • Implementation of pilot projects • Establishment of management structures • Preparation of the legal framework
20 - Strategy and Action Plan for collaboration with business associations and introduction of environmental management systems within the economic activities
At present, Albania is still dominated by the regulatory control system, whilst the liberalisation of economic activity is increasingly taking place, and the business community is organised through various professional organisations. Under these conditions the regulatory control system needs to be augmented by the use of incentives to encourage businesses to use clean technologies, good management practices and modern systems of environmental management. The preparation of a strategy for collaboration with the business sector and its associations is therefore indispensable. Activities to be included are: • Promotion of professional business organisations • Capacity building in the field of environmental business management • Capacity building in the area of clean technologies • Establishment of a centre for clean technologies • Promotion of cooperation and common agreements with business organisations • Environmental auditing • Preparation of a platform for cooperation.
21 - National strategy for Urban Planning
This strategy aims at creating a foundation for a balanced territorial, social, economic and environmental development in the urban areas of the country, harmonising individual and collective interests.
22 - Action Plan for eliminating the pollution of the coastal and marine area by land-based activities
______58 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Albania is party to the Barcelona Convention and its protocols. All the amended documents and the accompanying protocols of this convention were ratified in the year 2000. Membership of this Convention and the participation in the Action Plan for the Mediterranean are accompanied by some clear objectives that should be achieved with regard to the reduction of pollution from land-based sources. In this framework the environmental strategic plan must be prepared for the control of the land-based pollution sources. Its activities are: • Preparation of sectoral reports on the situation which should lead to policies • Identification of priorities • Identification of hot spots in coastal areas • Preparation of an action plan
4.3 Improvement and completion of the legal framework
The activities proposed aim at improving and completing the environmental legal and regulatory framework, which treats sectoral problems and creates the legal basis for orienting the economic and social development towards stability. The main priority remains the approximation of Albanian legislation with EU legislation The specific activities include: • Environmental strategic assessment of the existing national legal framework, policies, plans and sectoral Programmes, based on EU directives • Amendment of some fundamental laws to incorporate sustainable development and environmental protection principles (Penal Code, Civil Code, Law on Local Government, etc.) • Preparation of the new law on Environmental Protection • Completion of the legal and regulatory framework for the protection of the physical and biological environment • Amendment of the law on taxes and other laws that will put economical instruments in effect
The following laws are included in the list of laws to be drafted on the short-term: • Protection of air and gas discharge standards • Protection of land from pollution and erosion • Protection of waters and the norms for liquid discharges • Environmental Impact Assessment • Environmental information • Protected areas • Bio-diversity • Waste management • Protection of the marine environment
The following laws will be prepared for further completion of the legal framework and its approximation with EU legislation in the mid-term period of the Action Plan: • Industrial accidents • Sanitary coverage of waste • Waste incineration • Coastal areas
Meanwhile, in order to increase the effectiveness of the law, the respective by-laws and regulations will be prepared, covering in general the entire range of problems.
Development of Economic Instruments
In order to effectively solve problems related to the implementation and improvement of economic instruments, the following measures must be taken: • Development of policies on reasonable prices for water, which aim at covering the whole costs ; improvement of the respective legal framework
______59 Updated National Environmental Action Plan • The promotion of the sustainable and effective use of the energy through respective price policies and the promotion of alternative energy sources • Monitoring of the environmental effectiveness of the economic instruments in use, especially the clean up tax, as well as the improvement of the legal framework for tax raising • Improvement of the legal and regulatory framework for the introduction of fees for discharging polluted waters, the industrial solid waste and the gaseous discharges into the atmosphere • The introduction and application of the carbon tax for vehicle fuel, and measures for the promotion of public transport • Introduction of fees for the environmental rehabilitation of areas affected by mining activities and quarries • Continuous monitoring of environmental projects financed by foreign donors (water supply, treatment of polluted waters and urban waste, rehabilitation of irrigation system, environmental education)
4.4 Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building
The common goal of the proposed activities is to increase the capacities of environmental protection institutions and structures, and the sustainable management of natural resources, in order to respond more effectively to the implementation of a policy for the protection and sustainable management of natural resources and bio-diversity.
In this framework, the main objective is to strengthen the political position of MoE, transforming it into a ministry with a more functional and effective structure, at a central and local level, aiming at: • Increasing the capacities for designing policies and the legal framework • Improving the vertical and horizontal coordination within the structure of the Ministry • Developing a decentralised environmental system better to support the environmental management by local government • Increasing the capacities and developing procedures for inter-sectoral dialogue • Building a transparent and democratic consensus to form the necessary alliances with all the interested parties • Increasing the capacities for the management of environmental projects • Strengthening the international relation units • Functioning of Environmental Protection Inspectorate • Organizing and making operational the Environmental Protection Inspectorate as a separate structure in the Ministry of Environment • Strengthening inspection and legislation enforcement capacities at REAs, central institutions and local government
Establishment and strengthening of the Environmental Protection Units in main ministries
• Establishment and strengthening of environmental protection structures and determining their tasks • Training of the structures for developing environmental sectoral policies and drafting legislation • Meeting logistical needs
Establishment and strengthening of the Environmental Protection Units in the local government bodies
• Establishment of environmental protection units and determining their tasks • Training of units in the development of local environmental policies and legislative knowledge • Determining logistical needs
Strengthening of Environmental Monitoring Institutions
• Strengthening the environmental monitoring units at the responsible institutions • Implementing the environmental monitoring strategy
______60 Updated National Environmental Action Plan • Developing a coordinated system for pollution control from stationary and non stationary sources of pollution • Establishing air, water and land monitoring networks and the quality control of the data • Development of a monitoring system for industrial pollution • Establishment and implementation of a system for monitoring soil, erosion, etc.
Establishment of the National Council for Sustainable Development
• Establishment of a permanent inter-ministerial structure under the Council of Ministers for the design, coordination and control of the implementation of sustainable development policies. • Establishment of a centre for environmental studies and sustainable development close to MoE. • Establishment and making the organisation operational. • Drafting of the respective legal framework
Establishment of the Centre for Clean Technologies
• Drafting the respective legal framework • Establishment of the Centre for Clean Technologies • Strengthening of inter-ministerial structures as instruments and mechanisms for the implementation of sectoral policies • Promotion of the creation and strengthening of inter-ministerial structures for environmental management at local level • Strengthening the national and local system for crisis management
4.5 Directions of priority investments
In order to implement the environmental protection policies and in conformity with the legal and regulatory framework presented above, priority Programmes and investment activities are recommended.
Programmes for Integrated management for the utilization of Watersheds and Land
Based on the criteria determined in section 3.4 the priority investments to be made during the implementation of UNEAP have been identified.
The activities supporting the use of integrated management of watersheds will be undertaken in several stages, starting with the respective legal and institutional improvement/completion, pilot activities and the implementation of full-scale management projects. The activities will include: • A number of demonstrations regarding the integrated management by communities of waters, agriculture production, animal farming, fruit-growing and forestry • Implementation of tree planting projects to reduce erosion, regenerate degraded forests, preserve the hydrological balance and increase agriculture, animal and fruit production • Development and introduction of integrated practices to combat pests and diseases of crops in selected areas • Encouragement of activities that mitigate poverty and protect the environment • Feasibility studies and management plans for the Prespa and Shkodra lakes, as well as for the rivers Drin, Shkumbin and Vjosa
Programmes for the Forestry and Bio-diversity Management
This includes a number of additional activities to improve forest management and demonstrate different regenerating processes, which include: • Introduction of sustainable environmental practices for forestry management • Establishment of forestry nurseries, state or privately owned • Reforestation of the areas endangered by ecological damage
______61 Updated National Environmental Action Plan • Regeneration of illegally cut forests • Regeneration of the state owned degraded forests • Inventory and monitoring of forests and bio-diversity • Development and introduction of integrated practices for combating pests and diseases in the areas with biggest problems • Urban forestry activities, including the restoration of forests in urban areas which were cut down during the transition period • Introduction of private forestry and grasslands – creation of private forestry and grasslands • Strengthening of the forestry service to increase the effectiveness of the control of illegal cutting • Increase of the inventory of communal forests and grasslands • Implementation of management plans for protected areas
Mitigation of flood effects in some areas of the country
In order to prevent floods in some of the worst affected areas of the country, it is necessary to improve and rehabilitate the existing irrigation and drainage system. The activities under way regarding the rehabilitation of the land irrigation and drainage systems will continue, with the corresponding changes in the utilization of water and the variety of field crops. The interventions should focus on the functioning and maintenance of land drainage infrastructure and on the elaboration of strategies to recover costs. A land improvement plan should be prepared, to assess the technical-economic capacities and the costs for an improvement programme divided into phases.
Improvement of Solid Waste Management
The objective of this activity is to reduce the health risks resulting from pollution of surface waters, groundwater and air, by securing adequate service of urban waste management in the main cities - Tirana, Durrës, Korça, Pogradec, Fier, Elbasan, Lezha, Shkodër, etc. Also pilot activities will be included to evaluate the cost-effective measures for the rehabilitation of polluted lands. The specific activities include: • Improvement of collection and transport of urban waste by training personnel and by supply of equipment • Closure of waste dumps that are unsafe regarding air, water and land pollution, and the negative impact on human health • Construction of sanitary waste landfills, firstly for those cities that have carried out the required studies and projects (Shkodër, Lezha, Elbasan, Fier, Pogradec, Korça), as well as for Tirana-Durrës • Risk assessment of polluted lands and identification of priority areas for improvement e.g. rehabilitation activities through pilot projects • Support for pilot activities in selected areas to test the improvement methods in conformity with the local conditions and to determine the costs of these methods • Safe closure of urban waste dumps in the cities where sanitary landfills will be built • Sustainable management of industrial, urban and inert waste sites. • Construction of treatment facilities for hazardous wastes
Improvements in Water Supply Services
The main objective of these activities is the rehabilitation and improvement of the water supply service in Albania. The activities will be implemented in three phases: pilot activities, which will be followed by investments in first priority cities (Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan, Vlora, Shkodër, Fier, Korça, Berat), followed by cities of second priority (Kukës, Lezha, Kruja, Kavaja, Lushnja, Pogradec, Gjirokastër, Saranda, Has) etc. The proposed activities include: • Reduction of leakage within the network • Improvements in the purification process • Measures for eliminating the infiltration of polluted waters into the drinking water network • Improvements in drinking water quantity
______62 Updated National Environmental Action Plan • Improvement of the operational capacities of water and sewerage enterprises
Improvements in the sewerage network and the treatment of contaminated waters
The activities proposed in this category aim at improving the network of sewerage and the construction of sewage treatment plants in cities. These activities will include: • Completion of the rehabilitation of sewerage in the cities of Tirana, Durrës, Korça, Kruja, Vlora, Saranda, Lezha, Kavaja, Shkodër, Gjirokastra, etc. • Construction of sewage treatment plants in the cities of environmental impact priority. The sewage treatment plants will be constructed in Tirana, Vlora, Pogradec, Saranda, Shkodër, Lezha, Kavaja, Kruja, Korça • Design and construction of the sewerage network and collector for the whole area of Durrës-Golem beach
Programmes for Improving the Management of Urban Areas
This includes a number of activities that will aim at creating the fundamental infrastructure in the areas where these systems do not exist or are damaged. Besides the measures for investments in the roads, water supply, sewerage, etc., the specific measures will include: • Renewal of urban plans in conformity with present and future economic and social developments • Design of action plans for intervening in those areas of the cities with greatest problems • Design of programmes for the rehabilitation of industrial areas, polluted by past activities and situated close to important urban areas or ecologically specific areas, such as the former Sodium and PVC Plant in Vlora, Copper Plants in Rubik and Laç, former Chemical Enterprise in Durres, etc. • Development of institutional capacities for urban planning and management within the municipality of Tirana • Funding of basic infrastructure in the municipality of Tirana, focusing on the suburb areas that have developed in recent years: Bathore, Laprakë, Kamzë
4.6 Public Information and Awareness
The fulfilling of the tasks in the Action Plan will depend on the involvement of directors of all levels of the administration and of NGOs.
In order to raise awareness on environmental problems and on the environmental impact of different activities, there should be a continuous commitment of the directors of the state administration throughout the implementation of UNEAP - 2001.
The representatives of central institutions and NGOs have participated in the process of preparing the Action Plan and will continue to be important partners for effectively and sustainable implementing UNEAP - 2001.
A special emphasis should be put on the preparation of education programmes for the interested parties, including central and local institutions. The activities will focus on the preparation of training materials, seminars and courses for teachers, journalists, etc. Many institutions, including NGOs, will be involved in the organization of media awareness raising activities.
The critical components for increasing the environmental awareness of the public will be the collection, processing and analysis of environmental data and the dissemination of the information, to all the interested parties involved in the implementation of the Action Plan, including managers and users of natural resources, researchers, NGOs and the public.
______63 Updated National Environmental Action Plan The improvement of public environmental awareness is considered one of the priority activities of the Plan and, beside the participation of central and local administration directors, NGOs will play a key role. The partnership of state institutions with NGOs is critical to the achievement of the objectives of Action Plan with respect to public awareness and participation.
The main activities foreseen in the framework of this Plan are: 1. Design of the National Public Information and Participation Strategy. The preparation and approval of this strategy is linked to the obligations resulting from being party to the Aarhus Convention. The Convention refers to both active and passive information, the right of the public to access to the decision-making process and to environmental programmes.
2. Making the National Environmental Information Centre fully operational. At present, the Centre is being created at the MoE. It needs strengthening of professional capacities and the necessary equipment for collecting, processing and disseminating environmental information throughout the country.
3. Capacity building for public participation in the environmental assessment and decision- making process. Training programmes must be organised with representatives of central and local government, stakeholders and civil society, regarding public participation in the design of policies, development plans, standards, monitoring and VNM.
4. Promotion of successful case studies of public participation in decision-making. Information campaigns must be organised through the media, posters, and leaflets, to promote the achievements of successful environmental projects, where public participation has played a priority role.
5. Collaboration of MoE with the Ministry of Education and Science to integrate the environmental education Programmes into the curricula at all levels. Training, education and environmental awareness Programmes will be designed and implemented.
6. Allocation of funds by MoE in order to increase the activity and work of NGOs for the raising of public awareness. In this direction, the activities of the NGOs that address priority environmental problems will be encouraged.
7. Preparation of National Communication Programmes for: . Water management . Waste management . Bio-diversity management . Development of sustainable forestry . Training of journalists on coverage of environmental problems
The Programmes will assist the application of the policies of the Government at central and local level. The implementation of these Programmes requires the preparation of a communication strategy, including national and local media, experts and scientists of respective fields, leaders of different sectors and NGOs.
4.7 Environment and poverty reduction
Based on the analysis of the environment-poverty relationship and the assessment of capacities, the projects that will be included in UNEAP are identified and evaluated:
- Improvement of environmental, urban and rural infrastructure as a determining factor for reducing diseases caused by contaminated drinking water, sewage and urban waste
______64 Updated National Environmental Action Plan - Improvement of living standards by implementation of programmes for the management of natural resources and bio-diversity - Encouraging and supporting the professional associations and other organizations in the sustainable management of resources (associations of foresters, fishermen, beekeepers, animal farming, fruit-growers, etc.) - Clean up of polluted areas - Development of territorial planning - Forestation - Strengthening of academic and environmental education as a tool for poverty reduction - The NGOs will be encouraged to extend their activity to rural and urban areas with a high poverty level; beside the projects that aim at sustainable development, they will also implement projects for environmental education and awareness.
Meanwhile, the preventive and mitigating measures for the protection of human health and bio- diversity will also be important for poverty reduction. These measures include: - Design of the strategy and Action Plan for the improvement of water supply and sewage treatment systems in rural areas - Improvement of the sewerage network in urban areas and construction of sewage treatment plants - Construction of urban waste disposal sites, according to the technologies that secure human health and environmental protection in several of the country’s main cities
5. EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PLAN
UNEAP is the redimensioning of the first Action Plan, approved in 1994; it clearly identifies the duties of the central and local institutions, business, civil society and the public, in line with the political changes and the actual stage of the development of the country. The key condition for the successful implementation of the plan is political and financial commitment, as well as public support. The Plan provides many activities which do not require considerable funding to achieve substantial changes.
Special importance has been devoted to the preventive measures and integration of environmental problems in the sectoral planning process. The realization of this Plan’s objectives, and meeting its requirements, undoubtedly demands the commitment of the government, through legal changes, institutional arrangements and relevant financing.
5. 1 Public awareness and participation of concerned parties
As well as the need for broad public participation the success of the UNEAP depends on the active participation of many groups in the implementation of the activities anticipated by the Plan. In general, interested groups have participated in the preparation of the plan and will continue to participate during its implementation.
The important direction for the increase of public awareness will be the collection, processing and publication of environmental information for all interested groups, including public at large, managers and users of natural resources, scientists and NGOs.
5.2 Institutional organization
The main responsibility for the implementation of the UNEAP 2001 lies with the MoE. The co- ordination of specific activities included in the programme is thought to be the responsibility of a small unit established within the MoE structure. Nonetheless, the executive responsibility for various activities will fall on various bodies, including several ministries. Hence, a Steering committee on
______65 Updated National Environmental Action Plan inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral level, led by the Deputy Prime Minister, should be established. The main duty of the Steering Committee will be the analysis of the policy issues, monitoring of the UNEAP implementation and supervision of undertaken activities. Besides MoE, other ministries such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Trade, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Public Economy and Privatisation, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Local Authorities, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Public Order will be involved. Each ministry will appoint the co-coordinators that will manage the daily activities of individual projects.
Activities of awareness raising, information and participation of the public will be co-coordinated by a special subgroup, which should have a broad basis and authority to involve the other members when and where they will be needed. This subgroup should consists of members of relevant NGOs and civil society and should be able to involve media and information representatives, whenever necessary.
5.3 Financing
Although the Government recognises the environmental problems facing the country, expenditures for environmental protection are not placed among national priorities in public financing. In the first place, this has been caused by the financial restrictions in public funds. Partly this has also been caused by the lack of experience of MoE in identifying economical profits that can result from environmental improvement and the costs that are caused by environmental degradation, including the costs in public health. This information should be communicated to the Ministry of Finance which has the responsibility for the management of public funds. At present, public environmental expenditures are allocated only to cover the operational costs of MoE and its Regional Environmental Agencies. Funding of environmental investments is totally inadequate even for the basic monitoring activities and controlling equipment for inspection centres. At the same time, the early stage of development of the banking system in Albania and economic instability (expressed in the high interest rate in commercial loans and short pay back terms) greatly limits the mobilization of capital to invest in environmental infrastructure, which usually requires a long pay back period. In practice, the main potential sources of environmental income are various fees on pollution and exploitation of natural resources. However, up to now the income from these fees goes directly to the state budget, with the exception of the clean up tax that goes to the local budget. Promotion of the implementation of those political reforms which encourage the effective allocation of resources and avoid the existing trade distortions (e.g. lifting of the subsidies and restrictions for foreign trade, protection of the right to private property)are planned, which at the same time are expected to generate significant environmental benefits.
Limited public financial resources as well as the need for a strict control on public spending demands the application of prioritisation when planning environmental investments.
The existing system of environmental taxes and charges remains the most important potential source of domestic environmental income in the near future. These fees should not become another burden, but should change the people’s attitude towards the environment and promote the transition to the use of less polluting technologies and production processes. Ecotaxes should be accompanied by compensation measures, i.e. reduction of other taxes (e.g. employment, income etc.). Allocation of scarce public sources should be focused on win-win investments, which generate production profits and at the same time increase environmental benefits, including for example investments in new technologies. The involvement of the private sector, especially small and medium enterprises, in environmental activities, should be promoted.
One of the possible ways to mobilise financial sources for environmental investments is the earmarked environmental fund, which could collect the income generated from economic instruments and contributions from foreign donors. As a rule, environmental funds are used to subsidise equipment for end-of-pipe treatment or clean technologies, implementation of environmental programmes and research, management of protected areas and environmental awareness and education. However, in light of the IMF
______66 Updated National Environmental Action Plan requirements to concentrate all extra-budgetary funds in the state budget, it is necessary that an environmental fund be created within the state budget. The actual economic situation in Albania and the great demand for limited natural resources, indicates that there will not be any large environmental investments on the short and medium term, without the support of foreign partners and without co-financing agreements. There exists a potential to increase the role of international donors, although the attraction of foreign assistance requires a greater domestic commitment for environmental expenditures, administrative reforms and improvement of the project management cycle. In Albania a considerable number of environmental activities have been undertaken, supported by various donors and implemented by MoE. The Government can find new donors through established international mechanisms.
Technical and financial assistance can be found through various cooperation Programmes of EU, UNEP, UNDP and other international financing institutions like the World Bank Group, EBRD and various bilateral donors and private foundations. The first step in the increase of the efficiency of environmental financing is the development of the Action Plan, which clearly identifies the priorities for environmental investments in various stages of its implementation. These priorities can serve as a basis for the selection of projects to be financed through domestic or foreign sources.
5.4 Risks and mitigation measures
The main risks related to the UNEAP implementation can be divided in four groups: - Level of commitment - Changes in attitude towards the environment - Human and technical resources - Financial Availability The active participation, at both central and local level, of concerned groups, academic and other governmental institutions, public and civil society, is decisive for the successful implementation of the Action Plan. In order to activate this commitment it is necessary to change attitudes towards environmental issues, both within the government in understanding the development priorities and allocated resources for environmental protection, and amongst the public at large.
The implementation of the Action Plan also requires adequate institutional capacity in advanced technical skills, some of which are relatively unknown to the Albanian institutions.
Some of the activities proposed in the Plan will directly or indirectly generate funds or improve the level of income. Nonetheless, the realization of UNEAP 2001 objectives will certainly require additional funding. It is important to emphasise that some risks related to the implementation of the Plan, and relevant mitigation measures should not be seen apart from each other, but as an inter-related system.
The mitigation measures include public awareness and other activities which will increase trust and induce changes in attitude and increase commitment. These measures imply the building of capacities and strengthening of institutions through training and tailored programmes. It is anticipated that the funds for various activities will be ensured from local and foreign sources. Both bilateral and multilateral partnerships are necessary for the implementation of the UNEAP. Table 26 summarizes the main risks for the successful implementation of the UNEAP and relevant minimising or mitigating measures.
Table 26 Risk and Mitigation Measures
Risks Mitigation Measures Limited Governmental Increase of MoE’s role in political decision making Commitment Distribution of information in all levels, regarding economic benefits of environmental protection
______67 Updated National Environmental Action Plan Risks Mitigation Measures Development of partnership with NGOs, private sector and other interested groups Drawing of public attention to main environmental issues Slow changes in the Increase of public awareness through community involving activities attitude towards the Increase of environmental data, through better collection, processing, environment analyzing and distribution. Distribution of information on economic benefits of environmental protection in all levels Development of human resources Limited human resources Capacity building in all levels and institutional Development of partnerships with the government, NGOs, private sector development and other interested groups
Lack of governmental Partnership with bilateral and multilateral donors funding for environmental Identification and effective communication of local and global profits protection from nature conservation Macroeconomic stabilization and regeneration of economic growth
5.5 Monitoring and Evaluation
To measure and evaluate the implementation of the various activities within the Action Plan and also identify the general impact of the implementation of projects, several physical indicators have been defined. The progress indicators include the strategies for the realisation of various activities in the Action Plan, as presented in the sectoral reports. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the complete and precise formulation of each of the indicators of progress and impact can only be determined, when the individual activities have been elaborated in detail. Impact indicators presented in Table 27 provide a conceptual framework to make a systematic assessment of the progress in accomplishing the environmental objectives, which may not be measured directly. It should be understood that each of these conceptual indicators includes a set of progress indicators, which can be easily measured and understood by the decision makers.
Table 27 Indicators
Main groups of problems Impact indicators Progress indicators - Specific problems of - Reduction of pollutant - Life expectancy environmental elements discharges - Appropriate weight in birth (including air, water and - Reduction of the - Level of infant mortality soil pollution) pressure on basic natural - Reduction of water borne diseases - Application of economic instruments in resources and natural - Over-exploitation of environmental management natural resources and habitats - Air pollutant emissions in tons threatened ecosystems - Improvement of the - Protected areas in percentage against total (including overexploitation quality of life surface area of water, soil, forest and Reduction of - Agricultural land part against land surface loss of biodiversity) environmental hazards - Surface of forests - Problems of environmental - Improvement of soil fertility on the public health- health and risks - Application of fertilizers per ha Reduction - Increase of per capita income environmental danger on - Forest rehabilitation nature and biodiversity - Degree of covering population with public services - Degree of recovery of damaged natural resources Degree of use of renewable natural resources in comparison with non renewable ones
______68 Updated National Environmental Action Plan