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Innovative approach in EMAS II implementation in the local authorities of new member states

Reference: LIFE04 ENV/LV/000631 | Acronym: EMAS4NewStates

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Local authorities in Latvia and other new EU Member States face a range of common environmental problems: air, water and soil pollution, waste, uncontrolled resource consumption, urban decay, etc. Local authorities themselves can also be significant contributors to environmental degradation and it is important that they improve their own performance. The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS II) provides organisations with a systematic approach for solving environmental problems. However, this system is not yet widely used by municipalities in the new EU Member States.


OBJECTIVES

The project aimed to:

  • demonstrate and promote EMAS II to local authorities in new EU Member States, using Latvia as a model
  • introduce effective new tools for EMAS II implementation and dissemination
  • assist new EU Member States in implementing EU environmental regulations
  • The overall objective of the project is to achieve one of the goals of the EU's Sixth Environmental Action Programme: encouraging a wider uptake of EMAS.


    RESULTS

    The project objectives - promotion of EMAS II in local authorities; introduction of new effective tools for EMAS II implementation; dissemination and assisting to new Member States in implementing EU environmental regulations - overall has been reached. Seven Latvian local authorities associated in three clusters have implemented and registered the EMAS. Ten local and eight new Member States consultants were trained in EMAS implementation techniques and now can professionally assist local authorities in their countries in EMAS implementation. An EMAS for Municipalities Implementation Guide was published and distributed to Latvian and new Member-States local authorities. For the first time since joining the EU, Latvian municipalities implemented the EU regulation in the field of systematic preventive environmental management – EMAS.

    However, the passivity of EMAS Knowledge Management Platform members from new EU Member States diminished the overall results of the project within the scale of EMAS implementation in these countries. On the basis of the project’s results, the key lesson learnt is that it is the central government should actively promote EMAS creating motivation and incentives for local authorities and industries.

    Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).The project objectives - promotion of EMAS II in local authorities; introduction of new effective tools for EMAS II implementation; dissemination and assisting to new Member States in implementing EU environmental regulations - overall has been reached. Seven Latvian local authorities associated in three clusters have implemented and registered the EMAS. Ten local and eight new Member States consultants were trained in EMAS implementation techniques and now can professionally assist local authorities in their countries in EMAS implementation. An EMAS for Municipalities Implementation Guide was published and distributed to Latvian and new Member-States local authorities. For the first time since joining the EU, Latvian municipalities implemented the EU regulation in the field of systematic preventive environmental management – EMAS.

    However, the passivity of EMAS Knowledge Management Platform members from new EU Member States diminished the overall results of the project within the scale of EMAS implementation in these countries. On the basis of the project’s results, the key lesson learnt is that it is the central government should actively promote EMAS creating motivation and incentives for local authorities and industries.

    Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).

    ADMINISTRATIVE DATA


    Reference: LIFE04 ENV/LV/000631
    Acronym: EMAS4NewStates
    Start Date: 01/11/2004
    End Date: 31/05/2007
    Total Eligible Budget: 0 €
    EU Contribution: 191,397 €
    Project Location: Latvia

    CONTACT DETAILS


    Coordinating Beneficiary: Biznesa konsultantu grupa
    Legal Status: OTHER
    Address: Tirgonu Street 10-7, LV-1050, Riga,


    LIFE Project Map

    ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED

    THEMES

    • Certification
    • Public administration

    KEYWORDS

    • EC regulation on eco-management and audit
    • local authority

    TARGET EU LEGISLATION

    • Regulation 761/2001 - Allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) (19.03.2001)

    PARTNERSHIPS

    Name Status Type
    Biznesa konsultantu grupa ACTIVE Coordinator
    Latvian Association for Environmental Management ACTIVE Participant
    Bundesdeutcher Arbeitskreis fur Umweltbewussetes Management e.V., Germany ACTIVE Participant
    Naujene Municipal Council, Latvia ACTIVE Participant
    Daugavpils City Council, Latvia ACTIVE Participant