EMAS II implementation in Latvian municipalities
EU LIFE programme
Innovative approach in EMAS II implementation in the local authorities of new member states
Objectives
Local authorities (LA) in Latvia and in other new member states are facing many similar environmental problems, such as: air, water and soil pollution, waste, uncontrolled resource consumption, urban decay, etc. As practice shows, local authorities can be an important contributor to environmental degradation and that’s why they have to increase efficiency of their environmental performance. EMAS II provides organizations with a systematic approach to solution of their environmental problems but the system is not widely used yet by municipalities of new member states, which is a specific environmental problem addressed by this project.
The main objectives of the project are:
- to demonstrate and promote EMAS II in local authorities of new member states, using Latvia as a role model;
- to introduce new effective tools of EMAS II implementation and dissemination;
- to assist new member states in their integration process to the EU, introducing the EU environmental regulation.
The project is aimed to achieve one of the objectives of EU 6th Environmental Action Programme: ‘Encouraging wider uptake of the Communities Eco-Management and Audit Scheme’.
Actions and means involved
To achieve the project objectives the following actions will be undertaken:
1. Establishing 5 regional pilot clusters, which will consist of at least two adjoining municipalities and will serve as a source for further EMAS II dissemination in the country. Selection criteria will provide participation of municipalities with different economic activities and sizes. Development of EMAS Knowledge Management Internet platform that will build a community of municipal EMAS users in Latvia, the NMS and other countries.
2. 5-day Training seminar for Custer members, local and NMS consultants in EMAS implementation, and a study tour for Cluster members to German municipalities to demonstrate practical application of EMAS.
3. Implementation of EMAS II in the pilot municipalities. The process will consist of six phases with obligatory auditing after each phase. The participants will have to establish the baseline, identify and ensure compliance with legal and other requirements, develop objectives, targets and programmes, implement the system, check, audit and review it. Cluster approach provides LA with an opportunity to set up the common goals and then to joint efforts in their achievement. EMAS II verification and registration will be performed by an external accredited organization.
4. Integration of Latvian municipalities to EU community by: introducing the EU regulation and experience of German municipalities, joining ICLEI and other EU networks, establishing contacts with EU municipalities at the international final result seminar.
5. Analysis and description of experience gained during the project. “Lessons learned” will be published in a format of a practical manual both in English and Latvian languages.
6. Dissemination of the project results among Latvian and EU LA at the international final result seminar, use of the ICLEI and other networks to disseminate the project results, dissemination of EMAS Cluster Manuals in Latvia and the EU countries; EMAS Knowledge Management Internet platform will become a source of knowledge and know-how for community of municipal EMAS users in NMS and other countries; publications in national newspapers and magazines and establishing EMAS promotional institution - EMAS Clusters Centre at LAEM.
7. Project evaluation and reporting to EU. The project is periodically evaluated at the management meetings. Progress and interim reports are produced in accordance wit agreed schedule and presented to the Commission.
Expected results
The expected results of the project:
1. Demonstration to the local authorities of new member states and other EU countries examples of EMAS II implemented in 5 regional clusters. Implementation of EMAS II will provide municipalities with: substantial savings on their everyday resources, improved environmental performance, managerial systems and patterns of behaviour of the staff. Municipal authorities will serve as a role models and influence business sector and local communities to create responsible attitude to the environment.
2. Pilot clusters and EMAS Clusters Centre are sources of fostering EMAS II implementation at the district and country level. Training materials and EMAS Clusters Manual demonstrate advantages of cluster approach and EMAS II phased implementation and provide municipalities with effective tools for implementing their own EMAS systems.
3. Linkages, established due to activities aimed to integrate Latvia to EU (municipalities will be advised how to establish networking contacts, experience exchange, etc.) will result in fruitful cooperation and experience exchange between Latvian and European municipalities.
Project partners: Latvian Association for Environmental Management, SIA "Biznesa Konsultantu Grupa", Daugavpils city council, Naujenes rural municipal council, German Environmental Management Association (BAUM eV).