1 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 1 ENPI/SEIS Consultation Meeting European Commission, Brussels, 11 November 2010 Current Situation and Specific Needs of ENP/East and Russia with Regard to Main SEIS Components

2 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 2 Content of this Presentation How the review was prepared Role of various authorities in data management Situation with key SEIS components Gaps and bottlenecks Recommendations

3 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 3 Overview is based on EPRs of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine Documentation of UNECE WGEMA and JTF on Environmental Indicators Ad hoc missions and consultations Available literature

4 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 4 Authorities Managing Environmental Data Ministries of environment have key responsibilities in data collection, management and reporting Certain competencies are given to others (e.g. water, agriculture, forestry, emergency and health ministries) Statistical services play important role in collecting, treating and publishing environmental data

5 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 5 Data Management Governance All countries have legal framework for environmental observations and majority of them has national programmes for development of environmental monitoring More centralized systems are in place in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia and Ukraine Less centralized systems in Armenia, Georgia and Moldova All countries have specialized institutions for data management (e.g. information analytical departments)

6 SEIS Components Shared content Infrastructure Institutional cooperation United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 6

7 7 Shared content - Data Collection Basic statistical and monitoring data are available for GHGs, air, water, waste, soil, forests, protected areas and biodiversity in all countries Quality, completeness and time coverage varies between countries Certain important data are not available (e.g. PM10, PM2.5, ground level ozone) – with the exception of Belarus and big Russian cities Certain emission, discharge and waste inventories are incomplete

8 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 8 Shared Content - Environmental Assessments All countries publish several different types of environmental reports – national SoE reports – environmental statistical yearbooks – thematic reports (air, water, biodiversity) Reports are focused on data presentation rather than on data interpretation and assessment Use of environmental indicators is at the beginning None of countries has produced an indicator-based assessment report

9 Infrastructure - Data Exchange Use of ICT is not well advanced in all countries Many data do not exist in electronic form No integrated environmental databases No integrated environmental information systems No established procedures for data exchange in most countries United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 9

10 Infrastructure - National Environmental Portals Each environment ministry operates its portal in national language and in English (and some of them in Russian) Each statistical agency operates its portal in national language and in English (some of them also in Russian) In some countries, information analytical centers have their own portals (Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine) United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 10

11 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 11 Institutional cooperation - Reporting to MEAs All countries are parties to all main global MEAs Almost all countries are parties to major regional MEAs but not to all protocols, especially those to CLRTAP Relevant countries are parties to subregional MEAs: Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Danube Reporting to MEAs is often inconsistent, incomplete and dependent on donor support

12 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 12 Gaps and Bottlenecks (1) Integrated monitoring systems are not in place in majority of countries Monitoring is generally not carried out in accordance with international standards, methodologies and procedures Monitoring equipment is often insufficient or obsolete The number of automated monitoring stations is very limited Data quality control is often insufficient

13 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 13 Gaps and Bottlenecks (2) There is no fully integrated environmental information system Data collection is carried out by various institutions under different ministries with insufficient coordination Certain types of data are missing or incomplete Self-monitoring by enterprises is rare with data generally reported on the basis of simple calculations

14 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 14 Gaps and Bottlenecks (3) Data transfer from monitoring stations and laboratories to analytical centres is often done via hardcopies or telephone Environmental reports include data and measured values without detailed interpretation and assessment The application of environmental indicators is at the very beginning

15 Recommendations - What Initial priorities - Information on: Air (Air Quality and Climate change) Fresh water Marine water Appropriate attention needs also to be given to other environmental issues United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 15

16 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 16 Recommendations – How (1) Internationally recognized methodologies needs to be implemented for measurements, data collection and validation, calculations and modeling Systems of collection of environmental statistical data needs to be improved and harmonized with international classifications and definitions Legal requirements related to self-monitoring and reporting by enterprises needs to be introduced or strengthened Data collection on certain air and water parameters, soil quality, forests and biodiversity needs to be improved

17 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 17 Recommendations – How (2) All environmental data need to be available in electronic form (using data standards) Integrated environmental databases and information systems need to be established Rules for environmental data sharing need to be codified by legislation Both hardware and software for the operation of databases and information systems need to be modernized

18 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 18 Recommendations – How (3) Environmental information analytical centres need to be strengthened (if exist) or established The introduction of indicators and development of indicator-based assessment reports need to start or continue Information management staff needs to be trained in use of modern technologies Central environmental portals and web-sites need to be modernized and expanded

19 Recommendations – Who (1) ENP-East Countries: Identification of needs and priorities Discussion of these needs and priorities with the international community Strengthenning inter-agency cooperation and networking Adaptation of national information systems to SEIS requirements United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 19

20 Recommendations – Who (2) EEA – major player in SEIS: Overall guidance in SEIS development Coordination and linkages between EEA member countries and ENP/East partners Coordination of activities between the Eastern and Southern SEIS components Partnership with all relevant regional and international bodies United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 20

21 Recommendations – Who (3) European Commission (+ interested MS) Support and technical assistance in: Harmonization of standards and legislation Harmonization (obtaining) of software Capacity building and training of staff Transfer of SEIS relevant know-how United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 21

22 Recommendations – Who (4) UNECE: Support in the field of indicators and indicator- based assessment reports Support in implementation of existing quidelines and preparation of new guidelines Support/Presure through country environmental performance reviews Support in reporting to regional MEAs United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 22

23 Recommendations – Who (5) UNEP: Support in reporting to global MEAs Regional Environmental Centers: Support in training and networking with major groups United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 23

24 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 24 Thank you Mikhail Kokine EHLM/UNECE Tel.: