1. 14.10.2004 | Folie 1 The European context in which SEPA operates Seminar at Kopaonik, 24-05-2005 Johannes Mayer johannes.mayer@umweltbundesamt.at

2. 14.10.2004 | Folie 2 SEPA is responsible for  Assuring national environmental data co- ordination for Serbia  preparing national environmental data reporting to international institutions, such as: European Commission European Environment Agency International (UN & other) Conventions

3. 14.10.2004 | Folie 3 Division of work at European level  Member States have much criticised EC for duplicate environmental reporting  Very recent agreement on clear thematic division between European institutions: Air, Water, Biodiversity/Nature: European Environment Agency Waste: Eurostat (Waste Statistics Regulation) Soil, Chemicals: Joint Research Center (European Soil Bureau, European Chemicals Bureau (  Agency)

4. 14.10.2004 | Folie 4 European Commission European Commission: formally expects national reporting from the time of EU accession (but will ask for „volontary“ submissions in accession period) Much data reporting handled via the European Environment Agency Eurostat / Waste Statistics Regulation: Im most MS national counterparts in the Statistical Offices

5. 14.10.2004 | Folie 5 International Conventions Reporting related to EC Obligations, where EC is a Convention party:  Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution / CLRTAP (EC: National Emission Ceilings Directive)  UN Framework Convention Climate Change / UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol (EC: Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Mechanism)

6. 14.10.2004 | Folie 6 European Environment Agency Specific status by separate regulation 1210/90/EEC (933/99/EC) „timely, reliable, relevant, targeted“ data to support EU environmental policies countries may have full membership status before EU Accession invites Serbia (& Montenegro) to report as co-operating country (& potential Member State)

7. 14.10.2004 | Folie 7 European Environment Agency Strongly integrated with Member States through the EIONET network:  National Focal Points (NFP) – co- ordination  National Reference Centres (NRCs) – specific thematic expertise  European Topic Centres (ETCs) – Consortia of Member State institutions doing substantial thematic work for the EEA in thematic priority areas

8. 14.10.2004 | Folie 8 Austrian co-operation with EEA According Environmental Control Act, Umweltbundesamt is responsible for Austrian national co-operation with EEA Austrian National Focal Point (NFP) Austrian National Reference Centres (NRCs) Partner institution in four of the five European Topic Centres (ETCs): Air & Climate Change (focus emission data management), Water (focus groundwater data), Terrestrial Environment, Resources & Waste Management

9. 14.10.2004 | Folie 9 Priority Data Flow ranking EEA reports annually the progress of countries in reporting by a ranking of all members and co-operating countries (criteria agreed with Member States) August 2004 (for 2003, with 32 countries): 1. AT 95%, 2. SE 90%, 3. LV 89%, 10. BG 75 %; 26. FYRoM 50 %, 27. RO 38 %, 29. BIH 34 %; 32. ALB 17 % Serbia&Montenegro: pilot reporting on 3 data flows (Croatia & Turkey: only 1)

10. 14.10.2004 | Folie 10 Priority Data Flow areas Air (Pollutant Emissions as for CLRTAP & UNFCCC Conventions, Air Quality Data as required by EC) Water (Groundwater, River, Lake Water Quality, Marine & Coastal Waters) Protected Areas Not included in overall country scoring: - Corine Landcover Project - Soil Contamination

11. 14.10.2004 | Folie 11 “Reportnet” Concept Web-based EIONET Infrastructure for transparent documentation of What is to be reported  Reporting Obligations Database (ROD) Who is responsible for reporting  nominated Institutions & Experts  EIONET Directory What has been reported and when  National/Central Data Repository (CDR)

12. 14.10.2004 | Folie 12 http://www.eionet.eu.int/rn/click “Reportnet” Elements

13. 14.10.2004 | Folie 13 Austrian EC Presidency 2006 Will support European integration efforts of the Western Balkan countries Will promote applications for Membership of the European Environment Agency  EEA/EIONET Regulation allows EEA Membership before joining EC Will support adapted (joint or separate) European integration solutions for Serbia & Montenegro

14. 14.10.2004 | Folie 14 Example EEA/EIONET Directory Suggested parallel nominations for National Reference Centres for both Republics Can be used for co-operation to elaborate joint reports for Serbia & Montenegro whenever required Can at any moment be separated (“unzipped”) to provide independent strings for each Republic

15. 14.10.2004 | Folie 15 A key role for SEPA Key role as responsible for national action in a privileged pilot area for European integration in Serbia Depends from substantial support by data-holding institutions (water, air, nature for “priority data flows”) Needs adequate support from European institutions and partner countries to achieve full co-operation with EC/EEA

16. 14.10.2004 | Folie 16 Austrian experience ? Assure co-operation within and between institutions Build-up operational expert networks Focus work on European and national priority requirements Maintain active working relations with European institutions Use Reportnet tools