PROPOSAL FOR GEF FUNDING
Country name: Latvia
Project Title: Global environmental management issues related
National capacity needs self-assessment in Latvia
GEF Implementing Agency: UNDP
GEF Operational Focal Point: Ms. Ingrida Apene, Senior Official
Environmental Protection Department
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia
Peldu str. 25, Riga, LV – 1494, Latvia
National Executing Agency: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia
Country Eligibility: Latvia is eligible for GEF assistance
(Latvia joined the GEF – June 27, 1994)
Convention participation:
Convention / Date of Ratification/Accession / National Focal PointUNCBD / Ratified, August 31, 1995 / Ms. Ilona Jepsena
MoEPRD
UNFCCC / Ratified, February 23, 1995 / Ms. Ingrida Apene
MoEPRD
UNCCD / In process of ratification / Ms. Evisa Abolina
MoEPRD-
Other global environmental conventions / Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) – signed on May 23, 2001
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer Montreal protocol – Ratified on March 14, 1995 / Ms. Ingrida Apene
MoEPRD
Mr. Armands Plate
MoEPRD
GEF Financing: 196 000 USD
Government Contribution: 20 000 USD (in kind)
Estimated Total Budget: 212 000 USD
Estimated Starting date: March 1, 2002
Duration: 24 months
(including monitoring and evaluation phase)
Acronyms
CBD / Convention on Biological Diversity
CHM / Clearing House Mechanism
GEF / Global Environmental Facility
JI / Joint Implementation
NCSA / National Capacity Self-Assessment
NEPP / National Environmental Policy Plan
NGO / Non-Governmental Organization
NSDC / National Sustainable Development Committee
MEAs / Multilateral Environmental Agreements
MoEPRD / Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional development
PB / Project Board
POPs / Persistent Organic Pollutants
SD / Sustainable Development
UNDP / United Nations Development Program
UNFCCC / United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNCCD / United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
WSSD / World Summit on Sustainable Development (“Rio + 10”)
Background, Context and Related Work
Just after regaining independence Latvia participated in 1992 Rio World Summit On Environment and Development and signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Rio Declaration. At the same time Latvia started to participate and later to work actively with UN/ECE processes and conventions, in the process “Environment for Europe”, in the European Ministerial process Environment and Health.
In 1995, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia accepted the “National Environmental Policy Plan for Latvia” (NEPP), which was the first strategic document in environmental protection since re-establishing independence in 1991. The environmental protection policy goals, besides those regarding environmental quality, are to maintain the current level of biological diversity, ensure sustainable use of natural resources, and to create a basis for sustainable development. The NEPP envisages the integration of environmental protection policy into all sectors of the economy (into the economy in general as well as into sector strategic plans, and policy) and to promote public awareness of the issue. NEPP for Latvia formed a good basis to start project oriented environmental policy in the country. After association agreement with the EU was signed in 1995, the accession process began at full speed and in fall 2001 the Chapter “Environment” in the negotiations with the EU was closed successfully. Nevertheless the obligations taken by transposition of EU legislation are challenging and Latvia still lack the specific experience under many Directives which also applies similarly to the implementation of scientifically and technically difficult UN conventions, such as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s), Ozone, UNFCCC and others. At the same time, successful transition to the market economy, growing national groups of interests, strong democracy and public participation in all processes of decision taking are basis for new environment policy in the future. Presently the “National Environmental Policy Plan for Latvia” 2 is under preparation. The first draft is expected in September 2002, just before the World Summit on Sustainable Development – WSSD (Rio +10) in Johannesburg, August-September 2002. The Governmental Council on Sustainable Development (SD) was established in December 2001, and preparation of the National SD Strategy is a task to be completed before the WSSD. Certainly, the “Position paper for EU accession in environmental sector” will be a basis for the new National Environmental Policy Plan and EU Pre-structural Funds will play an important role to implement action programs to follow from the NEPP.
Latvia is an active party to many international conventions and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). The legal quality of joining the MEAs is very high as international instruments are ratified by the Saeima (Parliament) with a special Law as the main legal tool. This law which ratifies an international act is required to include a clear delegation of responsibilities and the financial calculations required to fulfill the obligations of MEA. The second level tool is the Governmental Decision on accession, but this tool can be used mainly only for additional protocols if they follow already ratified documents and do not have financial implications. Generally Latvia can be mentioned among the leaders in the region in the work with MEAs. The international conventions Latvia is a party to play an important role in its national environmental policy development. In early 2002 the Aarhus convention and the UNCCD are in the process of negotiations with other ministries before the governmental readings. Readings in the Parliament and ratification is planned for summer this year.
In order to acquire the status of an EU member state, Latvia has already accomplished a lot to harmonize its legislation with the EU. The European Community recognized Latvia’s achievements and the negotiation chapter “Environment” was closed in fall 2001. Some MEAs are making sufficient part of the EU Acquis Communitaire with particular stress on FCCC, Aarhus, Montreal Protocol, Basel Convention and others. Transposition of the EU directives requirements is very much related to the additional capacity development needs and substantial investments that will have to take place in coming years in order to fulfill EU requirements in different sectors of the national economy.
Institutional setting
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MoEPRD) has a leading role on the issues related to the global environmental conventions. It is the central executive institution in the area of environmental protection, nature protection, regional development and spatial planning, tourism, building and housing development. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development has the following main duties:
¨ prepare and implement the national policy for environmental protection, nature protection, preservation and rational use of natural resources, planning of regional development, development of tourism, hydrometeorology, construction, housing and exploitation of subsoil;
¨ draft legal acts within its jurisdiction, harmonizing them with the Government mission statement, requirements of the European Agreement and the European Commission, as well as ensure their implementation.
Taking into account that environmental management issues are very much linked to many branches of the national economy, ministries other than MoEPRD also play an important role in the process of global environmental management. For instance, the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for land degradation and forestry issues, the Ministry of Economic Affairs – for national economy planning and energy sector development related issues, the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transportation, etc.
The line ministries are mainly involved in the process of the policy document development through working/steering groups/committees ensuring integration of the environmental policy issues into the other policy documents. However the existing mechanism of inter-ministerial cooperation and information exchange is an informal one based on concrete projects or particular policy issues which does not necessarily ensure sustainability of the inter-ministerial cooperation.
Biodiversity – status and related activities
On 5 June 1992, Latvia signed the Rio de Janeiro Convention on Biological Diversity, which was ratified in 1995 by the Parliament of Latvia. This confirmed the willingness to adhere to the convention and to integrate it into national policy. To co-ordinate implementation of State interests and international commitments, the Cabinet of Ministers (10 February 1999) accepted Rule “On Implementation of the 5 June 1992 Rio de Janeiro Convention “On Biological Diversity””, under which an inter-ministerial Commission was formed.
The National Program on Protection of Biological Diversity in Latvia was developed with the financial and organizational aid of the Global Environmental Facility through the United Nations Development Programme. The goal of the National Program on Biological Diversity is to promote sustainable use of natural resources, at the same time protecting nature by regulating nature protection at the State, municipal and public levels to ensure implementation of international commitments, and to help foreign and local businesses in recognizing priorities for investment and technical aid projects.
On 16 May 2000, the Government of Latvia adopted the National Biodiversity Programme (Programme). The National Programme includes a number of priority areas: the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, beach and dunes, rivers and lakes, forests, mires, crop fields, meadows and pastures, exposed sedimentary bedrock and caves, karst sink-holes, urban ecosystems, species protection, protection of crop and livestock breed, instruments and prerequisites for environmental policy. It covers the period of 2000-2006. Many of the actions planned for this period will support implementation/adoption of EU Directives and international commitments (Helsinki Convention, Rio de Janeiro Convention, recommendations of Helsinki Commission, Bern Convention, Ramsar Convention, Bonn Convention, and others). The implementation will be supported by funds from the State Budget, the Latvian Environmental Protection Funds, bilateral donors and multilateral financing institutions.
Since the adoption of the National Biodiversity Program, the Government of Latvia has undertaken several measures towards the full implementation of the Programme. In the field of legislation more than 30 legislative acts directly related to the goal of the Programme have been either adopted or are at different stages of preparation.
In the field of international cooperation, the MoEPRD is now firmly ensuring that the objectives of project proposals submitted to international funding agencies closely follow the priorities set by the National programme. Several donors are helping Latvia to meet the goals of the Programme, among them the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Swedish EPA, the International Co-operation Agency of Japan, the Ministry of Environment of Finland, the Government of the Netherlands, and also UNDP/GEF.
The main related activities and studies:
· “Enabling Activity National Biodiversity Strategy, Action Plan and Country Report to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biodiversity” (GEF/UNDP – LAT/97/G32), 1998
· “Priority Capacity Building for Biodiversity and establishment of CHM Structure” (GEF/UNDP – LAT/01/G31), commenced in September 2001and will be finalized in June 2002
· Inventories Of Species and Habitats, Development of Management Plans and Capacity Building in relation to Approximation to EU Birds
· and Habitats Directives (1998-2000), Supported by DANCEE, implemented by DARUDEC
· Preparation for Latvia’s Compliance with the EMERALD and Natura 2000 Networks of Protected areas (2001-2003), supported by DANCEE, implemented by DARUDEC
· Implementation of Latvian Biodiversity Action Plan: Institutional Development and Capacity Building, (2001-2003), supported by DANCEE, implemented by CarlBro
Climate change – status and related activities
Latvia takes part in the global climate change mitigation process and has acceded, together with many other countries, to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted by the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Parliament of the Republic of Latvia has ratified the Convention on February 23, 1995 and since March 23, 1995 Latvia is a Party to the Convention thus undertaking to implement a range of activities to fulfill internationally adopted commitments.
Pursuant to the Convention, the Parties, including Latvia, should annually present to the Conference of the Parties the report on GHG emissions and removals in the state. Furthermore, Latvia must draft the National Communication providing information not only about GHG emissions and removals, but also highlighting the implemented and adopted policies and measures to fulfil the commitments prescribed in the Convention.
In 2001 Latvia submitted its 3rd National Communication of the Republic of Latvia under the UNFCCC. It contains information on GHG emissions and removals in the period between 1995 and 2000. The newest projections testify that GHG emissions in the baseline in 2010 will equal to 45% below the level in 1990, but in the scenario “with measurements” – 51% below the level in 1990. According to the Kyoto Protocol of Climate Convention Latvia, alone or in a joint action with another country, by 2008 – 2012 should reach the level when anthropogenic CO2, CH4, N2O, HFC, PFC and SF6 emissions, expressed in the aggregate format, are 8% below the level of emissions in 1990. Judging the present trends, this goal for Latvia is quite realistic, but the further fulfilment of the UNFCC requirements regarding reporting and inventories of the GHG emissions and sinks, as well as use of flexible mechanisms will require substantial additional capacity.
Latvia is also the first country that has signed the Joint Implementation (JI) project with the Prototype carbon fund – development of the solid waste management system in Liepaja region[1]. The project includes collection of LFG and utilization for generation of electricity.
The main related activities and studies:
· Climate Change Mitigation Policy Plan for Latvia, 1998.
· How to mitigate climate change. Study on the assessment of policy and technology option in Energy and Forestry sectors in Latvia. Summary. Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia. Riga, 1998.
· How to mitigate climate change. II parts. Policies and measures for GHG emissions reduction in Latvia. Industry, agriculture and waste management. Summary. Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia. Riga, 2000.
· Background analytical material for JI strategy and action plan, 2001.
· The 3rd National Communication report, 2001.
· The Cabinet of Ministers has established inter-ministerial working group for development of the JI strategy in Latvia. It should be finalized and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in September 2002.
· Study by NGOs – JI and housing issues.
Land degradation – status and related activities
Latvia has not yet ratified the Convention to Combat Desertification, but has an intention to do so in 2002. Currently Latvia is conducting the preparation process and therefore the issues related to the synergies between climate change and biodiversity play an especially important role in capacity development in this sphere. The CCD has been translated and prepared for negotiations with other ministries. During 2001 preliminary investigations were already made to evaluate the possible impacts from erosion, solid rains, lost fertility etc., as well as to calculate raft costs for implementing the action plan according to the Annex 5.