Caucasus Regional workshop on the EECCA core set of indicators and Guidelines for Methodology of their Preparation for the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia

October 23- 25, 2006, Tbilisi, Georgia

Workshop Report

The meeting was organised by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and UNEP/DEWA~Europe. The main objectives of the Workshop were:

·  to contribute to the improvement of the UNECE draft Guidelines for the application of environmental indicators in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA); and

·  to improve the quality of the core indicators, and assessments made based on EECCA indicators produced using international and selected national data sets, as input to the EEA report ‘Environment for Europe: Fourth assessment’ (Belgrade Report -2007).

The Workshop also addressed longer-term strategic issues of capacity building and cooperation in the area of environmental information, through development of some qualitative and quantitative indicators for the Belgrade Report.

The Workshop gathered different representatives and indicator experts from the Environmental and Statistical agencies from Caucasus countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, representatives from EEA, UNEP/GRID-Arendal and International consultants (Annex 2: list of participants). The participants of the Workshop were invited to address in great detail the following topic areas: water, energy, transport and waste.

1.  Mr. Zaal Lomtadze Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia address the meeting. As a chairman of UNECE CEP he has underlined the regional importance of the meeting and importance for all “Environment for Europe” process.

2.  Mr. Asim Acikel (EEA) opened and welcomed the meeting and asked participants to present themselves. Participants adopted the Agenda of the Workshop (Annex 3).

3.  Session I. (day 1). General overview on the progress of development and use of environmental indicators and reporting system in EECCA Mr. Asim Acikel presented the General overview on the progress of development and use of environmental indicators and reporting systems in EECCA He has reviewed EECCA indicators development in the broader context of indicator-work, importance for the Belgrade’s Report 2007, place of EECCA data in the report and EEA ongoing work. He also presented web-page for Belgrade report.

4.  Mr. Alexander Shekhovtsov (consultant from Russia) introduced UNECE “Revised guidelines for the application of environmental indicators in EECCA”. He underlined the importance of environmental indicators and defined the areas where indicators could be used. Consultant reviewed the history of elaboration of EECCA indicators, role of Expert group of UNECE WGMA, international documents which were used (CSD, WHO and EEA Indicators, UNSD/UNEP questionnaire), as well as national experiences of EECCA countries.

5.  Ms. Elena Veligosh (UNEP/GRID-Arendal) presented the history of EEA and use of indicators and reason of its development. She has elaborated on criteria for selection of EEA core set of indicators and issues related to practical use of EEA core set of indicators. Special attention was paid on explanation of quantitative and qualitative indicators. Participants from the countries put the questions about frequency of EEA indicators changing and institution who can adopt indicators at national level. Ms. Veligosh explained that changing is depending from current environmental policy and adoption from designated institution.

6.  Mr. Alexander Shekhovtsov presented the results/examples and experiences of Russian Federation and Uzbekistan in the development of environmental indicators. He analyzed indicators which were used in Russian Federation in the field of water and air pollution, forestry and protected areas. Uzbekistan was first from EECCA countries that got international assistance (UNDP) for the elaboration of environmental indicators. Totally 91 indicators were endorsed by the Committee of Nature Protection (68 from international documents and 23 country specific) and there is an official document on indicators guidelines issued in 2005. Questions were rose about procedures of receiving international assistance in this field.

7.  Ms. Ljubov Gornaja (EEA expert, Estonia) presented the aims, structure and work process for EECCA environmental data compendium. Expert presented sources of environmental and socio-economic data for EECCA countries, also the overview on data availability for producing the key environmental indicators from EECCA CSI.

Ms. Ljubov Gornaja presented the water indicators, namely renewable freshwater resources, freshwater abstraction (water exploitation index, water use by sectors), water losses, household water use per capita. The participants considered the definitions of the indicators, data availability and data sets for calculation of water indicators. Then expert presented the fact sheet and assessment on freshwater abstraction indicator. Expert provided participants with indicators on freshwater abstraction and household water use per capita calculated for each country and asked to make assessment and send back in three weeks.

8.  Session II (day 2) Assessing EECCA indicators produced on the basis of data available from international sources and selected national sources: definitions, data sources, improvement of assessments

Ms. Ljubov Gornaja continued the presentation of water indicators, namely reuse and recycling of freshwater in manufacturing industries and non-treated wastewater and data for Caucasus countries.. Country representatives expressed big interest, but requested to check some raw data used for indicators calculation. Ms.Veligosh asked countries to check data in their agencies and send correct data in three weeks.

Mr. Shekhovtsov presented the uncalculated indicators and discussed on gap filling. Questions raised by participants about titles of indicators and their calculations.

Then the water subchapter of the Belgrade report was considered and key messages were discussed.

9.  Ms. Elena Veligosh presented transport indicators, namely passenger transport demand, Freight transport demand, road traffic accidents, mortality and injury rate. The participants considered definitions of the indicators, relevance to the policy, data sources and data sets. Questions rose again about terminology and checking information. Participant discussed the role and place of pipeline transport. Then the expert presented the fact sheets on freight transport demand which will be included in the compendium. Participants contributed to the improvement of the assessment. Some data gaps were filled. Then the transport chapter of the Belgrade report was considered and comments collected by the expert.

10.  Ms. Ljubov Gornaja presented energy indicators, namely final energy consumption, total energy consumption, total energy intensity, renewable energy consumption. The participants considered the definitions of the indicators, data availability and data sets for calculation of the energy indicators. Azerbaijan delegation put a question about difficulties of renewable energy consumption calculations. Ms. Gornaja answered that following data on renewable energy consumption for all 12 EECCA countries are available from the International Energy Agency for 1992-2004: combustible renewables and waste, geothermal energy, hydro energy, and solar/wind energy. Then expert presented the fact sheet and assessment on total energy intensity. Participants discussed and contributed to the improvement of the assessment. Then the energy sub-chapter of the Belgrade report was considered and key messages were discussed.

11.  Ms. Elena Veligosh presented waste indicators and assessments in the Belgrade Report. Four indicators were reviewed. Participants considered definition, difficulties related to classifications of wastes and data collection as well as the necessity of gap filling. All country representatives provided input to the relevant chapter of the Belgrade report. The expert collected the comments.

12. Session III (day 3). Gap filling for other environmental indicators

Mr. Shekhovtsov introduced other indicators from UNECE guidelines on EECCA indicators and underlined their importance for Belgrade Report, also gave information about future steps in this field. Participants of the meeting drafted resolution of the meeting (Annex 1).

13. Closure of the Workshop.

Delegations mentioned that the meeting was very useful for them and expressed their gratitude to the organizers of the workshop and all experts for their contribution

Resolution Annex 1

Representatives of three countries - participants of the meeting (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia) have considered draft of documents (on sections "transport", "water", "waste", and "energy"):

- Guidelines for the application of environmental indicators in EECCA countries,

- Relevant chapters of the Belgrade Report

- The proposal for the Compendium of EECCA Environmental Indicators

Representatives of the countries commented the mentioned above documents and proposed a number of changes and additions

Representatives of the countries have suggested:

·  To Alexander Shehovtsov, UNECE consultant, to make proposals and additions elaborated at the Tbilisi meeting, on sections "transport", "water", "waste", and “energy” for completion of Guidelines for the application of environmental indicators in EECCA countries.

Analytical data Compendium

·  Recognize that the prepared indicators fact sheets (« Freshwater abstraction », "Freight transport demand" and "Total Energy intensity") and assessment presented to the participants are adequate. The proposed improvements should be made for the first draft of the compendium. Indicators should be includes in the EECCA Analytical Environmental Indicators Compendium.

Gap filling

·  In order to fill the gaps , representatives of the countries will provide data to Mrs. Ljubov Gornaja on the basis of the documents (excel tables) provided in electronic version prior to and during the workshop.

·  UNEP will inform participants of the workshop on process of compilation of the analytical environmental indicators compendium

·  Countries will be invited for consultation of the first draft of the analytical environmental indicators compendium and additional information for gap filling will be provided

·  Establish term for providing data for gap filing of the data from the countries - 3 weeks.

List of Participants. Annex 2

Armenia.
Mr. Gennadi Kojoyan
Adviser of the Minister
Ministry of Nature Protection
Mr. Yurik Pogosyan
Member
State Council on Statistics
National Statistic Service
Azerbaijan
Mr. Lahuti Aliyev
Director
National Monitoring Department
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources
Mr. Yusif Yusifov
Head
Transport and Communication Statistics Sector
State Statistical Committee
Georgia
Mr. Zaal Lomtadze
Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources
Mr. Ramaz Chitanava
Head
Department of Hydrometeorology
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources
Ms. Nino Sharashidze
Deputy Head
Department of International Relations and Conventions.
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources
Ms. Maia Javakhishvili
Senior Specialist
Department of Sustainable Development
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources
Mr. Giorgi Kvinikadze
Head
Agriculture and Ecology Statistics Division
Department of Statistics
Ministry of Economic Development
Mr. Merab Sharabidze
Consultant
European Environment Agency
Mr.Asim Acikel
Tacis Project Coordinator
Ms. Ljubov Gornaja
EEA consultant
Associate Professor
Tallinn University
UNEP/GRID- Arendal
Ms. Elena Veligosh
Project Officer
UNECE
Mr. Alexander Shekhovtsov
UNECE consultant
Deputy Director
Centre of International Projects
Ministry of Natural Resources / 3rd Government Building, Republic Square
375010 Yerevan
Ph. +37410 585 349
Fax. +37410 585 469
E-m. ,

3rd Government Building, Republic Square
0010 Yerevan
Ph. +37410 524 618
Fax. + 37410 521 921
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Haydar Aliyev Av. 50
370073 Baku
Ph. +99412 441 51 23
Fax. ++99412 441 51 23
E-m.
Inshaatcilar av. 235
Az 1136, Baku
Ph. +99412 438 90 70
Fax. + 99412 438 24 42
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6 Gulua st.
0171, Tbilisi
Ph./fax. + 99532 275 723
Ph. +99577 42 40 04
E-m.
150 Agmashenebeli av.
0112, Tbilisi
Ph./Fax.+99532 95 50 06
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6 Gulua st.
0171, Tbilisi
Ph./fax. + 99532 275 723
E-m.
6 Gulua st.
0171, Tbilisi
Ph./fax. + 99532 275 743

Gamsakhurdia av 4
0102 Tbilisi
Ph/Fax. +99532 337 026

Digomi 1kv. 3b korp.apt. 53
0159 Tbilisi
Ph. +99532 522 224
Mobile.+ 99599 232 224
E-m.
Kongens Nytrov 6.
Dk-1050, Copenhagen K
Ph. +45 3336 7289
fax. +45 3336 7128
E-m.
25 Narva st
EE-10120 Tallinn
Ph. +372 6409 466
Fax. + 372 6409 418
E-m.
Longum Park Service Box 706
N-4808, Arendal Norway
Ph.+ 47 370 35 764
Fax. + 47 370 35 464
E-m.
Pervomaiskaya 58 B
105043 Moscow
Ph. + 7495 165 56 70
fax. + 7495 165 08 90
E-m.

CAUCASUS REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

Tbilisi 23-25.10.2006. Annex 3

AGENDA

DAY ONE
Monday, 23 October 2006
10.00 – 17.00

Welcome and opening

10.00 – 10.40 / Zaal Lomtadze, Deputy Environmental Ministry, Georgia
Welcome by Mr. Asim Acikel, Project coordinator ‘EEA Tacis project Support to the European Environmental Agency data collection in EECCA’
Presentation of the EEA, UNECE and UNEP/Grid-Arendal experts and national participants
Session I

General overview on the progress of development and use of environmental indicators and reporting systems in EECCA

10.40 – 11.00 / EECCA indicators development in the broader context of indicator-work.
Overview on the Belgrade’s Report 2007 draft. Place of EECCA countries in the report, ect. Asim Acikel, EEA Tacis coordinator, Denmark
11.00 – 11.10 / UNECE WGEMA ‘Revised guidelines for the application of environmental indicators in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia’ Mr. Alexander SHEKHOVTSOV, UNECE consultant, Deputy Director, Centre of International Projects, Ministry of Natural Resources, Russian Federation
11.10 – 11.30 / EEA core set of Indicators. History, selection and practical use.
Quantitative and qualitative indicators.
Elena Veligosh, UNEP/GRID
11.30 – 12.00 / Coffee/tea break
12.00 – 12.15 / Results/examples and experiences achieved from existing initiatives in the field of indicators (Uzbekistan, Russian Federation)
Mr. Alexander SHEKHOVTSOV, UNECE consultant, Deputy Director, Centre of International Projects, Ministry of Natural Resources, Russian Federation
12.15– 12.30 / EECCA environmental data compendium, aims, production process, role of participants.
Ms. Ljubov Gornaja, EEA Expert on EECCA Environmental Indicators , Associated Professor, Tallinn University, Estonia
12.30 – 14.00 / Water indicators (part I)
Presentation: Renewable Fresh Water Resources, Water abstraction (Water exploitation index, Water use by sector), Water losses, Ms. Ljubov Gornaja
Discussion
14.00 – 15.00 / Lunch
15.00 – 16.30 / Water indicators (part II)
Presentation: Household water use per capita, Reuse of freshwater in manufacturing industries, Non-treated urban wastewater, Ms. Ljubov Gornaja
Discussion
16.30 – 17.00 / Conclusions of the day one
18.00-21.00 / Reception
DAY TWO
Tuesday, 24 October 2006
09.30 – 18.00
Session II

Assessing EECCA indicators produced on the basis of data available from international sources and selected national sources: definitions, data sources, improvement of assessments

9.30 – 11.00 / Water indicators (part III)
Presentation of the uncalculated indicators. Discussion on gap filling.
Mr. Alexander Shekhovtsov
10.00 – 10.30
10.30 – 12.00 / Transport indicators