Global Environment Outlook 3 (GEO 3)

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STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND POLICY RETROSPECTIVE: 1972–2002

CEE countries, and the introduction of economic instruments has had an impact. For example, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has made funding available for infrastructure improvements in the transition countries in cooperation with HELCOM. However, the slow transformation of large, polluting, state-owned enterprises continues to present obstacles. The recently adopted European Water Framework Directive provides a strong instrument for the control of pollutants and monitoring in the catchment and coastal areas and improvement of water quality for all EU States and incoming accession States. A recent example of a non-binding agreement at the global level is the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land- based Activities (GPA). Its implementation will require new forms of collaboration between governments, organizations and institutions concerned with marine and coastal areas at all levels — national, regional and global. Although still in its early stages, the interest and commitment shown by governments in Europe are encouraging. Management which aims at harmonizing the various, sometimes conflicting, uses of the coastal zone. In regions such as the Baltic Sea, bordered by several independent nations, transboundary and international cooperation is a basic requirement. The main challenge in coastal areas is the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone

Hazards and contingency planning for oil spills

The main principles for international cooperation in preparedness for and response to marine pollution incidents are defined by the Emergency Protocol to the Barcelona Convention. In order to assist coastal states in its implementation, the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) was established in Malta in 1976. Since 1977, REMPEC has systematically collected reports on incidents causing or likely to cause pollution of the sea by oil. Some 311 incidents were recorded between August 1977 and December 2000, 156 of which actually resulted in the spillage of oil. Spill response operations in the Mediterranean between 1981 and 2000 were regularly conducted either by national or local authorities or by the spill clean-up contractors under their supervision. To date, nearly 2 000 people have participated in a training programme developed by REMPEC to assist coastal states in developing their own capabilities for effective responses to pollution incidents. The only case that necessitated mutual assistance between neighbouring countries (France and Italy) was the spill from the tanker Haven near Genoa in Italy, with the loss of 144 000 tonnes of oil in 1991.

Source: REMPEC 2000

reduce emissions, losses and discharges of hazardous wastes with the ultimate aim of achieving concentrations near background values for naturally occurring substances and close to zero for synthetic substances by 2020 (HELCOM 1998). Some states have difficulties in implementing their obligations under these agreements, and this reduces the effectiveness of regional MEAs such as MAP and the Black Sea Convention. Assistance programmes from wealthier states may play an important role in improving implementation and compliance in relation to regional and sub-regional MEAs. Enforcement has improved significantly in some

References: Chapter 2, coastal and marine areas, Europe

Mnatsakanian, R. (1992). Environmental Legacy of the Former Soviet Republics. Edinburgh, Centre for Human Ecology, University of Edinburgh OSPAR (2001). Liquid Discharges from Nuclear Installations in 1999 http://www.ospar.org/eng/html/welcome.html [Geo- 2-241] REMPEC (2001). Alerts and Accidents. Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea http://www.rempec.org/accidents.html Yablokov, A.V. (1993). Facts and Problems Related to Radioactive Waste Disposal in Seas Adjacent to the Territory of the Russian Federation . Materials for a report by the Government Commission on Marrwe Related to Radioactive Waste Disposal at Sea, Created by Decree No. 613 of the Russian Federation President October 24, 1992. Moscow, Office of the President of the Russian Federation

EEA (2001). Environmental Signals 2001. Environmental Assessment Report No 8. Copenhagen, European Environment Agency EUCC (1997). The European Coastal Code – EUCC, Draft 2. A contribution to Action Theme 5 of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy . Leiden, European Union for Coastal Conservation HELCOM (1998). Recommendations 19/5 HELCOM Objective with Regard to Hazardous Substances. Helsinki, Helsinki Commission HELCOM (2001). Environment of the Baltic Sea area 1994 -1998. Baltic Sea Environmental Proceedings No. 82A. Helsinki, Helsinki Commission MAP and REMPEC (1996a). List of alerts and accidents in the Mediterranean . Athens, UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan MAP and REMPEC (1996b). A n Overview of Maritime Transport in the Mediterranean. Athens, United Nations Environment Programme

Bryant, D., Rodenburg, E., Cox, T. and Nielsen, D. (1995). Coastlines at Risk: An Index of Potential Development-Related Threats to Coastal Ecosystems. WRI Indicator Brief. Washington DC, World Resources Institute CORINE (1998). CORINE Coastal Erosion Atlas. Luxembourg, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities EEA (1999a). State and Pressures of the Marine and Coastal Mediterranean Environment. Environmental Assessment Series No. 5. Copenhagen, European Environment Agency EEA (1999b). Environment in the European Union at the Turn of the Century. Environmental Assessment Report No 2. Copenhagen, European Environment Agency EEA (2000). Environmental Signals 2000. Environmental Assessment Report No 6. Copenhagen, European Environment Agency