Black Sea, Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis, Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea

BACKGROUND 1992 Bucharest Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution; and its protocols on LBS, dumping, and oil pollution  6 coastal states with no outside intervention  modeled partially on UNEP Regional Seas Programme and partially HELCOM; Secretariat by the Parties  a legal & diplomatic tool,  swift ratification, problems in setting up and funding the regional coordinating mechanism  call to UNEP for its assistance in preparing an Action Plan in view of lacking capacity and funds

GEF INTERVENTION A series of projects ( ) funded by GEF and other donors, mainly Phare & Tacis which largely became known as Black Sea Environmental Programme Odessa Declaration, a common but interim policy statement to guide the implementation of the Convention: a more comprehensive and explicit commitment by the Governments’ towards sustainable development and principles underlying that; call renewed to GEF, political commitment expressed

GEF project (BSEP)  improved the capacity to assess and manage  supported development of common policies, and  facilitated preparation of investments networked institutions, thematic RACs and Working Parties-Advisory Groups TOWARDS THE TDA  thematic national assessments were integrated at regional level – regional network of experts; includes analyses of HOT SPOTS (49)  gaps in data partially compensated by special studies and data from international scientific surveys  regional thematic reports analysed for transboundary causes and impacts of environmental degradation

TDA, 1996  holistic approach; pollution control  living resources management and human development  Examines root causes, and proposes alternatives for action;‘identifies’ possible stakeholders, includes costs of joint actions, and remedial action for hot spots  suggests a jointly agreed interim strategy since complete removal of the threat is not likely in view of economic and social problems: gradual reduction of environmental stress, better understanding of the health of ecosystem, redefined targets: adaptive management regulation, investments, preventive and anticipatory actions

STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN FOR THE PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION OF THE BLACK SEA, 1996, BSSAP  Based on the findings of the TDA, its recommendations negotiated by Governments  Aims a healthy living environment, and a biologically diverse ecosystem to support the livelihoods based on sustainable activities  Sets down the policies of regional cooperation, and identifies policy actions (59); sets timeframes ;describes institutional arrangements; suggests instruments for financing implementation; calls for action at the national (NBSSAPs) and wider basin level

THE TDA, successes, weaknesses and further needs:  based on fragmented data, actual discharges of pollutants not available (rapid assessment method); one-time analysis, data not updated as yet, scientific uncertainties continue Pressures on ecosystem? Level of improvement needed for the health of ecosystem?Efficacy of measures taken? BSERP: status, process and stress reduction indicators to be monitored ; BSIMAP-2003, Basin wide assessment: BS Danube JWG

 Causes and Alternatives for policy actions: limited by insufficient data on sectors causing problems and low level of stakeholder involvement (affordability, viability, local solutions) an in depth causal chain analysis (policy, finance, technology,institutions) and commitments that can feasibly be fulfilled are needed. BSERP: will use GIWA methodology (a reference method for future assessments) and sectoral assessments for identifying not only immediate causes but those stemming from socio-economic origins in priority sectors; sectoral master plans; greater stakeholder involvement through inter-ministerial committees, continuous dialogue with NGOs and main stakeholder groups

BSSAP, successes, weaknesses and further needs:  Behind schedule: assumed functioning institutional set-up [1] and enforcement mechanisms (Black Sea Commission) [1]  continued economic crises, other pressing priorities, Recently, Governments reviewed 6 years of implementation: although there is some progress there’s much to achieve They also revised the Plan, and ‘postponed target dates’ [1][1] 8 years of delay in setting up of the Secretariat, inefficient functioning of the Commission: no compliance monitoring, no dispute settlement mechanisms, weak accountability, no action towards further setting or updating of norms and adopting common objectives (Following establishment of PS, Commission has been speeding up actions as evidenced by the adoption of the Biodiversity and Landscape Protocol, annual reporting, BSIMAP)

 translation of policy objectives into enforcement mechanisms: out of 6 NBSSAPs, only 1 endorsed by the respective Government (ownership and full integration in development is questionable);  BSSAP turned out to be a PLAN rather than a PROGRAMME, a ‘framework’ for collaborative action at regional level, in view of the delay in setting up of the international coordinating mechanism –no acccountability- & absence of NBSSAPs that were expected to detail actions at national and local level and to commit states, institutions, and main stakeholder groups

 Not prioritized in view of real chance of funding; contains full range of actions needed, partially costed :full costing only if costs of action by individual countries are also known BSERP : eutrophication as priority, basin-wide approach, national sectoral master plans; MOU Black Sea & Danube Commissions, EU support  Negotiations basically involved environmental authorities, missing representatives of other sectors and financing institutions,  involvement of stakeholders is limited to a weak involvement of environmental NGOs,

What do people need and what they can afford? The social optimal. assessment and negotiation How to they contribute? commitments and partnerships How do they follow-up of compliance? Two-way communication  Cost-benefit analysis needed for investments as well as structural reforms- both at the national and regional levels  High expectations by Governments and international community largely unmet reducing the momentum for remedying regionally significant problems : Balancing local, national, transboundary interests ; commitment from financial institutions (Partnership Investment Facility, EU accession)

 Setting timeframes: should be based on not only negotiating skills, but on realistic terms in view of national and international sources of financing; Should be tiered to Government programmes for development and to socio-economic dynamics, eg. macroeconomic balances, role of private sector in economy, civic movement, EU accession, Partnership Investment Facility  Maintaining the momentum : mutual accountability throughout the region and basin, performance indicators BS Commission; Black Sea Danube MOU

Post mortem … BS TDA HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL FOR TAKING AN INITIAL SHOT BUT HAS TO BE CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED AND ITS FINDINGS FED INTO THE BSSAP BSSAP HAS TO BE MORE CLOSELY TIERED TO SOCIO-ECONOMIC REALITIES, NATIONAL AND LOCAL CAPABILITIES. IMPROVEMENT ON REGIONAL SCALE IS CRITICALLY DEPENDENT ON IMPROVEMENT AT NATIONAL & LOCAL LEVELS STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND COMMITMENT ENHANCE VIABILTY

INFORMATION BASIS NEEDS TO BE STRENGTHENED AND INFORMATION HAS TO BE SHARED SUCCESS STORIES ARE NEEDED ACCOUNTABILITY SHOULD BE INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES SHOULD BE FULFILLED ALL THROUGH THE BASIN