UN ECE CEP Working Group on Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 7th Session Geneva 27 – 29 November 2006 Item 5(a) Draft Guidelines on Indicator based Environmental Reports (in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia) Prepared by the Workshop on the Application of Environmental Indicators and on Indicator-based Environmental Reports (Donetsk 31 October – 2 November 2006)

Introduction Indicators based environmental reports = modern way of environmental reporting. Indicator based environmental reports should replace „classical“ descriptive reports. EECCA countries should either to switch to this new form of reporting or to start with it. „Kiev Guidelines“ are expected to be almost fully replaced by these new guidelines (with the exception of provisions on supporting frameworks which remain valid).

Background (1) The main message of indicator based environmental reports is the presentation of the core set of (35) EECCA environmental indicators, as presented in the „Indicator Application Guidelines“. If decided so, this core set can be supplemented by additional country-specific indicators.

Background (2) DPSIR Analytical Framework - Driving Forces (energy sector based on fossil fuels) - Pressures (emissions into the air) - State (poor quality of air) - Impact (risk for human health) - Response (Clean Air Act)

Content of the Report The report should include the following chapters: A.Introduction B.General Framework C.Environmental Indicators D.Comparisons E.System of Environmental Protection F.Conclusions and Recommendations G.Annexes

Chapter A: Introduction This chapter should include the following issues: - Brief description o objectives, purpose and content - Authors (editorial team, board) - List of data providing institutions - Evaluators

Chapter B: General Framework This chapter should include the following issues: Brief description of the country Basic geographical information, natural resources, economic activities, population, etc General social and economic indicators GDP, area, population, etc

Chapter C: Environmental Indicators This chapter should include the following issues: Core Set of EECCA Environmental Indicators ( 35 indicators described in the „Indicator Application Guidelines“) Optional country specific indicators ( e.g. noise pollution, radioactivity, radioactive wastes, oil discharges into waters, status of glaciers, fishery related indicators, impact of natural disasters)

Chapter D: Comparison This chapter should include the following issues: - Mandatory comparison with neighboring countries - Recommended comparison with all EECCA countries - Optional comparison with any other country /countries Core set of EECCA environmental indicators is a basis for international comparison.

Chapter E: System of Environmental Protection This chapter should include all necessary information which cannot be presented by indicators, for instance: - System of state administration in the field of environment - System of environmental monitoring - Economic instruments - Public participation - Policy response (e.g. environmental investments, number of companies certified under ISO etc.) - Major environmental projects - International commitments

Chapter F: Conclusions and Recommendations This chapter should include the following issues: - Executive summary, describing environmental problems, risks and negative trends, - Table with all core set of EECCA indicators filled with suitable graphical symbols (good, bad, no future problems, attention) - Policy recommendations

General Recommendations on the Presentation of Indicators Each indicator should be presented in the following way: - Brief definition and purpose (within DPSIR framework) - The latest value (values in several forms) - Time series data (where available) - National projections / predictions - International target (if any) - National policy goals and targets - SWOT analysis (table describing strong points, weak points, positive expectations and negative expectations) - Recommendations - Graph, diagram or map (supplementary – must not replace numerical values) - Source of information (+ website)

Example of SWOT analysis Emissions of pollutants (dust, SO 2,, and NO X ) into atmospheric air - Czech Republic Strong pointsWeak points Emissions of all 3 pollutants decreased dramatically between 1990 and 2000 (due to the restructuring national economy accompanied by active emission reduction measures). After 2000, the emissions values are stabilized. Decoupling from the economic growth is in place. Present emissions of SO 2 are fairly below the target while NO x emissions are at its level. Actual dust emissions are slightly above national target. Regardless the substantial decrease in dust emissions, country still suffers from considerable exceedance of air quality limit values for PM 10 (see indicator Air quality in urban areas). Per capita as well as per km 2 emission values are higher than the EU-15 average in the case of both sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Positive expectationsNegative expectations Emissions of all three pollutants are expected to decrease till National emission ceiling will be complied with very high probability in the case of sulphur dioxide and with certain probability in the case of nitrogen oxides. Risk of non-compliance with the national emission ceiling for NO X is still high (reserve is 3.5 % only). In the case of dust, the expected reduction of emissions by 4 % till 2010 will most probably not be sufficient to solve the problem with PM 10 or to achieve the proposed national target.

Specific Recommendations, territorial reports Specific recommendations were drafted for each of core indicators – mostly focused on the way of presentation of indicator itself and on presentation of additional information to enable full understanding of the indicator´s meaning. Territorial reports are recommended to be prepared in the same format as the national reports but some specific recommendations are formulated for them, including potential sources of data and information.