1. DEREL TEMPUS 511001-2010 DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCES ENGINEERING LEARNING DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCES ENGINEERING LEARNING DEREL Ohrid workshop, March 31 st, April 1 st, 2011 PROGRAMME: TEMPUS SUB-PROGRAMME: JOINT PROJECTS ACTION: CURRICULAR REFORM

2. Environmental problems in Macedonia (s imilar to those in the other countries in the region) The environmental problems can be grouped according to the environmental media and areas of their appearance: - Problems with the waste management (municipal, industrial, hazardous, non-hazardous, radioactive and other types of waste); - There is no integrated system for waste management (NO organized integrated waste collection, transport, treatment or disposal at the landfills constructed in accordance with modern standards);

3. - One of the main reasons is the poor information and the accessibility of public to information on municipal waste, medical waste, industrial waste, radioactive waste and their risks to people’s health and to the environment; - Problems with the water management (water resources pollution and absence of integrated effluent water treatment (households and industrial) on the whole territory of the country; - Air pollution, with different intensity in different parts of the country; - Soil contamination, resulting in contamination of agricultural products with inadequate quality that originate from the areas with contaminated soils.

4. - The environmental monitoring system is insufficiently developed - Historical environmental measurement data are missing, - The past and current status of the condition of the environment media could not be determined accurately

5. Macedonia has a large number of laws and underlaw acts in the environmental area harmonized with the European union legislation. Major weakness is the need for completion of the existing legal frame with the necessary secondary legislation; Secondary legislation should provide the appropriate mechanisms for monitoring and legislation enforcement, as well as appropriate capacity introducing on all levels.

6. The environmental problems get more severe because of: - Absence of clear allocation of responsibilities between the numerous involved bodies; - Absence of functional connection between the local and the national level; - The new responsibilities and tasks are not easily taken over by the units of the local self- government; - Models for exchange of experience and significant capacity increase are necessary.

7. - Weak capacities of the units of the local self- government in all domains of environmental protection; - Establishment and maintenance of all environmental media and areas; - completion of the national environmental information system; - establishment of inspection, law enforcement, monitoring, issuing of B environmental integrated licenses and parts of other responsibilities according to the EU requirements and the local conditions.

8. - Lack of complete and accurate data regarding the polluting substances and polluters; - Lack of integrated approach to environmental problems solving, especially in the areas of water resources management and waste management; - Lack of capital investments to finance the needed upgrading of the infrastructure in water resources management and waste management; - The processes for setting up an efficient system for environment protection in the Republic of Macedonia.

9. - The general awareness of the environment in Macedonia is at a low level; - The understanding of the environmental problems is insufficient; - People are not aware of their own responsibility and role as producers of waste and actors in reduction of waste. - There is limited knowledge of the notion of landfill that is planned and managed in compliance with the EU standards; - People are used to accept the illegal waste disposal.

10. The greatest investments are needed in: -Integrated pollution prevention and control - Integrated regional waste management - Water, wastewater and waste management - Industrial hotspots - Sewerage (sanitation) projects - Air quality management

11. The greatest investments are needed in: - Climate and nature protection - Management of hazardous and clinical waste - Water supply and wastewater collection and treatment - Recycling and recovery projects in the area of municipal solid waste -Clean development mechanisms (CDM) projects, that is invest in projects that reduce GHG emissions and contribute to sustainable development - Institutional Strengthening

12. Competitiveness of the EU eco-industry Core eco-indistries: - Eco-construction (sustainable construction or environmental building) - Air pollution control - Collection and treatment of waste and sewage - Renewable energy - Recycling / recycled materials

13. Competitiveness of the EU eco-industry In 2008 employment in the EU eco-industry reaches approximately 3.4 million. Total turnover is estimated to be more than 300 billion €. The average growth in nominal terms is at a rate of about 7% to 8% per year On average for the period 2004-2006 the productivity of the EU eco- industry and its growth rates were higher compared to manufacturing.

14. Competitiveness of the EU eco-industry Renewable energy, eco-construction and air pollution control are the sub-sectors that have a relatively higher average productivity than manufacturing; Recycling and waste treatment and collection have lower productivity values; In terms of productivity growth the eco-industry rates are higher than in manufacturing for all sub-sectors except sanitation and remediation.

15. Competitiveness of the EU eco-industry Only renewable energy has substantial higher average profitability rates than the EU manufacturing industry. The other eco-industry sub-sectors have lower of similar profitability rates, even eco-construction and air pollution control. The EU takes a leading role with market shares from 30% to 50% depending on the particular sub-sector. Sub-sectors where the EU is in a leading global position are recycling (50%), water supply (30%) and renewable energy (40%). In other areas such as bio-fuels BRIC countries are in the lead.

16. Competitiveness of the EU eco-industry The technical evolutions and progress in the field of eco- innovation have changed the required labour skills. There is an increased need for new skills and a higher skill-level. The educating and training of the current labour force and a revision of the inflexible labour market regulations are required in order EU to stay competitive.