1. 4th Meeting of RAC/CP National Focal Points Cleaner Production Status in Albania by: M.Sc. Mirela Kamberi Director of Environmental Pollution Prevention, Ministry of Environment Barcelona, on June 12,2003

2. Introduction to Albania zWith 28,748 km 2, Albania is one of the smallest countries in Europe;Population - 3,411,000 zAlbania has a 476 km-long coastline on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas; zApproximately three fourth of its territory consists of highlands above 300 m: the highest peak is 2,753 m; zForest and woodlands cover 38% of Albania; zAlbania is rich in mineral resources, natural beauty and biodiversity.

3. The environmental context zIndustries using obsolete technology and the fleet of old vehicles are generating much air pollution; zUrban waste and industrial discharges are polluting the soil and surface waters; zPolluted ‘hot spots ‘ often abandoned industrial sites have high concentrations of toxic substances, exposing the local population to health risks and contaminating the surrounding environment

4. Policy framework and institutional arrangements zAlbania established its first Ministry of Environment in September 2001 based on the existing Agency for Environmental Protection;MoE is still small and not powerful zOne of the most important directorates is Environmental Pollution Prevention one zMoE has been restructured during the first part of 2003 with assistance of DFID after which there will be one specialist of CP within DEPP.

5. Policies and strategies zIn the updated NEAP of 2002, the following priorities have been identified: zDeveloping sustainable environmental policies; zpromoting the sustainable use of natural resources; zMonitoring the industrial and urban pollution; zDeveloping an adequate strategy with business on environmental issues.

6. Legal Framework z11 environmental laws passed the Parliament last year and a number of CoM Decisions: zLaw on Environmental Protection; zLaw on Environmental Impact Assessment; zLaw on Air protection; zLaw on Environmental Administration of Solid Waste; zLaw on Environmnetal Treatment of Used Waters

7. Legal Framework zLaw on Sea and Coastal Defense and Protection; zLaw on the Protected Areas; zLaw on Biodiversity; zDecision of CoM on air emissions standards from stationary sources; zDecision of CoM on temporary air emissions standards from stationary sources;

8. Legal Framework zIn the above-mentioned laws is mentioned as principle the rational use of the environment and reduction of discharges into and pollution of the environment, prevention of its damage, rehabilitation and restoration of the damaged environment. zInternational Environmental Conventions and protocols, zProblems with the enforcement.

9. Absence of CP Centre zIn the NEAP 2002 is stated the objective for creation of CP Center; zIn the recommendations of EPR (UNECE 2002) for Albania is stated that: MoE in close cooperation with private sector and line ministries should promote the establishment of a CP Center, which would: conduct environmental audits, provide training and disseminate information on CP, and promote the introduction of ISO 14000 standards.

10. Efforts to create CP Center zMoE has started efoorts to create CP Centre within the framework of UNIDO/UNEP activities for the creation of CP centers in countries in transition, taking into account the positive experience of other countries in transition; zIn March 2003 a mission of UNEP came in Albania and started the process of CP Center creation with the establishment of a Consortium with representatives of MoE, industry and social society.

11. Other experiences in the field zThe functioning of Albanian-EU Energy Efficiency Centre; zExperience with some training in CP offered by Industrial Ecology association and other NGOs; zStill prices of electricity (energy) and water are law to promote the real need of CP Centre; zEnvironmental legislation in place.

12. Current activities zExperience gained through RAC/CP we have intended to spread out through our Regional Environmental Agencies, as ports to industrial business; zWe have been promoting the experiences of our science institutions with small projects from the budget fund; zWe have been promoting and attracting the good experiences of industry itself in the CP

13. Current activities zWe have already listed the enterprises which are using waste recycling technologies and other energy/water/raw materials saving schemes and pay a visist to some of them in Tirana, Korca, etc; zWe have been working with international donors (SIDA, Italian Cooperation) towards identifications of CP potentials in Albania; zWorkshops and seminars have been organised relating to better waste administration, air and water protection where need for Cp tech. has been among conclusions.