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REC News
Economic Instruments reportsThe Secretariat of the Sofia Initiative on Economic Instruments at the REC announces the publication of the Sourcebook on Economic Instruments for Environmental Policy in Central and Eastern Europe. The Sourcebook provides an overview of current air and water pollution charges, waste deposit and landfill charges, product charges, user prices (water, sewage, municipal waste and energy sectors), deposit-refund systems and taxes relevant for environmental protection in the region. Drawing on the work of in-country experts in 13 CEE countries, the report compiles country surveys that offer detailed descriptions of environmental charge systems and pricing within the national context. The report offers comparative data and analysis, with particular focus on the capacity of economic instruments to provide incentives and raise revenues for environmental investments. The Sourcebook: Abridged Version (also available in Russian) provides comparative data, regional analysis and an executive review based on the research and findings of the full version. For more info: SIEI@rec.org or visit <www.rec.org/REC/Programs/Sofia Initiatives>.
NGOs needed for EC dialogue
The REC is organising a series of conferences to facilitate dialogue between environmental NGOs in the CEE region and officials in the European Commission (EC) on the subject of accession. The REC is now conducting a search for the best NGOs for involvement in the process. The project, sponsored by the EC's Directorate General XI, aims to encourage open discussions about EU accession between EC staff and representative environmental NGOs from the 11 accession countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia). NGOs from other CEE countries may also be involved. The first conference takes place in Brussels in October. Any NGO wishing to participate is urged to contact the REC. E-mail: <acraciun@rec.org>. For fast processing, put "NGO-EC" in the subject line.
REC participation
The REC Public Participation Program has been asked to be involved in all three Task Forces created at the first meeting of the signatory countries to the Aarhus Convention (see story page 8). For the Pollutant Inventories and Registers Task Force headed by the Czechs, the Program will serve as a cooperative partner. And Magda Toth Nagy, Head of the Program, will join the Advisory Board established to help implement the convention.
Telematics news
From June 21-22, the REC's CAPE team helped organise the 1st Pan-European User Forum and Workshop on Telematics Solutions for Sustainable Development in Munich. The forum reviewed progress in the development and use of telematics (or Information Society Technologies) and discussed future needs and priorities for telematics as tools for assisting environmental management. Priority areas included environmental information for the public and experts, emergency management and disaster warning systems and environmental monitoring systems for air, soil, water and waste. A workshop on the Technical and Organisational Challenges of Data Management focused on the collection and dissemination of environmental information. The CAPE team also composed overviews of CEE local self-government structures and priorities and policies in the field of environment, transport and information technologies in ten EU accession countries and the CEE region. Visit: <http:// www.rec.org/ist/cape>.
ISPA conference
On April 23, over 100 participants attended a REC workshop geared to assisting EU accession countries applying for environmental investment funds. Attendees included representatives of the EC, national environmental funds, environment ministries, international financing institutions, EU member states and municipalities. Discussions focused on preparing environmental investment strategies and ensuring successful implementation of accession-related investment projects. The EC introduced its Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession (ISPA), intended to allocate EUR 1 billion per year for environment and transportation projects in the EU accession countries. Workshop participants discussed possible strategies and saw demonstrations of successful strategies and examples of projects already underway, followed by practical advice on completing the ISPA application. ÒWe want to tell the accession countries that first you must determine your own priority environmental issues and look to see what financing is available rather than letting financial instruments such as ISPA drive the decisions at the country level,Ó said Timo Makela, Head of the EC's DGXI.6 Unit.
REC staff on the move
NEW STAFF
- Stefan Speck - Project Manager, Sofia Initiative on Economic Instruments
- Danco Uzonov - Ecolinks Grants Manager
- Alexandra Orlikova - Programs Project Manager
- Aco Divac - COSD Officer
- Orsolya Szalasi - Cashier
- Laszlo Szabo - Computer Asst.
DEPARTURES
- Etelka Balogh - Finance Mgr.
- Christy Duijvelaar - Head of Grants Department
- Solomon Ioannou - Head of Capacity Building Department
- Jurg Klarer - Project Manager, Sofia Initiative on Economic Instruments
- Betsy Hoffmeister - Grants Project Manager
- Pawel Kazmierczyk - Project Manager Programs
- Veronika Divisova - COSD Officer
- Ann Tartre - Grants Project Officer
- Grazyna Krzywkowska Ð Legal and Public Participation Officer
- Katalin Demeter - Librarian
- Steve Brookes - Capacity Building Intern
- Andras Szentesi - Computer Technician
- Rossen Roussev - Webmaster
Heather Almer, Monika Becker, Jennie Braswell, Ina Cosheru, Laurence Dawson, Nigel Jackson, Rami Ramel, Eszter Solti, Jeff Thomas, Patrick Voller
