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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection continues to exercise the overall management of sustainable development but a National Council for Environment and Sustainable Development (NCESD) (NCDS) is currently under consideration by Parliament and will enter in its functions soon by a special law. All central authorities, including Parliament, Government and Ministries, are represented in this Forum. It is also open to all para-statal bodies and institutions, academic fora, and other organizations, including the private sector, that are interested in national socio-economic development.
The mandate of NCESD is as follows:
Environmental protection matters are particularly complex and concern all sectors: the economic, social and political. The appropriate solution to these matters demands the participation of all polluters, those interested in environmental protection, the public and its elected representatives, non-governmental organizations as well as the state structure. Measures are being taken at all levels - legislative, organizational, institutional, and financial - and a network of specialized monitoring stations has been set up to follow-up on the quality of environmental factors. Romania is committed to fulfilling the agreements of the International Conventions on Environment.
| 1. National Sustainable Development Coordination Body: | IN PROCESS |
| 2. National Sustainable Development Policy: | Elements included in National Strategy for Environmental Protection (1995) |
| 3. National Agenda 21/other strategy for SD: | IN PROCESS |
| 4. Local/Regional Agenda(s) 21: | IN PROCESS |
| 5. Environmental Impact Assessment Law: | YES |
| 6. Major Groups involved in Sustainable Development Decision-Making: | YES |
| 1. Sustainable. Dev. or environmental education incorporated into school curricula: | YES |
| 2. Sustainable Development Indicators Program: | IN PROCESS |
| 3. Ecolabel Regulations: | IN PROCESS |
| 4. Recycle/Reuse Programs: | YES |
| 5. Green Accounting Program: | NO |
| 6. Access to Internet: | YES |
| 7. Access to World Wide Web: | YES |
| 8. A national World Wide Web Site for Sustainable Dev. or State of the Environment: | IN PROCESS |
| Does your country have either a policy, programme, and/or legislation consistent with Agenda 21 in: | |
| 1. Combating poverty: | IN PROCESS |
| 2. Changing consumption and production patterns: | IN PROCESS |
| 3. Atmosphere: | YES |
| 4. Land Use Planning: | IN PROCESS |
| 5. Forest and Deforestation: | YES |
| 6. Desertification and Drought: | IN PROCESS |
| 7. Sustainable Mountain Development: | IN PROCESS |
| 8. Sustainable Agriculture: | IN PROCESS |
| 9. Biological Diversity: | YES |
| 10. Biotechnology: | IN PROCESS |
| 11. Oceans and Coastal Areas: | YES |
| 12. Freshwater Management: | YES |
| 13. Toxic Chemicals: | YES |
| 14. Hazardous Wastes: | IN PROCESS |
| 15. Solid Wastes: | IN PROCESS |
| 16. Radioactive Wastes: | YES |
| 17. Energy: | IN PROCESS |
| 18. Transport: | IN PROCESS |
| 19. Sustainable Tourism: | IN PROCESS |
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Concrete measures have been taken in order to integrate environment and development issues in the decision-making process which include inter alia the coordination of sectoral and environmental strategies. Elements of a sustainable development policy are included in the National Strategy for Environmental Protection which was approved in 1995. A National Strategy for sustainable development is currently under preparation.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available
Programmes and Projects
No information is available
Status
No information is available
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
No information is available
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submissions to the 5th, 6th and 7th Sessions of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: November 1998.
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusThere is a tradition in the country of participation in decision-making by youth and women, and a number of associations that continue to promote this. Women are particularly represented in the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection and in the Local Agencies for Environmental Protection. After 1989 there was a decrease in this participation, but reversing that trend has once again become one of the main preoccupations of the authorities.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submission to the 5th
Session
of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April
1997. Last update:
1 April 1997
For information
on WomenWatch in Romania, click here:
for information on Romania's national plan of action
in the follow-up to the Beijing Conference, click here:
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusThere is a Ministry involved in youth issues, and there is a tradition in the country of youth participation in decision making processes. After 1989 there was a decrease in this participation, but present attention should remedy the situation.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submission to the 5th
Session
of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April
1997. Last update:
1 April 1997
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
There is no information on this topic for Romania.
* * *
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and PlansIn Romania there are over 250 NGOs involved in issues of environmental protection. In 1995 the National Strategy on Environment and the National Action Plan were established with the involvement of Romanian NGOs. They were able to express their points of view and make comments for the improvement of these important documents. In order to present suggestions, workshops were organized to facilitate the exchange of opinions.
The public participation process was applied for the rehabilitation of the energy sector and lignite mining, with the support of the Ministry of Industries, as well as some other governmental bodies. It was a good opportunity to present the strategy for this sector.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submission to the 5th
Session
of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April
1997. Last update: April 1997
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusGovernment plans to support local agenda 21 initiatives.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submission to the 5th
Session
of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April
1997. Last update: April 1997
WORKERS AND UNIONS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusThe role of trade unions is important in Romania, and there is full participation of workers in implementation and evaluation of Agenda 21. A partnership mechanism was created among Government, the private sector and the trade unions. Meetings have taken place between the Environment Ministry and the trade unions on issues regarding environmental protection, sustainable development, etc. The trade unions have been actively involved in finding optimal solutions for controlling pollution and improving working conditions, especially in areas considered "hot spots" from an environmental point of view.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submission to the 5th
Session
of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April
1997. Last update:
1 April 1997
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusThere are governmental policies encouraging efficiency of resource use and requiring recycling. There are concessions for certain activities, especially in the field of management of natural resources in the Danube Delta. These types of procedures have been utilized frequently in forestry and waters management, but they are also starting to be used in other fields. The Agencies for Environmental Protection have been promoting environmental management and sustainable development concepts at the county level. Some big, small and medium enterprises have adopted sustainable development policies
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submission to the 5th
Session
of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April
1997. Last update:
1 April 1997
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNITY
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and PlansThere is some effort toward improving exchange of knowledge and concerns between the science and technology community and the general public. According to the provisions of Environmental law no. 137 of 1995, all activities with negative impacts on the environment must be authorized. Environmental permits can only be given based on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Existing economic agents have to apply the compliance schedule in order to comply with domestic environmental legislation.
In all these actions, the scientific community has an important role. There is a National Priority Programme of Research in Ecology and Environmental Protection and Waters Management. Under this programme important themes have been promoted with international participation, including problems connected to development and environmental reconstruction.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submission to the 5th
Session
of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April
1997. Last update:
1 April 1997
FARMERS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusThe Forestry Agricultural Science Academy is directly involved in promoting the sustainable use of agricultural procedures at the farmers level. Both the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection and the Agriculture Ministry are involved in the implementation of the appropriate practices, by adequate policies and regulations.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submission to the 5th
Session
of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April
1997. Last update:
1 April 1997
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusA scientific base exists because of experience in the National Research Programme for Environment and Waters Management. Priorities are in connection with knowledge about the state of the environment, problems in the Danube Delta, the Danube and the Black Sea, the promotion of certain clean technologies, problems in connection with the application of international conventions and provisions and obligations in the framework of international programs. Priorities in this area were established in the Environmental Protection Strategy of Romania and also in the law in the field of research, both of which have been promulgated by the Romanian Government
Science has also been incorporated into decision-making process through the establishment of the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) with the help of UNDP. The NCSD works closely with, and is fully supported by, the Romanian Academy and its research institutes. The activities of these institutes made in the benefit of public institutions are funded by the government; private sources also fund applied research.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environment Protection is the National
Sustainable Development Coordination Body
National Agency for Regional Development;
National Statistics and Economic Studies Institute, National Agency for
Communication and Information, National Institute for Information and
Documentation, National Center for Sustainable Development.
Mayoralties, Environmental Protection Agency.
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
Romania ratified the Aarhus Convention
on Access to information, Public Participation in Decision –making and
Access to Justice in Environmental Matters by Low no.86/2000. Romania will
develop subsequent legislation for a better implementation of Aarhus Convention.
Ministerial
Order no.125/1996 on permitting procedure for economic and social activities
having an environmental impact according to the environmental Low no.137/1995,
in Annex 3 of this order is Procedure for the Public Debate.
The
Romanian Environmental Law had special provisions about public, NGO’s, local
authorities, trade unions, business and industry representatives, scientific
communities involvement in environmental decision-making.
Romania doesn’t have a system of information on sustainable development, but information about sustainable development is available on National Center for Sustainable Development web page. http://www.sdnp.ro and Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environment Protection web page http://mappm.ro
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
National
information on environment and development are integrating in National
Sustainable Development Strategy. The
short-term objectives of this strategy are:
The
medium- and long-term objectives of the strategy are:
Currently, attention has to focus on how to apply
the principles of sustainable development to the different areas of economic and
social development. For
Romania, sustainable development is not a matter of choice, one option among
many others, but it is the only responsible way to plan medium- and long-term
development in line with Romania's national interest and the requirements for
international collaboration.
Romania's European and Atlantic integration has been a primary objective which
has been pursued in varying degrees by all governments since 1989, and has
always received the support of the Romanian people. This requires Romania to
adopt a coherent set of values corresponding to those of the Western
civilization. Correlating the objectives of national development with the
experience already gained by the West regarding the quality of life and the
interest in the well-being of future generations is part of this integration
process. Therefore, the first national strategic study for sustainable
development does not simply attempt to follow the most recent trends of the
international scientific community. The endeavor to incorporate the philosophy
of sustainable development in any national or local development strategy is
essential for Romania to cope with the requirements of, and fit into, the
complex world we live in today.
The Objectives of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development
Sustainable development means progressive improvement and preservation of the
population's well-being, paired with rational use of natural resources and
conservation of ecosystems. Fundamental
objective: Increased standard
of living and prosperity for individuals and society as a whole at the national
level; economic development within the sustainability limits determined by the
natural capital in a way that should guarantee the quality of life for future
generations. Main objectives
include the following:
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Romanian Academy – Black Sea Foundation; Universities;
· Ministry of Waters, Forest and Environment Protection (Environmental Protection Agencies at local level) in cooperation with other ministries involved in sustainable development;
· National Council for Environment and Sustainable Development;
· National Commission for Sustainable Development; Mayoralties;
· Syndicate; and
·
NGOs.
The
private sector have an important role in providing information that will be
utilized in the future actualization of National Strategy of Sustainable
Development and in different other decisions, especially in environmental
protection.
Major
groups consulted and involved in the development of an information system of
indicator programme for sustainable development are institutes of research
coordinated by the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environment Protection. These
include:
Programmes and Projects
In Romania information is disseminated by the mass
media, and the country doesn’t have a really national information
network. A programme for national information network will
assist in:
·
Creating an information core, consisting of lists and
classifications of general interest, permanent registers (population,
territorial-administrative units, road infrastructure, socio-economic agents,
general surveys, etc.), public databases (legislation, synthetic indicators,
patrimony objects, licenses and copyrights, etc.);
Information
at national and local levels are diffused by a national and local televisions,
national and local newspaper and internet .
Romania has projects proposal aimed at strengthening electronic networking capabilities, such as promoting communication networks.
Status
The following actions must take priority:
·
Creating
the National Data Systems Infrastructure: infrastructure for communications,
descriptions, registers and data banks of national interests;
·
Stimulating
the development of information and communications technology products and
services; priority should be given to the development of software for export;
·
Encouraging
data processing projects whose aim is to support the reform in the public
administration and the judicial sector, and to improve public services for the
population;
·
Active
participation in European programmes dealing with information technology in
society, and harmonizing national legislation with the European legislation;
·
Ensuring
the training of highly qualified specialists in the field of information and
communications technology, and increasing professional expertise by means of
national research and development programmes;
·
Continuous
training and education of the public, especially the young people and the active
workforce to prepare them for the information society.
Information
on sustainable development for commercial, private and public sector is made
available by newspaper, print material and
Internet (www.sdnp.ro
and www.mappm.ro
). Information about sustainable development is also available on NGO’s
web-site.
Without the considerable contribution of R&D,
Romania's sustainable development is inconceivable. In future, R&D will
require certain interdependent priorities to be set, of which the most important
are listed below:
Creating
a national system for the propagation of technology whose main purpose will
be to ensure the rapid transfer of innovation and technology throughout the
country and abroad, even though the purpose of research in this case is
rather applied, experimental, for debate. This system would facilitate a
balance between supply and demand as well as the co-financing and the
introduction of new technologies;
Developing
research centers at the company level, based on the efforts of each
individual firm, but with some support from the government's special funding
programme;
Better
motivation of and control over national research programmes financed by the
government on a competitive basis and in accordance with the requirements of
the reform and of the sustainable development strategy;
Introducing
a wage structure that rewards scientific value and practical results of the
research;
In
a society that is becoming increasingly information-oriented, harmonizing
research and development with the needs of industry must concentrate on the
following sectors: telecommunications, audio-visual, electronic commerce, as
well the training of the workforce in this sector;
Larger
participation of the Romanian R&D in as many forms as a channel to
international co-operation, especially those organized by the E.U.
countries.
Romania must base their decisions on facts, using
the most recent and precise information available, as well as the results of
scientific studies. Hasty actions based on inadequate documentation are counter
productive, since fixing the potential damage could be costly and
time-consuming. The overall
principles of sustainable development have been established, though they will,
to a certain degree, still be the subjects of debates at national and
international level. Economic development is important for any society, but the
benefits of economic development must exceed its costs. These costs also include
the price of environmental protection.
Romania has project proposal for attracting private or foreign investment, but for the moment does not have running projects.
Challenges
Social
and environmental field need the most immediate attention in improving the flow
and management of information. Enhanced
access to information critical to civil society, business and rural areas.
Major issue for Romania is deficiency of communication which
creates institutional, financial and techniques problems.
Romania faces financial challenges in its effort to develop the use of indicators or developing a national system for sustainable development.
Capacity-building, Education, Training
and Awareness-raising
In
Romania capacity-building workshops on sustainable development are organized and
participants include: civil society, business field, local authority, central
authority, institute of research, mass media etc. These workshops are widely
published in the newspaper and television. In addition, public sector can use
information of internet (www.sdnp.ro,; www.mappm.ro
). National Sustainable Development Strategy is a public document and is
available on www.sdnp.ro.
Romania has a training and international programs for experts.
Responsibility for collection, assessment, management and dissemination of
information done by the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environment Protection
in collaboration with National Statistics and Economic Studies Institute,
Environment Protection Agencies, National Center on Sustainable Development and
institutes of research.
Information
Ministry
of Waters, Forests and Environment Protection collaborates with National
Statistics and Economic Studies Institute and the Regional Environmental
Protection Agency to devise a better data collection system whereby the
transmission of this information is based on internet techniques.
Research and Technologies
Romania is in course of implementation of geographic information systems for example; Satellite technologies and data transmission in real time.
Financing
Total (current and capital) spending for research and development
activities is 12,5 billion lei current prices. Current spending is 11,8 billion
lei current prices. Capital spending is 0,7 billion lei current prices.
Cooperation
Romania has a good collaboration for Local Agenda 21 implementation with
United Kingdom, Canada and Turkey. For example in 1-7 October, at Istanbul, was
a workshop for experience exchange between Turkey, Moldova, Romania and
Turkmenistan. Governs of United Kingdom and Canada offer assistance (financial,
technical and training) for Local Agenda 21 implementation. Romania has
collaboration with UNDP for elaboration of National Sustainable Development
Strategy and Local Agenda 21.
Romania
doesn’t have cooperation on transfer technology and know-how on the
development and management of national information systems. In National
Sustainable Development Strategy are stipulated:
·
Supporting the development and transfer of technology for the
development of the information society;
·
Stimulating the supply of information and communications technology
products by concluding strategic partnerships with important procedures in the
field and granting of fiscal facilities, etc
Romania is in course of approving a common Ministry Order between
Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environment Protection and National
Statistics and Economic Studies Institute for: statistic classification in
concordance with environment protection evolution in national economy and
European Union integration requires.
* * *
This information is based on Romania's submission to the 5th, 6th, and 9th Sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 2001.
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