National Implementation of Agenda 21
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Information Provided by the Government of Bulgaria to the
United Nations Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development
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This country profile has been provided by:
Name of Ministry/Office: Ministry of Environment and Waters
Date: 16.06.1997
Submitted by:
Mailing address: 67, W. Gladstone Str., 100 Sofia, Bulgaria
Telephone: (359 2) 814 269
Telefax: (359 2) 52 16 34
E-mail:
Note from the Secretariat: An effort has been made to present all country profiles within a common format, with an equal number of pages. However, where Governments have not provided information for the tables appended to Chapters 4 and 17, those tables have been omitted entirely in order to reduce the overall length of the profile and save paper. Consequently, there may be some minor inconsistencies among the formats of the different country profiles.
All statistics are rendered as provided by the respective Governments.
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APELL | Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level |
CFC | chlorofluorocarbon |
CGIAR | Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research |
CILSS | Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel |
EEZ | exclusive economic zone |
ECA | Economic Commission for Africa |
ECE | Economic Commission for Europe |
ECLAC | Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean |
ELCI | Environmental Liaison Centre International |
EMINWA | environmentally sound management of inland water |
ESCAP | Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
ESCWA | Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia |
FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
GATT | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade |
GAW | Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO) |
GEF | Global Environment Facility |
GEMS | Global Environmental Monitoring System (UNEP) |
GEMS/WATER | Global Water Quality Monitoring Programme |
GESAMP | Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution |
GIPME | Global Investigation of Pollution in Marine Environment (UNESCO) |
GIS | Geographical Information System |
GLOBE | Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment |
GOS | Global Observing System (WMO/WWW) |
GRID | Global Resource Information Database |
GSP | generalized system of preferences |
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
IAEA | International Atomic Energy Agency |
IAP-WASAD | International Action Programme on Water and Sustainable Agricultural Development |
IARC | International Agency for Research on Cancer |
IBSRAM | International Board of Soil Resources and Management |
ICCA | International Council of Chemical Associations |
ICES | International Council for the Exploration of the Sea |
ICPIC | International Cleaner Production Information Clearing House |
ICSC | International Civil Service Commission |
ICSU | International Council of Scientific Unions |
IEEA | Integrated environmental and economic accounting |
IFAD | International Fund for Agricultural Development |
IGADD | Intergovernmental Authority for Drought and Development |
IGBP | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (ICSU) |
IGBP/START | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme/Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training |
ILO | International Labour Organisation |
IMF | International Monetary Fund |
IMO | International Maritime Organization |
INFOTERRA | International Environment Information system (UNEP) |
IOC | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission |
IPCC | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
IPCS | International Programme on Chemical Safety |
IPM | integrated pest management |
IRPTC | International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals |
ITC | International Tin Council |
ITTO | International Tropical Timber Organization |
IUCN | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
MARPOL | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships |
OECD | Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development |
PGRFA | plant genetic resources for agriculture |
PIC | prior informed consent procedure |
SADCC | South African Development Co-ordination Conference |
SARD | sustainable agriculture and rural development |
UNCTAD | United Nations Conference on Trade and Development |
UNDP | United Nations Development Programme |
UNDRO | Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator |
UNEP | United Nations Environment Programme |
UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |
UNFPA | United Nations Population Fund |
UNICEF | United Nations Children's Fund |
UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization |
UNU | United Nations University |
WCP | World Climate Programme (WMO/UNEP/ICSU/UNESCO) |
WFC | World Food Council |
WHO | World Health Organization |
WMO | World Meteorological Organization |
WWF | World Wide Fund for Nature (also called World Wildlife Fund) |
WWW | World Weather Watch (WMO) |
1. Name of Key National Sustainable Development Coordination Mechanism(s)/Council(s).
Contact point (Name, Title, Office): Telephone: Fax: e-mail: Mailing address:
2. Membership/Composition/Chairperson:
2a. List of ministries and agencies involved:
2b. Names of para-statal bodies and institutions involved, as well as participating of academic and private sector bodies:
2c. Names of non-governmental organizations involved:
3. Mandate role of above mechanism/council:
4. If available, attach a diagram (organization chart) showing national coordination structure and linkages between ministries:
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC POLICIES (with special emphasis on
TRADE)
Bulgaria's European Agreement sets out the objective to
gradually establish a free trade area between the community
and Bulgaria covering substantially all trade and to promote the
expansion of trade and harmonious economic relations
between the parties and to foster the dynamic economic development
and prosperity of Bulgaria.
The conclusion of such an agreement involves the political
will of the parties concerned and contributes to the
fulfillment of the basic principles on which the European Union is
founded. To this effect, the association agreement is a
necessary prerequisite for an accession agreement and full
membership.
The trade policy at the domestic level is focused on the
establishment of market principles governing trade, and full
compliance with the respective WTO commitments and obligations.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Full Membership in the
European Union
STATUS REPORT: The establishment of an Europe
Agreement between the European Union and its member states on
the one hand and the Republic of Bulgaria on the other hand is
providing for the appropriate framework for the gradual
integration of Bulgaria into the Union.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 3: COMBATING POVERTY
Focus of national strategy
No information.
Highlight activities aimed at the poor and linkages to the
environment
No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
NB: Developed countries, where domestic poverty alleviation is not
a major concern may wish to briefly describe their
position regarding global poverty alleviation.
Latest 1996 | |||||
Unemployment (%) | |||||
Population living in absolute poverty | |||||
Public spending on social sector %* | |||||
Health | |||||
Social Security and Care | |||||
Culture and Art | |||||
Other data
* 1995- according to current prices
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 4: CHANGING CONSUMPTION
PATTERNS
National policy objectives/focus
No information.
National targets
No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 1995 | |||||
GDP per capita (current US$) | |||||
Real GDP growth (%) | |||||
Annual energy consumption per capita (Kg. of oil equivalent per capita) | 3,137 | ||||
Motor vehicles in use per 1000 inhabitants | |||||
Other data 1 1989. 2 1993. 3 preliminary data. |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 5: DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND
SUSTAINABILITY
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The Government believes
that population growth rates are too low. The Government has
undertaken measures to raise the rate of population growth.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 1995 | ||||
Population (Thousands) mid-year estimates | ||||
Annual rate of increase (1990-1993)* | ||||
Surface area (Km2)** | ||||
Population density (people/Km2) at the end of the year | ||||
Other data *) Natural increase per 1000 of the population **) Total area - land and frontier river waters ***) Data are recalculated in accordance with data from the census by 4/12/1992. |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 6: PROTECTING AND PROMOTING
HUMAN HEALTH
Efficient and sustainable solutions to the nation's health
problems should rely on broad socio-economic, educational,
technical and technological measures, as well as health care
measures. These should bring about the required changes in
lifestyle, the environment, the attitude to risk groups and to the
diseases that are the most common causes of disability and
death.
In conjunction with measures aimed at preventing disease,
emphasis should be laid on health promotion, including
health building and radical prevention.
Being the most promising development path for health care,
health promotion is one of the pillars of modern health
strategies.
I. Mitigating Environmental Risk factors
The Second Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health
held in Helsinki from 20 to 22 June 1994, gave high
priority to the development of National Environmental Health Action
Plans (NEHAP) under the Environmental Health
Action Plans for Europe (EHAPE). Bulgaria is a pilot country in
preparing the NEHAP which is in final version after
seminar, discussions and comments. The Bulgarian NEHAP gives a
detailed analysis of the many factors contributing to
it, sets out a range of specific actions across the spectrum of
environmental health for remedying identified problems or
for securing further improvements. The NEHAP is a large-scale,
long-term project, covering all departments and is the
basis for satisfying the health and ecological interests of the
country.
Environment improvement programmes should be based on
intersectoral cooperation and should consistently eliminate
or reduce the impact of the most wide-spread risk factors: 1)
Radiation impacts 2) Toxic factors 3) Noise 4) Foodstuffs 5)
Safe working environment.
III. Activities Targeted at High Health Risk Groups
In conjuntion with the actions to mitigate the general impact
of risk factors, specific actions must be formulated and
pursued with respect to groups of the population exposed to high
health risks: 1) Children 2) The Elderly 3) The Disabled
4) People suffering from Chronic Diseases and Invalidity.
The relatively narrow range of diseases that condition
morbidity, mortality and invalidity allow selective prevention
and therapy to be focused on their immediate effects upon the
nation's health status: 1) cardio-vascular diseases 2)
malignant neoplasms 3) Respiratory diseases 4) Trauma and
intoxication 5) Tuberculosis 6) Neurological and sensory
disorders 7) Dermatoses 8) Urogenital disease 9) Sexually
transmitted diseases 10) Mental disorders 11) Communicable
diseases.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: A National Health Strategy has
been adopted by the National Assembly. Bulgaria is a pilot country
and is preparing the National Plan for Environmental health to be
compiled later this year.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Council of Ministers,
Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Waters, District
and local divisions of the above ministries.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Multi-profile
fields of environment and health actions call for multi-sectoral
cooperation to ensure coordination and consistence in setting
priorities and determining the necessary actions.
3. Major Groups: Medical doctors - 33.6-10,000 population;
dentists - 6.8/population, pharmaceutists - 2.9/ 10000.
4. Finance: State budget - 98%, Health Protection Fund,
National Environmental Protection Fund.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: PHARE, TEMPUS,
INTERREG,WHO,WHO-Euro, World Bank.
Latest 1994 | ||||
Life expectancy at birth Male Female |
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Infant mortality (per 1000 live births) | ||||
Maternal mortality rate (per 100000 live births) | ||||
Access to safe drinking water (% of population) | ||||
Access to sanitation services (% of population) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 7: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HUMAN
SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT
All characteristic features of the Bulgarian towns during the
last years, such as: demographic structure, social
community, economic activity, environment, physical culture,
housing problems, infrastructure, cultural heritage,
tradition, intellectual level - indicate alarming signs of lagging
behind European standards and of instability. The
instability which resulted from the fast quantitative expansion
during the period of industrialisation is complemented by the
instability caused by the economic, social and political crisis
during the last years. The issue of the quality of the urban
living environment is becoming more and more important for public
health care, as well as for the economy of resources.
Environmental surveys show that in 1989, more than 40% of the
population lived in human settlements with bad air
quality, seriously polluted rivers flowing through them, as well as
the ground water; heavy metal contamination is
characteristic for the areas around the motor ways in the towns and
in the outskirts; noise pollution of the environment as
a result of the transport and industrial sector is a big problem
for the towns affecting about 40% of the urban population;
the problem with waste disposal hasn't been solved yet; the state
of the environment in the small towns and villages is
good, apart from the low level of infrastructure; the low
technological and energy efficiency in the production and
household sectors make human settlements big electricity consumers;
the construction of waste water treatment plants is
very slow.
The environment is affected by agricultural activities and the
national mountain and sea resorts are overpopulated. The
villa zones in Bulgaria are a specific form of individual
recreation, but their constant expansion and illegal construction
create many problems. This tendency destroys the "green rings",
which are the link between the natural and urban
environment.
In comparing conditions in human settlements with previous
years, there has been a decrease in environmental
pollution caused by industry, due to reduced production and
consumption. This tendency is not sustainable in character,
because a restoration of economic activity is expected. The
pollution from the transport sector is increasing due to
increased motorisation, old aged vehicle fleet and the
imperfections of the existing road network.
Regional environmental policy focuses on priority measures in
specific regions or zones: highly urbanised, with high
health risk, with exclusive significance for the country (the
Bulgarian part of the Black sea coast, the Danube river basin,
protected territories).
The establishment of National Fund "Regional Development" is
envisaged. The National Fund for Environmental
Protection supports as priority projects ones connected with
environmental protection and especially those in the "hot
spots".
Since 1992, the procedure for environmental impact assessment
has been mandatory for urban infrastructure plans.
Through this the Ministry of Environment exercises preventive
control in the environmental protection of human
settlements. Closer coordination between MEST and MoE is required,
as well as a distribution of responsibilities and
powers with the local governments - the municipalities. A number of
regional, national and local environmental projects
are under implementation, but still the coordination should be
improved among the priority spheres: "structuring",
"protection" and "rehabilitation" and among the different
institutions.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The urban network in Bulgaria
(5336 human settlements) has been formed for millenniums and
bears the signs of ancient culture (Tracian and Slavonic dwellings,
ancient Greek and Roman towns) and all the negative
consequences of contemporary urbanisation.
In order to overcome the serious problems of the urban
infrastructure caused by the continuous application of the
approach for functional zoning, the following measures are to be
undertaken:
1. In the new plans, the principle of space integration and merging
of the functions at all levels of planning - to the
agglomeration and to the town and the individual residential
district, as well
2. It is necessary to create legislation to regulate the scope of
the master urban plan, which should include the zone around
the town and aim at ensuring well balanced sustainable
development.
3. Individual and public green gardens are to be incorporated in a
system for the whole town and in the outskirts.
4. National policy for the human settlements development should
focus on the protection of the agricultural land as a non-renewable
natural resource and as a base for sustainable development.
Agricultural land should be protected at equal
degree outside and inside the human settlements. Agricultural
trends in the development of the small towns should be
stimulated to the forming the agrotown style of living. Areas of
agricultural land with no permit for construction should be
preserved in the territories around the towns. These basic
principles of the sustainable development of the urban structure
should be regulated through legislation and urban planning, as well
as through economic instruments.
5. The public territories in the human settlements and resorts are
endangered. The preservation of municipal property in
these territories should be regulated by the Law on Municipal
Property and the Law on Territorial Development.
6. It is necessary to establish an interrelation between urban
planning and land use in municipalities. The master plan of
the municipality should be made a mandatory base for the detailed
infrastructure plans for land use in the agricultural
territories, forests, protected and urbanised territories.
7. The problem with waste disposal hasn't been solved yet at
contemporary level and therefore disturbs the aesthetic
properties of human settlements and is a serious cause of
pollution. This issue has been actively addressed, and the
adoption of a Law on waste is imminent. It is necessary to
establish waste disposal areas at the regional level.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of the
Environment, Regional Inspectorates for Environmental Protection,
Ministry of Health Care, Ministry of Regional Development and
Construction, municipalities, technical State Control on
Construction, Commission on Land.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: 1) To seek the high
efficiency of each investment of the limited resources and
efforts taking into consideration the dynamic, technological,
economic, political and cultural priorities of the country.
2) to provide sustainable development at disrupted natural
equilibrium.
3. Major Groups: Ministry of Health Care, municipalities,
Ministry of Regional Development and Construction.
4. Finance: National Environmental Protection Fund,
municipal funds, state budget, companies, international
organizations.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Urban population in % of total population | |||
Annual rate of growth of urban population (%) | |||
Largest city population (in % of total population) | |||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 8: INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT AND
DEVELOPMENT IN DECISION-MAKING
Bulgaria has strong will and commitment to implementing Rio's
principles and Agenda 21. It is also going through a
major transition from a centrally planned to a market economy and
is at a watershed in its development. Experience has
thus demonstrated that a considerable share of the potential is not
realized because information, policy measures, local
expertise and public awareness are lacking in addition to the more
specific challenges posed by the transition process.
Nevertheless, despite the difficult conditions, Bulgaria has made
significant progress since 1989 in improving the policy
framework and strengthening its institutions for protecting the
environment. The 1991 Environmental Protection law and
its 1992 amendments provided a strong legislative framework for
environmental policy, on the basis of which the Ministry
of Environment prepared draft laws in a number of key areas,
including air, water, nature conservation, natural resource
management and biodiversity. Subsequently, the Environmental
Strategy and its 1994 update were completed in
co-operation with the World Bank and the US Government. The basis
of the Strategy is the eco-efficiency approach which
is concerned with changing the consumption/production models by
means of minimisation of energy consumption and
flows of pollutants and wastes per unit of economic output. In
order to determine the appropriate behaviour for all
stakeholders, various economic instruments were developed and
implemented, such as taxes, fines, additional import
duties, differentiated taxes, subsidies and softened loans. There
formed the basic revenue of the National and many
Municipal Environmental Protection Funds.
Throughout this process, the Ministry of Environment, including the
Regional Environmental Inspectorates, has been able
to enhance its institutional capacity. Public information and
participation have constituted a major success with active
involvement of environmental NGOs and the preparation of a legal
framework to guarantee public access to information.
The introduction of EIAs has been the most important step in the
development of policy instruments. More than 1,000
projects went through the process in three years. Recent
legislative amendments, however, could weaken EIAs.
Amendments to the Environmental Protection Law passed in early l995
exempt projects of vital importance from the
public participation requirements of the EIA process.
Although the Environmental strategy and update are based on
extensive analysis, including consultation with experts in
other ministries, the process for their development did not lead to
a strong inter-ministerial commitment, nor to greater
public awareness of the economic reforms needed for improved
environmental management. The strategy and its 1994
update have been adopted by the Ministry of the Environment but not
yet endorsed by the Government. The integration
effort continues to be hampered by the vertical organisation of the
central administration which is in part a legacy of
central planning. The major sectoral ministries, such as those
dealing with energy and industry, have paid little attention to
environmental problems or goals. Budget cuts have led to reductions
or elimination of environmental units in some
ministries.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: On 3 September 1996, the
National Commission for Sustainable Development was established by
Decree of the Council of Ministers. The Commission is chaired by
the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional
Development and Construction. The Minister of Environment is
Vice-Chairman. Members of the Commission are all the
stakeholders. Following programme implementation, the NCSD will
lead in the development of a national strategy for
sustainable development.
1. Decision-Making Structure (please also refer to the fact
sheet): No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 9: PROTECTION OF THE
ATMOSPHERE
The Montreal Protocol was ratified in 1990.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was
signed in 1992 and ratified in 1995.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter There is no oil
or natural gas in Bulgaria. There is enough brown coal
with more than 3.5% sulphur content and up to 60% humidity and 70%
ash residuals. That coal provides 45 to 53% of
total energy production (38 billion kWh for 1994). In addition,
because of the severe drought experienced over the last
five years, the share of hydro energy in total production has
fallen from between 6-8% to 1-2%. About 41% of the total
population has been threatened by air and water pollution coming
from the energy sector, industry and transportation.
Fourteen hot spots were declared in the country with high levels of
pollution harmful to human health.
In protecting the global atmosphere and air quality, Bulgaria
has completed a National programme for Phasing out
Ozone-depleting Substances and is utilising a GEF grant of 10.5
million US$ to implement it. The First National Report
on Climate Change was completed in conjunction with the national
Energy Strategy which was recently debated in the
National Assembly. National programmes for reduction of emissions
of greenhouse gases and sulphur oxides are in
development. In co-operation with the World Bank, Bulgaria is
finalizing a Pollution Abatement Programme which
includes implementation of several projects involving technological
reconstruction and innovations aimed at phasing out
leaded gasoline, heavy metal pollution from copper smelters and
conversion of central heating from coal/oil to gas.
Nevertheless, most of the high pollution, industrial facilities are
still in operation. Little large-scale investment for
pollution control equipment has been made to date. As a result, the
pollution and resource intensity of the economy
remains very high. The recent reduction of discharges of pollutants
into the air and water was principally due to the
decline of industrial and agricultural production (due to the
recession that took place before 1993) rather than to more
efficient production or cleaner industrial processes. Pollution
loads may increase once economic growth resumes, unless
environmental policy is strengthened. In fact the 1.4% growth of
the GNP registered in 1994 was equal to a total of
300,000 tons more of emissions compared to 1993.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: Council of Ministers,
Ministry of Environment and Waters, Ministry of Regional
Development and Public Works, Ministry of Health, Ministry of
Industry, Ministry of Transport, Committee of Energy,
District of local divisions of the above Ministries.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: Scientific, business-industry, transport,
energy sector, municipalities, agriculture.
4. Finance: State budget, National Environmental Protection
Fund, Municipal Environmental Protection Funds,
Environmental Trust Fund and external financing.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Convention on
Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (1979), Framework
Convention on Climate Change (1992), Vienna Convention for Ozone
Layer Protection (1985), Convention on the
Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents 91992), Agreements
with Romania, Germany, USA, Programmes for Air
Purity Protection.
Latest 1995 | ||||
CO2 emissions (eq. million tons) | ||||
SOx " | ||||
NOx " | ||||
CH4 " | ||||
Consumption of ozone depleting substances (Tons) | ||||
Expenditure on air pollution abatement in US$ equivalents (million) |
| |||
Other data * Forecast emissions (baseline
scenario) ** Expenditure on protection and restoration of the environment by use - air (min.iv.) |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 10: INTEGRATED APPROACH TO
THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND
RESOURCES
The planning of land resources and human settlements are the
core issues of the National Strategy for Territorial
Development which was developed with special emphasis on
transboundary infrastructural communications. The recently
adopted Land Protection Act provides the framework for the
sustainable use of land resources, especially of arable land.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: As a result of the
nature of
territorial planning in the past, the main industrial activities
and
enterprises were concentrated in plains and around large cities
which has caused a loss of arable land amounting to 87,000
ha spoiled by coal and ore mining; another 36,000 ha were strongly
polluted by heavy metals from industry and uranium
mining. I. Total territory of the Republic of Bulgaria
11001147.3ha
1. Agricultural land, including
6278631.5ha a) cultivated land 4693465.7ha
b) uncultivated land
1585165.8ha
c) contaminated land
active erosion 85000ha
polluted with heavy metals 87000ha
salt-affected soil 30000ha
acidified soil 460000ha
2. Forests 3810709.4ha
3. human settlements 413940.2ha
II. Non-renewable natural resources/mineral
resources/till
01.01.96
contaminated terrain
Technological waste
thousands of dka millions
of
tons
Coal mining 199
3229.8
Ore output 49.9
1101.5
Non-metalliferous metals 22.4
42.6
Rocky 1.7
0.5 Total 273
4374.4
II. Uranium extraction/liquidated/
Contaminated and polluted areas: 17.5 thousands dka
Up to now - re-cultivated totally 2.809 thousands dka /16/
Technological waste from the uranium extraction 32.3 mln.tons
Out of which used are 0.336 mln. tons /1.1%/
1. Decision-Making Structure: The competent bodies for the
protection and use of the non-renewable natural resources
are: the sectoral ministries (Ministry of energy and Energy
resources, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Regional
Development and Construction), the Ministry of Environment and the
Committee on Geology and Mineral resources. At a
lower level the competencies of the municipalities are only with
respect to the construction materials.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The leading
institutes (scientific and engineering) in the country are
"Miniproject", "Rudmetalurgproject", the Institute of
Non-metalliferous minerals and the Institute for Construction
Materials.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: The environmental projects in the mining sector
are financed by the mining companies, National
Environmental Fund and the PHARE Programme.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 11: COMBATING
DEFORESTATION
The standing volume of the forests is 467 mil. m3, the average
volume per ha - 140 m3, the total growth is 12.8 mil.
m3, the average growth per ha - 3.9 m3 and the average age - 43
years. For the last 35 years the standing volume has
increased by 87%, the average growth per ha - by 84.5 %, the total
growth by 109%, and the average age - by 6 years.
Depending on their priority social purpose, forests in
Bulgaria fall into two functional groups:
- forests for commercial purpose 25385km2
- forests for special purpose 13377 km2
The forests for commercial purpose are managed for the
production of timber of certain qualities, while keeping in
mind the principle of continued use.
The forest for special purpose are managed for their
protective, conservation, water-protecting and other ecological
functions. The use of timber and other products is either
restricted or forbidden. Depending on their specific functions,
these forests are divided into:
1. Protective forests - 5 503 km2
2. Recreation forests - 2 379 km2
3. Protected natural areas - 3 206 km2
4. Other (seed prod. areas, dendraria, nature monuments, etc) - 2
289 km2
The relative share of the forests for special purpose has increased
from 10.2% in 1960 to 34.5 % of the total forest area in
1995.
A large part of the wooded mountains with primary forests are
protected as national parks (12) and natural reserves
(90), accounting for 3.85 % of the national territory and 8.3 % of
the wooded area.
For the last 40 years, 9760 km2 forests have been planted
mainly along the lines of implementation of erosion control
projects and reconstruction of forests of low efficiency.
Five management groups of forests are identified according to
the composition, origin, status and management
objectives:
The activities that are carried out in the forests and lands
within the forest fund are prescribed by Forest Management
Plans (10 years validity). They are developed for the main
administrative units - the 173 Local Forestry Departments.
Sustainable management and conservation of forests are the
issue of the National Strategy of Forestry and the National
Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Sustainable management and use of
resources; Restoration of habitats; Support of
international initiatives; Legislation improvement.
STATUS REPORT: The surface of Bulgaria is 110
993 km2. All forests and other lands related to the implementation
of
forestry activities are included in the national forest fund whose
surface amounts to 38 763 km2 34.9% of the country's
territory. Of this surface, 33 569 km2 are covered with forests
(30.2 % of the national territory), 1 214 km2 are lands
intended for afforestation, 2 912 km2 are non-productive lands
(roads, rocks, rivers, nurseries, etc.) and 1 068 km2 are
forest pastures. As compared to 1965 the surface of the wooded area
has increased 6.9%.
1. Coniferous forests - 11 769 km2 - 41.3% of the volume
2. High broadleaves - 6 498 km2 - 28.1 % of the
volume
3. Reconstruction forests - 6 007 km2 - 6.0% of the
volume
4. Coppice with standards - 8 217 km2 - 23.2 % of the
volume
5. Low coppice forest - 1 077 km2 - 1.4% of the volume
1. Decision-Making Structure: Committee of Forests at the
Council of Ministers, Ministry of Environment.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues:
Further improvement of public participation in decision-making
processes.
3. Major Groups: Scientists, Local authorities, Activists
from the sphere of Tourism, Non-governmental organizations,
etc.
4. Finance: "Forestry cultivation procedures and
construction of forest roads" National Fund; National Environmental
Protection Fund; State Budget; International Projects.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: WWF (World Wildlife
Fund), GEF (Global Environmental Facilities),
Multi-country PHARE Progamme - MERA Project, BSBCP for Co-operation
in Forestry; US AID (Agency for
International Development).
2 400 specialists with higher education
1 200 specialists with specialized secondary education and
1 900 people - permanent staff working in the sphere of forestry
Latest 1995 | ||||
Forest Area (Km2) | ||||
Protected forest area | ||||
Roundwood production (solid volume of roundwood without bark in mill m3) | ||||
Deforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
Reforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 12: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AND
DROUGHT
International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries
Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification
Particularly in Africa has not been signed.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
No desertification processes have been observed in Bulgaria.
Degradation processes are observed in the low-mountain areas
of South Bulgaria and along the southern slopes of the
mountains. This is the result of deforestation activities carried
out in the last, and at the beginning of this century, as well
as the progress of intensive erosion processes. 8 020 km2 of
agricultural lands have been strongly and very strongly
affected by erosion.
For the last 45 years, 9 760 km2 of forest species have been
planted, 6 800 km2 of which were for erosion control
projects. In the last 7 years the number of erosion control
activities has significantly decreased due to financial
difficulties.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: Ministry of Agriculture and
Food Industry, Committee of Forests at the Council of
Ministers, Ministry of Environment.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: "Preservation and improvement of agricultural
lands' productivity" National Fund; "Forestry cultivation
procedures and construction of forest roads" National Fund;
National Environmental Protection Fund; State Budget.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199_ | ||||
Land affected by desertification (Km2) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 13: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT
The Government pays special attention to these regions and
provides subsidies and business opportunities for ensuring
the quality of life of their inhabitants. In 1995, a special Fund
for Environmental Projects in Mountain Regions provided
about BGL 47 million in grants and interest-free loans for
combating deforestation and erosion, water supply and
sanitation, specific economic activities, ecotourism and
agriculture. The main revenues of the Fund come from taxes on
motor fuels. In 1996, this Fund was merged with the National
Environmental Protection Fund.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Mountain and semi-mountain areas
(up to 2,925 m) comprise 46% of the national territory; 34% of
the Bulgarian population lives in 1,207 communities in those
areas.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Environment
and Water, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Ministry
of Regional Development and Public Works and municipalities.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The forestry sector
in the mountains is well provided with personnel, but in
the other sectors there is a lack of personnel.
3. Major Groups: Ministry of Environment and Water,
Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Ministry of Regional
Development and Public Works, municipalities and NGOs.
4. Finance: National and municipal budgets, National
Environmental Protection Fund and grants.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Bilateral
cooperation on protected areas with Switzerland, USA and GEF.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 14: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Fund "Agriculture" - for encouraging and supporting agricultural
production.
2. National Fund "Protection and Improvement of the productive
qualities of agricultural lands", which has been
established with the municipalities. The resources from the funds
are to be used for the construction of meliorative and
anti-erosion sites, cultivation of new lands, re-cultivation of
disturbed terrain, improvement of the productive qualities of
lands, organization and structuring of the infrastructure of
agricultural territories, assessment of the quality and
categorization of lands, monitoring and control of the status of
land resources and other activities connected with land
protection.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Encouraging sustainable agriculture
and development of rural areas.
STATUS REPORT: The government has established
two specialized funds:
1. Decision-Making Structure: Collegium, whose members are
the Deputy Ministers, the Heads of Departments, the
Chairman of the Agricultural Academy and the Heads of the
organizations and services with the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Agrarian Reform.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: There are no good
training programs, methods, or teachers.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: There is no
international cooperation with respect to sustainable agriculture
and
the development of rural regions.
Latest 1996 | ||||
Agricultural land (Km2) | ||||
Agricultural land as % of total land area | ||||
Agricultural land per capita | ||||
Latest 199_ | ||||
Consumption of fertilizers per Km2 of agricultural land as of 1990 kg/1000 dka | ||||
Total | ||||
Including | ||||
nitrogen | ||||
phosphorous | ||||
potassium |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 15: CONSERVATION OF
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
1. Strengthening the Scientific Basis for Conservation
2. Legislative Initiatives
3. Expanding and Strengthening the Protected Areas Network
4. Environmental Education and Cooperative Extension
5. Developing and Implementing an Ecotourism Policy
6. Stimulating Conservation in the Black Sea Basin
7. Stimulating Conservation in the Balkan Peninsula
The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified in
1996.
A National Strategy for the Conservation of Biodiversity was
elaborated in 1992-94. EIA procedures have been introduced
since 1991 with the new Environmental Law including biodiversity
issues. The Convention was signed in Rio Summit in
1992 and ratified on 29 February 1996. The report will be submitted
in 1998.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora was ratified in 1991.
The Ministry of Environment is the national body responsible for
the implementation of the convention. The Scientific and
Management Authority was established in 1991. The latest report was
submitted in 1995.
The second european regional CITES meeting of management,
scientific and other authorities involved in CITES plants
issues was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, 14-16 April 1997.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
The Ministry of Environment hosted a Regional Workshop on the
Practical Implementation of the Convention on
Biological Diversity in Central and Eastern European (CEE)
countries, from 25 to 27 June 1995, Lessidren, 22 countries
participated.
Major steps towards the protection of the rich biodiversity in
Bulgaria has been undertaken with the financial support of
US AID, Swiss Government and Ministry of Environment and Public
Affairs of Monaco.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Priorities for immediate action and
support, according the National Biological Diversity
Strategy (1994). STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: Ministry of Environment.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Lack of
Personnel.
3. Major Groups: Ministry of Agriculture and Forests,
Ministry of Regional Development and Urban Planning,
Municipalities, NGOs.
4. Finance: National budget, National Environmental
Protection Fund, Grants.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Bilateral -
Biodiversity conservation projects with Switzerland, Monaco, UK,
France.
Latest 199_ | |||
Protected area as % of total land area | |||
Latest 199_ | |||
Number of threatened species | |||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 16: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 17: PROTECTION OF THE
OCEANS, ALL KINDS OF SEAS, INCLUDING ENCLOSED
AND SEMI-ENCLOSED SEAS, AND COASTAL AREAS AND THE PROTECTION,
RATIONAL USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR LIVING RESOURCES
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was ratified in
1996.
See also the attached tables on the next pages.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: Council of Ministers,
Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Regional Development and
Construction, Ministry of Health, District and local division of
the above ministries.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Creation of a new
specialized Integration Coastal and Administration.
Improvement of public participation in decision-making.
3. Major Groups: Scientific, business, industry, transport,
fisheries, tourism.
4. Finance: State budget, National Environmental Protection
Fund, Municipal Environmental Protection Funds,
Environmental Trust Fund.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Convention of the
Protection of the Black Sea Against Polluting, Commission
of the Convention, Black Sea Environmental Programme.
Latest 1995 | ||||
Catches of marine species (metric tons) | ||||
Population in coastal areas | ||||
Population served by waste water treatment (% of
country's total population) | ||||
Discharges of oil into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Releases of phosphate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Releases of nitrate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Other data |
Chapter 17 (Oceans) Continued:
Check the boxes in the column below left: | Check the boxes in the column below right: |
For level of importance use: | For level of implementation use: |
*** = very important | *** = fully covered |
** = important | ** = well covered- gaps being addressed |
* = not important | * = poorly covered |
N = not relevant | O = not covered; N = not relevant |
TABLE I. THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE APPROPRIATE COORDINATING MECHANISM FOR INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE AREAS AND THEIR RESOURCES.
a. Preparation and implementation of land and water use and siting policies. | ||
b. Implementation of integrated coastal and marine management and sustainable development plans and programmes at appropriate levels. | ||
c. Preparation of coastal profiles identifying critical areas including eroded zones, physical processes, development patterns, user conflicts and specific priorities for management. | ||
d. Prior environmental impact assessment, systematic observation and follow-up of major projects, including systematic incorporation of results in decision-making. | ||
e. Contingency plans for human induced and natural disasters. | ||
f. Improvement of coastal human settlements, especially in housing, drinking water and treatment and disposal of sewage, solid wastes and industrial effluents. | ||
g. Periodic assessment of the impacts of external factors and phenomena to ensure that the objectives of integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas and marine environment are met. | ||
h. Conservation and restoration of altered critical habitats. | ||
I. Integration of sectoral programmes on sustainable development for settlements, agriculture, tourism, fishing, ports and industries affecting the coastal areas. | ||
J. Infrastructure adaptation and alternative employment. | ||
K. Human resource development and training. | ||
L. Public education, awareness and information programmes. | ||
M. Promoting environmentally sound technology and sustainable practices. | ||
N. Development and simultaneous implementation of environmental quality criteria. |
TABLE II. TECHNOLOGY (MARINE ENVIRONMENT)
A. Apply preventive, precautionary and anticipatory approaches so as to avoid degradation of the marine environment, as well as to reduce the risk of long-term or irreversible adverse effects upon it. | ||
B. Ensure prior assessment of activities that may have significant adverse impacts upon the marine environment. | ||
C. Integrate protection of the marine environment into relevant general environmental, social and economic development policies. | ||
D. Develop economic incentives, where appropriate, to apply clean technologies and other means consistent with the internalization of environmental costs, such as the polluter pays principle, so as to avoid degradation of the marine environment. | ||
E. Improve the living standards of coastal populations, particularly in developing countries, so as to contribute to reducing the degradation of the coastal and marine environment. | ||
F. Effective monitoring and surveillance within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of fish harvesting and transportation of toxic and other hazardous materials. |
TABLE III. SEWAGE RELATED ISSUES
A. Sewage related problems are considered when formulating or reviewing coastal development plans, including human development plans. | ||
B. Sewage treatment facilities are built in accordance with national policies. | ||
C. Coastal outfalls are located so as to maintain acceptable level of environmental quality and to avoid exposing shell fisheries, water intakes and bathing areas to pathogens. | ||
D. The Government promotes primary treatment of municipal sewage discharged to rivers, estuaries and the sea, or other solutions appropriate to specific sites. | ||
E. The Government supports the establishment and improvement of local, national, subregional and regional, as necessary, regulatory and monitoring programmes to control effluent discharge. Minimum sewage effluent guidelines and water quality criteria are in use. |
TABLE IV. OTHER SOURCES OF MARINE POLLUTION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS:
A. Established or improved upon, as necessary, regulatory and monitoring programmes to control emissions, including recycling technologies. | ||
B. Promoted risk and environmental impact assessments to help ensure an acceptable level of environmental quality. | ||
C. Promoted assessment and cooperation at the regional level, where appropriate, with respect to the input of point source pollutants from the marine environment. | ||
D. Taken steps to eliminate emissions or discharges of organohalogen compounds from the marine environment. | ||
E. Taken steps to eliminate/reduce emissions or discharges or other synthetic organic compounds from the marine environment. | ||
F. Promoted controls over anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen and phosphorous that enter coastal waters where such problems as eutrophication threaten the marine environment or its resources. | ||
G. Taken steps to develop and implement environmentally sound land-use techniques and practices to reduce run-off to water courses and estuaries which would cause pollution or degradation of the marine environment. | ||
H. Promoted the use of environmentally less harmful pesticides and fertilizers and alternative methods for pest control, and considered the prohibition of those found to be environmentally unsound. | ||
I. Adopted new initiatives at national, subregional and regional levels for controlling the input of non-point source pollutants which require broad changes in sewage and waste management, agricultural practices, mining, construction and transportation. | ||
J. Taken steps to control and prevent coastal erosion and siltation due to anthropogenic factors related to, inter alia, land-use and construction techniques and practices. |
TABLE V. ADDRESSING CRITICAL UNCERTAINTIES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAMME AREA THE GOVERNMENT IS CARRYING OUT THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:
A. Coordinating national and regional observation programmes for coastal and near-shore phenomena related to climate change and for research parameters essential for marine and coastal management in all regions. | ||
B. Providing improved forecasts of marine conditions for the safety of inhabitants of coastal areas and for the efficiency of marine operations. | ||
C. Adopting special measures to cope with and adapt to potential climate change and sea-level rise. | ||
D. Participating in coastal vulnerability assessment, modelling and response strategies particularly for priority areas, such as small islands and low-lying and critical coastal areas. | ||
E. Identifying ongoing and planned programmes of systematic observation of the marine environment, with a view to integrating activities and establishing priorities to address critical uncertainties for oceans and all seas. | ||
F. Research to determine the marine biological effects of increased levels of ultraviolet rays due to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. | ||
G. Carrying out analysis, assessments and systematic observation of the role of oceans as a carbon sink. |
TABLE VI. RATING OF ACTIVITIES IN THE AIR AND MARITIME TRANSPORT SECTORS IN THE SMALL ISLANDS DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS)
1. Frequency (external flights) | 1. Frequency (external shipping) | ||
2. Frequency (in-country flights) | 2. Frequency (in-country shipping) | ||
3. Cooperation at regional level in air transport and civil aviation | 3. Cooperation at regional level in shipping | ||
4. Cooperation at international level | 4. Cooperation at international level | ||
5. Economic viability of national air line | 5. Economic viability of national shipping line(s) | ||
6. Economic viability of regional air line | 6. Economic viability of regional shipping line (s) | ||
7. national level training in skills for air transport sector | 7. National level training in skills for maritime transport sector | ||
8. Access to training in skills for air transport sector within the region | 8. Regional level training in skills for maritime transport sector | ||
9. Access to international training for air transport sector | 9. Access to international training for maritime transport sector | ||
10. Supportive of ICAO |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 18: PROTECTION OF THE
QUALITY AND SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES:
APPLICATION OF INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT,
MANAGEMENT AND USE OF WATER RESOURCES
Bulgaria has strengthened water management efforts in recent
years. It has assigned increasing financial resources to
those efforts. Monitoring and information systems for ambient water
quality are well-developed. Early progress has been
made in increasing water conservation and pollution prevention
approaches in industry and livestock production.
However, overall problems of water quantity and quality remain
severe. Availability and distribution of water present
serious difficulties. While current water shortages are related
mainly to a prolonged drought, major problems exist with
old and leaky distribution systems and with wasteful agricultural
and industrial use. Many municipal waste water treatment
plants are incomplete and funding for them is slow. A National
Programme for Municipal Waste Water Treatment was
completed recently, and the cost of its implementation was
estimated at USD 40 million. It includes specific projects for
the protection of the Black Sea from land-based and maritime
pollution. Industrial waste will take decades to address the
overall water infrastructure problem. The system of user charges
and pollution fees can be improved to better reflect
service cost and environmental damage; this would produce funds for
investment in water sewage networks and waste
water treatment plants, and give proper incentives for water
conservation and pollution reduction. An effluent charge
would be useful to this effect.
National Priorities
- continue and expand efforts in river basin management, with the
involvement of all interested parties and agencies,
- continue and strengthen efforts to encourage water conservation
and pollution prevention by industry and agriculture,
through regulatory and pricing approaches as well as by fostering
best management practices;
- continue to develop and implement a permit system for waste water
discharges, using a phased approach with interim
limits and enforceable compliance schedules;
- continue price reform for water supply, with attention to
metering and collection practices, and implement water effluent
charge;
- fund the completion of unfinished waste water treatment plants,
giving priorities to areas where maximum benefits will
occur, including attention to important tourist areas; and
establish clear priorities for each river basin concerning water
supply infrastructure projects.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Freshwater resources and water
sanitation are of concern because of severe deficits in some
regions.
The National Program for Municipal Wastewater Treatment was
recently completed, and the cost of its implementation
was estimated at US$40 million. It includes specific projects for
the protection of the Black Sea from land-based and
maritime pollution.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Council of Ministers,
Ministry of Environment and Waters, Ministry of Regional
Development and Public Works, Ministry of Health, District and
local divisions of the above Ministries.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Training courses
and seminars for the experts in the central and regional units.
Exchange of knowledge and experience on national and international
level. Improvement of public participation in the
decision-making process.
3. Major Groups:
- Public authorities at central, district and local levels
- Municipal water companies and utilities
- Industrial enterprises
- Agricultural enterprises and farmers
- The general Public and NGOs
4. Finance: State budget, National Environmental Protection
Fund, Municipal Environmental Protection Funds,
Environmental Trust Fund.
5. Regional/International Cooperation:
- UN/ECE Convention on the protection and use of transboundary
water courses and international lakes.
- Convention on cooperation for the protection and sustainable use
of the Danube River
- Environmental Action Programme for Central and Eastern Europe
Latest 1995 | ||||
Fresh water availability (total domestic/external in million m3) | ||||
Annual withdrawal of freshwater as % of available water | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 19: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC CHEMICALS,
INCLUDING PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN TOXIC
AND DANGEROUS PRODUCTS
The Council of Ministers Decree includes the lists of:
- dangerous goods published by the UN;
- hazardous substances which are prohibited for import in
connection with the Vienna Convention for the protection of the
ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol;
- permissions for industrial waste import for recycling for those
enterprises with technology allowing for the use of raw
materials and waste;
- wastes according to the EU Commission in connection with
regulation N259/93 for survey and control of the waste
transportation in and out of the EU countries.
Since October 1996, the Republic of Bulgaria is included in
the programme Preparing a National Profile to Assess the
National Infrastructure for Management of Chemicals, supported by
the United Nations Institute for Training and
Research (UNITAR) and IOMC (Inter-Organization Programme for the
Sound Management of Chemicals) - a cooperative
Agreement among UNEP, ILO, WHO, and OECD.
By the end of the second quarter of 1997, a detailed National
Profile to Assess the National Infrastructure for
Management of Chemicals will be submitted to UNITAR.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The legislative framework for the
environmentally sound management of chemicals is Article 7,
para 1 and 2 from the Law on Environmental Protection and the
Decree of the Council of Ministers N268/96. So as to
prevent illegal traffic, the import and transit transportation of
dangerous waste goods and wastes (industrial and hazardous)
are also regulated.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Ministry of Environment and
Water, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health,
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Industry,
Ministry of Finance, "Customs" department, Ministry of
Trade and Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Transport,
Bulgarian Economic Chamber, balkan Scientific and
Educational Center for Ecology and Environmental Protection,
Bulgarian Academy of Science, University of Chemistry
Technology and Metallurgy.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Improving the
cooperation among the state institutions, scientific organizations
and NGOs in the decision making process in the sphere of
environmental legislation.
3. Major Groups: By the enumerated in item 1
institutions.
4. Finance: Supported by UNITAR.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: In close cooperation
with UNEP, ILO, FAO, WHO, UNIDO and OECD.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 20: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTES,
INCLUDING PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN
HAZARDOUS WASTES
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements
of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was
signed in 1989 and ratified in 1996.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
During the last biennium, a number of activities were carried out
in order to facilitate compliance with the Basel
Convention. In 1993, a Council of Ministers Decree was adopted
regulating the collection, transportation, storage and
deactivation of hazardous waste. In the same year, a draft law on
waste was elaborated which reflects the requirements of
the Convention. The law hasn't been adopted by the National
Assembly yet. In the period 1995-1996, a national project
"Study of the Hazardous Waste Management of Bulgaria", developed by
an American company, was implemented. As
outputs of the study, an Action Plan and a Programme for
Institutional Strengthening of Hazardous Waste Management,
envisage the following measures:
1. Elaboration of a system for permits and standards for hazardous
waste management.
2. Requirements for the enterprises generating hazardous waste.
3. Laboratory capacities and programmes for monitoring.
4. Rehabilitation measures.
5. Correcting actions at heightened levels of health risk.
6. Institutional strengthening of the system.
Sub-laws for specific waste management, such as used lubricants and
petroleum products, rejected luminescent lamps and
old pesticides, are being prepared.
A National monitoring system was established containing data for
the generation and treatment of hazardous waste.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Environment
is the competent authority and the national coordinator
with respect to compliance with the Basel Convention. The decisions
are taken in concurrence with the Ministry of
Industry and the Ministry of Health Care under the initiative of
the Minister of Environment or the other ministers.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: There are no modern
disposal areas for hazardous waste. The several existing
incinerators are owned by the companies which generate the waste
and they serve only their needs.
3. Major Groups: The major groups are:
- the legislature
- the executive - the Ministry of Environment and all relevant
institutions
- local governments and local administration - municipal councils,
municipalities, mayors
- NGOs
- academic circles
- private companies
4. Finance:
- local sources of financing
- the National Environmental Protection Fund
- the Municipal Fund for Environmental Protection
- the State Budget
- international sources for financing
5. Regional/International Cooperation: International
projects for hazardous waste management are implemented under
the international cooperation programmes.
Latest 199- | ||||
Generation of hazardous waste (t) | ||||
Import of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
Export of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
Area of land contaminated by hazardous waste (km2) | ||||
Expenditure on hazardous waste treatment (US$) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 21: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF SOLID WASTES AND SEWAGE-RELATED ISSUES
Solid wastes from the household sector.
In the 1995-1996 period, a draft plan for solid waste
management in Bulgaria was elaborated. It was based on
approaches proved successful in the USA and EU and reflects the
concrete needs and conditions of the country. Special
attention was paid to the preventive reduction of wastes in the
context of sustainable development.
The proposed policy is based on the following principles:
1. Clean and healthy environment
2. Rational use of available resources
3. Integrated waste management
4. Polluter pays principle
5. Public participation
These principles are in compliance with international
legislative regulations and the concept of sustainable
development. On the basis of the analysis of the present situation,
the specific conditions in Bulgaria and the above-referred
principles, the main objectives of the policy for solid household
waste are derived. The objectives are as follows:
1. Reduction of the quantity of waste generated
2. Recycling and secondary use of waste
3. Improving the organisation of collection and transport of
waste
4. deactivation of solid household waste
5. Reducing the risk from pollution from the past
6. Wise regulation of solid household waste
7. Public participation
For achieving the objectives, the respective main approaches
and immediate tasks have been formulated. The tasks are
grouped in several major directions: improving the legislation and
its harmonisation with EU directives, introduction of
economic instruments, measures for technical and organizational
objectives and informing and involving the public.
Pursuing the management policy for solid household waste requires
the organisation and coordination of all efforts and the
abilities of all groups of society. In order to achieve the
above-referenced objectives, concrete programmes should be
elaborated and the tasks of the state bodies must be incorporated
into the legal, institution and financial framework.
Special attention is given to the cooperation and distribution
of tasks and responsibilities among state institutions (the
Ministry of Environment, MRDC, MHC, MF, MTFC, MI, MLSA, MAFI, CSM,
CP and others) and the municipalities
participating in solid household waste management.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: see also Chapter 19.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The policy for solid
household waste is within the office of the local governments. The
Ministry of Environment is exercising control on the protection of
the environmental components in waste treatment.
Other executive institutions involved in solid household waste
management are the MRDC, MHC, and MAFI.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: In the framework of
the developed project, a series of workshops have been
organized in which a number of environmental experts from the
municipalities and NGOs have taken part. Bulgarian
experts also participate in international fora on solid household
waste.
3. Major Groups:
- the legislature
- the executive - the Ministry of Environment and all involved
institutions
- bodies of local government and administration - municipal
councils, mayors
- NGOs
- academic circles
4. Finance:
- local sources of financing
- National Environmental Protection Fund
- Municipal Environmental Protection Fund
- State Budget
- international sources of financing - USEPA, PHARE programme
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Regional cooperation
in the field of solid household waste management was
initiated and more concretely, the joint construction of regional
disposal areas, implementation of programmes for
recycling, etc.
Through international cooperation, different projects are
implemented and joint ventures are established for solid
household waste management.
Latest 199- | ||||
Generation of industrial and municipal waste (t) | ||||
Waste disposed(Kg/capita) | ||||
Expenditure on waste collection and treatment (US$) | ||||
Waste recycling rates (%) | ||||
Municipal waste disposal (Kg/capita) | ||||
Waste reduction rates per unit of GDP (t/year) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 22: SAFE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE
WASTES
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS 23-32: MAJOR GROUPS
The role of major groups are also covered under the various chapters of Agenda 21. The following is a summary of main objectives outlined in Agenda 21. Please check the appropriate boxes and describe briefly any important steps or obstacles.
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Ch. 24: GLOBAL ACTION FOR WOMEN TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was signed on 17 July 1980 and ratified on 87 February 1982.
24.a Increasing the proportion of women decision makers: The proportion of women decision-makers in parliament was 13.3% in 1992 and 1996, and the proportion of women decision-makers in local government was 19.8% in 1993 and 21.4% in 1996.
24.b assessing, reviewing, revising and implementing curricula and other educational material with a view to promoting dissemination of gender-relevant knowledge : Curricula and educational material is being revised.
24.c and 24.d formulating and implementing policies, guidelines, strategies and plans for achievement of equality in all aspects of society including issuing a strategy by year 2000 to eliminate obstacles to full participation of women in sustainable development: Policies/strategies are being developed.
24.e establishing mechanisms by 1995 to assess implementation and impact of development and environment policies and programmes on women : Mechanisms are being developed.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
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Ch. 25: CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. 25.a establishing processes that promote dialogue between the youth and government at all levels and mechanisms that permit youth access to information and opportunity to present their views on implementing A21. 1. Exhibition of children's pictures under the title "Children and the Environment" during the Third Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" - Sofia 95. 2. Exhibition of the materials from Agenda 21 in the museum "Earth and People" and other towns organised by NGO - Jatrus-PET - Veliko Tarnovo 1996. 3. National Conference on environmental training for teachers in the secondary schools in chemistry, physics, biology and geography - organised by the MEST and MoE - May 1996.
Describe their role in the national process: Youth serve as advisory participants in the national process. 25.b reducing youth unemployment: Youth unemployment decreased from 44.8% (258,360 persons) to 39.6% (189826) between 1992 and 1996.
25.c ensuring that by year 2000 more than 50% of youth -- gender balanced -- have access to appropriate secondary education or vocational training: The goal set in Agenda 21 has been reached.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page):
- Developing a programme for "green schools" - Making environmental video films with the financial resources of PHARE programme with the Ministry of Environment and organising their dissemination in the schools, universities, NGOs. Initiatives for working with children. Regional Inspectorates, etc. - Initiation and support of children's activities and initiatives for cleaning the streets, parks planting, etc on the occasion of international environmental anniversaries. - In cooperation with MEST development of programmes and projects for environmental training included in the mandatory and additional curriculum. |
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Ch. 26: RECOGNIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
26.a establishing a process to empower indigenous people and their communities -- through policies and legal instruments: No information.
26.b strengthening arrangements for active participation in national policies : Indigenous people participate as advisors on an ad hoc basis in national policies.
26.c involving indigenous people in resource management strategies and programmes at the national and local level : Mechanisms for involvement are being discussed.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
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Ch. 27: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: PARTNERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. 27.a developing mechanisms that allow NGOs to play their partnership role responsibly and effectively. 27.b reviewing formal procedures and mechanisms to involve NGOs in decision making and implementation. 27.c promoting and allowing NGOs to participate in the conception, establishment and evaluation of official mechanisms to review Agenda 21 implementation: Mechanisms are being planned for 1998.
27.d establishing a mutually productive dialogue by 1995 at the national level between NGOs and governments : No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): The involvement of NGOs in the solution of environmental problems is within the priorities of the policy pursued by the Ministry of Environment. They participate in the preparation and implementation of programmes and projects at regional, national and international levels. In the legislation, public participation and access to information is regulated in the Regulation for the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Environmental Protection law.
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Ch. 28: LOCAL AUTHORITIES' INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF
AGENDA 21.
28.a encouraging local authorities to implement and monitor programmes that aim to ensure participation of women and youth in local decision making: The Government supports local Agenda 21 initiatives.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): The Ministry of Regional Development and Construction supports local initiatives aimed at sustainable development. The projects are in the process of preparation, adoption or implementation. The most important projects funded or coordinated by the MRDC are: - National strategy for territorial development of Bulgaria - Draft Law of territorial development - Chart for sustainable development of Bulgarian landscape - Regulations for Black Sea coastal development - Development plans of the 14 coastal zone municipalities MRDC - subsidizes construction and reconstruction of water supply systems, local roads and landfills, - adopts standards for the hygienic characteristics of building materials and works, - develops housing policy. | |
Ch. 29: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF WORKERS AND
THEIR TRADE UNIONS. 29.a full participation of workers in implementation and evaluation of A21 : No information. 29.b (By year 2000, (a) promoting ratification of ILO conventions; (b) establishing bipartite and tripartite mechanism on safety, health and sustainable development; (c) increasing number of environmental collective agreements; (d) reducing occupational accidents and injuries; (e) increasing workers' education and training efforts : ILO Conventions have been ratified.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Bulgaria has ratified 4 ILO Conventions in the field of workers' rights (No.s 11, E7, 94 and 98). The Government intends to submit another package of ILO Conventions in this area. |
30: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRY. | 30.a increasing the efficiency of resource use, including reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste per unit of economic output : No information.
30.b encouraging the concept of stewardship in management and use of natural resources by entrepreneurs : No information.
List any actions taken in this area: No information.
30.c increasing number of enterprises that subscribe to and implement sustainable development policies : No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
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Ch. 31: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY. 31.a improving exchange of knowledge and concerns between s&t community and the general public. Scientific community has already established ways in which to address the general public and deal with sustainable development : No information.
31.b developing, improving and promoting international acceptance of codes of practice and guidelines related to science and technology and its role in reconciling environment and development : No information.
Brief comments on this chapter not already described in chapter 35 (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
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Ch. 32: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
FARMERS. 32.a promoting and encouraging sustainable farming practices and technologies: No information.
32.b developing a policy framework that provides incentives and motivation among farmers for sustainable and efficient farming practices : No information.
32.c enhancing participation of organizations of farmers in design and implementation of sustainable development policies : No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 33: FINANCIAL RESOURCES
AND MECHANISMS
Financial resources and mechanisms are also covered under each
sectoral chapter of Agenda 21 where
relevant. This summary highlights broader national financial
policies, domestic and external
(including ODA)
CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT: No information.
NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: No information.
ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES: No
information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The Government is doing its best
through available mechanisms, including privatization, to mobilise
new and additional local resources to implement a range of actions
for ensuring sustainibility in the national economy. It
has created room for investment activities by providing
preferential treatment for investors. The main flows are expected
to come from the private sector - both national and foreign - the
share of which in the GNP was more than 40% in 1995.
It is calculated that in order to meet environmental, health and
social requirements, for example, the chemical industry
needs an investment of 203 million US$, the metallurgic industry
201 million US$ and the food industry 31 million US$.
Eighty percent of the total amount spent for environmental
protection in 1994 came from local authorities and business
sectors, while 14 percent came from the state budget and 4 % from
extrabudgetary funds. The Government will also
continue to rely on bilateral and multilateral international
cooperation. It is open to reasonable financial innovations like
the Swiss-Bulgarian debt for environment swap deal which is
regarded as a win-win project of political goodwill.
ODA policy issues
No information |
ODA funding provided or received (Total US$million) | ||||||
Net flow of external capital from all sources as % of GDP | ||||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 34: TRANSFER OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION
AND CAPACITY-BUILDING
Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and
capacity-building is also covered under each sectoral
chapter of Agenda 21 where relevant. This summary highlights
broader national policies and actions relating to
chapter 34.
MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON LINKS BETWEEN NATIONAL, REGIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION
NETWORKS/SYSTEMS: No information.
Describe any work being undertaken at the national or
local level regarding efforts to promote clean production
processes and/or the concepts of eco-efficiency. These processes
may include training, preferential financial
arrangements, information dissemination and changes in legal or
regulatory frameworks. No information.
Provide information on the adoption of environmental management systems. National reaction to environmental management system standards such as the ISO 14000 Series and others. Please note efforts made at the national level to promote their adoption and the creation of certification infrastructure in order to facilitate access to these standards to local industry: No information.
List and describe programs or work under way to facilitate the transfer of ESTs to small and medium sized enterprises. Please note efforts to facilitate access to financial resources and other transfer strategies: No information. |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 35: SCIENCE FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG
TERM SCIENTIFIC
ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY: No
information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE,
RESEARCH NEEDS AND PRIORITIES: No
information.
Year | |||
Number of scientists, engineers and technicians engaged in research and experimental development | |||
Total expenditure for research and experimental development (US$eq.) | |||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 36: PROMOTING EDUCATION,
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING
1. Environmental Strategy
2. National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation
3. Work on the Pan-European Strategy, landscape and biodiversity
4. Phase-wise introduction of environmental education and training
in all levels at the schools in the mandatory and
additional curriculum.
a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable
development
In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and
Technology - conception for a new programme
"Environmental education and training."
b) Increasing public awareness
The Ministry of Environment is financing the media disseminating
information and knowledge connected with
environmental protection and sustainable development policy, issues
brochures, video films and books.
c) Promoting training
Training courses are organised for the Regional Inspectorates,
different public groups, local governments, NGOs,
agricultural sector.
ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS:
- local governments - pursue regional environmental policy in
conformity with the central government
- educational sector - reorganises the educational and training
policy
- business - through Environment Impact Assessment
- agriculture - environmental agriculture
FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES:
Financing is provided through the
National Environmental Protection Fund and international programmes
and projects.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
Latest 1992 | ||||
Adult literacy rate (%) Male | ||||
Adult literacy rate (%) Female | ||||
% of primary school children reaching grade 5 (1986-97) | ||||
Mean number of years of schooling | ||||
% of GNP spent on education | ||||
Females per 100 males in secondary school | ||||
Women per 100 men in the labour force | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 37: NATIONAL MECHANISMS
AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR
CAPACITY-BUILDING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
National capacity building is also covered under sectoral
chapters.
Donors: You may wish to describe here how Agenda 21 has
influenced your ODA policies in this area.
Developing countries: You may wish to describe any new
national mechanisms for capacity building - and any
changes in technical cooperation.
Capacity 21 Programme in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, the best opportunity to pursue the global
Capacity 21's objectives of integration, participation and
information currently exists at the community level. Capacity 21
resources can be most effectively used by supporting the
Government of Bulgaria's and UNDP-Bulgaria's efforts to promote
sustainable human development at the community
level.
The Capacity 21 programme can help the Government of Bulgaria
prepare the groundwork for the preparation of a
national strategy for sustainable development through support in
several key areas:
- development of a framework for sustainable community
development;
- enhancement of national awareness and knowledge of Bulgaria's key
sustainable development challenges and options;
- enhancement of the capacity of Bulgarian public media to
understand and communicate clear messages regarding
Bulgaria's sustainable development and options, and
- improvement of sustainable development education in public
schools.
These are essential steps in preparing for a future Bulgarian
national strategy for sustainable development, a Bulgarian
Agenda 21.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL ENDOGENOUS CAPACITY
BUILDING:
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 38: INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Ch. 38: Brief summary of any particular UN System
response affecting this country/state: No information. |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 39: INTERNATIONAL LEGAL
INSTRUMENTS AND MECHANISMS
Ch. 39: International Legal Instruments are covered
under the relevant sectoral chapters. This is a listing of major
agreements/conventions (not already covered) entered into and
relevant to Agenda 21: No information. |
2. | International cooperation and trade | |||||
3. | Combating poverty | |||||
4. | Changing consumption patterns | |||||
5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability | |||||
6. | Human health | |||||
7. | Human settlements | |||||
8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making | |||||
9. | Protection of the atmosphere | |||||
10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources | |||||
11. | Combating deforestation | |||||
12. | Combating desertification and drought | |||||
13. | Sustainable mountain development | |||||
14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development | |||||
15. | Conservation of biological diversity | |||||
16. | Biotechnology | |||||
17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources | |||||
18. | Freshwater resources | |||||
19. | Toxic chemicals | |||||
20. | Hazardous wastes | |||||
21. | Solid wastes | |||||
22. | Radioactive wastes | |||||
24. | Women in sustainable development | |||||
25. | Children and youth | |||||
26. | Indigenous people | |||||
27. | Non-governmental organizations | |||||
28. | Local authorities | |||||
29. | Workers and trade unions | |||||
30. | Business and industry | |||||
31. | Scientific and technological community | |||||
32. | Farmers | |||||
33. | Financial resources and mechanisms | |||||
34. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building | |||||
35. | Science for sustainable development | |||||
36. | Education, public awareness and training | |||||
37. | International cooperation for capacity-building | |||||
38. | International institutional arrangements | |||||
39. | International legal instruments | |||||
40. | Information for decision-making |
No information.
Latest 199- | ||||
Number of telephones in use per 100 inhabitants | ||||
Other data |
Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
Last updated 1 November 1997