National Implementation of Agenda 21

CZECH REPUBLIC COUNTRY PROFILE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 21: REVIEW OF PROGRESS MADE SINCE THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, 1992 Information Provided by the Government of The Czech Republic to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development Fifth Session 7-25 April 1997 New York United Nations Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development Division for Sustainable Development The Information contained in this Country Profile is also available on the World Wide Web, as follows: http://www.un.org/desa/earthsummit

CZECH REPUBLIC This country profile has been provided by: Name of Ministry/Office: Czech Environmental Institute Date: 30 September 1997 Submitted by: Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic Mailing address: RN Dr. Zdenek Strnad, Director Telephone: 42-02-741697 Telefax: 42-02-71737721 E-mail: info@ceu.cz 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.

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)

OVERVIEW 1. Introduction In June 1992, the former Czechoslovakia, as many other countries participating at the Rio Conference, signed the relevant documents, especially Agenda 21. After the division of Czechoslovakia (1992-93), the present Czech Republic, as one of the two successor states, acknowledges most of the laws, international commitments, signed and ratified conventions, protocols etc. in the field of environmental protection which were agreed and settled upon not only between 1990-1992 but also before 1990 by the former Czechoslovakia. With respect to the development launched by the UNCSD, it must be stated that the Czech Republic fully acknowledges this activity and in the frame of its possibilities takes part in the relevant activity of this UN body. The prevailing opinion between experts concerning the implementation of the 40 chapters of Agenda 2l under the conditions of the Czech Republic can be characterized as a moral task and a voluntary set of commitments, which cannot be omitted, but also not enforced in its general form as a national legislative measure. Thus, it does not have the same status as e.g. the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change or the Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, etc. Most convenient is to consider Agenda 21 as an umbrella document, the individual chapters of which can be implemented only gradually in a rather broad time scale. Agenda 21 was translated and published in Czech in a somewhat abbreviated form together with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity. At the moment discussions are going on to prepare a complete translation under the financial auspices of the Ministry of Environment of the CR. 2. Progress in the implementation of sustainable development at governmental level Up to now the Czech Republic did not officially prepare a national Agenda 21 sensu stricto. Nevertheless, there exists an equivalent plan of a long-term strategy of environmental protection and sustainable development which is based on Act No. 17/1992 Coll. on the environment dated December 5, 1991. In its preamble this law speaks of "a human's right to transform nature in accordance with the principle of sustainable development", "the responsibility for maintaining a healthy environment for future generations" and of "the right to a favourable environment as one of the principal rights of a human being". In its 6, the act defines sustainable development according to the Brundtland concept. The "State Environmental Policy", approved by the Government of the Czech Republic on 23 August, 1995 is based on the above-mentioned act. This document includes not only short-term and medium-term objectives, but also long-term goals. Nevertheless, the protection of human health through the elimination of the impacts of harmful factors of a biological, physical and chemical nature and physical well-being, are permanent priorities. Both short-term and medium-term goals following from the contemporary state of the environment in the Czech Republic are subordinate to this long-term goal. Up to now it cannot be stated that problems in the CR, which should be solved according to sustainable development principles, are approached from ecological, economic and social viewpoints, as would be required. Integrating environment and development in decision-making has started. Currently, work is going on to formulate a second broader concept of the "State Environmental Policy" with respect to the gradually changing political situation. 3. Institutional, financial and organizational facilities for the implementation of sustainable development The main institution in the CR responsible for the implementation of sustainability principles and elements at the governmental level is currently only the Ministry of the Environment of the CR (MoE), which was founded in December 1989. The Ministry has four sections: environmental policy, legislative issues, technical protection of the environment and nature and soil protection. This Ministry also coordinates a number of subordinate bodies which monitor the state of the environment, inspect the polluters and finance environmental protection projects: - the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (founded before World War II); - the Water Research Institute (founded before World War II/ - the Czech Geological Survey (founded before World War II); - the Czech Environmental Institute; - the Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection; - the Research Institute of Ornamental Gardening (founded before World War II); - the Czech Environmental Inspection. With respect to financial issues, it is necessary to mention the State Environmental Fund (SEF) which was established in 1991 as an additional financial resource for environmental protection. It operates in a similar way as in other countries. The financial resources originate partly from the National Property Fund as well as from fines, fees and other payments. This fund supports large projects on air and water protection, waste management, on nature, landscape and soil protection and also projects on alternative energy sources. E.g. in 1996, the SEF accepted 955 applications in a total amount of CZK 12.1 billion (approx. US$360 million) of which only about one third could be financed (about CZK 4.6 billion, about US$131 million). Several specific programmes exist which are in principle connected with sustainability: the Air Recovery Programme, Radon Programme, Programme of Revitalization of River Systems, Programme of Preservation of the Landscape and the National Ecolabelling Programme. At the beginning there were "voluntary agreements" of industrial companies with the State administration, introduction of programmes for "cleaner production", and the introduction of "environmental management systems". The Environmental Remediation Programme was launched in 1993, and in the period 1993-1996, 473 projects were supported in a total amount of CZK 372.4 million (about 10.5 million USD). The main purpose of this programme is to support projects which serve the MoE in its decision-making. The MoE also supports projects in the framework of the programme "Science and Research" which begun in 1993, with five main branches: (I) environmental risk assessment; (ii) complex research of waters and watersheds; (iii) nature conservation and landscape protection, and (iv) geology. Finally, the support of various NGOs must also be mentioned. Yearly about 180 projects are financed from about 600 applications. In this way, e.g. in 1996, 17.1 million CZK were allocated (about $0.5 million USD). From this amount, about 10% of the projects are directly linked to the implementation of sustainable development. In the Czech Republic there are several organizations which are monitoring the state and development of the whole country from the viewpoint of sustainability. At first the Czech National Commission on Sustainable Development (CN CSD), which was established in 1994 by uniting the former Commission for International Relations and the Advisory Board of the Deputy Minister and Director of Section on Environmental Policy - both bodies of the MoE CR. The status of the CN CSD was to support interministerial coordination of activities, preparation of an environmentally sustainable development strategy (State Environmental Policy), implementation of important environmental projects within the programmes of foreign assistance and the preparation of national environmental performance reviews. The Chairman of the CN CSD was the Deputy Minister and Director of the Section on environmental Policy, Mr. V. Bízek. The total number of members was 24 (9 - governmental bodies, 7 - universities, academic and research institutes, 5 - business, bank and production sector, 2 - NGOs and 1 - others). This commission was restructured in November 1996 and renamed "Commission for Sustainable Development and International Cooperation" with the same Chairman mentioned above, and 16 members. Due to its composition this body can be considered as an interministerial commission. About 3 members of this commission are responsible for sustainable development issues. This new body shall continue in its work with emphasis on the following fields, closely related to problems of sustainability: (I) state environmental policy; (ii) influence of economic instruments; (iii) education and public awareness, and (iv) organization of workshops in cooperation with the UN CSD. A second body is the Commission for the Environment of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the main mission of which is to contribute to a more extensive application of scientific knowledge in the forming of future environmental policies in the spirit of Agenda 21, further to present relevant results to the public in a generally understandable way. The Council has about 25 members, mostly from universities, academic and research institutes, but also from the Ministry of the Environment. The history of this Council goes back to the 70's; after the political changes in 1989, it was reorganized. A third organization is the Charles University Environmental Centre led by the first environment minister of the CR, Prof. B. Moldan. This body concentrates its activity almost completely on problems of sustainability implementation mostly in the field of strategy, indicators of sustainable development, philosophy, etc. The Society for Sustainable Living, founded in 1993, is an NGO with several hundred members mostly with more or less intellectual profile. It engages in ecological problems and associated disciplines in the spirit of the Rio agreements, however, from a very broad viewpoint, including biology, ecology, medicine, chemistry, technical sciences, legislative issues, sociology, philosophy, art, etc., which have relevance to the sustainable development principles. The Czech Business Council for Sustainable Development, founded in 1993, is a body established by a number of Czech industrial companies, the main mission of which is to become a leading business advocate for issues regarding sustainable development, to demonstrate and share progress achieved in environmental management in businesses and finally to spread results achieved in environmental protection, energy efficiency, sustainable resource management and to prevent air, water and soil pollution as well as waste production. It cooperates also with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. The mentioned five bodies and several other NGO's (e.g. Children of the Earth, the Green Circle etc.) try to initiate the process of sustainable development in the Czech Republic. This task is in our conditions a very slow and not at all a simple process similarly as in most other countries of the CEEC region. In the Czech Republic specifically, the first governmental institutions dealing with environmental problems as a whole were founded only after 1989. The deep political and economic changes, the problem of the division of former Czechoslovakia had, and still have, naturally the priority attention of the government and of the majority of the population. 4. Achievements in the field of sustainability implementation - improvement of the environment quality With respect to the development of the Czech economy in the last seven years and due to the implementation of environmental protection measures which implicitly include the Agenda 21 principles, the following major achievements in our country can be identified: - Air quality improvement (Chapter 9 of Agenda 21) The total emissions of principal pollutants from stationary sources (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons) were reduced in the 1992-95 period by about 19 per cent. At the same time, emissions of particulate matter were reduced by about 36 per cent. - Reduction of the share of the Czech Republic on climate change (UN FCCC and Montreal Protocol) The total emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, decreased in the 1992-95 period by more than 8 per cent, in the period 1990-95 by about 24 per cent. The consumption of substances depleting the ozone layer decreased between 1992-95 by about 84 per cent. - Increase of the quality of surface and ground waters (Chapter 18 of Agenda 21) The total amount of discharged waste water decreased in the period 1992-95 by more than 13 per cent, the amount of treated waste waters increased in the same period by nearly 8 per cent. The overall discharged pollution thus decreased by more than 9 per cent. The trend in ground water quality has an increasing tendency. - Decrease of the negative impacts of environmentally hazardous factors on the health of the population (Chapter 6 of Agenda 21) The health risks caused by pollutants in the air, water and foodstuffs show a decreasing tendency. The overall assessment of the quality of drinking water based on 250,000 analyses performed in 1994, exceeded only in 0.85 per cent of cases unacceptable values. - Decrease of the negative influence of mining and quarrying on the state of the geological environment (Chapter 10 of Agenda 21) The overall mining area decreased by 24 per cent. Measures were begun to eliminate the negative consequences of uranium mining by chemical leaching technologies. - Reduction of the total number of operated waste dumps and the increase of the fraction operated in compliance with the new waste legislation (Chapters 20, 21 and 22 of Agenda 21) The overall number of waste dumps in operation decreased in the 1992-95 period by more than 37 per cent, the fraction of waste dumps (landfills) operated in compliance with the new waste legislation was 23 per cent in 1995. - Stabilization of the overall forest damage by air pollution (Chapter 11 of Agenda 21) In the period 1985-1995, the fraction of forests damaged to some extent by air pollutants increased from 40.5 per cent in 1985 to 60.8 per cent in 1992 and up to 1994 there was an increase to 64.4 per cent, whereby 58.4 per cent were damaged only slightly (up to 5 per cent of strongly damaged trees) and 6 per cent strongly.

OVERVIEW (Cont'd) The main causes for the above-described positive development features are: - the transformation process of the national economy; - high overall expenditure for the protection of the environment (presently an equivalent of about 2.5 per cent of GDP both from governmental, private and semiprivate sources); - implementation of the state environmental policy; - active and positive approach of the governmental, municipal, business and industrial sphere and of course the activities of the NGO's. 5. Critical and main issues - principles, priorities and time scales The above-mentioned State Environmental Policy identifies several priority levels of sustainability which are based on the following principles: (I) the precautionary principle; (ii) the polluter-pays principle; (iii) the technical feasibility principle; (iv) the substitution principle and (v) the critical load principle. With respect to priorities, there can be distinguished three groups - short, medium and long-term priorities: a) Short-term priorities (up to the year 1998): - Improving air quality through further reduction of harmful emissions; - Improving water quality by limiting pollution discharges; - Reduction of the production of waste, especially hazardous waste; - Eliminating the impact of harmful physical and chemical factors; - Remedying previous environmental damage ("old burdens"). The evaluation of the quality of the environment in the CR between 1989-1994 indicates that from a geographical perspective, the priority problem areas (hot spots) continue to be concentrated in Northern Bohemia, Northern Moravia and in the Capital City of Prague. b) Medium-term priorities (up to 1999-2005): - Creating land use provisions safeguarding efficient protection of the individual components of the environment; - Increasing the water retention capacity of land; - Continued reclamation of areas devastated by extensive mining activities. c) Long-term priorities (post 2005): - Climate protection; - Protection of the Earth's ozone layer; - Conservation and reestablishing biological diversity and thus renewing the ecological equilibrium of the landscape. Priorities in science and technology and in the area of foreign relations can be further distinguished. Nevertheless, in concluding this chapter, it must be repeated that the interconnection between environment and development important for decision-making is up to now not seriously considered. 6. Implementation of principles of sustainability - case studies Despite that in the CR the whole implementation process of sustainability principles is at its beginning, several examples of successful projects, case studies and stories can be given. An important issue for the CR is the Dobris Process, which begun in former Czechoslovakia due to the initiative of Mr. J. Vavrouek, the first Czechoslovak federal Minister of the Environment, who in June 1991 organized the first Pan-European conference of environment ministers at Castle Dobris near Prague. This process which is linked with the implementation of sustainable development in the European scale continued in 1993 in Luzern, and in 1995, in Sophia. In 1998, the ministerial conference shall take place in Aarhus, in Denmark. One of the most remarkable results of the Dobris Process is the first, and up to now, unique publication "Europe's Environment".

OVERVIEW (Cont'd) Worth mentioning are activities going on in the field of education and public awareness, e.g., the project financed by the Ministry of the Environment of the CR entitled "Education Programme for Environmentally Sustainable Development" (1 million ECU from September 1995 to December 1996). It consists of three subprojects: (I) Services for pedagogical universities; (ii) Preparation of text books for technical and other universities and (iii) Raising public awareness. In this context, about 60 text books were edited and published in 1,500 - 3,000 copies. In the list of these publications also the new report of the Club of Rome, Factor 4 by E.U. von Weizsäcker, A.B. and L.H. Lovins is included. The Czech Commission on Sustainable Development organized in the last two years in cooperation with the UN CSD's two workshops: one on economic instruments for sustainable development and the second on education and public awareness. It should also be stated that a number of internationally well known and famous books closely connected or directly dealing with the problem of sustainable development were translated and published in the CR, mostly with the financial support of the Ministry of the Environment of the CR. Furthermore, in the CR, a number of periodicals is published which now and then inform the reader also on problems of sustainable development (Planeta - Planet, NIKA - NICHE, Ochrana ovzdusí - Air Protection, Vodní hospodártví -Water Management, etc.). From a practical point of view, two examples of successful case studies can be given. The first is a systematic revitalization project of a Submountain headwater landscape in the surrounding of Senotín located in southern Bohemia, in the border region of the CR and Austria. It is based on a holistic bio- and socio-environmental approach to landscape management. Here the landscape revitalization is understood as the implementation of Agenda 21 principles at a more or less local scale. This project is also a result of Czech-Austrian cooperation. The second practical example deals with the application of sustainability principles in the field of energy management. It is the design and creation of a multiple energy source for heating a reconstructed old building once used as a sawmill also located in southern Bohemia. The energy source equipment consists of water turbines, heat pumps using water of different temperature, solar collectors and absorption walls exposed to solar radiation. Interesting is the fact that the project was finished in the period 1978-1982. 7. Activities in the field of local governance A number of experts and even whole organizations are presently coming to the conclusion that the implementation of sustainability principles is most easily accomplished at a local level of environmental management. In the CR there exist several enlightened local authorities which strive to manage their community in an environmentally sustainable way, e.g. in Dín (especially sustainable energy sources), d'ár nad Sázavou (waste management), eský Krumlov (environmental management in a town proclaimed by UNESCO as a site with world wide importance as a cultural and historical heritage), Mikulov (in cooperation with environmentally oriented NGO's - development of ecotourism in a transboundary area). Most of these towns do not exceed 50,000 inhabitants. A number of NGO's asking for support from the Ministry of the Environment are active in developing local agendas on the implementation of sustainability principles, especially in the field of ecological education and raising public awareness, nature conservation and sustainable development as a whole (e.g. Czech Union of Nature Conservation - Branch Veronica in Brno). An important information measure for local management of environmental and sustainability problems is the translation and publishing of the "ICLEI's Guide to Environmental Management for Local Authorities in Central and Eastern Europe" (ICLEI = The International Environmental Agency for Local Governments, Freiburg, Germany). This compendium will comprise about 18 volumes covering all relevant aspects of the discussed problems. Their concept is based on the application of Agenda 21. 8. Activities concerning global governance The Czech Republic's attitude towards the solution of global environmental issues, especially as it became member of the OECD (since December 1995) and associated member of the EU (application submitted in spring 1996), recognizes in an increasing scale the environmental and sustainability recommendations of these organizations. The approximation process towards full membership in the EU which started in 1996 inherently contains commitments and legislative measures which should be to a great extent in compliance with the principles of sustainable development.

OVERVIEW (Cont'd) After foundation of the UN CSD, the former first Czech Environment Minister, Mr. B. Moldan, was nominated and elected as one of the Vice-chairmen of this UN body. From this position a number of activities evolved, especially the organization of the workshops mentioned at the beginning of this report. Former Czechoslovakia signed (1984) and ratified (1984) the Convention on Long range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and signed and ratified all the relevant Protocols (EMEP, Sulphur Dioxide I and II, Nitrogen Oxides and VOCs). The CR as a country listed in Annex I of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change submitted in 1994 its first national report to the secretariat of this convention. In 1995, the emissions of carbon dioxide decreased by about 24 per cent in comparison with 1990. In June 1997, the CR submitted its second report to the UN FCCC secretariat, about eight months before the official deadline (15 April 1998). Former Czechoslovakia signed (1990) and ratified (1991) the Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. At the same time, it also signed and ratified the Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (the Montreal Protocol). The consumption of the most efficient ozone depleting substances (CFCs, so called "hard freons") decreased from 5,514 tons in 1986 to zero tons in 1996. Thus, the CR is fully in compliance with the more stringent conditions of the London and Copenhagen Amendments to the Montreal Protocol valid also in the EU. In 1989, former Czechoslovakia signed and later (1992) ratified the Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal. In 1995, at the Third Meeting of Parties to the Convention, the delegation from the CR supported an initiative by the EU and Scandinavian countries for complete prohibition of the export of hazardous waste from the OECD countries, which should be rapidly introduced through an Annex to the Convention. In 1991, Czechoslovakia signed the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in a Transboundary Context. Ratification of this convention is expected after approval of new legislation on EIA in the CR. The CR signed (1993) and ratified (1993) the Convention on Biological Diversity. In November 1995, a delegation from the CR participated at the Second Meeting of the Conference of Parties to this Convention where the Djakarta Ministerial Declaration and some other resolutions were passed which are designed for the implementation of the Convention in individual geographical regions. Otherwise, the CR is party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (signed 1992, ratified 1992) and its later Amendment, a party to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitats (signed 1990, ratified 1990) and its later Amendment. The CR also signed (1993) and ratified (1994) the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and is also a Party to the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats In Europe (signed 1993, ratified 1994). Concerning financial issues of global environmental problems the CR is an active member of the GEF, it cooperates with the World Bank, etc. 9. Constraints and obstacles in the implementation of sustainability Despite or maybe just because of the improving quality of the environment in the CR (especially air and water) and despite of a number of successful case studies and projects, the implementation of the Agenda 21 principles is up to now in the CR rather slow and only at its beginning. The prevailing majority of the public is aware of serious environmental problems, but the way of their solution is considered being only a more or less technical obstacle. For instance the problem of changing production and consumption patterns has up to now had little impact on the behaviour of the average citizen. From a purely practical point of view the following serious obstacles in the implementation of sustainable development principles can be identified: - The per capita emissions of sulphur dioxide, despite protective measures, are still very high in comparison with the average for the OECD countries. In 1994, the CR emitted 193 kg, and the OECD 98 kg per capita (average). - 35 per cent of monitored water courses can be classified as highly or very highly polluted. - A considerable part of the sewage system is not connected to any form of sewage treatment (in 1994 about 15 per cent).

OVERVIEW (Cont'd) - The percentage of forests damaged by air pollution is alarmingly high, the highest in Europe (in 1995, at least 60 per cent of forest areas was damaged to some extent). - Old ecological burdens are a continuous risk for nature and human health (e.g. the abandoned mining of uranium ores by chemical leaching, old dumps of hazardous waste, construction materials with harmful chemicals and substances, etc.). - Up to now endangered natural ecosystems were not able to benefit positively from improved air and water quality, e.g. the percentage of endangered or critically endangered species of flora and fauna is extraordinarily high. - High frequency of fires, accidents or other extraordinary events harmful to the environment (e.g. in 1993-95 the number of accidents with petroleum products increased by about 60 per cent). In concluding this part, it can be stated that the average representative of the government, of the industrial and business sector, the agricultural, public or even from the intellectual sphere is up to now not able to distinguish between simple environmental protection (which is understood rather well) and the implementation of sustainable development principles including a synergetic approach to environmental, economic and social issues. Instead, the classical extensive development of production and consumption patterns is believed to be infinite by the average citizen (industry, transportation, tourism, etc.). This concept has, at many gatherings, been declared and proven unfeasible. This report was prepared on the basis of consultations arranged at the level of the Ministry of the Environment of the CR by the Department of Strategies and Environmental Statistics.

CZECH REPUBLIC 1. Key National Sustainable Development Coordination Mechanism(s) (e.g., Councils, Commissions, Inter-Ministerial Working Groups). Czech Environmental Institute - focal point CSD Contact point (Name, Title, Office): RNDr Zdenek Strnad, Czech Environmental Institute Telephone: 42-02-741697 Fax: 42-02-71737721 E-mail: zdenek.strnad@ceu.cz Mailing address: Czech Environmental Institute Vrsovická 65 100 10 Praha 10 Czech Republic 2. Membership/Composition/Chairperson: 2a. List of ministries and agencies involved: Ministry of Environment Ministry of Health Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2b. Names of para-statal bodies and institutions involved, as well as participating of academic and private sector bodies: Centre for Environment, Charles University 2c. Names of non-governmental organizations involved: Society for Sustainable Living 3. Mandate/role of above mechanism/council: Submitted by: (Name): Ing. Alexandra Orliková, CSc. Signature: Signed on behalf of Director. Title: Director of International Relations Department Date: 30 September 1997 Telephone: 42-02-67122218 Fax: 42-02-739411 E-mail: alex@env.cz

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC POLICIES (with special emphasis on TRADE)

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

STATUS REPORT: On the basis of Decision No. 153 of March 15 1995, the Government of CR approved the provision of foreign aid to developing countries and countries in transition: the Ministry of the Environment prepared 7 projects of bilateral cooperation (total amount CZK 24.8 million) and 8 projects of multilateral cooperation (total amount CZK 25.5 million) especially in the area of hydrology, meteorology and protection of the ozone layer - to be completed in 1997.

Cross-Sectoral Issues 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.

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 3: COMBATING POVERTY

NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Focus of national strategy Not applicable for CR. Highlight activities aimed at the poor and linkages to the environment

Cross-Sectoral Issues 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.

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS
	1985	1990	199 3	199 4	199 5	Latest 1996
Unemployment (%)	0	0.76	3.5	3.2	2.9	3.5
Population living in absolute poverty	0	0	0	0	0	0
Public spending on social sector %	15.81	512	332	362	352	322
Other data

1 from former Czechoslovakia national income used

2 expenditure from CR national budget

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 4: CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS

NATIONAL PRIORITY: Improve the efficiency of energy and material use

STATUS REPORT: National policy objectives/focus After 1989, the transition to a market oriented system in the Czech Republic has been connected with the emulation of traditional consumption patterns of liberal market economics. That is why the State environmental authorities are supporting environmentally friendly goods and combating those that are environmentally harmful. There are different forms of such support, e.g. eco-labeling, taxing environmentally friendly goods at a lower rate of VAT, and other tax levying. On the other hand, environmentally unfriendly productions are penalized by emission charges and other economic instruments, like tax differentiations. The Czech Republic considers the application of economic instruments an extremely important means to change production and consumption patterns, and is exerting constant efforts for broader implementation of these instruments. The country also hosted the CSD Intersessional Symposium on Economic Instruments for Sustainable Development in 1995. Through the use of economic instruments, attention is paid not only to the big polluters but also to households. Households are often located in urban areas with higher health risks of air pollution. For example, households have been subsidized to switch from (brown) coal to (natural) gas or another kind of cleaner fuel. (For more information on the use of economic instruments in the Czech Republic, see Chapter 33.) In addition to economic instruments, an effective instrument has been the negotiation on voluntary agreements between the State administration and pollution producers. For example, in 1995, the Ministry of Environment concluded such an agreement with the Association of Manufacturers of Washing Powders for the gradual reduction of environmentally harmful substances from their products. As the first post-communist country to take the initiative, the Czech Republic introduced an eco-labeling programme in 1994. In 1995, 90 products had been granted the right to use an eco-label, and several of the responsible companies reported a significant increase in the sales of these products. In the near future, the Czech Republic's eco-labeling programme will be harmonized with that of the Member States of the European Union. An institutional framework for the Environmental Management System for enterprises was established in 1996. Industries are encouraged to develop and introduce low-waste, low-emission, low-power and resource-saving technologies as well as closed production cycles and to manufacture environmentally friendly products. In addition, the manufacturers' responsibility for the life-cycle of their products will be gradually implemented. Concerning environmental education and public awareness-raising, environmental aspects need to be incorporated into the education cycle at all levels. Improving public access to information and the collection of data on the environment are important factors in this process.

Cross-Sectoral Issues 1. Decision-Making Structure: No information. 2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: See status report. 3. Major Groups: No information. 4. Finance: See Chapter 33. 5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS
	19851	1990	1992	1993	1994	1995	Latest 1996
GDP per capita (current prices, purchasing power parities) (US$)	4,368	4,976	6,969	8,013	9,125	10,500	11,200
Real GDP growth (comparative prices) (%)	3.0	-1.2	-6.4	-0.9	2.6	4.8	4.1
Annual energy consumption per capita (Kg. of oil equivalent per capita)	4,780	4,784	4,139	4,044	3,900	3,955	-
Motor vehicles in use (passenger cars per 1000 inhabitants	200.9	232.6	250.0	265.9	287.0	301.4	324.8
Other data

1 Former Czechoslovakia.

Government policies affecting consumption and production.

1. Goals and Agents (Stakeholders)

Indicate with a (X) those agents which your Governments policies are meant most to influence.

Agents Goals	Producers	Local authorities	Central Government	Households	Civil society
Material efficiency	x		x		x
Energy efficiency:
Transport
Housing
Other	x		x
Waste:
Reduce	x	x	x	x
Reuse	x	x	x	x
Recycle	x	x	x	x

Comments:

2. Means & Measures and Agents (Stakeholders)

Indicate with an (R) those agents who assume primary responsibility for any of the policy measures indicated; indicate with an (I) the agents for which the impact is expected to be especially significant.

Agents Means & Measures	Producer s	Local authorities	Central Governmen t	House- holds	Civil Societ y
Improving understanding and analysis
Information and education (e.g., radio/TV/press)	I	I/R	R	I	R
Research	R	I	R	I	I
Evaluating environmental claims	I	R	R	R/I	R
Form partnerships		R/I	R/I	I	R
Applying tools for modifying behaviour
Community based strategies		R	R		R
Social incentives/disincentives (e.g., ecolabelling)	I		R	I
Regulatory instruments	I		R	I
Economic incentives/disincentives	I		R	I
Voluntary agreements of producer responsibility for aspects of product life cycle	R			I	R
Provision of enabling facilities and infrastructure (e.g., transportation alternatives, recycling)		R	R	I	I
Procurement policy		R	R
Monitoring, evaluating and reviewing performance
Action campaign	R	R		I	R
Other (specify)

Comments:

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 5: DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND SUSTAINABILITY

NATIONAL PRIORITY: To prevent the population growing old
STATUS REPORT: The Czech Republic has a population of 10.3 million. Some 13.3% of the population is over 64 years old, and 18.3% is under 15 (1996). The high mortality rate of men and their previously high rate of migration has led to a disproportionate number of women and especially elderly widows. Mean life expectancy in the Czech Republic has been rising continually since the year 1960 when observation began. In the view of the Government, population growth and fertility levels are too low; the Government would intervene to raise these rates.

Cross-Sectoral Issues 1. Decision-Making Structure: No information. 2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information. 3. Major Groups: Demographical Society of Academy of Science CR. 4. Finance: No information. 5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS
	1990	1993	1994	1995	Latest 1996
Population (Thousands) mid-year estimates	10,363	10,331	10,336	10,331	10,315
Annual rate of increase (1990-1993)	0.1	0.3	-1.0	-2.1	-2.2
Surface area (Km2)	78,864	78,864	78,864	78,864	78,866
Population density (people/Km2)	131.4	131.0	131.0	131.0	131.0
Other data Population by age group, 1990-1996. Population estimates to 2020 in CR. Mean life expectancy in the CR according to sex, 1960-1996.

Population estimates

Future domestic demand for the results of individual economic activities will be shaped by the expected number of inhabitants. The In 1995, the Czech Statistical Office prepared projections of the expected number of inhabitants up to 2020, which comprise two variants, high and low.

Both variants show a decreasing number of inhabitants, which is mainly due to the negative natural increment. Decreasing population figures are expected in spite of the positive migration number (approximately 10,000 immigrants are expected yearly).