Location: [ECE] [Press Releases]

24 June 1997

When the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) reviewed Estonia's environmental performance, it concluded that the pollution load had dropped considerably since the beginning of the transition. However, the environmental improvements had to a large extent been achieved as a result of the economic slowdown. The main environmental and economic indicators bore this out: for instance, gross industrial output declined by 58%, between 1991 and 1994, largely helping to reduce SO₂ emissions by 39%, particulates by 42%, NO_x emissions by 30% and CO emissions by 45%. The economic downturn also explained the significant drop in water pollution, the 56% decrease in industry's water consumption, and the 30% reduction in hazardous waste generation. Over the same period, energy consumption dropped 39%. Gross agricultural output decreased by 44%, and the consumption of pesticides and fertilizers by 75% and 63%, respectively. As a result, the pressure of the agricultural sector on the environment, particularly soils, surface waters and groundwaters, eased.

Since the Environmental Performance Review was published in 1996, Estonia has taken up the challenge and followed up with some strategic measures. For example, environmental investments have received higher priority. In 1997 the Environment Ministry received the third largest share of the Public Investment Programme -- after the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Finance. It had also been recommended that the role of the Environmental Fund as an important investment vehicle should be strengthened. With the extension of the use of economic instruments and the generation of new revenues (from privatization, tax on packaging, etc.) its income has increased fivefold since 1994. On the recommendation of the Review, Parliament also adopted a clear national environmental strategy in March 1997, and a related action plan, which will incorporate many of the Review's recommendations, is now being drafted. In 1996 the Prime Minister accepted to head Estonia's Commission on Sustainable Development, thus raising its profile and helping to promote the integration of environmental considerations into sectoral activities. In June 1997, a new government workplan for 1997-1998 was adopted in which environment was highlighted as one of the priorities.

Following the Review, Estonia's Environment Ministry has developed closer links with the Health Inspectorate, and with sectoral ministries (energy, agriculture, etc.). It is also more involved in the privatization of companies. According to a new law, 5% of privatization proceeds will now be used for environmental auditing and solving environmental problems. The privatization of facilities with serious environmental problems are now subject to environmental audits and conditions.

These are just some of the efforts that Estonia has made in the course of the past year and a half to put into practice the Review's recommendations. " The fact that Estonia is striving to meet these goals will ultimately help it on the road to full European integration," says Kaj Bärlund. " Its efforts also highlight the usefulness of the UN/ECE's Environmental Performance Reviews and the willingness on the part of the reviewed countries to follow up their recommendations. "

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Environmental Performance Reviews: Estonia, New York and Geneva, 1996 (ISSN 1020-4563)