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Enabling Concerted Multilateral Action on Plastic Pollution and Plastics Substitutes
Turning the tide on plastic pollution requires multiple parallel and inclusive responses within the United Nations and the multilateral trading system to succeed. Improvements in trade and domestic governance including to promote plastic substitutes alternatives and increased material recovery and recycling capacities can be a sound course of action for developing countries. This paper seeks to briefly identify the current plastic pollution challenge and the role of trade explore options for devising a more coherent and concerted governance action within the United Nations and the multilateral trading system and to share findings on what the potential of plastics substitutes to reduce plastic pollution and enabling local sustainable manufacturing development in selected developing countries. The paper concludes that useful adaptable and flexible policies are at hand to contribute to mitigate the plastic pollution globally but also in developing countries by making use of oceans and circular economy principles.
Forecast of the Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry
This publication is the statistical supplement to the official statement by the Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry about the current and next year's forest products markets. The tables in the publication show detailed forest products production and trade forecasts by country for 2021 and 2022. The tables are generated based on official submission by more than 30 member States from Europe North America and Eastern Europe Caucasus and Central Asia. The tables presented cover roundwood (logs pulpwood and fuel wood) sawnwood (coniferous and non-coniferous) wood-based panels (plywood particle board OSB and fibreboard) pulp paper and wood pellets. The Committee also collects data on over 30 individual products for many countries in the UNECE region.
Executive summary
The Third Environmental Performance Review (EPR) of Romania assesses the progress made by the country in managing its environment and in addressing new challenges since the Second EPR in 2012 including progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Preface
The Third EPR of Romania takes stock of progress made in the governance and management of the environment since the second review in 2012 assesses the implementation of the recommendations of that EPR and makes new recommendations for the country to implement. In addition the Third EPR looks into developments related to the country’s attainment of relevant targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Introduction
Romania is situated in the south-eastern part of central Europe. It has a land area of 238391 km2 of which approximately 8500 km2 are bodies of water. The total border length is 2508 km. Romania shares its border with Bulgaria to the south (border length 608 km) Serbia to the east (476 km) Hungary to the north (443 km) Ukraine to the north (362 km) and to the east (169 km) and the Republic of Moldova to the north-east (450 km). Romania also has 247 km of Black Sea coastline to the east of the country.
Air protection
In accordance with data on air quality in Romania during the period 2009–2018 it can be concluded that overall air quality in the country is satisfactory with a clear descending trend in the concentration of pollutants although some issues of concern remain. In the period 2009–2018 a number of Romanian cities had concentrations of PM and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) above the annual limit values set by EU and domestic legislation.
Environmental Performance Review: Romania
This third EPR of Romania takes stock of progress made by the country in the management of its environment since its second review in 2012 and assesses the implementation of the recommendations of the previous EPR. The review covers legal and policy frameworks and compliance assurance mechanisms. It also focuses on greening the economy environmental monitoring public participation and education for sustainable development. It includes a substantive analysis of the country’s participation in and commitments to international agreements as well as its climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. Furthermore the EPR addresses issues of specific importance to Romania related to air protection water management waste and chemicals management and biodiversity and protected areas. Finally the review includes in all chapters an assessment of relevant targets of the Agenda 2030 as well as recommendations related to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The publication is aimed at officials and experts working for public authorities responsible for environmental policy representatives of civil society the business community academia and the media. The Environmental Performance Review (EPR) Programme is an important instrument for countries with economies in transition. Third-cycle EPRs focus on environmental governance and financing in a green economy context countries’ cooperation with the international community and environmental mainstreaming in priority sectors. Through the peer review process EPRs also promote dialogue among ECE member countries and harmonization of environmental conditions and policies throughout the region.
Foreword
The Third Environmental Performance Review (EPR) of Romania builds on the substantial experience accumulated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and its member States in using the EPR tool to regularly assess progress achieved in reconciling national economic and environmental objectives. Over a quarter of a century EPRs have resulted in: stronger institutions for environmental governance management and performance; improved financial frameworks for environmental protection; advanced environmental monitoring and information systems; better integration of environmental concerns into sectoral policies; strengthened public participation; enhanced environmental awareness; and increased international cooperation. EPRs bring together good practices and a wealth of experience from all ECE member States in a mutually enriching learning exchange.
Implementation of International agreements and commitments
The main priorities of international cooperation on the environment are: (i) enhancing the collaboration with the EC and with EU Member States; (ii) maintaining and strengthening the cooperation with neighbouring countries the Western Balkans countries and countries in the wider Black Sea Region; (iii) enhancing Romania’s profile in the negotiations of global and regional agreements to which Romania is party; and (iv) demonstrating good performance in the attainment of goals and targets set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and global activities on climate change.
Highlights of 54 SDG targets addressed in the Third EPR of Romania
The Third EPR of Romania includes an assessment of 54 SDG targets including nine targets being reviewed in several chapters from different perspectives. In some cases a comprehensive analysis of SDGs and targets is hindered by the lack of data and information.
Legal, policy and institutional framework
In Romania the Parliament adopts so-called organic laws which regulate areas of high importance (such as state borders citizenship organization and functioning of courts) by qualified majority and ordinary laws by simple majority. The Government has a limited law-making mandate given by the Romanian Constitution. Apart from government decisions (GDs) which are considered implementing acts and can be issued at any time the Government can issue regular ordinances only during parliamentary recesses while government emergency ordinances (GEOs) are to be issued only in emergency situations. However the number and substance of the issued emergency ordinances is clearly pointing to their overuse (e.g. the Government issued 77 emergency ordinances during 2019). This practice is against principles incorporated in the Convention on Access to Information Public Participation in Decisionmaking and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) which Romania ratified in 2000 and Law No. 52/2003 on transparency of decision-making in public administration subsequent amendments to which grant citizens participation in decision-making in environmental matters.
Waste and chemicals management
With regard to the system of data collection on waste well-structured and valid statistical information is expected to be collected when EU-compatible methodology is implemented on all waste streams through an integrated online system of record keeping. Reporting on waste management by operators is not usually done by appointed and trained persons based on clear methodology. Some waste reporting systems exist and are managed by NEPA the Environmental Fund and public administrations. However the lack of an integrated online system of record keeping does not enable crosschecking of data reported such as generator vs operator forwarder vs receiver sharing one data source among institutions. Such a system is not implemented in Romania.