Estonian national allocation plan for the allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances approved by the EU 05.12.2011 Under the lead of the Estonian Environment Information Centre, works were completed on opening the mouths of Emajõgi river meanders and oxbow lakes and at the Kärevere boat canal. Viimsi water management project completed 08.12.2011 Today, on December 8, the Coastal Folk Museum in Viimsi will host an event for thanking the participants in the last project of the 2004–2006 structural fund programming period, Viimsi Water Management. Pentus: fighting the climate change brings opportunities as well as challenges 09.12.2011 The Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus said in a speech delivered in Durban at the UN Climate Change Conference that in the fight against climate change, opportunities should be seen besides the challenges, and gave the example of Estonia’s development after restoration of its independence. Emajõgi river meanders and oxbow lakes accessible again 09.12.2011 Under the lead of the Estonian Environment Information Centre, works were completed on opening the mouths of Emajõgi river meanders and oxbow lakes and at the Kärevere boat canal. Durban climate change negotiations reached an agreement 11.12.2011 After marathon negotiations at the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, an agreement was reached to extend the Kyoto Protocol that regulates greenhouse gas emissions, and to reach a legally binding agreement for all countries by the year 2015. Estonia will become a full Member State of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites 14.12.2011 Today, on December 14 at 15:00, the Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus and Alain Ratier, Director-General of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) will sign an agreement at the Ministry of the Environment, accepting Estonia as a full Member State of this organisation. The town of Keila fully covered by modern water and sewerage network 19.12.2011 Today, on December 19, the Keila water management project will be completed with a festive ceremony. The total cost of this project, co-funded by the Cohesion Fund, was 4.3 million euros and as a result, all residents of the town of Keila have clean drinking water and a possibility to join a modern sewerage network. Pentus: 2011 was a year of solutions 28.12.2011 The Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus said when assessing the concluding year that the ministry was successful on solving several problems that had been halted for a long time and challenges that occurred during the year. Switzerland contributing 8.5 million Swiss francs to Estonia’s environmental monitoring 24.11.2011 Today, Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus, Swiss Ambassador Maurice Darier and Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance Veiko Tali signed the programme agreement for increasing environmental monitoring, which is part of the Estonian-Swiss Cooperation Programme. Fishing quotas for 2012 determined for Lakes Peipus, Lämmijärv and Pskov 23.11.2011 Estonia and Russia agreed upon permitted quotas for various species of fish for Lakes Peipus, Lämmijärv and Pskov for 2012. In 2012, Estonian fishermen will be able to catch a total of 3611 tons of fish on Lakes Peipus, Lämmijärv and Pskov. Taking place is the pan-European Week for Waste Reduction 22.11.2011 For the third year in a row, until 27 November, the Week for Waste Reduction is being celebrated in a total of 20 countries across Europe, in which Estonia is also participating. The objective for the week is to combine everyone’s strength against the creation of waste, with the goal being to preserve the environment. Estonia was the centre of attention at the forestry seminar in Rome dedicated to the International Year of Forest 11.11.2011 Yesterday, at the international forestry seminar in Rome, Estonia, Italy and FAO forestry experts discussed the roll of forests in climate change and the sustainable development of forestry. Government establishes an emergency plan for the liquidation of environmental pollution 10.11.2011 The Government of the Republic established the emergency plan, prepared by the Ministry of the Environment, for the liquidation of extensive inland ground, surface water or groundwater contamination resulting from an emergency. Availability of data concerning the environment will improve 06.11.2011 Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus signed the “Development of Environmental Monitoring and Data Acquisition” programme, funded from the European Regional Development Fund, as a result of which the availability of information related to the state of the environment will improve. Over 90% of Estonia's territory has found an owner 01.10.2011 On 1 November, 20 years will have passed since the Land Reform Act, which set the groundwork for land owners and the real estate market, entered into force in Estonia. When acquiring cars the state must take the environmental impact into consideration 27.10.2011 The Government decided today that when purchasing and leasing vehicles public sector institutions must also take into consideration their environmental and energy impact. Among other things, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions must be taken into consideration. On a difference of opinion in the establishment of fishing opportunities in Estonia and the Baltic Sea 22.09.2011 The negotiations in Luxembourg to set the 2012 fishing Total Allowable Catches (TAC) for the Baltic Sea ended with five of the eight countries located along the Baltic Sea refusing to accept the quota cuts recommended by the president of the meeting and the fishing industry representative. Since all Member States have the right to vote, not just those along the shores of the Baltic Sea, the fishing quota cuts were adopted with a majority vote in the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. Keit Pentus: European Union travelling to the Durban Climate Conference with a common position 13.10.2011 Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus participated this week in the European Union’s Environment Council in Luxembourg, where a common position was developed for the UN Climate Conference taking place at the end of the year. Estonia and Moldova to begin developing cooperation in the field of environmental protection 19.10.2011 Today, 19 October, Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus and Minister of the Environment of Moldova Gheorghe Şalaru signed a cooperation agreement between the two countries in the field of environmental protection. Estonians: in the future we will not drive using gasoline 16.10.2011 According to the Eurobarometer’s survey on climate change, 82% of Estonians believe that by the year 2050 cars will be powered by a more efficient form of fuel than gasoline or diesel. The Manual for the Administration of Sacred Natural Sites was published by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources 05.10.2011 The Manual for the Administration of Sacred Natural Sites, published by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), was presented last week at the Ministry of the Environment, in Tallinn. The Ambient Air Protection Act and other laws related to this amendment shall be brought into conformity with the EU directive 39.09.2011 At its last session, the Government approved the draft Act of the Ambient Air Protection Act, which adopts EU directive requirements into Estonian legislation, which covers the preservation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the earth’s crust. Government toughened the punishments for damaging fishery resources 29.09.2011 On 29 September, the Government approved the regulation establishing a new rate of compensation for damage to fishery resources and the bases and methods for the calculation of damage. A fee was established for catching eels using an open sea trap on Lake Kuremaa 29.09.2011 On 29 September, the Government approved a regulation which prescribes a fee of EUR 304.47 for using an open sea trap to catch eels on Lake Kuremaa. More than EUR 400 million to be directed next year towards the protection of Estonia’s environment 25.09.2011 According to Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus, she is pleased that the 2012 budget sent to the parliament includes investments targeted towards the preservation of natural resources and the reduction of pollution. Keit Pentus: A green economy means new jobs 23.09.2011 At the UN’s Environment for Europe Conference taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan, Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus stressed that investment in the reduction of pollution and the more economical use of resources will bring with it jobs and encourage states to use new technologies. Ministers of the Environment of Estonia and Finland emphasized the importance of the Gulf of Finland 16.09.2011 Today, Estonia’s Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus hosted her Finnish colleague Ville Niinistöt in Kadriorg. At the informal meeting the central topic of discussion was the Gulf of Finland and its protection. Representative of the Commission of the European Communities introduces Fisheries Policy reform 08.09.2011 On 8 September, Estonia will be visited by Ilona Jepsena the Head of Fisheries conservation and control Baltic and North Sea of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, in order to introduce the reform plan for EU Fisheries Policy. The Ministry of the Environment submitted the national allocation plan for greenhouse gasses to the Commission of the European Communities for approval 06.09.2011 The Ministry of the Environment submitted the National Allocation Plan for Greenhouse Gasses 2008-2012 to the Commission of the European Communities for approval. The volume of plan is 13.3 million emission allowances per year, which will be allocated to 47 Estonian companies, according to the plan. Environmental Inspectorate to become an investigative body 22.08.2011 Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus signed a regulation, pursuant to which, as of 1 September, the Environmental Inspectorate will receive authorisation to operate as an investigative body. Pike-perch quota to increase on Lakes Peipus, Lämmijärv and Pskov 18.08.2011 On Thursday, 18 August, the Government of the Republic approved the amendment of the regulation, pursuant to which the quota for pike-perch will increase by 100 tonnes in 2011 on Lakes Peipus, Lämmijärv and Pskov In place of the current 600 tonnes, 700 tonnes of pike-perch may now by caught. The Ministry of the Environment published the national allocation plan for greenhouse gasses 04.08.2011 This morning, on its homepage, the Ministry of the Environment published the National Allocation Plan for Greenhouse Gasses 2008-2012. The Ministry is awaiting comments on the allocation plan during the week, at the latest by 10.00 on the morning of 11 August. Discussion in Pskov about questions regarding the Narva River and Lake Peipus river basin 03.08.2011 On 2-3 August, the 14th meeting of the Estonian-Russian Transboundary Water Commission took place in Pskov, where the water management of the Narva River and Lake Peipus river basin and the ecological condition of water bodies and joint monitoring programmes was discussed. Planning for maritime areas to receive better bases 03.08.2011 The Environmental Investment Centre will co-finance a project, as a result of which a model allowing for the faster and more precise spatial mapping and planning of the sea floor will be created. On 1 August, bear hunting season begins 27.07.2012 During bear season, lasting from 1 August to 31 October, a total of 65 bears may be hunted. Similar to previous years, the most bears may be hunted in Ida-Viru, Lääne-Viru, Jõgeva and Järva counties. Keit Pentus: The goal is a cleaner environment and efficient economic activity 13.07.2011 What has been done during the first 100 days in office of Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus: several delayed decisions of importance were adopted and several future reaching processes necessary for preserving nature and a clean living environment were implemented. Objective is to avoid and reduce the generation of waste 07.07.2011 On Thursday, 7 July, the Government of the Republic approved the draft Act to the amend the Waste Act, initiated in the Ministry of the Environment, the main objective of which is to more efficiently prevent and reduce the generation of waste. Electricity producers presented with opportunity to submit applications for free emission allowances 05.07.2011 Electricity producers have the opportunity to apply for free emission allowances for investments directed towards the modernisation of the electricity sector. The largest water management project has ended 01.07.2011 Taking place on 1 July is the festive conclusion of the largest water project for the Structural Fund’s programming period 2004-2006 “Emajõgi-Võhandu Catchment Area Water Management Project“. The project concluded with the support of the Cohesion Fund included 28 local governments, and the total cost was nearly EUR 65 million and the result was 47 600 residents were provided access to a public water supply and sewerage system. Western island’s water project brought clean drinking water to 26 000 people. 29.06.2011 A festive event will be taking place on Wednesday, 29 June, in Kuressaare, celebrating the end of the Cohesion Fund’s Western Islands water management project, where a voluntary agreement will be signed between the Estonia Water Works Association and the Ministry of the Environment. States consider cooperation in the assessment of cross-border environmental impact to be increasingly important 27.06.2011 Last week, the 5th Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (so-called Espoo Convention) took place in Geneva, along with the first meeting of the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment. Delegations participating in the meetings emphasised the importance of intergovernmental cooperation Keit Pentus: The EU takes environmentally friendly economic development seriously 22.06.2011 On 21 June, EU environment ministers met in Luxembourg, where they discussed climate policy, protection of water supplies, biodiversity strategy and the growing of genetically modified organisms in Europe. Fishing opportunities increase on Lake Peipus 20.06.2011 At the recently held meeting of the Estonian-Russian Intergovernmental Lake Peipus Fisheries Commission, an agreement was reached on the organisation of fishing on Lakes Peipus, Lämmijärv and Pskov for the second half of the year. Accuracy of water quality studies to improve 20.06.2011 The Riigikogu adopted the Act that amends the Water Act, which updates and supplements quality requirements set for laboratories, with the objective being to increase the level of precision of water studies, increase reliability and make the results comparable to those of other laboratories. European forestry sets common objectives 15.06.2011 Taking place in Oslo until 15 June is the 6th Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, where the future of European forests will be debated. Estonia is represented by Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus. Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus hosted Baltic colleagues in Pärnu 10.06.2011 On 10 June, minsters of the environment for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania met in Pärnu, in order to discuss environmental cooperation. After their official meeting, Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus took the delegation to the Luitemaa Nature Reserve, where she introduced them to the Tolkus hiking trail and the protected area which was just recently internationally recognised. A discussion is taking place in Russia over the condition of transboundary water bodies between Estonian-Russian 09.06.2011 Taking place from 9-10 June, in Puškinskije Gory, Russia, is the meeting of the Estonian-Russian Transboundary Water Commission’s workgroup on the administration of water resources, where topics related to the management and protection of the bodies of water and catchment area of Lake Peipus and the Narva River will be discussed. The Government sent the new requirements on trading with greenhouse gas emissions to the Parliament 26.05.2011 Today, 26 May, the Government of the Republic sent to the Riigikogu a draft Act to establish a legal framework to the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme from 2013. Estonia will transpose the European legislation of quality of ambient air 26.05.2011 On Thursday, 26 May the Government of the Republic presented to the Riigikogu the amendments to law that transpose the EU Directive on cleanness of ambient air in urban environment to Estonian judicial area. 22 May is the International Day for Biological Diversity 20.05.2011 On Sunday, 22 May, the International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated, and this time it is dedicated to biological diversity of forests. Estonian environment improved in participation of Norway 11.05.2011 Recently, nine large environmental projects with a total cost of EUR 5.3 million were completed, involving Estonian nature conservation, water management, ambient air and renewable energy. Regulation on fishing of Baltic herring on the Baltic Sea will be specified 12.05.2011 Today, on 12 May, the Government of the Republic accepted the changes to the regulation that will adapt the Baltic herring fishing regulation on the Baltic Sea to the fishermen of Saare, Hiiu, Lääne, Harju, Lääne-Viru and Ida-Viru Counties. Eerik Kumari Award for Nature Conservation was awarded to Jaan Riis 09.05.2011 On Monday, 9 May, in opening of the nature conservation month at the swing ground of Estonian Open Air Museum, the Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus awarded nature man Jaan Riis the Eerik Kumari Award for Nature Conservation, together with the golden medal of nature conservation. The size of the award is EUR 2556. Minister of the Environment will take ambassadors to plant a forest 04.05.2011 Today, 4 May, the Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus will take the ambassadors of the EU Member States residing in Estonia to Aegviidu to plant a forest. Keit Pentus: forest management and preservation are not antonyms 15.04.2011 Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus said today, during the opening of the Forestry vision conference organized under the initiative of the Estonian Society of Foresters in Tartu, that instead of constantly contrasting those who wish to manage forests and those who wish to protect them, more ways should be found for doing something together for Estonia’s forests, without going to extremes. The Ministry of the Environment is visited by colleagues from Moldova and Ukraine 12.04.2011 Starting from Tuesday, from 12–15 April, the Ministry of the Environment will be visited by colleagues from Moldova and Ukraine, under development cooperation. International meeting on marine pollution taking place in Tallinn 11.04.2011 Today, on 11 April, Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus opened a meeting of international scientific group of the parties of the London Convention and the Protocol on marine pollution. Sea experts discussing the issues of dumping into sea 28.03.2011 Starting on Wednesday, on 6-8 April, the regional work group meeting on implementation of the Helsinki Convention and the London Protocol on sea environment takes place at the Ministry of the Environment. It is followed by a scientific group meeting on 11–15 April in Hotel Euroopa. Global Forest Day celebrated in Geneva 24.03.2011 Under the International Forest Year, the global Forest Day was celebrated in Geneva on 21 March. An unofficial meeting of the EU Environmental Council is taking place in Hungary 23.03.2011 Starting from Thursday, an unofficial meeting of the ministers of the environment is taking place from March 24–26, this time focusing on protection of water resources and sustainable water management. Four projects for establishing fish ways 21.03.2011 Estimation of the applications aimed at improvement of condition of watercourses was completed at the Environmental Investment Centre and a funding decision was made on four projects in the total amount of EUR 2.55 million. With the help of the projects funded from the EU Cohesion Fund, fish ways will be constructed in the town of Põltsamaa, the Kunda cement factory, the Vastse-Roosa barrage and the Linnamäe power station. The next round of applications will be announced in May. An agreement was reached as to updates of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive at the meeting of the European Environmental Council 17.03.2011 A political agreement was reached at the session of the European Environmental Council in Brussels this week, as to the updates of the directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste electrical and electronic equipment. In addition, the conclusions of the Cancun Climate Conference and limitations related to the growth of GMOs, as well as the future objectives of the common agricultural policy were discussed. Constant monitoring of groundwater will begin in Ida-Viru County 14.03.2011 Under the initiative of the Ministry of the Environment and with the financial support of Norway, a groundwater monitoring system has been completed in Ida-Viru County with an aim to have a constant overview of groundwater and achieving good water quality in the county.
EU support helps to preserve the biodiversity of Estonia’s nature
10.03.2011
Estonia now has a Construction Minerals Development Plan
10.03.2011
Protection of Baltic Sea environment discussed in Helsinki
09.03.2011
Changing fishing possibilities on lakes Peipus, Lämmijärv and Pskov 08.03.2011 Minister of the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi signed a regulation that bans fishing with large-meshed entangling nets on lakes Peipus, Pskov and Lämmijärv from 15 March 2011. Map Server of the Estonian Land Board displays possible flood areas 04.03.2011 The Estonian Land Board renewed the relief base map in the map server of Geo Portal and compiled a thematic map on floods, enabling all interested parties to view possible flood areas in the towns of Tartu, Pärnu, Haapsalu and Kuressaare. Government approved the procedure of treatment of petroleum and petroleum products on bodies of water 03.03.2011 On Thursday, 3 March, the Government of the Republic approved amendments to the regulation on the procedure of treatment of petroleum and petroleum products at sea, on lakes Peipus and Pskov, and the Narva River. Legislations regulating protection of sea environment harmonised with the EU directives 28.02.2011 The Riigikogu approved the Amendment Act of the Water Act and the related Acts that regulate use and protection of the sea environment and were prepared by the Ministry of the Environment. Possibilities of recreational fishing increasing on lakes Peipus, Pskov and Lämmijärv 25.02.2011 Minister of the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi signed an amendment to a regulation permitting the start of recreational fishing with entangling nets on lakes Peipus, Pskov and Lämmijärv, as early as 1 March. The Minister of the Environment will establish additional possibilities for noise reduction 21.02.2011 Ministry of the Environment has prepared a draft regulation that creates additional possibilities for restricting noise that reaches living and resting areas, residential buildings and non-residential buildings, as well as noise of windmills. Management plan for invasive species of hogweed is ready 14.02.2011 Minister of the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi approved the Management plan for invasive species of hogweed (Heracleum) for 2011–2015. 40 new permanent habitats of orchids to be placed under protection 10.02.2011 On Saturday, 12 February, a regulation of the Minister of the Environment will enter into force, placing under protection four permanent habitats of orchids of protected category I and 36 protected category II habitats of orchids that are located outside protected areas. In total, 40 permanent habitats on 850.74 hectares will be placed under protection. World forests form an important foundation for preservation of the Earth 04.02.2011 At the Ninth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF 9), at UN Headquarters in New York, countries adopted a declaration with an objective to emphasise the importance of forests to society. Protection of wetlands in the world celebrates its 40th birthday 02.02.2011 On Wednesday, 2 February, 40 years had passed from the conclusion of the Convention on Wetlands, in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Ministry of the Environment presented to the European Commission the National Allocation Plan for distributing carbon dioxide emission allowances 31.01.2011 Ministry of the Environment presented the Estonian National Allocation Plan for distributing carbon dioxide emission allowances for 2008-2012 to the European Commission. In 2011, a prohibition on the export and import of eels is valid the European Union 19.01.2011 In relation to the continuous decrease in eel stocks, the European Union’s Member States have decided to ban the export and import of eels this year, in order to help existing stocks to recover. More than EUR 3 million for development of environmental education 18.01.2011 Minister of the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi approved the programme “Development of environmental education in Estonia”, co-financed by the EU Social Fund (ESF), with an aim to give an impetus to the development of environmental education under both general and extra-curricular education. Changes in payment of environmental charges and increase in taxpayers’ liability 06.01.2011 On Thursday, 6 January, the Government of the Republic approved the draft Act to amend the Environmental Charges Act and the Taxation Act, which alters the submission of calculations of environmental charges, increasing the liability of the payers of charges and involves the Tax and Customs Board in the management of the charges. Use of European Union support in the field of management of the environment is in full swing 05.01.2011 2010 was a busy year for the use of European Union support in the field of environmental management, several large construction projects were completed and investments into the management of the Estonian environment were increased significantly. Large projects ensure provision of clean drinking water to the residents of smaller places 04.01.2011 In 2010, several large-scale public water supply and sewerage projects were completed, ensuring high-quality drinking water and possibility for sewerage for the residents of towns and larger settlements. This year, construction of pipework will also gain momentum in smaller settlements and villages. |