Environmental issues in central and eastern Europe

This paper considers the environmental challenges facing the countries of central and eastern Europe as they move towards a market economy—including legislation, standards, accession to the EU and European aid programmes. The speed with which these countries are adopting western European standards and approaches is variable, with those countries applying to join the EU on the fastest track. Although there are significant historic environmental liabilities to be overcome and some technical approaches need to be modified, the biggest challenge is to implement effective environmental legislation. Strengthening institutions and encouraging responsive, flexible yet robust regulatory bodies at a local level is key to increasing environmental performance. And where regulatory systems are weak, encouraging environmental management systems within industry is seen as a way forward.