National Environmental Action Plan of Estonia for 2007-2013

The National Environmental Action Plan of Estonia is a national cross-sectoral action plan of Estonia for the period 2007-2013. Its main objective is to present a consensual list of nationally prioritised activities aimed at achieving the primary goals of the environmental policy specified in the national Environmental Strategy, indicating the financing needs and discussing the most optimal use of non-budgetary funding sources.The Action Plan aims to ensure food and potable water safety. To this end, it sets out measures concerning improvement of supervision over food; improvement of the information system of food contaminants; formulation and publication of dietary guidelines for people; ensuring the availability of data and information concerning the pollution load of food; formulation and application of criteria for assessing the load of contamination on food; reduction of contaminants originating from the environment in drinking water; construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of public water supply networks; assessment of environmental health risks arising from drinking; specification of requirements relating to the quality of drinking water established in the permit for the special use of water; specification of the criteria and extent of sanitary protection zones; identification of the sources of pollution that contaminate surface water and groundwater; and finding alternatives for consumption of drinking water characterised by excessive radioactivity.In addition, the Action Plan aims to make forestry, fisheries and other sectors more productive and sustainable. To this end, it provides for improvement and preservation of the status of surface water (incl. coastal water) and groundwater; formulation and revision of sub-basin water management plans; reduction of discharges of dangerous substances; improvement and restoration of the ecological and chemical status of bodies of surface water; formation of water protection areas; development and implementation of aquatic environment monitoring programmes; protection and use of bodies of groundwater; long-term planning of the development of forestry; versatile use of forests with a view to preserving and introducing heritage culture relating to forests; supervision over the production and replenishment of forest cultivation materials; encouraging the management and sustainable use of multifunctional forests; reduction of unlawful use of forests; control over supply chain, incl. origin of imported timber; sustainable management of fish resources; identification of bodies of water and coastal areas suitable for recreational fishing activities; zoning of coastal waters and mapping of spawning sites and habitats in coastal waters; preparation of management plans for using and protection of wild game; preparation of management plans for hunting grounds; elaboration and implementation of an integrated soil policy for sustainable utilisation of soil; formulation and implementation of a landscape policy, considering the principles of the European Landscape Convention; formulation of measures to avoid the spread of new potentially invading alien species; formulation and implementation of an action plan for ensuring biodiversity; drafting and supplementation of legislation concerning ambient air protection; long-term planning of waste management measures; improvement of control over waste management; formulation of economic measures to preclude the generation of waste and to ensure recovery of waste (environmental charges, security deposits, excise duties, manufacturer’s liability, etc.); sorting of waste at the places where it is generated, as well as collection and recycling of primary waste flow; setting up new landfills for waste and bringing old landfills into conformity to requirements; development of the recovery of biodegradable waste; protection of ozone layer; development of sustainable transport; development of the legal regulation of the sphere of disused hazardous sites; improvement and sustainability of the system of environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments; and development of innovation in the sphere of environmental technologies.In order to increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters, the Action Plan envisions preparation of action plans for prevention and prompt elimination of emergencies arising in the environment; further development of the emergency risk analysis model for the purpose of efficient ascertainment of emergencies and accidents and assessment of their probability and consequences; formulation of a procedure for preparation of national risk mitigation plans; specification of the general principles of notification of the public at large and of the system of early warning; and formulation of a floods management plan.The document also covers the fields of minerals and energy. Specifically, it provides for determination of the optimal extraction capacity of oil shale, mineral resources used in construction industry and peat; encouraging companies that extract and use mineral resources to focus on environmental sustainability; introduction of renewable and other alternative energy sources; formulation and implementation of regulations and support systems to enhance energy conservation and manage the consumption of energy; and integration of energy conservation in other sectors.According to the document, monitoring under the Action Plan will be carried out twice – in 2010 and in 2013. Monitoring will be carried out by ministries specified as entities responsible for the implementation of the activities set out in the Action Plan. The ministries will submit monitoring reports to the Ministry of the Environment of Estonia which will compile a summary report which will be submitted to the Government of Estonia. The Action Plan will be adjusted in 2013 on the basis of the monitoring results.

Implements: Estonian Environmental Strategy 2030 (2007-02-14)