Download Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium

Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium
National Institute for Environment
Dr. Imre L. Biczó
Director General
Budapest, 12. 09. 2013.
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Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium
The EPA Network is an informal grouping bringing
together the heads and directors of environment
protection agencies and similar bodies across Europe.
The Network exchanges views and experiences on
issues of common interest to organisations involved in
the practical day-to-day implementation of
environmental policy.
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Evolution
The idea to establish a network of environment
protection agencies came about int he summer of
2002. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency
(SEPA) and European Environment Agency (EEA)
identified a need to create a network where heads of
environment agencies across Europe could share
experiences. This proposal was supported by the
Environment Agency of England & Wales and also Italy
and preparation began for the inaugural meeting to be
held in Copenhagen in November 2003.
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Evolution
It was decided at this meeting that it would be an
informal network, all countries would have
membership and would decide themselves which
agencies would participate.
Participation would be self-funded and meetings would
take place twice a year. Importantly it was agreed that
the European Commission would be invited to
participate.
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Evolution
• There were 26 countries present at the first
meeting of the Network. Since then the number
of countries has expanded to 33, comprising 39
organisations in total.
• The Network will celebrate its 10th anniversary
in 2013.
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Interest groups
There are currently eight active interest groups:
•Better Regulation
•Carbon Capture and Storage
•Climate Change and Adaptation
•Sustainable use of Natural Resources
•Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
•International Cooperation
•Green Economy
•Noise abatement
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The roles of EPAs in Europe
• There is a common understanding among the members
of the EPA Network on the strong influence of EU
environmental legislation.
• The main fields of work for EPAs are air, freshwater and
waste. They also deal substantively with climate change
and soil.
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EPA Network
• EPA Network - Workshop on financial
provisions on long term environmental
liabilities – 20 February 2014, Oslo
• Next EPA Network plenary in Vienna in April.
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