Download Green Infrastructure in Latvia

Environmental protection
in Latvia
Ministry of the Environmental Protection and
Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia
General information
Area – 64 589 km2.
2.3 M inhabitants
Density - 28 inhabitants per km2
Land use:
  38.5% - agriculture,
  44.4% - forests,
  17.1% - rest
  13% coverage of terrestrial protected areas
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The main institution
  Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional
Development
  is the leading state administrative institution in the field of
environmental protection which includes protection of
environment and nature, maintenance and rational
utilization of natural resources, as well as sub-sectors of
hydrometeorology and use of subsoil.
  ensures planning and coordination process of state and
regional development, local governments’ development and
supervision, territorial development planning and
implementation of e-Government
  Liason with international conventions and EU.
Protected areas in Latvia
Altogether in Latvia there are 706 specially protected natural areas
certified by law or regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers
  4 national parks
  1 biosphere reserve
  42 nature parks,
  9 areas of protected landscapes
  260 nature reserves,
  4 strict nature reserves
  355 nature monuments,
  7 protected marine areas.
  24 microreserves
The most of these protected areas are established as Natura 2000.
Municipalities can create specially protected areas, by issuing binding
Regulations.
Management of protected areas
The State Environmental Service ensures the compliance of
implementation of legislation framework in the area of the
environment protection and natural resources.
The Environmental Protection Fund of Latvia Administration
supervises and administers the expenditure of the funding for
the state budget program “Environmental Protection Fund of
Latvia” (hereinafter the Fund), as well as ensuring its effective
usage in accordance with the decisions of the Environmental
Protection Fund of Latvia Council.
Environment State Bureau carries out environmental impact
assessment of proposed activities and planning documents
  Nature Conservation Agency ensures implementation of
unified nature protection policy in Latvia.
  The Natural History Museum of Latvia stores a unique
and diverse collection of natural sciences, is the only
complete museum of natural sciences in the Baltic
countries. It’s objectives are the preservation, supplement
and research of the natural collection, active environmental
education, the formation of permanent and temporary
exhibitions.
  Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology is a small scientific
institute dedicated to basic and applied research of ecology
and environmental problems in the Baltic Sea.
  The State Regional Development Agency is known in the
regions of Latvia as a national regulatory authority
promoting regional development and it is managing the
programmes of state support and the activities of the
European Union Structural Funds.
  State limited liability company "Latvian Environment,
Geology and Meteorology Centre" carry out the State
policies in the spheres of geology, meteorology,
climatology, hydrology, air quality, and cross-border air
pollution influence.
  Latvian Environmental Investment Fund is to attract
domestic and foreign funding and grant loans on easy
terms to municipal and private entities to implement
environmental protection projects which improve
environment and to support preparation of environmental
protection projects.
Other initiatives
  Public data base www.dabasdati.lv - Public Nature Observation
Diary.
  Eco schools – this year 75 schools have granted official Ecoschool status for promoting sustainable development,
environmental education and protection in school and it’s
surrounded area.
  Nature’s Concert Hall which has evolved from the year 2006 to
stand for a concert conducted in nature to bring people closer to
the understanding of that nature, its inhabitants and how to care
for it.
The idea stemmed from the need musicians playing
ambience music had to break out of the traditional concert venues
and the need for scientists to bring their fascinating knowledge to
the public. The beneficiaries of this idea are the audience who
are privileged to experience a form of music which seeks to
include the natural surroundings as one of its players – through
lights, sounds and the public’s deeper understanding and
appreciation created through this event.
Some of the project funding examples
European Regional Development Fund
  Development of infrastructure for conservation of
biological diversity. (100%)
EEA and Norway Grants
  Environmental policy integration programme in Latvia
(85%)
  Sustainable use and management of nature resources in
the NATURA 2000 territories - popular and potential
tourism destinations in Latvia (90%)
  Elaboration of the environmental education programs and
"green" school in the Natural History Museum of Latvia
(85%)
Strategic planning
  The hierarchically highest long-term development planning
document is the Strategy for Sustainable Development
of Latvia.
  The hierarchically highest medium-term development
planning document is the National Development Plan.
  All public administration institutions should develop the
Action Strategy for the period of 3 years that serves for
the budget planning and allocation.
  Coastal Spatial Development Guidelines 2011 – 2017
  National Programme on Biological Diversity
  Environmental policy strategy 2009–2015
Main Latvian Environmental laws
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The Environmental Protection Law
The Law on Pollution
The Law on the Conservation of Species and Biotopes
The Law on Specially Protected Nature Territories
The Protection Zone Law
The Waste Management Law
Main problems
  Management measures required for conservation of
species and habitats are being considered in isolation from
the area's economic development, and not always
measures provided for in the nature management plans for
specially protected natural territories are fully implemented.
  Lack of a mechanism for funding innovative nature
conservation measures.
  No single register of nature conservation experts has been
established; and a system for certification of these experts
has not been developed.
  The public is not sufficiently aware of natural assets
Riga – the Capital of Latvia
Cēsis – city within the National Reserve
Large number of the beaches are part of the Protected marine area
Thank You!
Ministry of the Environmental Protection
and Regional Development
25 Peldu str.
Riga, Latvia
Web: www.varam.gov.lv