Access to PRTR data and its

dissemination, data presentation

including capacity building for

data usage and public awareness

Get your right to a healthy community

2nd Sub-regional workshop on the Protocol on PRTRs for countries in EECCA region, Minsk, Sept.19-21, 2016

Magda Tóth Nagy, REC Project Consultant

www.rec.org

Content

• Access to PRTR information and data and its

dissemination

• Achievements and challenges in implementation

• Information provision – Data presentation on PRTR

• Challenges in implementation

• What is needed

• Public awareness raising, capacity building, guidance

• Examples

• Lessons learned

www.rec.org

Access to PRTR data and its dissemination

PRTRs are Right to Know instruments

• Key features:

• regular information to the public on pollutants, releases and

transfers

• in electronic format - directly or provide info in any other effective

ways

• electronic access should be facilitated – accessible locations

• access to register free of charge

• confidentiality – public interest

• promote public awareness of the PRTR

• assistance and guidance in accessing the register and in

understanding and using the information contained in it

• capacity building

www.rec.org

Achievements in implementation

Experience based on projects implemented in SEE, EU and some

EECCA countries*

• Some countries have PRTR, some others make progress/efforts (Serbia, FYR Macedonia, - Albania, BiH, MN and Moldova)

• Few have operational systems and provide PRTR data regularly

• Having or developing

• online reporting tools, database/s and web-based presentation of

PRTR data

• specific websites for PRTR info with improved content of data

availability, searchability, information and presentation

• Examples: Serbia http://prtr.sepa.gov.rs/

FYR of Macedonia http://prtr.moepp.gov.mk/npgsql.aspx

http://prtr.moepp.gov.mk/Downloads/RIPZ-Upatstvo.pdf

• Few countries engaged in developing comprehensive

environmental information systems, integrating PRTRs. *Project Support Establishment and Advancement of PRTRs in Western Balkan c. and Moldova

www.rec.org

Example Macedonian PRTR website

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Challenges in implementation in SEE

and Moldova

• Lack of regular availability of PRTR data

• Efforts for PRTR reporting but limited scope or no PRTR reporting

• Media specific reporting not covering all media

• No complex environmental information systems and lack compatibility

among different reporting systems, methods of data collection

• Lack of accessibility of data; no web-based presentation or need

improvements in content and data presentation

• Building PRTRs on project basis, difficulty of

continuity of efforts

• Lack of regular financial resources allocated

for further development, maintenance and

update of PRTRs

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Information provision – Data presentation

on PRTR

• WHAT? • Data and information on PRTR

• Including technical data and information on individual facilities, media

and substance specific data, on sectors, trends, analyses, etc.

• Information on context of PRTR - legal and policy documents, benefits of

PRTR, studies, info on impacts of pollution, pollution prevention

measures, etc.

• Information enabling public participation in PRTR decision-

making

• Information on proposed measures to develop PRTRs or on significant

changes

• On opportunities to comment, outcomes of PP and on decisions and its

considerations

• HOW? • in an easily accessible way and format

• easily understandable format - technical information

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Challenges in implementation

• FOR WHOM?

• Public/citizens

• NGOs

• Authorities

• Operators

• Other stakeholders, professionals

• Different needs – different approaches of information

provision and data presentation needed in targeted way

• Bridging gap between technical information and easily

understandable information

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Challenges in implementation

• What info citizens would like to see • Information on what affects them directly e.g. what is the impact of the

pollution on their health, environment, nature, etc. ,

• What is happening in their community, how polluting activities can be

stopped

• Need data/info to be put in context

• NGOs need broader scope of info • for taking actions, campaigning, being involved

in decision-making on PRTR or environmental

policy measures, pollution prevention and

reduction activities, etc.

• Operators look for guidance on details of reporting procedure, assistance

• Professionals, students need analyses and background materials for

research, study, etc.

www.rec.org

Information provision – Data presentation

on PRTR: What is needed

• How to learn about needs? • Regular dialogue or surveying of needs of target groups

• Involvement of CSOs and representatives of operators, other

stakeholders

• Joint activities/projects with involvement of CSOs and operators

• Seminar with CSOs on how to make the PRTR web site/data

presentation more user-friendly in presence of competent

authority

• Example:

Dialogue and involvement of representatives of NGOs and

operators in developing and implementing Strategy and Action Plan

on PRTR development and operation (Macedonia and Moldova)

• http://prtr.moepp.gov.mk/Downloads/PRTR-national-strategy-draft.pdf

www.rec.org

Public awareness raising, capacity

building, guidance • Awareness raising for general public, CSOs and operators

• Example: CSO brochure in FYR of Macedonia giving useful tools and

ideas on what role CSOs can play, how they can access and use PRTR

data and get involved in PRTR development and operation

• Promotion of the PRTR, demonstrating what benefits PRTR can bring

(leaflets, web site, links with other environmental processes and sustainable

development, SDGs, launching event and media coverage, etc.)

• Guidance and awareness raising materials for authorities and

operators to promote PRTR, demonstrate benefits, roles and obligations

and assist in fulling them

• Trainings and workshops incl. aspects of

data accessibility/usage and presentation for

authorities, operators and CSOs

Example: Trainings for CSOs SEE, Moldova

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Some lessons learned

• Key is to have PRTR data and information available on the

register

• Link between the online reporting tools, databases and web

based presentation of data should be promoted

• Learning about needs of public and CSOs, operators and other

stakeholders, regular dialogue, and involving them in looking

for proper solutions on what info and how should be given

• Strategic approach beyond project considerations to be

followed incl. planning and human and financial resources for

PRTR

• International assistance providing solutions and good practices

usable and accessible for all countries.

www.rec.org

Further information and contacts

Raisa Gerasina

REC, Project Manager

rgerasina@rec.org

Project webpage:

http://aarhus.rec.org/prtr

PRTR Protocol and other related

websites:

Magda Tóth Nagy

REC, Senior Adviser, Project

Consultant

mtothnagy@teammembers.

rec.org

www.unece.org/env/pp;

www.prtr.net;

http://prtr.ec.europa.eu