scholarly journals From EU Directives to Local Stormwater Discharge Permits: A Study of Regulatory Uncertainty and Practice Gaps in Denmark

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6317
Author(s):  
Ditte M. R. Jensen ◽  
Anja T. H. Thomsen ◽  
Torben Larsen ◽  
Sara Egemose ◽  
Peter S. Mikkelsen
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
National Level ◽  
Best Available Techniques ◽  
Regulatory Uncertainty ◽  
National Implementation ◽  
River Basin District ◽  
Practice Gaps ◽  
Eu Directives ◽  
The Eu

Climate changes and urbanization push cities to redesign their drainage systems, which may increase separate stormwater discharges to local recipients. In the EU, regulation of these is governed by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods Directive, but national implementation varies and is often supplemented with local non-legislative guidelines. By reviewing trends and discrepancies in the Danish regulation practice for separated stormwater discharges, this article investigates how the directives are put into effect. A legislative gap for separate stormwater discharges introduces uncertainty in the discharge permit conditions, which especially affect conditions targeting water quality. We point to several topics to be addressed, e.g., the level at which the regulation of separate stormwater discharges takes place, opportunities for coordination with flood risk and climate change adaptation initiatives, as well as uncertainties regarding the application of Best Available Techniques. Working with these issues would elevate the regulation practice and aid regulators in reaching a more holistic and consistent approach, thus improving chances of reaching the desired recipient status before or after the WFD deadline in 2027. This could be undertaken at river basin, river basin district or national level, but there is also potential for harvesting mutual benefits by addressing these challenges internationally.

Transboundary delineation, characterisation and monitoring of groundwater bodies in the Dnipro river basin of Ukraine and the Pripyat river basin of Belarus under the European Water Initiative Plus for Eastern Partnership Countries (EUWI+)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Vasniova ◽  
Olga Biarozka ◽  
Nataliia Lyuta ◽  
Iryna Sanina ◽  
Andreas Scheidleder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
National Level ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Eastern Partnership ◽  
European Water ◽  
Sampling Campaign ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Eastern Partnership Countries ◽  
The Eu

<p>The EU-funded program European Water Initiative Plus for Eastern Partnership Countries (EUWI+), which is the biggest commitment of the EU to the water sector in the EaP countries, helps Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to bring their legislation closer to EU policy in the field of water management, with a main focus on the management of trans-boundary river basins. It supports the development and implementation of pilot river basin management plans, building on the improved policy framework and ensuring a strong participation of local stakeholders.</p><p>Project funding is provided by the European Commission (DG NEAR), the EU support program for improved cooperation in the eastern EU neighborhood region and the EU Water Initiative Plus (EUWI+). On a national level, financial support comes from the Austrian Development Agency, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism as well as from the French Office International de l’Eau. Up to 2020, management plans for selected river basins and transboundary rivers will be implemented under the leadership of a European project consortium headed by the Environment Agency Austria.</p><p>One important first step is the delineation of groundwater bodies according to the principles of the EU Water Framework Directive and the harmonization of transboundary groundwater bodies between Belarus and Ukraine. Groundwater experts of the Ukrainian Geological Prospecting Institute and the Belarus Unitary Enterprise “Research And Production Centre For Geology” identified and characterized the transboundary groundwater bodies which are crossing country boarders in the Dnipro river basin in Ukrainian and the Pripyat river basin in Belarus. Furthermore, a corridor which is supposed to be in transboundary groundwater interaction was identified. All methodological work was bilaterally agreed.</p><p>The experts of both countries made an inventory of existing groundwater monitoring sites and a proposal of monitoring sites which should be subject to transboundary monitoring and bilateral data exchange. In addition, a joint transboundary groundwater survey including the joint selection of monitoring parameters, a common sampling campaign and a joint interpretation of the monitoring results is planned for the period until August 2020.</p><p>A statement of the quantitative and chemical status and the risk of not achieving good status in future, as a conclusion of all collected information and monitoring data will be given.</p><p>The already available results of the joint investigations are presented.</p>

scholarly journals The River Basin Principle of Water Resources Management in the Legislation of the European Union and Ukraine

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106
Author(s):  
Lesia Danyliuk
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
River Basin District ◽  
Main Components ◽  
The Eu

The article studies the notion of the river basin principle of water resources management, its meaning, its legal definition in the EU directives, the particular aspects of its implementation in Ukraine, and its overall importance in terms of water quality and management of water resources, including the marine environment. It is determined that the river basin principle of water resources management is one of the key matters of the EU environmental policy and is a topical issue for Ukraine in the process of European integration. Essentially, the river basin principle of water resources management is defined as integrated management within a river basin district. It is concluded that this principle is one of the main components of integrated management of water resources and is, in fact, the basis of the integrated approach to such management.

Delineation and Characterisation of GW Bodies, Design of a GW Monitoring Network and Development of a national methodology for assessment of GW natural resources in mountainous regions in the Hrazdan and Sevan River Basin Districts under EUWI+

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armine Hakobyan ◽  
Hovik Aginyan ◽  
Christoph Leitner ◽  
Franko Humer
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
National Level ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Natural Groundwater Resources ◽  
The Eu

<p>The EU-funded European Water Initiative Plus for Eastern Partnership Countries (EUWI+) Program, which is the biggest commitment of the EU to the water sector in the EaP countries, helps Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to bring their legislation closer to EU policy in the field of water management, with a main focus on the management of trans-boundary river basins. It supports the development and implementation of pilot river basin management plans, building on the improved policy framework and ensuring a strong participation of local stakeholders.</p><p>The main objective of the project is to improve the management of water resources and groundwater resources in particular, by developing tools to improve the quality of water in the long term, and its availability for all. More specifically, the project aims at supporting the Republic of Armenia in bringing national policies and strategies in line with the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other multilateral environmental agreements.</p><p>Project funding is provided by the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) and administered by the European Commission (DG NEAR). On a national level, financial support comes from the Austrian Development Agency, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism and from the French Office International de l’Eau. Preparation of management plans for selected Hrazdan and Sevan RBDs is implemented under the leadership of an EUMember State consortium headed by the Environment Agency Austria.</p><p>The first important step in moving Armenia’s groundwater management system closer to the WFD is to identify and characterize groundwater bodies (GWBs) in the Hrazdan and Sevan River Basin Districts (RBDs), based on which qualitative and quantitative changes in groundwater under the influence of external pressures are determined.</p><p>Inventory of the existing hydrogeological monitoring network was also carried out with a purpose of equipping and furnishing some of the existing observation points.</p><p>During GWBs delineation, it was found out that not all GWBs have monitoring points. To fill this gap and extend the hydrogeological monitoring network, additional sampling was conducted in 2018 and 2019.</p><p>Assessment of the quantitative and qualitive status of groundwater is an essential requirement under the WFD. The methodology for the assessment of the natural groundwater resources and its components in mountainous regions was developed, using the Hrazdan and Sevan RBDs as the case study areas.</p><p>As a result, the natural groundwater resources of the mentioned districts were assessed, according to the following concepts adopted in Armenia: usable water resources, strategic water resources and the national water reserve.</p><p>Based on the results of implemented works, the management plans for the Hrazdan and Sevan RBDs will be developed.</p>

Identification of significant pressures and impacts upon receiving waters

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Borchardt ◽  
S. Richter
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Environmental Objectives ◽  
River Basin District ◽  
The Status ◽  
Receiving Waters ◽  
Common Understanding ◽  
Uniform Assessment ◽  
The Eu

This study gives a review on the process of identification of significant pressures and impacts, which is an important part of river basin planning and in particular for implementing the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC). The questions: what is a “significant pressure” in terms of the WFD? which sources and driving forces have to be regarded? which data can be used? which pressure on a water body is significant? and which implications and requirements result from the identification process? - should be considered. The European Commission requires reporting from all Member States about the status of the water bodies within a river basin district and about the risk of failing the environmental objectives by the end of 2004. Therefore, a number of prevailing projects across Europe aim to develop a guideline on a common understanding of the most effective approach towards the identification of significant anthropogenic pressures, and the analysis of potential impacts including the identification of appropriate tools and models. In such a guideline suitable and intelligent criteria have to be developed in order to enable a uniform assessment of the anthropogenic pressures within a river basin district.

scholarly journals Overview Of The River Basin Management Plans In The Baltic Region Under The Waterpraxis Project

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Māris Mednis ◽  
Ivars Matisovs ◽  
Ērika Teirumnieka ◽  
Andris Martinovs ◽  
Gundars Vaļģis
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
River Basin Management ◽  
Baltic Region ◽  
Basin Management ◽  
River Basin Management Plans ◽  
River Basin District ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
District Management ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
The Eu

The paper provides brief overview of the river basin district management plans in the Baltic region within the WATERPRAXIS project, linked to the EU Water Framework Directive. Latvian experience in completion of the river basin district management plans is emphasized comparing to other regional cooperation partners. Article is based on the report documents, analysis of the available data and review of the development projects subject to implementation. To some extent also potential issues for discussion are outlined. Certain Baltic countries have had difficulties complying with the EU Water Framework Directive,and there are some potential areas of contention, which should be taken into account in further activities. In course of the administrative and territorial reform and compliance with other EU directives (e.g. in the renewable energy sector) modifications can be made to the status of spatial and also river basin management plans and for the purpose of sustainable development in the region.

Asymmetric regulation for competition in European railways?

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-201
Author(s):  
Juan J. Montero
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Natural Monopoly ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Economic Literature ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
Eu Directives ◽  
Access Charges ◽  
Asymmetric Regulation ◽  
The Eu

There is an increasing number of voices calling for asymmetric regulation to reinforce competition in European railways as they are liberalized in December 2020. The regulatory framework defined in the Directives of the European Union (EU) might be insufficient to ensure effective and widespread competition. But the EU Directive declares tracks a natural monopoly, and structural measures in the form of vertical separation with transport activities have been imposed. Behavioral obligations have also been imposed on infrastructure managers in the form of access obligations. There is no room for asymmetry between competing networks, as tracks are a natural monopoly. Furthermore, as access conditions are ruled by the principle of nondiscrimination, it does not seem possible to introduce asymmetries in favor of newcomers, for instance in the form of access charges below the price charged to incumbent railway undertakings. For the rest of railway assets, which only exceptionally can be considered essential facilities, the EU Directives either impose no access obligations (rolling stock, drivers, ticketing systems) or when they impose access obligations (maintenance facilities), there is no formal asymmetry, as all undertakings are subject to the same access obligations. National regulatory authorities considering the introduction of asymmetric access obligations should take into account economic literature describing how asymmetries attract inefficient market entry, and they should consider that obligations introduced at a national level might fragment the Single European Railway Area.

Modernisation of Higher Education – Willful Action or Wishful Thinking? The Case of Bulgaria

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-17
Author(s):  
Elena Blagoeva
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
National Level ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

The impact of the last global economic crisis (2008) on the European economy put a strain on higher education (HE), yet it also pushed the sector towards intensive reforms and improvements. This paper focuses on the “Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in the Republic of Bulgaria 2014-2020”. With a case study methodology, we explore the strategic endeavours of the Bulgarian government to comply with the European directions and to secure sustainable growth for the HE sector. Our research question is ‘How capable is the Bulgarian HE Strategy to overcome the economic and systemic restraints of Bulgarian higher education?’. Because the development of strategies for HE within the EU is highly contextual, a single qualitative case study was chosen as the research approach. HE institutions are not ivory towers, but subjects to a variety of external and internal forces. Within the EU, this is obviated by the fact that Universities obtain their funds from institutions such as governments, students and their families, donors, as well as EU-level programmes. Therefore, to explore how these pressures interact to affect strategic action on national level, the case method is well suited as it enabled us to study the phenomena thoroughly and deeply. The paper suggests the actions proposed within the Strategy have the potential to overcome the delay, the regional isolation and the negative impact of the economic crisis on the country. Nevertheless, the key elements on which the success or failure of this Strategy hinges are the control mechanisms and the approach to implementation. Shortcomings in these two aspects of strategic actions in HE seem to mark the difference between gaining long-term benefits and merely saving face in front of international institutions.

European experience in transition to circular economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Ratner
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Level ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
European Experience ◽  
General Scientific ◽  
The Eu

Subject. The article considers the concept of circular economy, which has originated relatively recently in the academic literature, and is now increasingly recognized in many countries at the national level. In the European Union, the transition to circular economy is viewed as an opportunity to improve competitiveness of the European Union, protect businesses from resource shortages and fluctuating prices for raw materials and supplies, and a way to increase employment and innovation. Objectives. The aim of the study is to analyze the incentives developed by the European Commission for moving to circular economy, and to assess their effectiveness on the basis of statistical analysis. Methods. I employ general scientific methods of research. Results. The analysis of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy enabled to conclude that the results of the recent research in circular economy barriers, eco-innovation, technology and infrastructure were successfully integrated into the framework of this document. Understanding the root causes holding back the circular economy development and the balanced combination of economic and administrative incentives strengthened the Action Plan, and it contributed to the circular economy development in the EU. Conclusions. The measures to stimulate the development of the circular economy proposed in the European Action Plan can be viewed as a prototype for designing similar strategies in other countries, including Russia. Meanwhile, a more detailed analysis of barriers to the circular economy at the level of individual countries and regions is needed.

scholarly journals The legal street: a scarcity approach to urban open space in mobility transitions

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett J. M. Petzer ◽  
Anna J. Wieczorek ◽  
Geert P. J. Verbong
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Open Space ◽  
National Level ◽  
Urban Mobility ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Urban Open Space ◽  
Space Allocation ◽  
Zero Sum ◽  
Lock In ◽  
The Eu

AbstractAn urban mobility transition requires a transition in space allocation, since most mobility modes are dependent on urban open space for circulation and the storage of vehicles. Despite increasing attention to space and spatiality in transitions research, the finite, physical aspects of urban space, and the means by which it is allocated, have not been adequately acknowledged as an influence on mobility transitions. A conceptual framework is introduced to support comparison between cities in terms of the processes by which open space is (re-)distributed between car and bicycle circulatory and regulatory space. This framework distinguishes between regulatory allocation mechanisms and the appropriation practices of actors. Application to cases in Amsterdam, Brussels and Birmingham reveal unique relationships created by the zero-sum nature of urban open space between the dominant automobility mode and subordinate cycling mode. These relationships open up a new approach to forms of lock-in that work in favour of particular mobility modes within the relatively obdurate urban built environment. Empirically, allocation mechanisms that routinise the production of car space at national level within the EU are shown to be far more prevalent than those for bicycle space, highlighting the constraints faced by radical city-level policies aimed at space reallocation.

Adapting the European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS) to the EEA Two-Pillar Structure – A Workable Solution?

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 557-591
Author(s):  
Andri Fannar Bergþórsson
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
National Level ◽  
Financial Supervision ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
European System ◽  
Pillar Structure ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis ◽  
The Eu

In response to the global financial crisis, the European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS) was created in 2010. Supranational bodies were established for different financial sectors to act as supervisors of sorts for national-level supervisors in EU Member States. This article focuses on how the system was adapted to three EFTA States that are not part of the EU but form the internal market along with EU Member States through the EEA Agreement – Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein (EEA EFTA States). The aim is to clarify how ESFS has been incorporated into the EEA agreement and to discuss whether this a workable solution for the EEA EFTA States that have not transferred their sovereignty by name in the same manner as the EU Member States. One issue is whether the adaptation has gone beyond the limits of the two-pillar structure, as all initiative and work stem from the EU supranational bodies and not the EFTA pillar.

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