EMS in Russia:
Tools for Sustainable Development and Citizen Involvement
FINAL REPORT
Russian Partner: Ecoline US Partner: ECOLOGIA
Section 1: Executive Summary
The US non-governmental organization ECOLOGIA and the Russian non-governmental organization Ecoline worked together in partnership on this project. For several years, both ECOLOGIA and Ecoline worked on various projects associated with environmental management issues.
The overall goal of the project "Increased RF Citizens' Participation in the Development and Implementation of Environmental Management Systems as an Internationally Approved Instrument of the Sustainable Economic Growth" was defined as:
To facilitate the gradual introduction of the RF into the sustainable development process by promoting public participation in environmentally sound decision-making concerning the implementation of modern environmental management based on internationally approved EMS (Environmental Management System) approaches.
The project promoted a wider understanding of the importance of environmental management systems (EMS) as a tool for sustainable economic growth and environmental performance. This project demonstrated that an EMS developed in open and participatory way can help - enterprises in the RF prevent pollution and save money. Environmental management systems are of particular value in transition economies, such as the RF, as they provide enterprises with a flexible mechanism for allocating scare resources and pinpointing low cost solutions for pollution problems.
Upon project initiation in the spring of 2000, ECOLOGIA/Ecoline surveyed selected enterprises, NGOs and government agencies in the target regions of European Russia, Siberia and the Urals. The information obtained from the survey was used to develop an overview of EMS awareness and understanding in the RF. After the survey was completed, Ecoline worked with a core group of regional NGOs to initiate a competition to select four enterprises to receive intensive support from ECOLOGIA and Ecoline in the development of an EMS for their enterprises. The companies that were finally selected were chosen because their management demonstrated a commitment to the project and significant environmental improvements could occur at the facilities if an effective EMS was successfully implemented. The selected enterprises were 1) "Krasnoye Echo" located in the Vladimir Region; 2)" Dieselprom" in the Republic of Chuvashia; 3) "Revda" in the Sverdlovsk Region, and: 4) "Tomsk Instrument" located in the Tomsk Region.
ECOLOGIA/Ecoline experts conducted initial environmental audits at the selected enterprises. At each site, Ecoline/ECOLOGIA experts and enterprise management conducted a step-by-step inventory and analysis of the on-going processes and procedures. This was followed by initial recommendations on possible steps to be taken regarding these processes and procedures in order to enhance the environmental performance and to develop or improve an environmental policy and/or environmental management system. Also, on-site EMS training was provided for key managers and a total of 24 managers were trained.
Four training and awareness workshops on EMS principles and practices were held in the targeted regions of the RF while two events for key regional partners and federal stakeholders were held in Moscow. NGO representatives, enterprise managers and supervisors, as well as federal, regional and local government officials (over 200 in total) attended the workshops. The Environmental site assessments of the participating enterprises were used as case studies at the workshops. Emphasis was put on the importance of public dialogue, collaboration and transparency in creating a strong EMS.
ECOLOGIA/Ecoline organized a special 'help desk' service that answered questions from Russia and around the world relating to EMS, provided relevant materials and information in response to requests, and offered consultations (both via the Internet when appropriate and in person). Particular attention was devoted to providing core regional NGOs in the RF with the most commonly requested information and materials, so that these organizations could act as local hubs for assistance regarding EMS.
Ecoline/ECOLOGIA experts were active participants in many governmental discussions regarding the applicability and need for EMS in the RF. Ecoline contributed towards the development of the draft National Concept of Integrated Support for Implementation of the EMS at the Russian Enterprises and of the draft System of Voluntary Certification of the EMS. ECOLOGIA experts participated in the US Technical Committee developing the US position on EMS and ISO 14000.
Important findings were analyzed and presented for the international environmental community via Ecoline/ECOLOGIA participation in international meetings, conferences, and through disseminating information in the form of articles and essays. ECOLOGIA and Ecoline were active participants at two major international EMS conferences held in Stockholm and Kuala Lumpur. Papers were presented at workshops at these conferences on the use of EMS in the RF and ECOLOGIA/Ecoline staff took leadership roles in committees that are promoting the participation of NGOs in developing EMS standards.
The project added a new dimension to the ECOLOGIA/Ecoline partnership by allowing both organizations to function more effectively in the international arena. By gaining experience as both implementers of environmental management systems and developers of the standards that govern these systems, this project has strengthened the ECOLOGIA/Ecoline partnership and has established both groups as recognized international NGO experts in the EMS field.
 Table of contents
 Section 2: Progress Report According to Proposal Objectives
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