The Art of Finding Environmental Solutions
The Art: mobilize ambitions and think in dreams
Finding: mobilize expertise and connect networks
Environmental: measure and calculate
Solutions: creating routines for and educate on environmental behaviour
The Art
The Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria is developing at a very high rate and not always in a way that takes care of the side effects of these developments. On behalf of the Bulgarian government we develop an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Vision and Managementplan to support the sustainable development of the coastal zone. Via large scale stakeholder consultations we more or less effectively ensured the participation of the key players at the coast. Download the final report and the proposal for the management structure, for more information and all background documents, send an email to mycoast@taofes.eu. The project is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (EVD).
Think global, act local: as a member of the Environmental Council of the city of Utrecht we participated in the making of “Passion for Utrechtâ€. The Council developed a “sustainability game†to combine the ambitions of the NGO’s in the city and to transform these ambitions in joint projects. (see www.passievoorutrecht.nl).
Canals are the lifelines of water management in the Netherlands but if left unmaintained, they fill up with sludge. Disposal of this sludge is a serious problem, because of its volume and because it is often polluted. For the Province of Utrecht we reviewed the recycling and disposal options and the legal barriers and opportunities to dispose the sludge.
Producers’ responsibility is the magic word in the EU waste directives. In Turkey and Romania we participated in projects to create systems for the industry to comply with this principle. The details of such systems are different in each country, the main objective is always the same: take back and ensure recycling. These projects were funded by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (EVD).
The Dutch government has several strategies for converting conventional production and consumption systems to sustainable systems. Research on the strategies and their effectiveness keeps these strategies focused.
This is how we started in 1998 in Bulgaria: Technical assistance for the development of the National Strategy for Waste Recycling Strategy. An EU PHARE project to analyse opportunities for recycling. The project included transposition of EU directive, training and 2 pilots: for recycling of beverage containers and for recycling of ELV’s.
Finding
For the Dutch Association of Environmental Professionals we organised the National Energy Debate 2007. We brought together the key experts in the field of energy and environment on this annual networking conference.
With over 10 years of experience in Bulgaria, we made a Market Survey on waste management opportunities in Bulgaria on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (EVD).
“We love our profession†was the theme of the 2006 annual conference of the Dutch Association of Environmental Professionals. With the same passion we organised this major networking conference.
EU procurement rules are complex and time consuming. Making the Terms of References in this process is only the first step. Doing this for the EU in several countries gives us the basic knowledge and insights.
Cleaner Production (or waste minimization) is one of the first tools for systematic analysis of production processes and their management. We participated in the development of manuals for CP and performed a large number of audits in industries in the Netherlands, in the new member states, China and Russia.
Environmental
On a regular basis we participate in the evaluation of environmental projects submitted for the EU Framework Program.
For private clients we do feasibility studies for waste management, in the Netherlands and in Bulgaria. For example for waste separation facilities or for large scale ELV dismantling.
Old washing machines work still fine but consume a lot more energy than the modern equipment. For the Dutch Association of White Goods Producers we analysed the potential for energy saving if all the old stuff is replaced.
A research project to find indicators for successful adoption of energy innovations in new office buildings. What conditions have to be met, or could be altered for successful adaptation and implementation of innovations.
Already in 2000 we explored the options for the solution for the Sofia waste problem: the EU delegation in Bulgaria asked us to make a cost assessment and comparison between landfill of waste and incineration with landfill of residues.
With a team of 4 Bulgarian engineering companies we prepared the ISPA tender dossiers for regional landfills is Montana, Silistra, Pernik and Sozopol.
Solutions
Separate collection of waste starts with creating awareness and practical routines. For the Romanian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable development we participated in the making of campaigns and we trained staff of local environmental protection agencies on how to proceed with localized campaigns and ideas for separate collection. See www.sort.ro. The project was financed by PHARE.
Foundation GreenCoast in Kableshkovo, Bulgaria works in co-operation with schools in the Bourgas region on out-door nature and environmental education. We support GreenCoast with technical expertise and our CO2 compensation.
The next generation of environmental professionals should work with the same passion as we do. Therefore we act regularly as guest lectures at universities. To ensure that the quality of the next generation is as high as possible, we sometimes even act as auditors.
Implementation of EU legislation is not always straight forward: the air quality directives created and still create lots of problems in the Netherlands. The Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Watermanagement employed us to help finding solutions. To be honest: we did not achieve a final solution. Most of our efforts went into setting up the Innovation Programme Airquality.
Think global, act local: not all things are clean and well organised in the Netherlands and local action groups are needed to keep the governments alert. In our own residential district we joined Zuilen Gezond, a LAG to push the city and province government to undertake action against the pollution from a neighbouring industrial area. This resulted in several successful court actions.