Full Length Research Paper
ABSTRACT
Environmental issues must be supported by all parties. International, national, and local agencies should manage the environmental issues seriously and consistently. European Union as an international or regional organization in Europe promoted sustainable development to the member states where the Czech Republic announces a policy of the Environmental Policy to invite participation of all relevant institutions and people for taking care of the environmental issues. The problem was environmental management for inter-agency was not an easy task because of inter-relation among institutions and different interests of the institutions to make environmental issue synergy. To get a comprehensive understanding, this study is written based on interdisciplinary approach with the data interpreted and made an analysis through concepts of political economic, international relation, and public policy. As a result, this study introduces a model of inter-agency management in relation with management of environmental issue among European Union, local agencies and Czech national government in relation with environmental management. Finally, this study has a conclusion that the international, national, local agencies cooperation has a strategic role in relation with management of environmental issue. However, the cooperation would be a great contribution to sustainable development in a certain country if conducted seriously and consistently.
Key words: Environment, management, cooperation, government, people.
Abbreviation: SEIS- Shared Environmental Information System; SISE -Single Information Space in Europe for the Environment; EU-European Union; EMO-Environmental Movement Organization; NGO-Non Government Organization; ICT- Information and Communication Technology; SEP-State Environmental Policy; AQMs -air quality models; PEA – Prague Environment Atlas; GIS -Geographical Information System; ELS -Law for Environmental Services.INTRODUCTION
In the period of social and political reform or Velvet Revolution in 1989, environmental issue is the greatest issue in Czech. Environmental Movement Organization (EMO) gave great contribution to issue pro-democracy public opinion and encouraged the reform. EMO is the strongest NGOs even stronger than political power. In those periods, environmental issue got high support from various parties including external power. The EMO and people could control democratization and took over political order to make Czech from Communism to Democracy.
At the present time , one of the problems in Czech is environmental issue as it is now just small issue or not popular issue. Not many people take care of environmental issue compared to Velvet revolution. On the other hand, Government is more interesting in economic than environmental issue. Government needs to keep economic growth in relationship with Government continuity or government existence. However, international community still takes care of the issue as it is one of strategic international issues . Consequently, the main point to overcome the problem is breakthroughs for synergy of inter-agencies cooperation.
To make cooperation on inter-agencies of environmental issue needs a special management of environmental issue where the issue is not an easy working in relation with many agencies and interests. Boyd (2013) shared information about environmental management in Australia. Australians’ perception of environmental issueare as follows:
(1) Most people in Australia believe in climate change, but not many believe in changing the relation with human activities.
(2) Believe about climate change in relation with political preference, voting behaviors, and gender, but no clear relationship among beliefs, location, age, and income.
(3) Most people believe that Australia should take action on climate change without waiting for global consensus, but there is no consensus on specific policy.
Based on the above facts, scientists, social, and political communities need to collaborate in solving environmental problem as the environmental issue is complicated needing inter-agency cooperation. Scientists should contribute the idea or concept about environmental issue. Social and political communities should support the idea of having positive impact to the environment.
In relation with the above problems, National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) introduced a concept called Environmental Management System (EMS). It can be a tool to understand synergy of co-operation for inter- agency in management of environ-mental issue. An EMS is defined as “self-correcting and continual improvement system seeking to reduce environmental impacts associated with a facility's activities while helping to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.” EMS consists of five steps; (1) Environmental Policy, (2) Environmental planning, (3) Implementation, (4) Checking and Correction, (5) Management review. (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/stewardship/faq).
To get the simple application, every step can be categorized into groups as follows:
Environmental policy and planning
The step explains the policy of organization in relation with the mission of organization to identify the regulation, requirement, pollution prevention, process, program, and budgeting system.
Implementation
The step consists of creating EMS document, communication of EMS to the related society , and implementing the Standard Operation Procedure.
Checking, correcting, and managing reviews
The step takes the monitoring, internal assessment, and modification to the EMS (Figure 1).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Material
This article focuses on cooperation among agencies or institution on environmental issue. At present the environment is a global strategic issue . Every country gives great attention to the an environmental issue. But management on several agencies about environmental issue is not easy. It needs a special management or interdisciplinary way, inter sector and people awareness to the environment.
Previous book relevant to this article is Czech Policy on Climate Change and Protection against Flooding published in 2011 by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. This book describes the Czech Republic created the flood policy in 2001 Water Act to increase the efficiency of flood management. Through the Water Act, the Czech Government distributed responsibility of flood management to local governments and local people. In flood management, Czech Government is represented by the Ministry of Agriculture. Government cooperates with other organizations to manage flood disaster. On the local or district level, people are invited to participate in flood management. In short, flood is the responsibility of local government and people.
Another book is Renewable Energy Development in the Czech Republic: Dimension of Social and Humanities published in 2012 by the Indonesian Institute of Science. This book describes the Czech policy on renewable energy. European Union has contribution develop renewable energy in Czech through EU directive No. 2009/28 concerning the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs). This is based on the direction of Czech as member country of EU made Act. No. 180/2005 concerning promotion on electricity from renewable energy. When people participated in renewable energy program, environmental movement organization such as Green Peace gave criticism and alternative on road map of renewable energy scheme in Czech 2020-2040.
On other hand, this article describes management on environ-mental issues in Czech analyzing a synergy cooperation among several actors on environmental issues. Author describes actors in environmental issue in Czech. The main actors are government and people. Although in realty, NGOs and private companies are part of environmental issue management. Levels of analysis of the article are institution at local, national, and international level. There are three levels of analysis explaining the management. Interaction among actors in environmental management is interesting to be explored because it will be important experience to different people who live in other country. On other hand, author appreciates ideas that environmental issue management in different country needs different approach because every country has different political, cultural, and economic background. It is just a success story in Czech will be a stimulate for environmental management in other countries.
METHODS
This article is based on qualitative methods. The qualitative methods are conducted by documents and field study. The process of data collection based on strategies is as follows: (1) A document study is done by studying on library and browsing of internet on the issue. (2) Author visited experts on environmental management from universities and research institutes. We made depth interview about one until two hours about environmental management issue. It depends on research, because sometimes we made an interview more than two hours. (3) Author also participated in focus group discussion (FGD) and seminar on the issues which relevant with the theme of this article.
This article is written based on interpretation on action, event, or fact about environmental issue management in Czech. To understand the issue, the author must understand several agencies related with environmental issue management in the country. Consequently, the author looks at this issue from international, national, and local points of view. Furthermore, this article is based on a multidiscipline approach. Several branch of social sciences used the data interpretation. The data are interpreted from point of view of political science, management science, economic science, environmental sciences. By this approach author hopes this article would give more comprehensive description and interpretation of the data about management of environmental issue in Czech.
RESULT
Level of regional agency
The Aarhus Convention, SEIS and SISE, for People’s Participation in Environmental issues had received great attention from international community. The European Union (EU) as one of the biggest organizations in the world care about the issue. The EU took steps in supporting the issues. EU had commitment to global issues. As realization of the commitment, EU developed environmental institutions in response to the environ-mental issues as stated by the Aarhus Convention, SEIS and SISE.
Aarhus Convention has long history compared to other conventions. After a long discussion, finally the Aarhus Convention is approved by the European Union and there are two important meetings in 1999 and 2000. The meetings prepared a committee in 2001 and 2002. The first meeting of the committee was on October 21 to 23, 2002 in Lucca, Italy. On May 21, 2003 Extraordinary Summit was held in Kiev, Ukraine. The meeting adopted a protocol pollution. It was signed by the European Union and the thirty-six states of non EU. The second meeting was held in Amaty, Kazakhstan, on May 25-27, 2005. The third meeting was held in Riga, Latvia, June 11 to 13, 2008.
Aarhus Convention was binding on all members of the European Union. Aarhus Convention has been decided by the Commission of EU to be ratified by the people of air regulations applicable in the countries of the European Union. This refers to the Aarhus Convention, chapters 17 and 19:
Article 17
“This Convention is open for signature at Aarhus on June 25, 1998, and thereafter at United Nations Headquarters in New York in December 21, 1998 by Member States to the European Economic Commission. This is in accordance with paragraphs 8 and 11 of the Economic and Social Council resolution 36 (IV) March 28, 1947, and regional economic integration organizations made of member state authorities Economic Commission for Europe in which their member States have delegated authority over matters governed by this Convention, including the competence to enter into treaties in respect of this matter.”
Article 19
“This Convention is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by signatory States and regional economic integration organizations. Aarhus Convention will be a reference in the processes related to environmental issues in the Czech Republic decision-making. Article 5, September, organizes public participation and environ-mental policy. The article said that community participation is a major point of sustainable development. The regulation is the application of Aarhus Convention. This is proof that the Aarhus is applied by European Union member states, There are interesting facts related to public participation in the Republic. September stipulates Parliament participation instruments, Referendum, Ombudsman Institute. In case, the person or Environmental Movement Organization participation through Parliament punished surrender. Environmental Movement Organization also may participate in the effect to the Government of the Republic via referendums. Most referendum conducted for a matter of principle as it relates to the budget. In addition, Environmental Movement Organization can give convicted Ombudsman Institute. The Institute will continue in the insert of Environmental Movement Organization or the people to the government.”
Aarhus Convention was a strategic decision for environmental management. Basically Aarhus Convention promotes and organizes public participation on environ-mental issues as follows: (1) People have the right to develop the network in the environment. (2) Awareness that people and government are responsible for the environment of the next generation. (3) Sustainable development can be achieved only through public participation. (4) Priority on the interaction between humans and the government in democratic cooperation. In short, the people have a great responsibility in the environment to participate in environmental management.
SEIS and SISE as a Regional Information System on Environmental SEIS is abbreviated from Shared Environmental Information System and SISE abbreviated from Single Information Space in Europe for the Environment. The ideas are network system on environmental management as part of improving people’s participation in environmental management.
SEIS and SISE supported Aarhus Convention. Scholars created instrumental support to the Convention. They made research and exploration in developing and implementing the Convention of SEIS and SISE as instrument to invite people’s participation on the environmental issues. The participation is conducted by the network system. People can report the environmental problem although they live in frontier area.
Hrebicek and Pillmann (2009) described SEIS. SEIS has several objectives as follows: (1) From organizations aspect, SEIS wants to share information about environ-mental issues. (2) From substance aspect, SEIS wants to open an on-line information system of environment. (3) From infrastructure aspect, SEIS is setting up a network based on Communication and Information system on environmental issues.
SEIS has a chronology of an overview of the history. In 2004, the European Union made the monitoring and reporting on the environmental problems of member countries. The discussion was held in studying Environ-mental Policy Review Group. The European Commission presented information on the study on the environment. The Commission made a statement that the EU requires a monitoring system in a collective environmental management. In 2005, the Commission created the concept of Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS). European Union members have the same perspective on a shared environmental information.
Finally, in 2008 the Commission approved the Communication of a Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS).
Furthermore, SISE history is not so different from SEIS. In 2005, the European Commission formulates a European Society for growth and employment. In addition, the Commission also introduced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for environmental management and energy efficiency. SISE is introduced as an institution to serve the neighborhood in relation with environmental information in Europe. SISE is based on high-tech activities, especially in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). SISE develops the linking networks for institutions with environmental information as the network of inter-state and interdisciplinary approach. Sise operates in all EU member states, even in Europe in general. SISE activities will collect and transform data on the environment. As a result of environmental information, there are integrated controlled by the EU.
In order to achieve the program, the European Commission held workshops in 2007 and 2008. In 2008, in Brussels held a workshop with the topic Towards a Single Information Space in Europe for Environment (SISE); workshop under the coordination of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Sustainable Growth Unit of DG INFSO (European Commission activities related to environmental issues). The workshop objectives are to prepare a framework for networking services on the environment. In addition, the workshop targets will support integrated information space. Another target is the information service market for environment. Information and services become commodities that can be promoted in Europe.
Besides, there is another fact about the European Union commitment to the environmental information system related with the environmental issue. European Union developed several projects such as, G-Gas Project and ICT-ENSURE. The project developed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for sustainable development. SISE will be the institution with the power to connect the environmental information. SISE is not directly provided to support the environmental movement or NGOs in the countries of the European Union. Additionally, SISE provides support to governments in Europe for sustainable development seriously.
SISE becomes a tool for controlling the EU sustainable development. Each EU country provides support to the European Commission policy. In other words, EU policy should be implemented by its members. Debate can be conducted in the European Parliament, but after the draft regulations have been ratified, the regulations were rejected. It can be seen as conflicting with European integration. Policy of the member states on the development of sustainable environment must be approved by the European Union or SISE. Czech environmental policy also adapts the European Union or SISE.
E-Participation is a Strategic solution for people’s participation in Frontier Area. Furthermore, the government hopes the support through e Participation from people in the environmental issue or sustainable development. E Participation provides space between people to discuss environmental issues. In this discussion, people can expect the support from various parties in environmental program. Even, people can become public opinion makers in environmental program. E Participation also provides space to make a public opinion related with the environmental issues. The opinion is accepted by people or rejected by others.
In short, e Participant will become an alternative model to invite public participation in the decision-making process. This will give a good contribution to the sustainable development. People will participate to control the environmental management. If there is a wrong policy, government will be criticized and people can give advice or feedback. People should participate in e Participation because participation is protected by European Union regulations Aarhus Convention 1998.
This convention sets e Participation in environmental decision-making process. The European Union has developed a pilot project on e-Participation called U @ Marenostrum. Projects involve communities and local actors (associations) from the Mediterranean coastal zone of decision-making process. They were invited to participate in the implementation of water protection policy and sea environment in the Mediterranean region. This area includes some areas in Ionian islands (Greece), the French Riviera (France), and Valencia (Spain) (Ortega 2009).
Level of national agency
State Environmental Policy (SEP) is the guidance of environmental management in Czech. This gave way to a solution on environmental issues. In this case, the SEP had a number of priorities and principles in responding to the environmental issues. In addition, the implementation can be divided into two or more categories for the implementation of national and local level. On March 7, 2004, the Czech government said the State Environ-mental Policy is the Government policy on environmental issues. Declaration was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister, Stanislav Gross; in this case, the goal of policy to provide a framework or guidelines for decision making in dealing with environmental issues. There were some targets to be achieved, as follows: (1) Raise awareness about environmental issues, (2) Principles of sustainable development, (3) Increase the social acceptance of environmental programs. In addition, the priority for the policy issue in some sectors of the environment is as follows: (1) Protection of nature, landscape and biodiversity, (2) Utilization of natural resources and protection of water, (3) Reduction of environmental damage from human activity, increasing environmental standards for the quality of human life, (4) Protection of the Earth's climate system and the prevention of long-range transport of air pollution. Priority was perfect and good, but the application was not easy.
Liczki (2009) discribes and explains some institutes, acitivities, and model related with convertion of emission inventory in Czech. The institute managed and developed emission inventory for Czech national emissions inventory and air pollution sources (Rezzo). Rezzo had emission database system including anthropogenic emission. Rezzo inventory was administrated by Hydrometeorological Institute. The institutions managed to report the annual emissions for the Czech Republic.
Rezzo is divided into 4 categories as follows: (1) Rezzo –One, major source of emissions from combustion processes and technology. (2) Rezzo-Two, secondary sources and emissions of combustion technology, (3) Rezzo –three, a small source of emissions from combustion processes and technology. (4) Rezzo -Four, transport, emissions from on road and non road mobile sources.
Emissions management system is called Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emission (ASAP). SMOKING-based technology is called advanced air quality models (AQMs). Processes transform the data into the input emissions inventory required. SMOKE is the technology system used and developed in the U.S. This technology is made in the USA and applied in Czech. At first, the project needs advisers or technicians from the United States, but eventually the operator or technician of the Czech can manage their own projects.
Level of local agency
Another agency was Prague Environment Atlas (PEA)-based geographic web applications. In 1995, the first publication printed the information, but since 1998 it published an on line system or web application. PEA received data from multiple sources as follows: Rezzo, Atem, organization, and government. PEA based on GIS technology. In fact, PEA was the first project using GIS (Geographical Information System) as an instrument to map environmental issues. With Hi-tech instruments, environmental issues could be identified accurately.
The Prague Environment Atlas (PEA) had a partnership with Rezzo. Rezzo was a project managing to minimize air pollution emissions. On the other hand, PEA published data or information from Rezzo to the public. With the web PEA can control the activities of Rezzo and also air pollution in Czech Republic, especially in Prague. This gave advantage to have a media Communication of Rezzo as between itself and the people.
However, Rezzo required communication with the people and the PEA as a bridge of communication . PEA also received advantages because it got the data to connect with the environment. PEA and Rezzo developed synergies for cooperation.
Another project was the premise (Prague Environmental Monitoring and Information System). The project was also part of the IOZIP. Web applications focused on on-line monitoring systems and crisis management. This project controlled the general conditions relating with environmental issues. One application was up-to-the-hour on line information on air quality in Prague. It worked in conjunction with the measurement of CHMI station and the Prague City Health Office; moreover, the premise of providing information on water quality and the condition of some rivers in Prague. It worked in conjunction with the River Vltava in Prague Basin. Another web information is applied in the city as a result of cooperation with the institute of meteorology and nuclear.
DISCUSSION
Environmental policy and planning for better environment in Europe
According to the facts, most Aarhus Committee meeting discussed a strategic planning in relation with idea of people’s participation on environmental issue. Environment is not just government’s responsibility, but also people‘s responsibility. But it has an obstacle with the infrastructure to support the idea. From meeting to meeting, Aarhus Committee focused on discussion and finally produced agreement on some items as follows: access to justice, electronic information tools, rules, procedures, and work programs.
As we know, Aarhus Convention has some purposes in connecting with the environment development. Aarhus Convention protects the people and the next generation to live in the healthy environment. Regulation is some-thing important to protect the environment in Europe. Nobody can ensure that people do not damage the environment. People have access to environmental information. People have the right to know about environmental problems and its management. By this convention people can participate on the decision-making process for environmental issues. People have the right to control the decision-making process. In fact, people will receive a direct adverse effect if there are environmental problems.
The Aarhus Convention is the European Union member countries agreement in relation with people’s participation on environmental issues. In this case, people are given responsibility on environmental management. People are invited to give feedback; suggestion, financial support to improve quality of environmental management. Environ-mental issues are managed openly and democratically. People must know decision making process on environmental issues. People have rights to make criticism on the issues. People and government make the dialogue forum on the issue to consequently understand planning, acting, and evaluating the environmental management.
In short, the Aarhus Convention is a regulation. It regulates public participation on environmental issues. People need cooperation to support sustainable development. The Aarhus Convention is a legal aspect of people to participate in decision making process on environmental issues.
Furthermore, the 6th Environment Action Program (EAP) of the European Community 2002-2012 is the European Parliament and the Council decision adopted in July 2002. EAP emphasizes the importance of providing environmental information and public participation on environmental decision-making processes. EU policy should be implemented by member states. Each EU member state should support the program.
Now, e-Participation is one option in a democratic system.
NGOs are part of the people to participate on environmental issues or support the sustainable development. People have the right to participate in decision-making for environmental issues. In addition, sustainable development or protecting the environment is very urgent. Global warming and climate change require serious attention. All parties should be responsible for the problem.
Environmental Movement Organization (EMO) is one of NGOs to cooperate actively with the European Union protecting the environment in Czech. EMO is hoped that the partnership will provide a better impact on environmental programs. As we know, the EU controls the member countries in environmental issues. As a result, the EU - EMO is an instrument of effective agencies for environmental issue. Sometimes EMO makes a criticism to government or business institutions as a single actor, but does not have effective result. There are some interests in environmental issues. There is a conflict of interest between the EMO and business institutions who have an interest on environmental programs.
The Commission underscores the shared environmental information. This increased knowledge of environmental issues. Commission also noted that the European Union required institutions to coordinate the sharing of information as the information must be managed properly. It is essential to achieve the goals effectively. European society should be concerned with environ-mental issues. This relates to the health and life for the next generation.
Furthermore, other agencies support the SEIS is SISE (Single Information Space in Europe for the Environment). SISE is the agency that manages the environmental information. So much information about the environment that caused the European Union to develop institutions. Sise coordinates and manages the environmental information in Europe. Sise monopolizes the information on environment in the region.
Sometimes people in Czech do not have the attention to the environmental issues. The people have special interests, economic interests to encourage conflict of interests between economic interest and environmental interest. People get benefit with the business, but also have bad impacts on the environment. From the environmental perspective, the wrong behavior will cause a puddle, breaking ozone, and global warming. People still do something to damage environment with serious impact. People do not have enough awareness to protect the environment. People need enlightenment, information, and direction about the environment. Furthermore, people need services to keep their business council, but do not adversely affect the environment. The environmental program will meet so many interests. In these conditions, conflicts of interest cannot be prevented between the government and businessmen. Priority cannot be conducted perfectly. When operating the priority, it will get a bottleneck to make the priority not to work well. As a result, the priority program conducted with a flexible way. The main point to use a reference priority by the government and the people. Step by step approach and persuasive approach for something important in acting program of priority for environmental issues.
In the future, there is expectation that people in Europe have awareness on environmental issues. Environment is not just a government responsibility, but also public responsibility, especially the Environmental Movement Organization (EMO). To raise public awareness on environmental issue in Czech is something to need the strategic point. SEIS and SISE will provide information to people about environmental issues, and on the other hand people control environmental management. Both have the duty to protect the environment. The existence and progress of environmental programs in general depend on them. If they participate seriously on environmental programs and biodiversity to make the quality of life can be improved.
Environmental values implementation in Czech
One of the targets to implement the environmental issue in Czech is realization of the principles of sustainable development. The Principle will give people direction to respect the environmental issues. One of the principles is paying attention to the pollution. In applying the pollution principle, the international community is following the principle of mutual responsibility, adopt and support the environmental principles in Czech.
Another target of the State Environmental Policy is to raise awareness for people about the environmental issues. In reaching the target, the Government needs to inform people about the environment through the information systems such as SEIS and SISE. Local governments in Prague serve the people with information systems linking with environmental issues.
Prague Environmental Systems (IOZIP) published the first Prague Environment Yearbook 1990. Yearbook provides information on the management of environ-mental issues or reports on projects on environmental activities. In developing the publications with various forms, such as printing, CD, DVD, and electronic publications (City web site). It makes people have a lot of options to access environmental information. The growth of environmental services is dynamic providing benefits to people with a lot of information on the surrounding environment. People’s awareness on the environmental issues or sustainable development can be achieved in Czech with some projects supported by IOZIP.
One example, ENVIS is a project on environmental information services to disseminate environmental information to people in Prague. ENVIS Under the coordination of IOZIP. In 2005, ENVIS city launched a web page. ENVIS introduces the scheme "-state-response effect" in linking with environmental issues. Through an evaluation tool or scheme agencies to evaluate the implementation of the environmental regulations.
Not every agency has the commitment to environmental issues in Czech. Employees of the government offices and private companies have different qualities to support the issue. The employees have deferent backgrounds, educations, cultures, and habits. On the other hand, the State Environmental Policy will encourage all government employees to care about the environmental issues. Czech government has an interest in supporting the environmental program. Government has the infra-structure, budgetary resources, and human resources, but depending on the political will of the government.
On April 16 – 17, 2009, the International Conference on the environment was held in Brno with the topic, Access to Justice in Environmental Issues. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Environment Czech Republic. The conference participants were 80 experts from 17 European countries consisting of lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and lecturers. Conference was the main key for the environmental issues between the government and stakeholders.
Several speakers spoke about the legal aspects of environmental issues. Sir Robert Carnwath from UK, Lavrysen Luc from Belgium, Jerzy Jendroska of Aarush. Convention Committee gave a lecture concerning the role of courts and judges in relation with the environmental protection, accessibility and efficiency of legal protection for the implementation of the Aarhus Convention. As a result, most speakers suggested that the judiciary needs to increase the role on environmental issues.
Czech Government restructured institutions to makes changes. The changes have an impact on the environment sector. In this regard, the Ministry of Environment has a new minister, Mr. Frantisek Benda. He was supported by Jiri Skalisky, a politician cares about the environmental issues. Both were invited to EMO discussing some problems in dealing with the environment. New ministers and EMO arranged the cooperation programs on environmental issues. They can work together in waste and energy. In addition, the Ministry is open to the information required by the EMO.
The organization grows up , especially when the Ministry of Environment ,Mr. Martin Bursik struggles the sucess of the environmental issues . On other hand, EMO has a great influence to people. The people support it as strive interests on environmental issues. People have unrestricted access in the process of environmental legislation or decision-making on environmental issue. As a result, environmental regulations tailored to the sustainable development for the spirit and aspirations of the people on environmental issues.
Checking, correction and management review to environmental agencies in Czech
Through the evaluation, some agencies have not yet backed up seriously the sustainable development in Czech (Trebicky, 2002). Institutions do not pay attention to the program significantly such as the Czech Government, Czech Parliament, the largest energy producer in Czech, and political party. Between the executive and legislative institutions have not succeeded in supporting the environmental issues effectively. If this opinion is correct, it makes the conclusion that it is difficult to develop a sustainable development program in Czech.
In connection with Aarhus Convention, SEIS, SISE, and people have been invited to participate in the environmental issue. People can participate in the issue through e-Participation. Ortega (2009) has a definition that e Participation is "the use of information and communication technologies (ITC) and to broaden and deepen political participation by enabling citizens to connect with each other and their elected representatives." E Participation system has several aspects as follows: application software, products, equipment and other components. This product is the result of the system information. This system is the result of public opinion or the awareness on sustainable development.
People use e-Participation to control the decision making process in environmental issues. People are also invited to provide feedback to the Government in connecting with the sustainable development. In this case, people can give criticism and advice to the Government policy. Peoples participation can improve the quality of decision making. When people are involved, the decision will have so many ideas. Even, people and people can criticize each other. In the context of the environment, Government might eliminate something not relevant with the sustainable development spirit. This condition had a positive impact on the decision making process.
Finally, the output of the decision-making process reflects the aspirations of many interests as long as suitable with the environmental issue. Participants are in the process to articulate their aspirations or interests. Most aspirations of the people will be feedback.
People involved in the decision making process are viewed as democratic phenomenon. After the velvet revolution, every person has the right to articulate his interests. In political freedom, people can talk the idea ??connecting with the environmental issues. They want to contribute to the state; in this case, the contributions in connecting with the sustainable development or environ-mental issues. Awareness on the environment has been developed in Czech.
Public participation or public involvement can be maximized for networking. Information and Communication Technology support people participation in the decision making process of the environmental issues. On the other hand, the Government is also supporting public participation by EU governments and the web is also supported by the Aarhus Convention, SEIS and SISE. In short, each component of the system supported synergy for cooperation on the environmental issue.
EMO plays an important role to promote the participation in environmental decision-making in the Czech Republic between 1992 and 1996." In other words, for 4 years EMO participated in the process. Chances are the highest achievement of EMO's participation in decision-making on environmental issues. In general, Czech has reformed and EMO has a participation in the decision-making process on environmental and other issues.
Especially, in a period of transition and consolidation, some institutions such as town meetings and public hearings provided a forum for public participation in environmental decision-making. EMO has experiences in motivating and promoting common participation. EMO uses the expertise and experience to develop community participation. Step by step, public participation grew up in Czech Republic. Because of the role of EMO, people began to understand participation. In addition, the aware-ness of the environment is good enough.
Furthermore, EMO has a real contribution to the business environment and also share with local Government and people in solving environmental problems. EMO also introduced the Tree of the Year Award to motivate people in tree planting activities. This program supports the sustainable development. EMO has contributed some roles in people's problems. In 1977, the world's largest producer of dairy products, Danone, introduced BIO yoghurt in the Czech market. Instead, the label was reserved for BIO agricultural industry. In short, there was no consistent of BIO labelling as Danone has not promoted BIO agriculture. It causes a feeling of injustice in the agricultural industry in Czech or the bio industry promoted BIO agriculture. They protested Danone. In addition, people wanted the company not to use the BIO labelling anymore.
Environmental Law Service (ELS) as peoples’ representative has called this company to stop using BIO label for a new product. On the other hand, the company did not meet the ELS protest. As a result, ELS took the case to court. Municipal Court in Prague ruled that Danone conducted dishonest practices in business. In other words, ELS or some companies won the case or they were in the right position and Danone in the wrong position. People give great appreciation to the EMO. It gives real action in dealing with the problem. In this case, EMO is a hero On the other hand, Danone and other companies are more cautious when using label trade in their products. They do not want to be claimed by the person or EMO. They know that people will protest and EMO trade labelling is wrong.
In this case, the ELS as an Environmental Movement Organization (EMO) protected the interests of the people. ELS played a good role as a lawyer for some companies. This concrete work of EMO had a direct impact to the community. However, the company or the people gave a high appreciation to the EMO. EMO delivers benefits to the people in Czech. So, people will support the EMO when it is needed. EMO and the people have a good cooperation, especially on environmental issues. This is something that is useful in the sustainable development.
In 2006, finally Danone complied with decision of the High Court of Prague and public apology for using BIO brand on its products. In addition, the ELS or the winner's position on Danone. It is a long process in the legal process of the Prague City Court to the High Court of Prague. In this case, no law enforcement as NGOs and the people control the legal process. On the other hand, the case became the public attention. Legal institution or the judge only handled the case. On the other hand, what happens in cases that do not get the public's attention? This is a great question that it is difficult to make the answer.
On January 31, 2008, the Law for Environmental Services (ELS) made a press release about the environment. ELS was invited by the European Commission to talk about environmental issues in Czech. ELS reported that the breach of the EIA Directive by the Czech government. ELS noted that there were irregularities in the construction of new roads and highways. In this case, the ELS aand EMO were dissatisfied with the government's policy on the environment. Another case is transportation projects related with the environment. Through a safe route to school project, an initiative of sustainable transport program for partnerships on environmental program (www.environmentalpartnership.org). Based on studies conducted by several transportation engineers, there were no safe areas around the school. The routes were Prague-Kyje, Horka nad Morovu, Krtina, Brno Lisne and Tovacova. Consequently, it is safe and sound necessary route to school. School project is developed for pedestrian. The most important thing is the kids can go to school safely.
Mission of Sustainable transportation program is to share experiences and approaches to sustainable mobility, initiate and support safety in transportation and reduce negative impacts of transport on the environment and society. The program managed a good relationship between transportation and environmental aspects. Both developed synergies to safeguard the interests of the public. This means the Government has good co-ordination within the program of environmental programs and transportation in Prague.
Another case is the development of the urban environment. EMO of Czech and Slovak cooperate in environmental programs. EMO is the Environmental Partnership Foundation. In addition, EMO also makes collaboration with others NGOs from Central Europe. The EMO and the University developed a project on improving the quality of the urban environment. The project aims to evaluate the public space in cities. As a result, there are high-quality parks, squares and other places in the Republic. These are some things that are important for sustainability of cities.
Something important of this project is community participation and local people are invited to participate, especially in the project planning. In addition, this project is bottom- up Program of EMO. The most important thing is the people keep the park as their own private parks. People hoped that he would build the park on their budget. This developed as the champion in the urban environment. Finally, the people who live in the urban areas are free to develop environmental programs.
In relation with the promotion of environmental program, on October 17, 2008, Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation introduced the Tree of the Year Award by inviting people to compete. The trees were selected by judges from around the country and the people vote. Basically the program motivated people to have awareness on the environment. The winners of the competition received 26,000 EURO. (Www.environementalpartnership.org). It is pretty good as a stimulus to sustainable development. The main point is not the money, but more important is people attention to the environmental issues. It is one of people's participation in sustainable development.
Tree of the Year competition is part of the Tree of Life Program. People have strong interest in tree planting activities. With an attractive method, people are encouraged to have a better care of the environment. As a result, the program was responded enthusiastically by people. In other words, competition or program is successful and people support it. It must be recognized by all parties. In fact, the competition will be a model of the sustainable development in the world. If everyone in the world does the similar thing, the environmental program in the world is also getting a lot of advantages.
In addition, people have an advantage of the competition. People who win the competition received grants for tree planting. People have high motivation in environmental programs. In fact, people will have good habits to concern on the environment. This competition is an effective way to invite people to participate in the environmental programs. If this competition will be conducted continuously, it is one of the activities that support the environmental programs successfully. Finally, it contributes significantly to the Czech environmental program. Of course, it should be followed by other countries to support the environmental programs.
In this case, the competition can promote the environmental principles such as: (1) Increase public awareness on the environmental issues. (2) Public participation, (3) Resource management and sustainable consumption, (4) Pay attention to the pollution (6) The principle of integration in the sustainable development.
Furthermore, other people positive respond to the environmental issue as people support to participate. E -Participation is cheap and democratized way with advantages. Ortega (2009) described the advantages of e-Participation as follows: (1) E- Participation provides the opportunity for indefinite and limited people. (2) People can discuss topics despite living in different locations. (3) When there are different opinions, discuss e -Participation to control rather than face-to-face discussions. (4) E- Participation encourages people to make the discussion effectively.
E- Participation is a revolutionary change in democracy. People can support or criticize on the environmental issues. People can choose the environment or government policy issues related to the environment. Although indirect way, people can get involved in the decision-making process for the environment. People have the opportunity to express their aspirations or interests. It is very important to connect the implementation of the government policy. Aspirations can be appreciated by the government so there is no protest on the environmental implementation policy.
This project will develop a bottom-up relationship between decision makers and citizens. Citizens better understand the environment and problems. This project will support the citizens and local actors to identify environmental problems. In addition, citizens and local actors will also provide feedbacks to the decision-makers in the European Union on water and marine for the environmental policy. In the future, e Participation may be recommended to the member states in the European Union. Czech is ready with the program even though there is currently a European Union program. When the policy of the European Union, member states cannot refuse. Czech Government is suggested to allocate a special budget for e Participation in connecting with the environmental issue because e Participation needs soft and hard wares to support the European Union’s programs on the environmental issue.
Moreover, the Czech has another obstacle in Sustainable Development or Environmental Program. For example, poor education in ecology, awareness on environmental issues, and energy consumers without paying attention to the environmental issues To cope with the program, all parties should develop synergies of cooperation. People should pay attention to the environmental issues. There are recommendations on the problems mentioned above. (1) Vision and ideas of Sustainable Development, (2) Instrument for implementing the sustainability, (3) Methods and measures to achieve the sustainability, (4) Regulation on the transportation, agriculture, and water protection sector (Trebicky, 2002).
CONCLUSION
European Union pays great attention to the environmental issues in Europe. European Union is responsible for the environmental issues in the member states, including the Czech Republic. EU supports the environmental programs in Czech. This is a response to the global environmental problems or issues. EU develops the environmental legislation and institutions in solving the environmental problems such as the Aarhus Convention, Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS), and the Single Information Space in Europe for Environment (SISE). Regulations and institutions will motivate the environ-mental programs.
To achieve the sustainable development, the European Union and the Government of Czech through the Environmental Movement Organization (EMO) have a synergy partnership. EMO built several projects in Czech related with the sustainable development and environmental health. In managing the EMO and local government invite people to join the project.
EMO and the Czech Government are also developing cooperation in promoting the sustainable development, one example is the Tree of the Year Award. On the other hand, EMO also criticized the Czech government when there mismanagement on the environmental issues. In short, EMO is government and community partner for sustainable development and the environment.
ABBREVATION
SEIS- Shared Environmental Information System; SISE -Single Information Space in Europe for the Environment; EU-European Union; EMO-Environmental Movement Organization; NGO-Non Government Organization; ICT- Information and Communication Technology; SEP-State Environmental Policy; AQMs -air quality models; PEA – Prague Environment Atlas; GIS -Geographical Information System; ELS -Law for Environmental Services.
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
The author has not declared any conflict of interests.
REFERENCES
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Trebicky V (2002). "Country Report: Czech Republic From NGO Perspective," Regional Workshop on Capacity Building in Governance and Public Administration for Sustainable Development, Thessaloniki. |
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