Publications and articles

Due to closeness to their citizens, locality and local problems, local governments have a crucialrole in changing the natural environment. On the one hand, local governments have to createconditions for developing local economy and social environment and, on the other hand, theyhave to stand for preserving the natural living environment. Consequently, a compromisebetween environmental, social and economic considerations has to be found. This means thatdistribution of revenue in local governments has to be based on an analysis of funding needs ofdifferent fields, establishment of priorities and finding the necessary resources.

The pocket-sized reference book presents main statistics on the anthropogenic pressure on environment (emission of pollutants, use of natural resources, etc.), the present condition of the environment (pH level of precipitation, pollution of air, etc.) and the measures taken to protect the environment (pollution prevention and control expenditures, etc.) for 2009 in comparison with the previous years. The information has been provided in tables and diagrams. Addressed to users more interested in the subject.

Environmental pressures have increased with economic growth andin order to reduce negative environmental effect, more attention ispaid to market based instruments (environmental taxes, tradablepermits, etc.). Similarly to many countries, the implementation ofecological tax reform has started also in Estonia. Ecological taxreform aims at increasing resource and pollution charge ratesconsiderably and decreasing taxes on employment. An increase inenvironmental charge rates and decrease in income tax were alsoplanned in Estonia. Even though the decrease in Estonian incometax has been stopped due to the economic downturn, theimplementation of ecological tax reform has not been discarded inEstonia: environmental taxes are still relevant economic instrumentsto facilitate the development of environmentally friendly behaviour ofconsumers and producers and to enhance economic efficiency. Theenvironmental tax revenues of the Republic of Estonia totalled 5.9billion kroons in 2007.

The electronic yearbook presents data about the enterprises¿ and public sector¿s (Government of the Republic, municipality and city governments and Environmental Investments Centre) environmental investments, current expenditures on environment protection, expenditures on research and development and the receipts from environmental protection activities in 2005 in comparison with the previous years. The data are given by fields of environmental protection activities (air, water and soil protection, waste management etc.), by sources of funds, by enterprises main economic activity, size and regions. All economic activities with the highest burden on environment are covered. A short description of the methodology has been added. The information has been provided in an overview, tables and diagrams. Addressed to users more interested in the subject.