Environment

Overview
The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region is rich in natural resources, accounting for 24% of the world’s forest area, 12% of its renewable water resources, and 20% of its arable land, with a rich variety of ecosystems. Further, with the stable or declining population throughout most of the region, ECA countries do not face the environmental challenges of rapid urbanization faced by other regions.  Nevertheless the ECA countries have had to address both environmental legacy issues and issues arising from the transition. More...

Regional Differences and Challenges
The new EU member  countries - Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania - have all adopted EU environmental legislation, though they have negotiated a transition period to comply fully for implementation. The main challenge is to continue to improve institutions and to mobilize the financial resources needed to meet stringent European Union standards, particularly for wastewater treatment and solid waste management, but also for air emissions, good agricultural practices and management of sensitive ecosystems. Most of these countries also face challenges in flood management, caused partly by excessive urban development of flood plains. With large urban populations and highly developed civil societies, public debate regarding responsible growth is healthy. More...

Environment Strategy
The World Bank’s strategy for the ECA region includes four broad and interrelated pillars: supporting environmentally responsible growth and poverty reduction, addressing vulnerability to natural disasters; enhancing sound environmental governance; and protecting global public goods. More...