environmental performance reviews armenia

216 Pages·2001·1.75 MB·English

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
Committee on Environmental Policy

ENVIRONMENTAL
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS

ARMENIA

UNITED NATIONS
New York and Geneva, 2000
Environmental Performance Reviews Series No. 10

NOTE

Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined
with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations
document.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication
do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the
United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city of area, or of its
authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION
Sales No. E.01-II-E.7
ISBN 92-1-116775-2
ISSN 1020-4563
iii
Preface

The decisions on the structure of the Environmental Performance Review of Armenia were taken during the
preparatory mission in Yerevan in March 1999. Subsequently, the review team for the project was constituted
and included national experts from Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia and the Russian Federation, together
with the ECE secretariat, experts from UNEP and from the Rome Division of the WHO European Centre for
Environment and Health. The costs of the participation of experts from countries in transition, as well as the
travel expenses of the ECE secretariat, were covered by extrabudgetary funds that had been made available
from Italy. Finland supported the Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection for expenditures required during the
presence of the Review Team in Armenia. The contributions were essential to the implementation of the
project.

This team’s review mission to Armenia took place in September 1999. A first draft of the EPR report was
finalized for discussion at an Assessment Meeting in Armenia at the end of March 2000. The organization of
this mission benefitted from the very active support of the UNDP Office in Armenia. During the Assessment
Meeting, members of the EPR Expert Group of UNECE, members of the Armenian EPR project team, and a
large number of local environmental managers discussed ways of developing environmental management in the
country. The discussions also helped to redress a number of insufficiencies in the first draft, and a second draft
was prepared after the meeting. This revised report was submitted to the ECE Committee on Environmental
Policy at its annual session in Geneva on 27 September 2000. A delegation from Armenia, led by the Minister
of Nature Protection, attended the evaluation of the report by the Committee, based on the preparation by two
reviewing countries, the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. At the end of its evaluation, the Committee approved
the recommendations as they are set out in this report.

The review of Armenia’s environmental performance revealed its strong dependence on a number of political
and economic circumstances, which are hoped to become more favourable in the near future. While these
conditions sometimes limit the effectiveness of environmental management, they do not reduce its importance
in the interest of future sustainable development of the Armenian economy and the country as a whole. It is
therefore hoped that environmental management will be strengthened to prepare for this development.

The ECE Committee on Environmental Policy and the ECE review team wish the Armenian Government
success in their important future tasks, including the implementation of the recommendations contained in the
present report
iv

LIST OF TEAM MEMBERS

Mr. Andreas KAHNERT (ECE secretariat) Team Leader
Ms. Catherine MASSON (ECE secretariat) Project Coordinator
Ms. Vanya GRIGOROVA (BULGARIA) Chapter 1
Mr. Antoine NUNES (ECE secretariat) Chapter 2
Ms. Nadia CHRISTINET (ECE secretariat) Chapter 3
Ms. Sabine HOEFNAGEL (UNEP) Chapter 4
Ms. Stella SATALIC (CROATIA) Chapter 5
Mr. Nikita GLAZOVSKY (RUSSIAN FEDERATION) Chapter 6
Mr. Ivan NARKEVITCH (ECE secretariat) Chapter 7
Ms. Catherine MASSON (ECE secretariat) Chapter 8
Ms. Katarina MAGULOVA (SLOVAKIA) Chapter 9
Ms. Karin REQUIA (ECE secretariat) Chapter 10
Ms. Elisabeth CLÉMENT-ARNOLD (ECE secretariat) Chapter 11
Mr. Niels Juhl THOMSEN (DENMARK) Chapter 12
Mr. Carlos DORA (WHO/ECEH) Chapter 13
Ms. Francesca RACIOPPI (WHO/ECEH) Chapter 13

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication
do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the
Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country,
territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries. In particular, the boundaries shown on the maps do not
imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

The preparatory mission for the project took place on 29-30 March 1999. The review mission was organized
from 9 to 18 September 1999. An assessment mission to discuss a previous draft with Armenian environmental
managers took place in Yerevan on 27-29 March 2000. The Peer Review was held in Geneva on 27 September
2000. The UNECE Committee on Environmental Policy adopted the recommendations set out in this
publication.

Information cut-off date: 28 September 2000.
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I: THE FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

Chapter 1 Legal instruments and institutional arrangements for
environmental protection.............................................................................................3 - 14
1.1 Environmental legislation and enforcement................................................................3
1.2 Priorities of environmental policy...............................................................................6
1.3 Institutional arrangements for environmental protection............................................6
1.4 Environmental monitoring, information and education..............................................7
1.5 Public awareness and participation in environmental
decision-making..........................................................................................................9
1.6 Conclusions and recommendations...........................................................................10

Chapter 2 Economic instruments, regulatory instruments and
their enforcement..........................................................................................................15 - 24
2.1 Economic instruments...............................................................................................15
2.2 Regulatory instruments and enforcement..................................................................18
2.3 Environmental expenditures and revenues................................................................21
2.4 Conclusions and recommendations...........................................................................23

Chapter 3 Spatial planning............................................................................................................25 - 34
3.1 The framework for territorial development...............................................................25
3.2 Spatial planning priorities, instruments and institutions...........................................29
3.3 Conclusions and recommendations...........................................................................33

Chapter 4 International cooperation.............................................................................................35 - 48
4.1 General objectives for international cooperation......................................................35
4.2 Cooperation in the framework of UNECE and other regional cooperation..............36
4.3 Global cooperation....................................................................................................37
4.4 Technical cooperation and international funding......................................................40
4.5 Conclusions and recommendations...........................................................................45

PART II: MANAGEMENT OF POLLUTION AND OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Chapter 5 Forest, biodiversity and nature management.............................................................51 - 64
5.1 Present state of nature...............................................................................................51
5.2 Pressures on nature...................................................................................................56
5.3 Nature conservation policy and management...........................................................60
5.4 Conclusions and recommendations...........................................................................62

Chapter 6 Land management and soil protection........................................................................65 - 78
6.1 Land resources and use.............................................................................................65
6.2 Degradation, state and quality of land resources......................................................67
6.3 Policy and management of land resources and soil protection.................................72
6.4 Conclusions and recommendations...........................................................................75

Chapter 7 Hazardous chemicals and waste management...........................................................79 - 90
7.1 Structure and recent development of industry..........................................................79
7.2 Waste risks and generation by type...........................................................................80
7.3 Collection, sorting, recycling, treatment and disposal..............................................83
7.4 Waste policy and management.................................................................................85
7.5 Conclusions and recommendations...........................................................................88
vi

Chapter 8 Management of water resources and quality............................................................91 - 108
8.1 The state of waters....................................................................................................91
8.2 Water use and pollution pressure..............................................................................95
8.3 Policy and institutions for managing water.............................................................100
8.4 Conclusions and recommendations.........................................................................106

Chapter 9 Air management........................................................................................................109 - 124
9.1 State and determinants of air pollution...................................................................109
9.2 Policy objectives and management practices..........................................................115
9.3 Policy objectives and management practices in the transport sector......................119
9.4 Conclusions and recommendations.........................................................................121

Chapter 10 Management of mineral resources..........................................................................125 - 136
10.1 Mineral resources: potential and use......................................................................125
10.2 Environmental concerns in mining and mineral processing...................................128
10.3 Instruments for the management of mineral resources...........................................131
10.4 Conclusions and recommendations.........................................................................134

PART III: ECONOMIC AND SECTORAL INTEGRATION

Chapter 11 Environmental concerns in agriculture..................................................................139 - 158
11.1 The situation of agriculture.....................................................................................139
11.2 Major environmental issues in agriculture..............................................................144
11.3 Policy priorities and management...........................................................................148
11.4 Conclusions and recommendations.........................................................................153

Chapter 12 Environmental concerns in energy..........................................................................159 - 172
12.1 Energy resources and technical infrastructure........................................................159
12.2 The national energy economy and environmental issues........................................161
12.3 The situation in the energy sector...........................................................................166
12.4 Management of the energy sector...........................................................................168
12.5 Conclusions and recommendations.........................................................................170

Chapter 13 Human health and the environment........................................................................173 - 192
13.1 Overall health status and environmental conditions...............................................173
13.2 Environmental conditions associated with health risks..........................................176
13.3 Environmental health policy and management.......................................................181
13.4 Conclusions and recommendations.........................................................................187

ANNEXES

Annex I Selected economic and environmental data.........................................................................195
Annex II Selected bilateral and multilateral agreements.....................................................................197

SOURCES.....................................................................................................................................................201
vii
LIST OF FIGURES

Chapter 1: Legal instruments and institutional arrangements for environmental protection
Figure 1.1 Map of Armenia (administrative units and main cities)

Chapter 3: Spatial planning
Figure 3.1 Built-up areas

Chapter 5: Forest, biodiversity and nature management
Figure 5.1 Annual regular cuttings
Figure 5.2 Forest fires

Chapter 7: Hazardous chemicals and waste management
Figure 7.1 Municipal waste generation in selected countries, mid-1990s

Chapter 8: Management of water resources and quality
Figure 8.1 Hydrographic network of Armenia
Figure 8.2 Waste-water discharge, 1998

Chapter 9: Air management
Figure 9.1 Air emission, 1996
Figure 9.2 Emissions by sector, 1987
Figure 9.3 Emissions by sector, 1998

Chapter 10: Management of mineral resources
Figure 10.1 Location of principal mineral deposits
Figure 10.2 Extracted reserves of raw materials for construction
Figure 10.3 Mineral prospecting activities by category and type of resource

Chapter 11: Environmental concerns in agriculture
Figure 11.1 Rough mapping of the agricultural regions and environmental threats

Chapter 12: Environmental concerns in energy
Figure 12.1 Hydro power production and change in water level of Lake Sevan
Figure 12.2 Supply of district heat, 1989-1997
Figure 12.3 Natural gas supply 1989-1998 and days of maximum available supply
Figure 12.4 Consumption of petroleum products, 1991-1998

Chapter 13: Human health and the environment
Figure 13.1 Mortality rates in a few newly independent States, 1985-1997
viii
LIST OF TABLES

Chapter 2: Economic instruments, regulatory instruments and their enforcement
Table 2.1 Water use charges
Table 2.2 Inflation and exchange rates, 1994-1999
Table 2.3 Quantities of pollutants and corresponding charges, estimated for 1997 and 1998
Table 2.4 Environmental revenues, 1995-1999
Table 2.5 Environmental and nature use charges
Table 2.6 Environmental fines and compensation, 1994-1998
Table 2.7 State environmental expenditure, 1995-1999
Table 2.8 Expenditures for waste removal, treatment and disposal, 1997-1998
Table 2.9 Environmental expenditures by enterprises, 1997-1998

Chapter 3: Spatial planning
Table 3.1 Dwelling stock, 1990-1998
Table 3.2 Dwellings in urban areas by type of equipment, 1990-1998
Table 3.3 Dwellings in urban areas by number of rooms, 1996
Table 3.4 Responsibility for land administration by cadastral category, 1998

Chapter 4: International cooperation
Table 4.1 Ministerial programmes financed by external donors

Chapter 5: Forest, biodiversity and nature management
Table 5.1 Plant diversity in Armenia
Table 5.2 Fauna of Armenia
Table 5.3 Number of rare and endangered plant species by region
Table 5.4 Number of threatened animal species found in Armenia
Table 5.5 Protected areas in Armenia
Table 5.6 State reservation and State reserves in Armenia
Table 5.7 State forest resources
Table 5.8 Forest plantations
Table 5.9 Hunted species and number of hunting licences

Chapter 6: Land management and soil protection
Table 6.1 Structure of land resources, 1999
Table 6.2 Types of soils, their characteristics and planned use
Table 6.3 Irrigation, 1995
Table 6.4 Extent of soil erosion within the natural soil zones, 1998
Table 6.5 Extent of soil erosion by type of soil
Table 6.6 Fertilizer use, 1985-1994
Table 6.7 Change in crop areas and yield before and after independence
Table 6.8 Cadastral value of land classes in the Ashtarak area

Chapter 7: Hazardous chemicals and waste management
Table 7.1 Classification of wastes
Table 7.2 Generation of industrial wastes, treatment, use and disposal, 1997 and 1998
Table 7.3 Solid waste components in Hrazdan and Yerevan
Table 7.4 Pesticide use, 1988-1994
Table 7.5 Dumping sites served by the State Enterprise of the Ministry of Urban Development
Table 7.6 Waste average composition, 1999

Chapter 8: Management of water resources and quality
Table 8.1 Underground water resources in Armenia
Table 8.2 Main rivers in Armenia
Table 8.3 Water abstraction and use in Armenia, 1985-1998
Table 8.4 Trends in estimated water supplies, 1980-1997
ix
Table 8.5 Sewerage network characteristics
Table 8.6 NEAP identification of main issues and problems regarding water management in Armenia
Table 8.7 Prices for drinking water, 1998

Chapter 9: Air management
Table 9.1 Trends in anthropogenic emissions of selected pollutants, 1987-1998
Table 9.2 Annual total emissions by sector, 1987 and 1998
Table 9.3 Spatial distribution of emissions, 1996
Table 9.4 Ambient air quality in selected towns, 1987-1996
Comparison of selected Armenian air quality standards with recommended WHO guiding
Table 9.5
values and present and future EU standards
Table 9.6 Transport infrastructure, 1998
Table 9.7 Fuel consumption in the transport sector, 1985-1998

Chapter 10: Management of mineral resources
Table 10.1 Heavy metal concentration in areas adjacent to the Kapan copper deposit and its tailings
Table 10.2 Volumes of extracted minerals and related charges, 1997-1998

Chapter 11: Environmental concerns in agriculture
Table 11.1 Farm structures and livestock
Table 11.2 Actual environmental threats and measures in agriculture (by region)
Table 11.3 Potential environmental threats and measures in agriculture (by region)

Chapter 12: Environmental concerns in energy
Table 12.1 Summary of energy balances, 1991-1998
Table 12.2 Final energy consumption, 1991-1998
Table 12.3 Planned supply development
Table 12.4 Forecast of energy supply, 2000-2010
Table 12.5 Forecast of energy demand, 2000-2010
Table 12.6 Forecast of fuel demand, 2000-2010
Table 12.7 Forecast of electricity generation, 2000-2010
Table 12.8 Emissions of CO , CH and N O from the use of natural gas and coal, 1990-2010
2 4 2
Table 12.9 CO emissions from energy use, 1991-1998
2
Table 12.10 Power plants

Chapter 13: Human health and the environment
Table 13.1 Standardized mortality rates for the most important causes of death, 1997
Table 13.2 Intestinal and diarrhoeal diseases, 1997-1998
Table 13.3 Comparison between Armenian and WHO Water Quality Guidelines for selected pollutants
x
LIST OF BOXES

Chapter 1: Legal instruments and institutional arrangements for environmental protection
Box 1.1 Basic environmental laws in Armenia

Chapter 7: Hazardous chemicals and waste management
Box 7.1 Processing of tailings at Ararat Gold Recovery Company

Chapter 8: Management of water resources and quality
Box 8.1 Lake Sevan
Box 8.2 Vanadzor water supply facility
Box 8.3 Management policy for Lake Sevan
Box 8.4 The Vorotan tunnel and Yehvards reservoir projects and Lake Sevan

Chapter 10: Management of mineral resources
Box 10.1 Construction material exploitation
Box 10.2 The Alaverdi metallurgical plant
Box 10.3 Projects relevant to the management of mineral resources

Chapter 11: Environmental concerns in agriculture
Box 11.1 Small and large farms in the irrigated plain
Box 11.2 New farming structures on a former kolkhoz in the northern hills
Box 11.3 The grazing problem in Armenia
Box 11.4 Integrated agro-business: a model for the future?