Nordic Environmental Permitting Processes


Book Description

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-522/ Environmental permitting procedures have been in the focus of the public debate in all the Nordic countries for some years, leading us to perform a study comparing the decision-making procedures in the five Nordic countries. We focused on two scenarios for starting and changing industrial activities. First, we describe environmental law, the permit procedure and system for supervision and enforcement in each country. Thereafter, highlights are presented from two workshops with representatives from the administrations and different stakeholders in our countries. The discussion focuses on whether the environmental permitting systems are integrated or divided into different procedures, case processing time, time limited or 'eternal' permits, changes in given permits and the relation between the permitting body and the supervising and enforcing authorities of the regulation in given permits.







Mining in the Nordic Countries


Book Description

The last few years have seen a lot of activity within the Nordic mining industry. New mines have opened, but there have also been cases of bankruptcies. Heightened activity has in turn led to discussions on the role of legislation and taxation in ensuring that mining contributes to sustainable development. At the same time, a number of voluntary sustainability initiatives have appeared. For historic reasons, the Nordic countries share a lot of similarities with regards to legislation. And not least with regards to environmental laws, the EU has contributed to further harmonisation, even among the non-member states Iceland and Norway. Yet important differences exist. Legal revisions are sometimes the result of much-publicised problems, so experiences in each country plays an important role. An overview of taxation also indicates both similarities and differences.




Environmental Law in Finland


Book Description

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this book provides ready access to legislation and practice concerning the environment in Finland. A general introduction covers geographic considerations, political, social and cultural aspects of environmental study, the sources and principles of environmental law, environmental legislation, and the role of public authorities. The main body of the book deals first with laws aimed directly at protecting the environment from pollution in specific areas such as air, water, waste, soil, noise, and radiation. Then, a section on nature and conservation management covers protection of natural and cultural resources such as monuments, landscapes, parks and reserves, wildlife, agriculture, forests, fish, subsoil, and minerals. Further treatment includes the application of zoning and land-use planning, rules on liability, and administrative and judicial remedies to environmental issues. There is also an analysis of the impact of international and regional legislation and treaties on environmental regulation. Its succinct yet scholarly nature, as well as the practical quality of the information it provides, make this book a valuable resource for environmental lawyers handling cases affecting Finland. Academics and researchers, as well as business investors and the various international organizations in the field, will welcome this very useful guide, and will appreciate its value in the study of comparative environmental law and policy.




The Use of Economic Instruments in Nordic Environmental Policy 2014–2017


Book Description

This is the eighth quadrennial report on the use of economic instruments in Nordic environmental policy published by the Nordic Working Group for Environment and Economics. The report comprises two parts. Part I summarises the use of economic instruments in environmental policies of the five countries, during the period 2014-2017. It provides an overview of new instruments and major changes to existing instruments, a detailed country-by-country description of these developments, and a cross-country comparison. Part II provides an overview of the use of voluntary environmental agreements in different environmental sectors across the Nordic countries. It includes an overview and synthesis of studies that have evaluated the effects of voluntary environmental agreements.




Reuse, recycling and recovery of construction and demolition waste in the Nordic countries


Book Description

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-544/ This publication addresses the challenges in managing Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) in the Nordic countries including an outlook on other European countries. Despite a 70% recovery target, the Nordics lag behind due to economic, legislative, and social barriers. The study emphasizes the need for better CDW statistics and highlights successful European initiatives. Key findings include that the barriers do not seem to be technical feasibility, but rather include economic obstacles, and regional variations in recycling. Recommendations include unified approaches, regulations, and stronger incentives for reuse and recycling of CDW. The study advocates waste prevention through reuse and design strategies for future constructions, emphasizing collaboration within the Nordics and the EU.




Best Available Techniques (BAT) in Solid Biomass Fuel Processing, Handling, Storage and Production of Pellets from Biomass


Book Description

With the increasing use of biomass fuels the varieties of sources for biomass have expanded to almost all possible combustible matter with biological origin. The increasing scale in solid biomass fuel production and utilisation at the combustion plants of the wide variety of biomass fuels have contributed to littering, dust, odor and noise emissions of the production chain. The report aims to provide information for operators, environmental consultants and competent environmental authorities on what is considered BAT, as defined in the IPPC directive (2008/1/EC), in biomass processing and handling as well as the production of pellets from biomass. The project gives a brief description of commonly used solid biomass fuels and the processes, handling and storage of these biomasses in the Nordic countries covering processes from production site to the point of use. Environmental emissions, sources of waste and other relevant environmental aspects from commonly used processes, included raw material and energy use, chemical use and emissions to soil are also included in the report.




Use of Economic Instruments in Nordic Environmental Policy 2018–2021


Book Description

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-520/ This is the nineth quadrennial report on the use of economic instruments in Nordic environmental policy published by the Nordic Working Group for Environment and Economics. The report contains two parts. Part 1 summarizes the most significant developments in the use of economic instruments in the environmental policies in the Nordic countries. It provides an overview of new instruments or major changes to existing instruments from 2018 to 2021 in the Nordic countries. The biggest changes are seen in the transport sector and in the field of energy and air pollution. Part 2 provides an overview of policies and instruments the Nordic countries have used to promote clean technologies. Most common is the use of a mix of environmental taxes and subsidies. Each country has chosen different technological paths depending on national and sector characteristics, as well as national preferences.




Nordic Ceramics Industry


Book Description

The cheramic sector covers very different types of products made of mostly inorganic and non-metallic materials by a firing process. This report covers the manufacture of the following product groups: Coarse ceramics: • expanded clay aggregates • vitrified clay pipes • bricks and roof tiles • refractory products Fine ceramics: • wall and floor tiles • household ceramics • sanitary ware • technical ceramics • inorganic bonded abrasives. The report was initiated by the BAT Group of the Nordic Council of Ministers and financed by the Working Group for Sustainable Consumption and Production. The results will serve as Nordic input to the EU revision of BAT conclusions for the ceramic sector under the Industrial Emissions Directive.The report also covers the Nordic ceramics manufacturing plants below the IED capacity threshold: that is, plants with an environmental permit.




BAT in fish processing industry


Book Description

The Nordic Council of Ministers, the BAT Group under the Working Group for sustainable consumption and production, has requested the consultant to prepare a report on Best Available Techniques (BAT) in fish processing industry in the Nordic countries. The project describes the present status of the used techniques, their emissions and impacts on the environment and technologies that can be considered BAT. The provided information can be utilized by operators, environmental consultants and competent environmental authorities. The report will also be used as an input from the Nordic countries to the EU process under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) for preparation of the BAT Reference Document for Best Available Techniques in the Food, Drink and Milk Industries (FDM BREF) concerning the fish processing sector.