Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org, http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com

1. The Environment
in All Partner Countries
DANEMARCA
BELGIA
CIPRU
GRECIA
ITALIA
POLONIA
PORTUGALIA
ROMANIA
Source:

2. DANEMARCA
Denmark has historically taken a progressive stance on environmental
preservation; in 1971 Denmark established a Ministry of Environment and was
the first country in the world to implement an environmental law in 1973.
To mitigate environmental degradation and global warming the Danish
Government has signed the following international agreements: Antarctic Treaty;
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol; Endangered Species Act. These agreements
have helped in the reduction in CO2 emissions by Denmark.
Denmark was ranked as the 10th best country in the world for "Living
Green" by a 2007 Readers Digest survey, and Copenhagen is recognised as one of
the most environmentally friendly cities in the world. Much of the city's success
can be attributed to a strong municipal policy combined with a sound national
policy; in 2006 Copenhagen Municipality received the European Environmental
Management Award. The award was given for long-term holistic environmental
planning. Recently many of Denmarks smaller Municipalities such as Lolland and
Bornholm have also become environmental leaders. Denmark is home to five of
the world's ten largest central solar heating plants (CSHP). The world's largest
CSHP is situated in the small community of Marstal on the island of Ærø.
Copenhagen is the spearhead of the bright green environmental movement in
Denmark. In 2008, Copenhagen was mentioned by Clean Edge as one of the key
cleantech clusters to watch in the book The Cleantech Revolution. The city is the
focal point for more than half of Denmark's 700 cleantech companies and draws on
some 46 research institutions. The cluster employs more than 60,000 people and is
characterised by a close collaboration between universities, business and governing
institutions. The capital's most important cleantech research institutions are the
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Business School, Risø DTU National
Laboratory for Sustainable Energy and the Technical University of Denmark
which Risø is now part of. Leading up to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change
Conference the University of Copenhagen held the Climate Change: Global Risks,
Challenges and Decisions conference where the need for comprehensive action to
mitigate climate change was stressed by the international scientific community.
Notable figures such as Rajendra K. Pachauri, Chairman of the IPCC, Professor
Nicholas Stern, author of the Stern Report and Professor Daniel Kammen all
emphasised the good example set by Copenhagen and Denmark in capitalising on
cleantech and achieving economic growth while stabilising carbon emissions.
Denmark's green house gas emissions per
dollar of value produced has been for the most
part unstable since 1990, seeing sudden
growths and falls. Overall though, there has
been a reduction in gas emissions per dollar
value added to its market. It is comparable to
countries such as Germany, but lagging behind
other Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden.

3. BELGIA
About 520 sq km (200 sq mi) of reclaimed coastal land is protected from the
sea by concrete dikes. As of 2000, Belgium's most significant environmental
problems were air, land and water pollution due to the heavy concentration of
industrial facilities in the country. The sources of pollution range from nuclear
radiation to mercury from industry and pesticides from agricultural activity. The
country's water supply is threatened by hazardous levels of heavy metals, mercury,
and phosphorous. It has a renewable water supply of 12 cu km. Pollution of rivers
and canals was considered the worst in Europe as of 1970, when strict water-
protection laws were enacted. Air pollution reaches dangerous levels due to high
concentrations of lead and hydrocarbons. Belgium is also among the 50 nations
that emit the highest levels of carbon dioxide from industrial sources. In 1996 its
emission level was 106 million metric tons. Belgium's problems with air pollution
have also affected neighboring countries by contributing to the conditions which
cause acid rain. The Ministry of Public Health and Environment is Belgium's
principal environmental agency, and there is also a Secretary of State for Public
Health and Environment. The Belgian government has created several
environmental policies to eliminate the country's pollution problems: the 1990–95
plan on Mature Development, an Environmental Policy Plan, and the Waste Plan.
As of 2001, there were six species of mammals and three species of birds that
were endangered. The Mediterranean mouflon, the Atlantic sturgeon, and the black
right whale are listed as endangered.

4. CIPRU
One of the unique features of Cyprus' habitats is the wild and sharp
differences in elevations and habitats in different parts of the island as well as
different climate conditions, all of which supply a diverse habitat for a unique
array of fauna and flora. The number of plant species and sub-species of wild plant
in Cyprus is possibly in the thousands, many of them being endemic. Wildlife can
be seen in Troodos mountains, Larnaca salt lake, Akrotiri salt lake and
undoubtedly Akamas national park. Cyprus is home to Cyprus moufflon which is a
national symbol of the country. Moufflon is protected and can be seen in Paphos
forests towards branches of Troodos Mountain.
Under the Town and Country Planning Law of 1972, the government has the
power to issue "reservation orders" in order to protect historic buildings, trees, or
other specific points. Other conservation laws seek to preserve forests, restrict the
hunting of wildlife, and maintain environmental health. The most significant
environmental problems in Cyprus are water pollution, erosion, and wildlife
preservation. The purity of the water supply is threatened by industrial pollutants,
pesticides used in agricultural areas, and the lack of adequate sewage treatment.
Other water resource problems include uneven rainfall levels at different times of
the year and the absence of natural reservoir catchments. Cyprus has 0.2 cu mi of
water, of which 91% is used for farming activity. One hundred percent of Cyprus'
urban and rural dwellers have access to safe water. Another environmental concern
is erosion, especially erosion of Cyprus's coastline. In accordance with the
Foreshore Protection Law, several coastal areas have been zoned to prevent
undesirable development. The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has
primary responsibility for environmental matters. The expansion of urban centers
threatens the habitat of Cyrpus' wildlife. As of 1994, one mammal species, 17
types of birds and 43 plant species in a total of 2,000 are threatened with
extinction. About 20 species of flora are protected. The Cyprus mouflon or wild
sheep is protected in the Paphos Forest game reserve.

5. GRECIA
Among Greece's principal environmental problems are industrial smog and
automobile exhaust fumes in metropolitan Athens. Over half of all industry is
located in the greater Athens area. From June to August 1982, the air pollution
became so oppressive that the government closed down 87 industries, ordered 19
others to cut production, and banned traffic from the city center. In July 1984, the
smog again reached the danger point, and 73 factories were ordered to cut
production and cars were banned from the city. In January 1988, the number of
taxis in the center of Athens was halved, and private cars were banned from the
city's three main thoroughfares. The smog regularly sends hundreds of Greeks to
the hospital with respiratory and heart complaints. Greece is among the 50 nations
with the world's highest levels of industrial carbon dioxide. In 1992, it ranked 37th,
with emissions totaling 73.8 million metric tons, a per capita level of 7.25. In 1996,
the total rose to 80.6 million metric tons. Greece's pollution problems are the result
of almost complete disregard for environmental protection measures during the
rapid industrial growth of the 1970s, compounded by unbalanced development and
rapid, unregulated urban growth. Water pollution is a significant problem due to
industrial pollutants, agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, and
sewage. The Gulf of Saronikos is one of the most polluted areas because 50% of
Greece's industrial facilities are located there. Greece has 54 cu km of renewable
water resources with 81% used for farming and 3% used for industrial purposes.
The nation's cities produce about 3.5 million tons of solid waste per year.
Government policies have emphasized rational use of natural resources, balanced
regional development, protection of the environment, and increased public
participation in environmental matters. Four environmental and planning services
were consolidated under the Ministry for Physical Planning, Housing, and the
Environment.
In 2001, 13 of Greece's mammal species and 10 of its bird species were
endangered. Six types of reptiles and 16 types of freshwater fish were also
endangered. Of the nation's 4,000-plus plant species, 446 were threatened with
extinction. Endangered species include the Mediterranean monk seal, the hawksbill
turtle, Atlantic sturgeon, and the large copper butterfly.

6. ITALIA
After its quick industrial growth, Italy took a long time to confront its
environmental problems. After several improvements, it now ranks 84th in the
world for ecological sustainability. National parks cover about five percent of the
country.
In the last decade, Italy has became one of the world's largest producers of
renewable energy, ranking as the world’s fifth largest solar energy producer in
2009 and the sixth largest producer of wind power in 2008.
However, air pollution remains a severe problem, especially in the
industrialised north, reaching the tenth highest level worldwide of industrial carbon
dioxide emissions in the 1990s. Italy is the twelfth largest carbon dioxide producer.
Extensive traffic and congestion in the largest metropolitan areas continue to cause
severe environmental and health issues, even if smog levels have decreased
dramatically since the 1970s and 80s, and the presence of smog is becoming an
increasingly rarer phenomenon and levels of sulphur dioxide are decreasing.
Many watercourses and coastal stretches have also been contaminated by
industrial and agricultural activity, while due to rising water levels Venice has been
regularly flooded throughout recent years. Waste from industrial activity is not
always disposed of by legal means and has led to permanent health effects on
inhabitants of affected areas, as in the case of the Seveso disaster. The country has
also operated several nuclear reactors between 1963 and 1990 but, after the
Chernobyl disaster and a referendum on the issue the nuclear program was
terminated, a decision that was overturned by the government in 2008. A deal was
signed with France in 2009 for the construction of up to four new nuclear plants.
Deforestation, illegal building developments and poor land management policies
have led to significant erosion all over Italy's mountainous regions, leading to
major ecological disasters like the 1963 Vajont Dam flood, the 1998 Sarno and
2009 Messina mudslides.

7. POLONIA
Poland's environmental situation has improved since the ouster of its
communist regime, which has been accompanied by decreased emphasis on heavy
industry and increased government awareness of environmental issues. However,
Poland has yet to recover from the overexploitation of forests during World War II
and the loss of about 1.6 million hectares (4 million acres) of forestland after the
war. As of the mid-1990s, 75% of Poland's forests have been damaged by airborne
contaminants and acid rain.
Pollution of the air, water, and land were the most significant environmental
problem facing Poland in the 1990s. Air pollution results from hazardous
concentrations of airborne dust and chemicals including carbon dioxide, nitrogen
compounds, fluorine, formaldehyde, ammonia, lead, and cadmium. In 1992 Poland
had the world's 12th highest level of industrial carbon dioxide emissions, which
totaled 341.8 million metric tons, a per capita level of 8.9 metric tons. In 1996, the
total rose to 356 million metric tons. Industry-related pollution affects particularly
the Katowice region, where dust and sulfur dioxide emissions exceed acceptable
levels. Water pollution in the Baltic Sea is 10 times higher than ocean water.
Poland has 55 cu km of renewable water. Two percent is used to support farming
and 64% is for industrial purposes. Poland's cities generate on average 5.7 million
tons of solid waste per year. The nation's wildlife has also suffered from
degeneration of its habitats. As of 2001, 9.1% of Poland's total land area was
protected. Ten mammal species were endangered. Six bird species and one type of
plant are also threatened with extinction. The cerambyx longicorn and rosalia
longicorn are among the endangered species.

8. PORTUGALIA
Air and water pollution are significant environmental problems especially in
Portugal's urban centers. Industrial pollutants include nitrous oxide, sulfur
dioxides, and carbon emissions. In 1996, industrial carbon dioxide emissions
totaled 47.9 million metric tons. The nation's water supply, especially in coastal
areas, is threatened by pollutants from the oil and cellulose industries.
Portugal has 37 cubic kilometers of renewable water, of which 53% is used to
support farming and 40% is for industrial activity. In total, the nation's cities
produce an average of 2.6 million tons of solid waste. The nation's wildlife and
agricultural activities are threatened by erosion and desertification of the land.
The principal environmental agencies in Portugal include the Ministry of
Quality of Life and the Office of the Secretary of State for the Environment. The
nation's basic environmental legislation dates from 1976. In 2001, 13 of Portugal's
mammal species and 7 of its bird species were endangered, as well as 186 plant
species. Endangered species in Portugal include the Spanish Lynx, rosalia,
Mediterranean monk seal, and Spanish imperial eagle. The São Miguel bullfinch
and three species of turtle (green sea, hawksbill, and leatherback) were endangered
in the Azores. The Mediterranean monk seal and four species of turtle (green sea,
hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, and leatherback) were endangered in Madeira.

9. ROMANIA
Rapid industrialization since World War II has caused widespread water and
air pollution, particularly in Prahova County, an oil refining region. The nation has
49 cu km of renewable water sources, with about 59% used to support farming and
33% used for industrial purposes. Romania's cities produce on average 3.0 million
tons of solid waste per year. Air pollution is heaviest in the nation's cities, where
industry produces hazardous levels of sulphur dioxide. In 1992, Romania had the
world's 28th highest level of industrial carbon dioxide emissions, which totaled
122.1 million metric tons, a per capita level of 5.24 metric tons. In 1996, the total
dropped to 119 million metric tons.
A high percentage (47% of the land area) of the country is covered with
natural and semi-natural ecosystems. Since almost half of all forests in Romania
(13% of the country) have been managed for watershed conservation rather than
production, Romania has one of the largest areas of undisturbed forest in Europe.
The integrity of Romanian forest ecosystems is indicated by the presence of the
full range of European forest fauna, including 60% and 40% of all European brown
bears and wolves, respectively. There are also almost 400 unique species of
mammals (of which Carpathian chamois are best known), birds, reptiles and
amphibians in Romania. The fauna consists of 33,792 species of animals, 33,085
invertebrate and 707 vertebrate.
In Romania there have been identified 3,700 plant species from which to date
23 have been declared natural monuments, 74 missing, 39 are endangered, 171
vulnerable and 1,253 are considered rare. The three major vegetation areas in
Romania are the alpine zone, the forest zone and the steppe zone. The vegetation is
distributed in an storied manner in accordance with the characteristics of soil and
climate and includes various species of oaks, sycamores, beechs, spruces, firs,
willows, poplars, meadows, and pines.
There are almost 10,000 km2 (3,900 sq mi) (almost 5% of the total area) of
protected areas in Romania covering 13 national parks and three biosphere
reserves: the Danube Delta, Retezat National Park, and Rodna National Park. The
Danube Delta Reserve Biosphere is the largest and least damaged wetland complex
in Europe, covering a total area of
5,800 km2 (2,200 sq mi). The
significance of the biodiversity of
the Danube Delta has been
internationally recognised. It was
declared a Biosphere Reserve in
September 1990, a Ramsar site in
May 1991, and over 50% of its area
was placed on the World Heritage
List in December 1991. Within its boundaries lies one of the most extensive reed
bed systems in the world.