Hankkeet (4)

IMPEL has carried out a few similar surveys in recent years which gave a great deal of useful information.  The situation, however, has changed dramatically with the declaration of a climate emergency by many countries, a huge rise in awareness on plastics and global biodiversity decline.  This situation has been significantly exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly derailed regulatory programmes and will ultimately affect public sector budgets and the finances of those expected to comply with environmental legislation. This work is needed to fully identify and quantify these emerging challenges and seek to highlight opportunities and solutions to support the regulatory community. The work will also directly inform the creation of a Multiannual Strategic Plan for 2022 onwards.

The IMPEL network has grown significantly since 2008 when it became an independent Association registered under Belgian Law. In 2008 there were 38 member authorities in 2008 versus 51 in 2016. However, there are still significant gaps in IMPEL’s membership as well as active involvement in project activities. This is particularly clear given IMPEL’s recent re-structuring to include Nature Protection and Land & Water activities in its work programme. More than that though, there is also a clear need to work at a sub-national level with regional and local authorities who manage and carry out implementation and enforcement activities. This was reiterated by the European Commission during a recent meeting with the IMPEL Board in Brussels on 27 May 2016 but also with the Committee of the Regions who hosted the General Assembly in Brussels in 2014. Up to now, IMPEL’s membership from sub-national authorities is rather limited and this needs to change if we are to improve implementation more broadly in Europe.

Better regulation initiatives to improve efficiency and effectiveness whilst maintaining or improving levels of environment protection are increasingly being used by environmental inspectorates in Member States often in response to challenges such as limited resources and increasing pressures on the environment.

This IMPEL project aimed to provide practical solutions and share good practice among environmental inspection authorities in Europe on initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory activities such as permitting and inspection. The benefits of the project were to: