The FINANCIAL — The European Union will help Belarus to better monitor air emissions and ensure efficient environmental management. The respective agreement worth EUR 14.5 million was signed yesterday between the EU Delegation to Belarus and the country’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry. A new EU programme on strengthening air quality monitoring and environmental management aims to help modernise relevant infrastructure and promote better involvement of civil society organisations in implementing environmental policies and monitoring environmental risks in Belarus, said the EU Delegation in a press release.
“Air pollution does not know any barriers, and it is important to measure it to take appropriate measures. Based on Belarus priorities in this sector, the programme will ensure better pollution monitoring standards and help the Republic of Belarus to better protect its citizens and meet its commitments in terms of climate change and reduction of transboundary air pollution,” said Andrea Wiktorin, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Belarus. “The programme will also provide opportunities to improve cooperation between the authorities and the civil society in environmental monitoring,” she added.
According to the EU Delegation, the programme will support existing and establish new environmental monitoring clubs and “green schools” to provide modern environmental education to young Belarusians. It will also support civil society organisations in developing and delivering environment trainings and various outreach activities promoting environmental issues. The EU says that it will deliver specialised equipment to assist Belarus in ratifying and implementing relevant international agreements as well as adopting international and EU standards in the field of air pollution and radiation management, according to EU Neighbourhood Info Centre.
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