ESTONIAN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2009

1200
pollution charge, revenue received by the state budget
mineral extraction charge, revenue received by the state budget
millions of kroons
1000
800
600
400
200
0
water abstraction charge, revenue received by the state budget
environmental charges, revenue received by the local government budget
502 82 63 218
648 113 80 267
633 120 85 284
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Figure 11.1. Revenue from environmental charges 1994–2008. Note: The figure reflects only revenue from pollution charges, charge for
water abstraction and mineral extraction. Data: Ministry of the Environment.
11.4. Funding environmental
protection measures
The environmental charges implemented in Estonia
are considered fairly effective as environmental protection
instruments. Due to environmental charges, especially
the implementation of higher rates in the case of
non-conformity to the requirements, environmental
investments have increased. Environmental charges have
been a factor in the renovation of waste water treatment
equipment, installation of pollutant filtration equipment,
establishment of landfills, more effective use of resources
and much more. It should be borne in mind that the
impact of environmental charges is never seen right
away as the implementation of environmental protection
measures from planning investments to the actual
reduction of pollution is a very lengthy process.
The funds received in the state budget from environmental
use are used pursuant to the Environmental
Charges Act – they are routed through Environmental
Investment Centre (SA Keskkonnainvesteeringute Keskus,
KIK) for promoting environmental protection. The KIK’s
environment programme is the state’s primary measure
for funding environmental protection.
A total 3.4 billion kroons in support was paid through
the environment programme in 2000–2008 (figure 11.2).
In connection with the fact that the European Union has
established stringent deadlines for bringing drinking
water, water treatment and sewerage systems into conformity,
a large share of the revenue from environmental
charges has been used to bring water economy into
conformity with the requirements. There have also been
significant resources invested into bringing landfills and
waste disposal into compliance with the requirements. A
total of about 2 billion kroons was invested into water and
waste management infrastructure in 2000–2008 through
the environment programme. In addition, beneficiaries
have made their own contributions.
Local governments have received a very significant
share of support for their environmental investments. For
instance, many local governments used state support to
close landfills that did not conform to the requirements
(including Kilingi-Nõmme, Moora landfill), or to build
waste stations and collection points (Lääne County, city
of Võru etc). Wastewater treatment centres owned and
operated by local governments have been renovated
(Elva, Türi) and water and sewerage pipelines have been
constructed (Keila, Võhma etc). In the field of nature
conservation, many significant projects have been funded:
among others, maintenance has been performed in conservation
areas, efforts mounted to combat non-native
species, investment have been made into nature protection
infrastructure. In the field of forestry, there have been
significant resources contributed to the development of
private forestry. In the environmental management field,
noteworthy support has been provided to renovation of
heating systems and reducing the environmental impacts
of the energy sector, as well as ensuring the capability of
monitoring and carrying out fuel monitoring. Subsurface
surveying has also been performed. In the framework of
the environmental awareness programme, funding has
gone to improved availability of environmental informa-
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