Environmental annual reports in the Netherlands based on covenants, 2001
The number of environmental annual reports submitted by companies and assessed by provincial authorities in 2001. The publication of these annual reports has been agreed in covenants between the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, the Association of Provincial Authorities (IPO) and various trade organisations. Provincial authorities are required to approve these reports.
Position with respect to submitted and assessed environmental annual reports
As a rule, companies generally satisfy the agreements in the covenant relating to reporting obligations. In 2001, 182 environmental annual reports were submitted. Of all the environmental annual reports, 88% were approved by the provincial authorities. This is an improvement on 2000, when 79% of environmental annual reports were approved.
Policy
In order to achieve a further reduction of the environmental burden imposed by industry, the Association of Provincial Authorities, the Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and various trade organisations have drawn up target sector covenants for eight branches of industry. These covenants set out Integrated Environmental Targets for each branch of industry. Individual companies are expected to elaborate these agreements in company environmental plans (BMPs) that are valid for periods of four years (Company Environmental Plans in 2000). The covenants also include the agreement that companies should submit reports annually about progress with the measures and studies included in the BMPs. Provincial authorities are expected to validate these reports.
The eight branches of industry are:
- the basic metals industry;
- the textile and carpet industry;
- the meat industry;
- the chemical industry;
- the dairy industry;
- the paper and pulp industry;
- the concrete industry;
- the metals and electrics industry.
