Conference on Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Legislation
“Working together to Improve and Innovate”

With more than 200 participants from 34 countries in Europe, and Australia, the European Commission, industry, environmental NGOs, partner enforcement networks, and IMPEL met at the Conference on Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental legislation in Malta on 1- 4 October 2013.
Organised jointly by IMPEL, the European Commission and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the conference examined and explored a broad range of challenges relating to the implementation of environmental law and how these could be overcome.
The Conference was convened with the aim of bringing together practitioners in the field of environmental regulation, inspection and enforcement, policy makers, prosecutors, judges, ombudsman and representatives of industry and civil society to discuss the practical barriers and solutions to better implementation and enforcement. Improving communication and coordination between these different actors was recognised as very important in overcoming these barriers.
Conference delegates recognised the significant progress that has been made in many areas in improving the state of the environment in Europe over the last 40 years, but much remains to be done. There are continuing disparities and persistent challenges in implementation and enforcement in many areas of environment legislation.
The conference re-affirmed that cooperation and sharing of experience and knowledge in Networks (like IMPEL and those for prosecutors, judges and ombudsmen), can make a vital contribution to more effective implementation. They can play a key role in promoting and developing best practice and encouraging shared learning and capacity building.