Functional Review of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning

SECTION I: THE MANDATE AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY
This part provides a brief overview of MESP functions and capacities, and compares them with the
reference EU countries. It also presents an assessment of the main weaknesses, challenges and risks,
and provides general recommendations to address them.
I.1. The mandate of the ministry
The mandate of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning was set by UNMIK Regulations 2002/5
and 2005/15. Under these regulations, the responsibilities of the Ministry are to manage the overall areas
of Environment and Spatial Planning. In order to do this, the Ministry has the power to develop,
recommend and implement policies in its respective sectors. More specifically, the Ministry is responsible
for the development of policies, norms and standards and the coordination of activities for environmental
protection, water management, environmental inspection and spatial planning. It is also responsible for the
implementation of the policies and legislation with respect to environmental protection and spatial
planning.
The scope of responsibilities is covered by a number of laws, regulations and administrative instructions,
the most important being the:
Law on Environment Protection (2009/03-L-025),
Law on Waste (2005/02-L30),
Law on Waters of Kosovo (2004/24) and
Law on Spatial Planning (03/L-106).
The recently promulgated Laws on Strategic Environmental Assessment [SEA] (2009/03 L-015), Law on
Environment Impact Assessment [EIA] (2009/03-L-024) and Law on Integrated Prevention Pollution
Control [IPPC] (No. 2009/03-L-043) offer the modern and effective tools for environmental administration.
List of Competencies and Functions
According to Regulations 2002/5 and 2005/15 the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning
shall:
Coordinate activities in the field of environmental protection in order to promote the coherent
development of environmental protection policies;
Develop norms and standards and issue guidelines in the field of environmental protection with due
regard to relevant international standards;
Oversee adherence to such standards, including, where appropriate, conducting inspections and other
services;
Manage the use and development of the infrastructure relating to environmental protection which falls
under the responsibility of the Ministry;
Promote community participation and the development of community initiatives and activities relating
to environmental protection;
Develop policies, implement legislation and oversee activities for the protection of the environment
including water resources, air, soil and biodiversity;
Participate in the development and implementation of public information campaigns and other
promotional schemes to increase public awareness and compliance with environmental protection
standards;
Monitor and assess the state of the environment, particularly the impact of the activities of industry,
public utilities and economic activity as they relate to environmental protection;
Encourage the development of environmental education to foster knowledge and competence in the
field of environmental protection;
Develop policies for the management of water resources and oversee their implementation;
Promote the development, implementation and transfer of clean technologies;
Identify, in coordination with other relevant Ministries, areas to be protected for the benefit of the
public, and develop policies and implement measures for their conservation and administration; and
Ensure the incorporation of Kosovo-wide spatial planning in the policies and programs of the
Government and oversee their implementation by relevant authorities.
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