Law on pollution.

Pollution shall be intended a direct or indirect introduction, as a result of human activity, of substances, vibrations, heat or noise into the air, water or land, which may be harmful to human health or the environment and which may result in damage to material property, or interfere with the use of natural resources and other legitimate uses of the environment. The purpose of this Law is to prevent or reduce harm caused to human health, property, or the environment due to pollution, to eliminate the consequences of harm caused, as well as: (a) to prevent pollution resulting from polluting activities or, if it is impossible, reduce emission into soil, water, and air; (b) to prevent or, if it is impossible, reduce the use of non-renewable natural resources and energy when performing polluting activities; (c) to prevent or, if it is impossible, reduce the generation of waste; (d) to ensure ascertaining of polluted and potentially polluted sites in the territory of the State and registration thereof; (e) to specify measures for investigation of polluted and potentially polluted sites and remediation of polluted sites; (f) to specify the persons who shall cover expenses related to investigation of polluted and potentially polluted sites and remediation of polluted sites; (g) to prevent or reduce the effects of environmental noise on human beings; (h) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the activities referred to in Annexes 2 and 4 to this Law and to increase removal of carbon dioxide from the activities referred to in Part II of Annex 4 to this Law, taking into account cost efficiency, ensuring participation in the European Union Emissions Trading System, and fulfilling the commitments of Latvia in relation to greenhouse gas emissions reduction and removal of carbon dioxide; (i) to specify the right of each natural person and legal person, as well as the associations, organizations and groups thereof to participate in the decision-making process in relation to the issuing of permits for the performance of polluting activities or the review of such permits, as well as in relation to the division and allocation of greenhouse gas allowances; and (j) to prevent or, where impossible, restrict smells caused by polluting activities. An operator shall ensure the monitoring of a polluting activity, especially for such processes that are directly related to the environmental pollution or the risk thereof. In order to detect changes in the environment in good time, the operator shall ensure the monitoring of the environment in the territory which may be affected by the polluting activity. Storage of carbon dioxide in geological formations, as well as in the waterbodies is prohibited in the territory of Latvia, the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf thereof. An emission limit value shall be determined on the site where pollution is discharged from an installation. Environmental quality shall be determined in comparison with the desirable quality of air, surface water, underground water, soil, and subterranean depths or quality of other environmental components for the provision of which the environmental quality requirements expressed in quantitative indicators shall be determined. In order to reduce the negative impact caused by air pollution on human health and the environment, Latvia shall, during the period of time from 2020 to 2029 and after 2030, reduce emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds (except for methane), and PM2,5 particles caused by different sectors of the national economy. A greenhouse gas emission permit shall include: (a) a description of the polluting activity and information regarding the greenhouse gas emissions created by the installation; (b) the requirements in relation to the greenhouse gas emission monitoring to be performed by the operator, indicating the monitoring methods and frequency of measurement; (c) the conditions for the annual emission report examination; (d) the procedures for the submission of annual emission reports; and (e) a requirement to surrender allowances which conform to the quantity of greenhouse gases emitted by the installation in the particular calendar year every year within four months after the end of the particular calendar year. The annual emission allocation to Latvia shall be granted in annual emission allocation units. The Cabinet shall determine the objectives for the reduction of emissions of the abovementioned substances for the period of time from 2020 to 2029 and after 2030. Polluting activities are classified into Categories A, B, and C, considering the quantity and effect or the risk of pollution caused to human health and the environment. The information system of the State Environmental Service is a state information system which includes the information and documents necessary for the fulfilment and control of the requirements laid down in the laws and regulations regarding environmental protection and ensures the circulation of information among public administration and control authorities and merchants, and also involvement of the society in decision-making. The information system shall be created and maintained by the State Environmental Service. The list of installations shall be developed in accordance with legal acts of the European Union in the field of allocation of allowances, as well as taking into account Cabinet regulations regarding granting of free-of-charge allowances to generation of electricity, if the Cabinet has taken the decision to support allocation of free-of-charge allowances to generation of electricity. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which the auctioning of greenhouse gas allowances allocated to Latvia shall be ensured. The Ministry of Climate and Energy shall ensure the hearing of the public opinion on the prepared draft allocation plan and the draft decision to allocate allowances and shall provide the possibility of submitting proposals for at least 30 days. The conditions of greenhouse gas emission permits, as well as information regarding the results of monitoring and inspection shall be available for the public.