Albanian, Montenegrin authorities study Austrian sustainable energy practices on OSCE visit

VIENNA, 18 April 2008 - Integrated waste management systems and renewable energy technologies used in Austria were the focus of a study trip for 14 representatives of municipal and central authorities from Albania and Montenegro this week.

"The treatment of waste and related issues, such as collection, treatment and recycling, are becoming political priorities that pose significant challenges for both Albania and Montenegro with implications not only for public health and environment protection, but also for the region's growing tourism industry," said Helen Santiago Fink, Senior OSCE Economic Affairs Officer.

Participants learned about the technical, legislative, financial and operational elements of waste management systems in Austria. They visited six waste management facilities, including the Spittelau incinerator in Vienna and the waste collection and treatment centre in Graz, which highlighted the processes of burning of waste for energy production and biological-mechanical treatment for waste reduction and reuse. A visit to the Energy Park at Bruck an der Leitha provided the opportunity to learn about biogas production from biomass, and about wind energy.

The group met representatives of the Austrian Development Agency and Kommunalkredit, a bank which manages the Austrian government's environmental support schemes, to learn about possible future development aid as well as financing streams under the Kyoto Protocol's clean development mechanism.

The study tour was financed by the Austrian delegation to the OSCE with support from the Austrian Development Agency.