APPLICATION OF SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
MEASURES IN LITHUANIA
Prof. Jurgis Staniškis, Mr. Valdas Arbačiauskas
ABSTRACT
Institute of Environmental Engineering (APINI), Kaunas University of Technology has been
involved in a number of projects implemented in co-operation with foreign and national partners
that focused on supporting Lithuanian companies in implementing different sustainable industrial
development measures.
The paper presents two case studies of practical application of sustainable industrial development
measures in Lithuania: (i) step by step approach in implementing environmental management
systems (EMS) in Lithuanian companies and (ii) integrated application of environmental
management systems, cleaner production (CP) and environmental reporting in Klaipėda region.
Step by Step Approach in Implementing Environmental Management Systems in Lithuanian
Companies
This case study presents experience gained during implementation of the international project
“Eco Forum Baltica” in Lithuania, financed by NUTEK, Sweden, EU Interreg III B and Phare
programmes as well as Ministry of Economy, Lithuania and implemented by APINI in cooperation with partners from Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Poland. The main objective of the
project was to strengthen capacity in Lithuania in the area of preventive environmental
management: The main target group of the project were Lithuanian industrial companies.
Step by step approach was used in implementing environmental management systems. The
methodology used in the project consisted of a series of training sessions and practical work in
companies. This approach based on a combination of theoretical training and practical work in
companies proved to be an effective way for supporting companies in implementing environmental
management systems.
Taking into account that methodology for management of environmental aspects in industry has
been developed during the project and practically tested, this strengthened preconditions for
continuation of providing effective support to industrial companies on EMS implementation. This
methodology could be easily replicated and applied both in sector-specific training programmes
for industry or for a mixed group of companies from different industry sectors.
Integrated Application of Sustainable Industrial Development Measures in Lithuania
This case study provides an overview of a project in Klaipėda region, Lithuania that focused on
an integrated approach in implementing different sustainable industrial development measures.
During the project “Environmental Management and Reporting”, financed by the Norwegian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the following sustainable industrial development measures have been
systematically applied in selected companies:
 Environmental management systems in accordance to international standard ISO 14001;
 Cleaner production;
 Environmental performance evaluation; and

Environmental reporting based on a set of selected environmental performance
indicators.
Building on experience gained during earlier projects that focused on improvement of
environmental and economic performance of industry implemented in Lithuania, a methodology
based on step by step approach consisting on a combination of theoretical and practical training
has been used. However this project was the first attempt in Lithuania to implement different
sustainable industrial development measures in an integrated way.
The project started with training and practical application of environmental management systems
and cleaner production. This has been done by a systematic integration of EMS and CP
implementation methodologies. Identification of environmental performance indicators also
started early in the project. Training and practical application of environmental reporting started
at a later stage after companies have the main elements of environmental management systems in
place.
A set of environmental performance indicators developed during the project consists of company
specific indicators used by particular companies and region-specific indicators used by all
companies that have participated in the project. Based on these indicators, environmental report
will be developed for the entire region. The follow-up of this activity will enable to assess
progress in the process of sustainable industrial development in the region and to improve
decision making process in terms of improving environmental performance of the region’s
industry. In case of positive experience, this activity could be replicated in other regions of the
country with the ultimate objective to develop national environmental reporting system.
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology
K. Donelaičio str. 20, LT-3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
Tel: +370 7 300760/ 300768, Fax: +370 7 209 372
E-mail: Jurgis.Staniskis@ktu.lt, Valdas.Arbaciauskas@ktu.lt