The State Environmental Service (VVD) received over 8,300 reports from the public regarding various environmental violations in 2023. The number of reports increases annually, with approximately 4% more reports received in this period compared to 2022. A survey of Latvian residents conducted by SKDS at the end of the year indicates that for the majority, or 74% of respondents, various issues related to environmental protection seem generally important, which points to a positive trend in public understanding of environmental matters.
In 2023, the public reported various environmental violations by calling the Vides SOS hotline 3,891 times, submitting 4,030 reports via the Vides SOS mobile app, and sending 389 emails.
The top 5 topics of complaints received by the VVD are:
- Unauthorised waste management and littering
- Air pollution from dust and odours
- Unauthorised fishing and breaches of fishing regulations
- Violations by industrial operators causing pollution
- Water pollution.
“The VVD highly values every report submitted, as it indicates that environmental issues and their resolution are important to the public. At the same time, to achieve a positive outcome, it is important to have not only public involvement but also the participation of cooperation partners—municipalities and other competent authorities—in resolving reports. The statistics are undeniable—the majority of reports received via the app are passed on to cooperation partners/authorities. Looking back at the reports received in 2023, we can extend special thanks to the representatives of the municipalities of Ropaži, Olaine, Mārupe, Ķekava, and the state city of Jūrmala, as well as the representatives of AS “Latvijas valsts meži” and SIA “Rīgas meži”, who not only acknowledge the reports received but also actively resolve them,” says Elmārs Jasinskis, Head of the VVD Operational Coordination Centre.
Most frequently, the public used the Vides SOS app to report littering, which accounted for approximately 62% of all reports received last year. Every sixth report related to littering was about used tyres dumped in forests! The most active reporting in the app was in the Riga and Pierīga regions, particularly in Jūrmala, Ķekava, Ropaži, Olaine, Mārupe, and Ogre. Residents were also active in reporting in Sigulda, Jelgava, and Tukums.
The majority of reports received via the Vides SOS app regarding possible environmental pollution are passed on to the competent authorities. In 2023, only about 13% of all reports received via the app fell under the jurisdiction of the VVD, and environmental inspectors were involved in resolving these violations. A significant portion of the reports under VVD jurisdiction concerned nuisance odours—2,229 reports, of which only 6.4% were confirmed.
In general, reports regarding odours are most frequently received from Riga, Saldus, Ventspils, Liepāja, and Mārupe. The highest number of complaints about nuisance odours are received in summer, given the warm weather conditions. In June 2023, residents also reported nuisance odours at an increased rate, at a time when uncharacteristically high temperatures and atmospheric pressure, combined with muggy weather, prevented odours from dispersing.
Regarding possible illegal fishing, residents most frequently reported from Riga, South Kurzeme, Talsi, Kuldīga, and Ventspils. In total, 229 reports of possible illegal fishing were received last year, of which approximately 40% were confirmed. Residents complained about water pollution 253 times during the year, reporting pollution of agricultural land, as well as water pollution resulting from illegal vehicle repair shops and road traffic accidents.
With the aim of determining the public awareness and usage of the Vides SOS mobile app, a survey of Latvian residents was conducted by SKDS at the end of 2023 at the request of the VVD. According to the survey data, the majority of respondents (74%) consider various issues related to environmental protection to be generally important. Although the majority of respondents (61%) indicated that they were unaware of the existence of the Vides SOS mobile app, more than 1/3, or 38% of those surveyed, know about it (know of it and have it already installed – 5%; know of it, but it is currently not installed – 33%).
In relation to unfounded complaints, which reduce the availability of VVD inspectors to resolve truly serious environmental problems, the duty officers at the VVD Operational Coordination Centre are paying increased attention to the initial assessment of received reports and determining their validity.
The VVD continues to urge people, upon noticing unscrupulous behaviour towards the environment, to report it to the VVD by calling the Vides SOS hotline at +371 26338800, or by using the Vides SOS mobile app. Before using the app, it must be ensured that the latest available version of the app is downloaded on the smartphone (Google Play or App Store).