Collect, manage and publish environmental information

“Environmental information is data and environmental data in the form of symbols, letters, numbers, images, sounds or similar forms.” (Clause 28, Article 3 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2014). 

“Environmental information includes figures and data on environmental components, impacts on the environment, policies and laws on environmental protection, and environmental protection activities”; “Environmental database is a collection of environmental information that is built, updated and maintained to meet the requirements for accessing and using information for environmental protection and serving public benefits.” (Clause 1, Article 128 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2014). 

To control environmental pollution, having complete and accurate environmental information is especially important. It allows environmental pollution control entities to grasp the current state of the environment as well as changes in environmental quality; the interaction between the environment and socio-economic development activities... thereby being proactive in preventing pollution and handling environmental problemsg. 

Due to the characteristics of information in the environmental field, it is very broad and diverse, related to many environmental components, existing on a large spatial scale, with the constant movement and change of factors. nature, so collecting environmental information is not a simple matter. This activity always requires the support of special technical measures, methods, tools, and means, known for environmental monitoring activities, environmental monitoring programs, and environmental monitoring systems.ng environmental monitoring (articles 121, 123, 124 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2014). 

Each different environment component has a different way of collecting and displaying information. Basic parameters that reflect typical elements of the environment for the purpose of evaluating and monitoring environmental quality developments and preparing reports on the current state of the environment are called environmental indicators. This is a specialized legal-technical term in the field of environment. 

Information on the current state of the environment, developments in environmental quality, impacts from development activities on the environment, the implementation of environmental laws, forecasts of environmental challenges, directions and solutions. Methods and methods of environmental management and protection... are shown in two types of reports: Provincial environmental protection report and environmental status report (Section 3 Chapter XIII Law on Environmental Protection 2014 ). 

CEnvironmental information must be collected and managed in accordance with the law. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment presides over and coordinates with ministries, branches and localities to collect and manage environmental information and build a national environmental database. Ministries, branches and people's committees at all levels, within the scope of their tasks and powers, collect and manage environmental information, build environmental databases of ministries, branches and localities and integrate with other agencies. National environmental database. Economic zones, industrial parks, export processing zones, high-tech zones, industrial clusters, craft villages, production, business, and service establishments prepare environmental records, manage information on impacts on the environment environment from production, business and service activities (Article 129 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2014). 

Environmental information must be disclosed and provided to relevant and interested entities according to the law (Article 130 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2014). Accordingly, organizations and individuals managing industrial parks, export processing zones, high-tech zones, industrial clusters, production, business and service establishments are subject to preparing environmental impact assessment reports. is responsible for reporting environmental information within its scope of management to the environmental management agency under the provincial People's Committee. Production, business and service establishments not subject to the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article are responsible for providing environmental information related to their activities to district and commune-level People's Committees. Ministries and branches are responsible for annually providing environmental information related to the industry and management field to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.g. 

In principle, environmental information must be made public (except for information on the list of state secrets), including: Strategic environmental assessment report, environmental impact assessment and environmental protection plan. environment, information on waste sources, waste, and waste treatment; Environmentally polluted and degraded areas are severe and particularly serious, and areas are at risk of environmental incidents; environmental reports; results of inspection and testing on environmental protection. The form of disclosure must ensure convenience for relevant subjects to receive information. The agency disclosing environmental information is responsible before the law for the accuracy of the information (Article 131 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2019). 2014). 

In addition, the commune-level People's Committee is also responsible for presiding over and coordinating with production, business and service establishments in the area to publicize information about the environment of production, business and service establishments. with the residential community. In some cases, representatives of the residential community in the area affected by the environmental impact of a production, business, or service facility have the right to request the owner of the production, business, or service facility to provide information. on environmental protection through direct dialogue or in writing (Clause 1, Article 146 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2014).