Latvia signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 and has ratified the Convention on Climate Change. As concerns water quality , no new legislation has been adopted recently. Latvian legislation on bathing water is now in line with the acquis . However, major gaps remain in this area. The Government considers the whole of Latvia as a sensitive area for the purposes of the urban wastewater treatment directive.
Latvian legislation is largely in line with the framework directive on waste management .
Latvia is currently implementing its national programme for waste management and building a network of disposal sites. Alignment with the acquis on classification of hazardous waste, landfills and municipal waste incineration has been continuing. Concerning industrial pollution control and risk management , no new legislation has been adopted. However, the Law on large combustion plants entered into force for new plants in July 2000. The main installations covered by the IPPC and Seveso Directives have been identified.