In such circumstances the environment is often abused. The grave financial situation has also resulted in a much lower budget for environmental protection expenditures. At the same time, with the national borders being opened for trade, the number of second-hand automobiles in use has risen, adding to air pollution problems, and the amount of solid waste has increased. Most branches of industry have been affected, except for the metallurgy and other secondary production industries. Energy production did not decrease.
Most companies are in debt, with the exception of energy producers.
Partially because of the decline in industrial production, the emissions of pollution have diminished. Some major polluting sources have been partly or totally closed. Social concerns and powerful industrial lobbies play a major role in not taking such steps. Experience so far has shown that the new owners are mostly concerned with short-term profits, often regardless of environmental concerns. Pesticide and fertilizer use has decreased largely because of the high costs.