Added: 04/06/2006 |
Environmental Issues of the Blue Flag CampaignThe independent non-profit organization Blue Flag was established in 1985 in France, when the first coastal municipalities in France were granted the Blue Flag Award on basis of meeting all the organization's criteria. In 1987 the concept of the Blue Flag was presented by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe to the Commission - the body that was responsible for developing environment-related activities of the European Community.
Thus, the Commission agreed to launch Blue Flag Campaign as one of the Community's activities for European Year of the Environment. As of 1987, 208 marinas and 244 beaches from ten countries were awarded the Blue Flag.
Since 1988 the Blue Flag Campaign has faced a number of improvements, notably having changed its standards to more strict criteria. In 1992 it started using restrictive values of the EEC Bathing Water Directive as criteria, which became the same in all member countries. When the Foundation for Environmental Education decided to achieve status of a global organization in 2001, a number of non-European authorities and organizations made applications to FEE.
This has resulted in spreading the Blue Flag Campaign to many countries outside Europe, as the Foundation of Environmental Education has co-operated with WTO and UNEP on these issues. In 2001 the Blue Flag Campaign was implemented in Canada, New Zealand, Morocco and the Republic of South Africa, as well as four countries in the Caribbean region. Interest in the Campaign has been expressed by Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, the USA and the United Arab Emirates.
The Blue Flag Campaign features environmental education for the public, tourism operators and decision makers.
As of 2005, 635 marinas and 2,472 beaches in more than 35 countries worldwide were awarded the Blue Flags. The Blue Beach award is based on the compliance with numerous criteria established by the organization and covering the aspects of water quality, environmental management, environmental education and information, safety and service. While some criteria are determined as imperative, others are guideline, and some are not applied for certain regions.
Blue Flags are awarded only for one season at a time. To be awarded the Blue Flags, a beach should fulfill all imperative requirements and a possible maximum of guideline criteria. In case it fails to fulfill the Blue Flags imperative criteria during the season, the award will be withdrawn. The Blue Flags operates the most actively in the UK, France, Greece, Spain and Italy, with the number of Blue Flag marinas and beaches awarded in these countries by the International Jury ranging from 113 to 478.
The Blue Flag UK is active throughout the country, covering the following destinations: Kessingland, Mundesley, Hunstanton and Leigh on Sea in England; Aderdour Silver Sands, Elie Harbor Sands, St Andrews West Sands, St Andrews East Sands, Montrose Seafront and Broughty Ferry in Scotland; Aberporth, Caswell Bay, Dale and Bracelet Bay in Wales; and Cranfield West, Downhill, Millisle Lagoon, Tyrella Beach and Waterpoint in Northern Ireland.
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