6th Environmental Action Programme
An Open Debate on the EU's Environmental Policies
6th Environmental Action Programme
An Open Debate on the EU's Environmental Policies
EU environmental policy objectives have been presented in action programmes since
the 1970s. The Fifth Environmental Action Programme (EAP) , "Towards Sustainability",
was approved in 1993 and came to an end in 2000. This took new measures and made
a stronger commitment to integrating environmental concerns into other policies.
The Global Assessment of the programme concluded that while progress was being
made in some areas, other problems remained. "Environment policy is one of the
success stories of the European Union - thanks to European Union legislation
we have significant improvements such as cleaner air and safer drinking water.
But we still face some real problems." explained the Commissioner for the Environment,
Margot Wallstrom.
The 6th EAP, presented in January 2001, is entitled "Our Future, Our Choice" and
sets out overall objectives and priority actions.
It identifies four priority areas:
- climate change
- nature and biodiversity
- environment and health
- natural resources and waste
And, to make improvements in these areas, the programme sets five key approaches:
- ensure the implementation of existing environmental legislation;
- integrate environmental concerns into all relevant policy areas;
- work closely with business and consumers to identify solutions;
- ensure better and more accessible information on the environment for citizens;
- develop a more environmentally conscious attitude towards land use.
For the first time in the programme there is room for enlargement issues. The
draft calls for countries wishing to join the EU to apply the EU's existing environmental
legislation and announces a deepening of the dialogue with candidates' administrations,
environmental NGOs and business communities.
The NGO coalition EEB has criticised the proposal. They claim that the programme
is too "soft" and highlight its lack of real targets to ensure a better environment
by 2010. According to the group, over the next 10 years the EAP should aim to:
halt all decline in biodiversity; cut noise by half; effect a "drastic reduction"
in pesticide use and end all non-commercial use; increase renewable energy to
12% of energy consumption; cut waste generation by 20% and the amount going to
disposal by 40%.
The EAP should also target at least a 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions from
1990 levels by 2020, and 80% reduction by 2050. All hazardous chemicals should
be phased out by 2020. Other failings in the draft programme, according to the
EEB, include inadequate allowance for the EU's pending enlargement, no reference
to the principles of substitution and reversal of the burden of proof, and a
lack of clarity about the scope for greening of public procurements.
In March this year, the EU environmental ministries launched a concerted attack
on the draft programme. During the debate at the quarterly Environmental Council
meeting in Brussels, disappointed Danish minister Svend Auken said "We wanted
something concrete; unfortunately we haven't been given it". During public hearings,
members of the EU Parliament also called for more concrete targets in the programme.
After listening to ministries' objections, Ms Wallstrom said that the document
should contain only general objectives easily understood by the public.
The draft programme to be implemented has to be adopted in a joint decision by
the European Parliament and the Council.
More information can be found on the internet, at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/newprg/index.htm
Joanna Fiedler