Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2001)31-2 - EC Environment Action Programme 2001-2010 - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2001)31-2 - EC Environment Action Programme 2001-2010. |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2001)31  |
| date | 24-01-2001 |
In 1992, the Fifth Environmental Action Programme, Towards Sustainability was launched. By the end of the Programme, it was clear that, despite the existence of a comprehensive environmental legislation, the environment still required attention.
This new Action Programme seeks to identify the areas where new action or a fresh orientation is required. Many of the conclusions and measures proposed in the Fifth Programme remain valid, but they are largely a question of implementation on the ground. More persistent and intractable problems, such as climate change, require a more concerted effort at Community level to lead the way. This Action Programme sets this agenda and puts the environmental policy challenges in a wider context of sustainable development, the inter-reliance between economic progress and a sound environment, globalisation and the enlargement of the European Union.
2. Global Assessment of the Fifth Environment Action Programme
In the review of the Fifth Environment Action Programme, the Commission was asked to undertake a global assessment of the achievements of that programme. This evaluation, based on the state of the environment report from the European Environment Agency, concluded that progress had been made in achieving environmental objectives but that much remained to be done. The Global Assessment was published as a platform for debate on future environment priorities.
3. External Consultations
A wide consultation with stakeholders in Member States took place following the publication of the Global Assessment. This involved 12 seminars organised by national authorities, a seminar with industry and enterprise representatives, meetings and contacts with various non-governmental associations and written comments from regional bodies and individuals. To facilitate the process a public web page was made available.
The Applicant countries were also encouraged to offer their views on the priorities of an Action Programme that will cover the period following the first accessions to the Union. The Regional Environment Centre in Hungary co-ordinated comprehensive input from national authorities and non-governmental organisations.
4. The Action Programme and Sustainable development
The Fifth Environment Action Programme was instrumental in establishing sustainable development as an objective for the European Union. This was confirmed in the Treaty of Amsterdam.
Sustainable development cannot be achieved by environment policy alone. It will require the commitment of all policy-makers, including environment, across the full range of Community policies, seeking to achieve the optimal balance of economic, social and environmental objectives.
The role of this new environment action programme thus changes character. It represents the environmental dimension of a wider Community strategy for sustainability. It aims at identifying the key environmental problems and their driving forces. Environmental integration is the mechanism to help ensure that the other policy areas respond to the problems in an effective way.
5. Financial implications
The Action Programme outlines the priority objectives that need to be attained to ensure a clean and healthy environment. It sets out the key challenges for the future but does not prescribe the precise nature of the actions and measures that will be needed. These will be the subject of subsequent initiatives, which will address the financial implications of each measure.
6. Subsidiarity
The Action Programme addresses those environmental problems where action and leadership is needed at European level. This reflects the trans-frontier nature of environmental issues and their solutions.
7. Coherence with other Community policies
The Action Programme recognises the umbilical link between the Community's economic and social policies and the potential impact on the environment. Environmental integration, enshrined in Article 6 of the Treaty, is an essential component of the Action Programme.
8. A ten year timeframe
A ten year time scale is proposed for the Programme. This is considered the minimum for:
- The development of new measures
- The transposition and implementation of the measures
- The measures to take meaningful effect
- The ability to evaluate the effectiveness of those measures
To respond to changing circumstances, a mid-term review of the Programme is foreseen. Indicators will be published regularly to allow monitoring of progress and to stimulate responses where necessary.