| Author (Person) | Thomson, Ian |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 20.1.01 |
| Publication Date | 24/01/2001 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
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On the 24 January 2001 the European Commission adopted a proposal for the Sixth Environmental Action Programme 'Environment 2010: Our Future, Our Choice'. If the Programme is subsequently adopted by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament by the co-decision procedure it will become the Union's environmental blueprint for the period to 2010. Background It was in 1972, at a conference of European Heads of State, that the need for a common environmental policy was agreed. Since then more than 500 pieces of environmental legislation have been adopted. The overall strategy for the EU's environmental policy has been laid down in a series of Environmental Action Programmes:
In preparation for the Sixth Environmental Action Programme the European Commission initiated an assessment of the effectiveness of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme and launched a substantial consultation exercise. The latter included consultation with the other EU Institutions, plus other stakeholders in EU environmental matters such as environmental and consumer groups, business, regional interests, and Member State governments. Detailed information on the assessment and consultation exercise is available. Further general background information on the EU's environmental policy can be found in:
The Sixth Environmental Action Programme The proposed Sixth Environmental Action Programme (note, that on the cover of the paper version of the Programme the formal term used is 'Sixth Environment Action Programme') says that, despite progress in some areas, the EU still faces major environmental problems, deficient implementation of EU legislation by Member States, and a weak ownership of environmental objectives by stakeholders. The European Commission's DG Environment has produced a substantial website of information on the Programme The new Programme focuses on four priority areas for action, in the context of sustainable development:
It stresses the need for Member States to better implement existing environmental laws. A theme of the new Programme is working with business and consumers to achieve more environmentally friendly forms of production and consumption. A further aspect stressed in the Programme is to integrate environmental considerations into other policy areas such as transport, energy and agriculture. The international dimension of the EU's environmental policy is touched upon, in particular, the need to engage with the applicant countries to fully implement EU environmental law, and for the EU to play an effective role in international environmental policy-making. The proposed Programme limits itself to setting general objectives rather than quantified targets. There should be meaningful sustained consultation with environmental stakeholders and improved environmental indicators produced. To follow the progress of the proposed Sixth Environmental Action Programme through the EU's policy making process you should use:
Further information within European Sources Online: European Sources Online: Topic Guide European Sources Online: European Voice Further information can be seen in these external links: European Commission: DG Press and Communication Service: RAPID European Commission: DG Environment European Environment Agency (EEA) Sweden: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) European Environmental Bureau (EEB) Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) Further and subsequent information on the subject of this In Focus can be found by an 'Advanced Search' in European Sources Online by inserting 'Environmental Action Programme' in the keyword field or by ticking '11.2' in the Subject list. This In Focus concentrates on the proposed Sixth Environmental Action Programme: for specific information on the Fifth Environmental Action Programme carry out an 'Advanced Search' in European Sources Online. Ian Thomson On 24 January 2001 the European Commission adopted a proposal for the Sixth Environmental Action Programme '. If the Programme is subsequently adopted by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament by the co-decision procedure it will become the Union's environmental blueprint for the period to 2010. |
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| Subject Categories | Environment |
