Improving the basis for environmental policy
The Community will ensure that its environmental policy is based on reliable and comparable data, statistics and indicators, on sound scientific information and on an assessment of the costs and benefits of action or the lack of action. It will ensure coordination of, and cooperation with, the appropriate Community institutions and bodies and will cooperate with the relevant institutions at international level. The European Environment Agency has a key role in monitoring and reporting on the state of the environment.
Particular attention will be given to:
(a) identifying and filling the gaps in current basic statistical data on the environment, developing the integration of environmental aspects into the data and statistics which relate to other policies and ensuring the accessibility of this data;
(b) promoting the development of environmental indicators, performance indicators on all relevant policy issues and indicators for sustainable development as benchmark indicators to measure progress towards sustainable development and to provide a basis for the setting of objectives and operational targets;
(c) improving coordination in the development of and securing mutual feedback between scientific research and development policies and environmental policy;
(d) further developing the use of economic evaluation techniques for the environment (cost effectiveness, cost/benefit and business impact techniques);
(e) developing auxiliary or satellite accounts to national accounts as a first step towards the integration of environmental aspects into Member States' and Community accounting concepts and practices with the aim of drawing up a comprehensive system of green national accounting by 1999.
Sustainable production and consumption patterns
The Community will further develop its efforts to facilitate and enhance innovation in industry in relation to sustainable development and promote awareness and changes in behaviour by industry and consumers with a view to moving towards more sustainable patterns of production and consumption.
Shared responsibility and partnership
The Community will encourage practical ways of improving shared action and partnership approaches to ensure sustainable development. It will develop better forms of dialogue and ensure that an appropriate mix of actors is involved in the preparation and implementation of its policies and actions.
Promotion of local and regional initiatives
The Community will further encourage activities at local and regional level on issues fundamental to the achievement of sustainable development.
To this end, particular attention will be given to:
(a) further promoting the potential of spatial planning as an instrument to facilitate sustainable development, taking forward Europe 2000+ and assisting the development of the European Spatial Development Perspective as a basis for creating consensus among policy-makers, inter alia in relation to the environmental impact of sectoral development policies;
(b) developing a comprehensive approach to urban issues with special emphasis on the assistance required to support actions by local authorities to implement the Programme and Local Agenda 21;
(c) promoting the exchange of experience between local authorities in relation to sustainable transport initiatives;
(d) developing a demonstration programme on integrated management of coastal zones with a view to showing the impact of improved information and concertation mechanisms for the implementation of sustainable development, and identifying the need for further action at Community and other levels;
(e) developing a strategy to encourage local development and employment initiatives to contribute to the conservation of natural areas, where appropriate supported by the Structural Funds;
(f) encouraging measures in vulnerable areas in line with the Convention to Combat Desertification, focusing on reducing the phenomenon by means of management policy and the sustainable use of natural resources as well as better dissemination of information and coordination of ongoing actions.
Environmental themes
The Community will further develop its policies in relation to the environmental themes of the Programme on the basis of high standards of environmental protection and will, in relation to these themes, give specific attention to those actions which can be carried out most effectively at Community level.
1. In relation to climate change and ozone depletion, the Community will step up its efforts to fulfil the objectives of the Climate Convention and the Montreal Protocol.
Particular attention will be given to:
(a) policies and measures necessary for the achievement of reduction objectives in accordance with the Berlin mandate for carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases to be attained within specified time-frames such as by 2005, 2010 and 2020;
(b) strengthening Community control measures in respect of substances which deplete the ozone layer and stepping up research directed at finding suitable substitutes for these substances;
2. In relation to acidification and air quality, particular attention will be given to:
(a) developing and implementing a strategy with the goal of ensuring that critical loads, in relation to exposure to acidifying, eutrophying and photochemical air pollutants, are not exceeded;
(b) establishing or amending quality objectives with respect to specific pollutants, with the goal of ensuring that critical loads/levels for eco-systems are not exceeded, and developing common procedures for the assessment and monitoring of air quality.
3. In relation to the protection of water resources, particular attention will be given to developing a comprehensive framework setting out an integrated planning and management approach to groundwater and surface water resources, which will focus on both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Moreover, it will contribute to the sustainable management of seas around Europe.
4. In relation to waste management, the Community will take steps to update and develop its waste-management strategy in the light of the European Parliament resolution of 14 November 1996 (11) and of the Council resolution of 24 February 1997 (12), including the hierarchy they propose, and in the context of relevant legislation.
5. In relation to noise, particular consideration will be given to the development of a noise abatement programme which could address comprehensively the provision of information to the public, common noise exposure indices, and targets for noise quality and noise emissions from products.
6. In relation to nature protection and biodiversity, the Community will devise a strategy for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of biodiversity in relevant sectoral or multisectoral plans, programmes and policies and, in the implementation of its other policies, will ensure full integration of nature protection and biodiversity concerns. In relation to the implementation of new reforms, it will ensure that the impact thereof on biodiversity is assessed. Consideration will be given to set-aside in order to recreate permanent natural zones. Consideration will be given to migration routes and the role of buffer zones in the context of the European network of protected sites (Natura 2000) and the implementation of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (13).
7. In relation to the management of risks and accidents, particular attention will be given to:
(a) reviewing existing legislation on the export and import of dangerous chemicals, in particular in relation to the principle of prior informed consent;
(b) developing further measures in the area of agricultural and non-agricultural pesticides with a view to ensuring their sustainable use;
(c) framing and presenting a strategy which will lead, inter alia, to further development of policies to address fully Agenda 21 with respect to hazardous chemicals, with particular attention to the precautionary principle, to information on risks to users and to making the work on the substitution or phasing-out of hazardous chemicals more efficient; the safe management of all hazardous chemicals needs to be improved;
(d) drawing up an action plan with a view to speeding up the risk assessment of hazardous substances on the Einecs list, giving priority to the most hazardous substances;
(e) further reviewing the regulatory framework for new technologies.
8. The Community will, in accordance with the Programme, aim to take some positive steps to reduce by 50 % the number of vertebrate animals used for experimental purposes by the year 2000 and to make available statistical data on animal experimentation, particularly with regard to the use of primates and with the short-term objective of prohibiting the use of wild-caught primates.
9. Particular attention will be given to consideration of the fourth report from the Commission to the Council on the situation and prospects for radioactive waste management in the European Union.
10. Following the review of existing Community legislation which is planned before the end of the transitional period in line with the Act concerning the conditions of accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, namely Articles 69, 84 and 112 thereof respectively, the European Parliament and the Council note the Commission's intention to submit a report to them on the results of that review and on the actions that it has deemed it necessary to take and possible implications for other legislation and for the Programme.
Done at Brussels, 24 September 1998
For the European Parliament
The President
J. M. GIL-ROBLES
For the Council
The President
J. FARNLEITNER
(1) OJ C 140, 11. 5. 1996, p. 5, and OJ C 28, 29. 1. 1997, p. 18.
(2) OJ C 212, 22. 7. 1996, p. 1.
(3) OJ C 34, 3. 2. 1997, p. 12.
(4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 13 November 1996 (OJ C 362, 2. 12. 1996, p. 112), Council common position of 17 April 1997 (OJ C 157, 24. 5. 1997, p. 12) and Decision of the European Parliament of 17 July 1997 (OJ C 286, 22. 9. 1997, p. 208). Decision of the European Parliament of 15 July 1998 (OJ C 292, 21. 9. 1998) and Decision of the Council of 20 July 1998.
(5) OJ C 337, 21. 12. 1992, p. 34.
(6) OJ C 138, 17. 5. 1993, p. 1.
(7) OJ C 167, 2. 6. 1997, p. 92.
(8) OJ C 321, 22. 10. 1997, p. 1.
(9) OJ C 129, 25. 4. 1997, p. 14.
(10) OJ L 52, 27. 2. 1992, p. 1.
(11) OJ C 362, 2. 12. 1996, p. 241.
(12) OJ C 76, 11. 3. 1997, p. 1.
(13) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992, p. 7. Directive as last amended by Directive 97/62/EC (OJ L 305, 8. 11. 1997, p. 42).
(1) Commission statement relating to Article 2(1)(a)a (on agriculture) about its proposals for the CAP
In the Agenda 2000 proposals the Commission indicates that there is a need to give a new impetus to the CAP and to reflect the integration of the environmental protection requirements into the other community policies. The Commission's proposals on the reform of the EU agricultural policy are designed to ensure that the European model for agricultural policy are designed to ensure that the European model for agriculture can be sustained in the long term, to the benefit not only of the agricultural industry, but also consumers, employment, environment and for society as a whole.
The Commission proposals provide an integrated approach including:
- a reinforced rural development pillar to be further developed in the future, embracing, strengthened agri-environment measures as compulsory elements of regional programmes, area-based support for sustainable farming in less favoured areas, forestry measures including sustainable management practices and environmental training,
- the budget for agri-environmental measures can be expanded in particular through the funds available from aid reduction linked to environmental conditions,
- further reductions in market support prices compensated via an increase in direct payments.
According to these proposals, Member states will be obliged to undertake environmental measures, including those relating to the protection of biodiversity, groundwater, drinking water and landscapes. In fulfilling this obligation, Member States have three options at their disposal:
- the agri-environmental measures being part of rural programmes,
- mandatory environmental legislation the enforcement of which can be supported by reducing direct payments in the case of non-respect,
- specific environmental requirements being a conditions for the receipt of direct payments under the market organisations.
In the case of beef and dairy, national envelopes are established for a part of the payments, which can be linked to environmental standards. In addition the extensification premium will be made more effective under stricter conditions.
The Commission is confident that this reform once adopted will prepare the ground for more sustainable forms of agriculture and rural development in the European Union.
(2) Commission statement relating to Article 2(4)(d) on environmental liability
In accordance with its work programme, the Commission will shortly adopt a White Paper on environmental liability. This White Paper will consider the need for Community legislative action in this field, in particular in the form of a framework directive.
(3) Commission statement relating to Article 4, second paragraph, points (d) to (g) on enforcement
The Commission will give details of Member States' performance in implementing and enforcing Community environmental legislation both in the relevant expanded chapter and enclosures in its Annual report on monitoring the application of Community law and in its Annual survey on the environment. The details will include, inter alia, information on the number of complaints received, the number of matters investigated by the Commission, the number of matter brought before the Court of Justice, the findings of the Court and any follow up action taken by the Commission.
(4) Commission statement relating to Article 11(4) on waste management
The Commission will as appropriate further develop the Community hierarchy of waste management principles and in considering initiatives, will respect the optimum use of this hierarchy.
