Environment

Environment:

The environment is one of the key policy areas in which the EU plays a role. The main environmental issues dealt with by the EU include climate change, air, land and water, waste, nature protection and biodiversity, industry and product policy, biotechnology and chemicals, and civil protection and radiation protection.

Environmental action by the Community began in 1972, and today there are over 700 individual pieces of EU environmental legislation in force. Such legislation aims to protect, preserve and improve the environment for present and future generations. The Brussels Office monitors developments in these areas because they affect Member States at the national, regional and local levels.

The LIFE+ Programme:

The LIFE+ Programme is the main EU funding programme for environmental projects running from 2007 to 2013. Since 1992, LIFE has co-financed some 3115 projects, contributing approximately €2 billion to the protection of the environment. During the period 2007-2013, the European Commission will launch one call for LIFE+ project proposals per year. In February 2011, the fifth LIFE+ call for proposals was opened, with up to €267 million available for co-financing of projects under three strands:

For further information regarding the LIFE+ Programme click here.

The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme

The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) aims to provide better access to finance and deliver business support serviced to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the regions. The programme runs from 2007 to 2013 and is divided into three operational programmes:

The EIP supports projects in eco-innovation through financial instruments, network of actors and pilot and market replication projects.

The ICT-PSP aims at stimulating a wider uptake of innovative ICT based services in areas such as ICT for energy efficiency, smart mobility, health, ageing and inclusion.

The IEE supports delivery of the EU’s ambitious climate change and energy targets through concrete projects, initiatives and best practices.

The East of England ERDF Programme:

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is a €308 billion programme of European Structural Funds. A regional development programme for the East of England has been established within the framework of the Competitiveness and Employment Objective. The programme will run 2007 to 2013, with the main theme of supporting "Low Carbon Economic Growth". It is expected to create 4,600 new jobs and to assist 7,300 businesses.

For further policy details and legislative developments in this area please click here. Access to this information is password protected. Please enter your password in the space provided on the right. If you do not have a password and would like one please click here to request one.

Policy & Legislation - EU Environment Policy

Introduction

Since 1972 when the EU’s first environmental policy was proposed, its policy-making power in this area has significantly increased. The Treaty of Amsterdam, which entered into force in 1999, introduced the principle of sustainable development as one of the EU’s main aims and all EU policies must now take into account the effects they may have on the environment. EU legislation currently exists on a wide-ranging number of environmental topics, from chemicals and GMOs to nature and wildlife protection, air quality, climate change and waste. Environmental policy is continually expanding. One of the largest pieces of environmental legislation to have been published in recent years is the 'Effort Sharing Decision’ which governs greenhouse gas emissions from sectors not covered by the EU Emission Trading Scheme. These include transport, housing, agriculture and waste. Under the Decision each Member State has agreed to a binding national emissions limitation target for 2020. The targets range from an emissions reduction of 20% by the richest Member States to an increase in emissions of 20% by the poorest.

European Strategy for Sustainable Development
A proposal for a European Strategy for Sustainable Development was published by the Commission in May 2001 and endorsed by Heads of State at the Gottenborg European Council meeting in June. This document set out the EU’s long-term objectives for sustainable development, with the main concerns being climate change, transport, health and natural resources. Progress on delivering this strategy is evaluated at every spring European Council. In July 2009 the Commission adopted the 2009 Review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. This underlines that in recent years the EU has mainstreamed sustainable development into a broad range of its policies.

The Sixth Environmental Action Programme
The Sixth Environmental Action Programme (6th EAP) was agreed in July 2002 and sets the EU’s environmental challenges and priorities up to July 2012. The Programme focuses on four main areas: climate change, nature and biodiversity, environment and health and the management of natural resources and waste. Measures for achieving priorities in these areas include: improving the application of environmental legislation, working together with the internal market of the EU, and with citizens, and ensuring that other EU policies take greater account of environmental considerations.

The 6th EAP has also seen the creation of the integrated product policy, which aims to develop a more ecological product market by improving the environmental sustainability of products throughout their life cycle. The mid-term review of the 6th EAP was presented in 2007, while the final assessment is expected to be adopted mid-2011.

EU Funding Programmes for Environmental Projects
The principle EU funding programme for environmental projects is the LIFE Programme. The LIFE+ programme, runs from 2007-2013 and has a budget of over €2 billion. The role of LIFE is to assist in the delivery of the EU’s Environmental Action Programme. It focuses on three main areas: nature and biodiversity; environmental policy and governance; and information and communication.

A briefing note on the 2011 LIFE+ call for proposals is available here. The 2011 call for proposals was published in February 2011. For more information you can visit the European Commission's LIFE+ website. Click here

Monitoring EU Environment Legislation
For an update on key EU environmental legislation click here

Other useful environment links:

• Environment Committee of the European Parliament
• European Environment Agency
• UK Environment Agency
• DEFRA

For more information, you can visit the European Commission’s environment website. Click here