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ENVIRONMENT



Water, food, oxygen, energy and much more… the environment meets so many of our vital needs. We owe it to ourselves to protect our environment and to use it carefully; our health and our very survival are at stake. Since the early 1970s Europe has been firmly committed to the environment: protection of air and water quality, conservation of resources and protection of biodiversity, waste management and control of activities which have an adverse environmental impact are just some of the areas in which the EU is active, at both Member State level and internationally. Whether through corrective measures relating to specific environmental problems or cross-cutting measures integrated within other policy areas, European environment policy, based on Article 174 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, aims to ensure the sustainable development of the European model of society. For more information…

GENERAL PROVISIONS
Action programmes, Principles, Instruments, Application and control

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development strategy, Integration of environmental policy

CLIMATE CHANGE
General framework policy, Kyoto protocol, Reduction of greenhouse emissions,, Energy, Transport, Enterprises, Agriculture, Innovation

WASTE MANAGEMENT
Prevention and recycling of waste, Specific waste, Dangerous waste, Radioactive waste

AIR POLLUTION
Air quality, Atmospheric pollutants, Transport, Industry

WATER PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT
Water usage, Marine pollution, Inland waters, Discharge of substances

PROTECTION OF NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity, Flora and fauna, Forests, Genetically modified organisms

SOIL PROTECTION
Management of specific soil types, Discharge of substances, Activities leading to specific ristk

CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
REACH, Dangerous substances and preparations, Pesticides, Biocides, Fertilisers, Risk control

CIVIL PROTECTION
Civil protection measures: their mechanism and financing, Environmental accidents

NOISE POLLUTION
Noise management, Specific sources of noise pollution

ENVIRONMENT: COOPERATION WITH THIRD COUNTRIES
Enlargement, Cooperation with third countries, International conventions

Further information:  Environment Directorate-General of the European Commission


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