EU Environment Policy

Latest business news about the Environment Policy of the European Union.

The objective of the Directorate-General for the Environment is to protect, preserve and improve the environment for present and future generations. To achieve this it proposes policies that ensure a high level of environmental protection in the European Union and that preserve the quality of life of EU citizens. The four priorities of the DG for the years 2002 to 2012 are climate change; nature and biodiversity; environment, health and quality of life; and natural resources and waste.

FACT SHEETS

General Policies

• The Sixth Environment Action Programme
• European Climate Change Programme
• EU Climate change and energy package
• Reducing CO2 Emissions from light-duty vehicles

Nature and Biodiversity

• Nature and Biodiversity
• REACH - Recycling and Waste Prevention - Clean Air

Funding Opportunities

EU Environment Contacts

LATEST NEWS

Europe raises red flag on future of animal species — 17 March 2010, 23:17 CET

The European Red List, a review of the conservation status of some 6,000 European species, is hot off the press and the results are not good. The data, which are compiled with the support of European Commission funding, show that 14% of dragonflies, 11% of beetles and 9% of butterflies are at risk of extinction within Europe. Even more alarming is the fact that some of these species are threatened with extinction at the global level. These species have been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (TM).

Eurozone crisis calls for joint efforts: analysts — 16 March 2010, 10:51 CET

A growing dispute between France and Germany threatens to split the eurozone even as it endures a historic crisis, but analysts say only cooperation between the old rivals can help heal Europe.

Mexico presses EU to unblock promised climate funds — 15 March 2010, 23:38 CET

Mexico on Monday urged European leaders to hand over funding promised to help poor nations cope with global warming, as an important gesture before a key climate conference in Cancun later this year.

In-depth examination of insurance against natural catastrophes, announces Barnier — 11 March 2010, 16:29 CET

The Commission is to carry out an in-depth examination of insurance schemes covering national catastrophes, in particular flooding, announced Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, yesterday, 9 March, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Euro-Parliament urges tax on financial operations — 10 March 2010, 22:51 CET

The European Parliament on Wednesday called for a worldwide tax on financial transactions that would help pay for the economic crisis and could aid the fight against global warming.

Europe to argue for bluefin tuna trade ban — 10 March 2010, 22:42 CET

The king of Japanese sushi and sashimi may disappear from menus after Europe joined the United States on Wednesday in arguing for a ban on trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Green Ventures 2010 (Potsdam, from 16 June 2010, 00:00 CET to 18 June 2010, 00:00 CET) —

The thirteenth edition of Green Ventures, a three-day meeting on energy and environmental technology companies, will be held in Potsdam, Germany from 16 to 18 June 2010.

Romanian NGOs alert EU to 'violations' of protected areas — 10 March 2010, 00:10 CET

Three Romanian environmental organisations filed complaints to the European Commission targetting several "violations" of protected areas in Romania.

Environmental liability - Directive — 12 March 2010, 00:10 CET

The first EC legislation whose main objectives include the application of the "polluter pays" principle, this Directive establishes a common framework for liability with a view to preventing and remedying damage to animals, plants, natural habitats and water resources, and damage affecting the land. The liability scheme applies to certain specified occupational activities and to other activities in cases where the operator is at fault or negligent. The public authorities are also responsible for ensuring that the operators responsible take or finance the necessary preventive or remedial measures themselves.

Factories near pollution may be held responsible: EU court — 09 March 2010, 18:53 CET

Factories located close to polluted areas may be deemed responsible and made to carry out remedial measures, the European Court of Justice ruled on Tuesday.

EU's 'carbon fat cats' get rich off trading scheme: study — 06 March 2010, 00:37 CET

Europe's system for industrial carbon quotas has enriched the continent's biggest polluters, with ten firms together reaping permits for 2008 alone worth 500 million euros, a new report reveals.

Italy slammed by EU court over Naples garbage — 04 March 2010, 13:14 CET

Europe's highest court has slammed Italy for its failure to clean-up a garbage crisis in the Naples region that was declared over by PM Silvio Berlusconi over 18 months ago.

What the EU should do about CCS — 03 March 2010, 23:43 CET

This morning, the Centre for European Reform launched the report which Simon Tilford and I have written about what the EU should do about CCS (carbon capture and storage). We argue that large-scale demonstration will require public money, and that widespread and rapid deployment will require regulation, ideally at European level.

Europe 2020: a new economic strategy — 03 March 2010, 14:08 CET

The Commission’s proposal on a new strategy follows a public consultation that attracted some 1 500 comments. The strategy builds on what has been achieved and the lessons learned. The first priority must be to hasten the exit from the crisis, but the strategy must also provide the building blocks for growth that will be sustainable in the future. Europe is recognised the world over for its high quality of life, underpinned by a unique social model. The strategy should ensure that these benefits are sustained and even further enhanced, while employment, productivity and social cohesion are optimised.

Europe 2020: new economic strategy - briefing — 03 March 2010, 14:07 CET

The European Commission has launched the Europe 2020 Strategy to bring Europe out of the crisis and prepare the EU economy for the next decade. The Commission identifies three key drivers for growth, to be implemented through concrete actions at EU and national levels: smart growth (fostering knowledge, innovation, education and digital society), sustainable growth (making our production more resource efficient while boosting our competitiveness) and inclusive growth (raising participation in the labour market, the acquisition of skills and the fight against poverty). This battle for growth and jobs requires ownership at top political level and mobilisation from all actors across Europe. Five targets are set which define where the EU should be by 2020 and against which progress can be tracked.

EU unveils its 2020 vision for economy to avoid 'decline' — 03 March 2010, 14:08 CET

The European Commission has proposed a new green, innovative economy for Europe, seeking to avoid the "decline" of a bloc weakened by the global crisis.

Brussels offers 10-year plan to 'avoid decline' of Europe — 02 March 2010, 23:31 CET

The European Commission will Wednesday propose a new green, innovative economy for the European Union, heralding an unprecedented economic government to avoid the "decline" of a bloc weakened by the global crisis.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) - briefing — 02 March 2010, 14:11 CET

The European Commission has announced its intention to come up with a proposal by the summer to allow more choice to Member States in deciding whether to cultivate GMOs. Under the current legal framework, as decided by the Council and the European Parliament, the Commission has adopted two decisions concerning the Genetically Modified Amflora potato: the first authorises the cultivation of Amflora in the EU for industrial use, and the second relates to the use of Amflora's starch by-products as feed. The European Commission also adopted today three decisions on the placing on the market of three GM maize products for food and feed uses but not for cultivation. All five authorisations were subjected to the highest scrutiny, ensuring all concerns regarding the presence of an antibiotic resistance marker gene are fully addressed. The Decision to authorise the cultivation of Amflora is the end of a process which started in Sweden in January 2003 and is based on a considerable volume of sound science.

Leaders meet for talks on Danube region — 26 February 2010, 22:51 CET

European leaders met for talks in Vienna Thursday on an EU strategy for the Danube region to improve cross-border transportation while protecting the environment and local heritage.

Eurozone lending drop reveals recovery risk: analysts — 25 February 2010, 22:39 CET

A steep fall in eurozone lending even though the amount of money available rose slightly in January highlights a serious risk to Europe's fragile finances and recovery, analysts say.

EU leaders to discuss Danube region — 24 February 2010, 18:02 CET

EU leaders and ministers will meet on Thursday in Budapest to discuss economic and environmental developments for the Danube region.

Ukraine is more than just a transit country — 25 February 2010, 23:23 CET

Ukraine is one of the top 20 countries in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and it is the site of Chernobyl. It is also a country which, after it became independent, gave up its nuclear weapons.

Europe seeks ban on bluefin tuna trade — 22 February 2010, 16:51 CET

Europe acted on Monday to bring about a worldwide ban on commercial fishing of bluefin tuna, the king of Japanese sushi and sashimi, in a move that has already angered Tokyo.

Brussels to propose bluefin tuna fishing ban — 18 February 2010, 22:31 CET

Brussels will on Monday propose that EU Member States ban commercial bluefin tuna fishing by classifying the species as being under threat of extinction.

EU flexes muscles on Greece, but how far can it go? — 18 February 2010, 23:21 CET

A grab on Greek budgetary sovereignty this week marks a watershed for cross-border European economic governance, but experts remain divided on how quickly Brussels will be able to flex its muscles.