Environment Guides

Blueprint to safeguard Europe's waters by EUbusiness — last modified 15 November 2012, 13:35 CET

The European Commission has launched a Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources, a strategy for ensuring that enough good quality water is available to meet the needs of people, the economy and the environment.

Options to reform the European carbon market by EUbusiness — last modified 14 November 2012, 19:05 CET

The European Commission is taking two important steps to address the growing supply-demand imbalance of emission allowances in the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS). As an immediate first step to address the rapid build-up of the surplus of emissions allowances, the Commission made a formal proposal to revise the auction time profile and delay ("back-load") the auctioning of 900 million allowances in the third phase of the EU ETS starting next year. The Commission also on 14 November adopted a report on the state of the European carbon market which sets out a range of possible structural measures that can be taken to tackle the surplus. The surplus of emission allowances has primarily built up because the economic crisis has reduced industrial emissions of greenhouse gases by more than anticipated, leading in turn to lower demand for allowances from businesses. The surplus is expected to continue in the third phase of the system, which will run from 2013 to 2020.

Action plan for the EU automotive industry in 2020 by EUbusiness — last modified 08 November 2012, 14:25 CET

The action plan presented by the European Commission on 8 November aims to help strengthening the EU's automotive industry between now and 2020. It builds on the vision for industry competitiveness and sustainability in 2020 and recommendations how to achieve this vision contained in CARS 21 Final Report. The Commission is proposing concrete actions to be taken on issues of emissions, research financing, electro-mobility, road safety, new skills, smart regulation, trade negotiations and international harmonization. The action plan, which comes at a time when the automotive industry is facing particular pressure due to a strong decline of the EU market and structural over-capacity, includes concrete actions to help tackling these difficulties.

Commission proposal to reduce emissions of climate-warming fluorinated gases by EUbusiness — last modified 07 November 2012, 19:26 CET

The European Commission took an important step towards long-term climate objectives on 6 November by presenting a proposal to significantly reduce emissions of fluorinated gases (F-gases). Emissions of F-gases, which have a warming effect up to 23,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, have risen by 60% since 1990, while all other greenhouse gases have been reduced. The proposed Regulation aims to reduce F-gas emissions by two-thirds of today's levels by 2030. It also bans the use of F-gases in some new equipment, such as household fridges, where viable more climate-friendly alternatives are readily available. F-gases are commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as in electrical equipment, insulation foams, aerosol sprays and fire extinguishers. They leak into the atmosphere from production plants, from appliances they are used in, and when such appliances are thrown away.

20 years of LIFE and nature protection by EUbusiness — last modified 23 October 2012, 17:37 CET

A double celebration in Genk, Belgium has marked the 20th birthday of two keystones of EU environmental policy. It is twenty years since the EU adopted the Habitats Directive, one of the two building blocks of Natura 2000, Europe's network of protected areas. LIFE, the EU funding instrument for the environment, is also celebrating 20 years.

Inland waterways and nature protection: new guidelines by EUbusiness — last modified 18 October 2012, 14:06 CET

The European Commission is issuing new guidelines on inland navigation and nature protection to assist this important sector in applying EU environmental legislation. The guidelines - "Inland waterway transport and Natura 2000 - sustainable inland waterway development and management in the context of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives" - explain how best to ensure that activities related to inland navigation are compatible with EU environmental policy in general and nature legislation in particular. The document also emphasizes the significance of the inland navigation for securing long-term sustainability of EU transport network and highlights the achievements of this sector in integrating nature protection into its activities to date.

Commission proposal to minimise the climate impacts of biofuel production by EUbusiness — last modified 17 October 2012, 16:59 CET

The European Commission has published a proposal to limit global land conversion for biofuel production, and raise the climate benefits of biofuels used in the EU. The use of food-based biofuels to meet the 10% renewable energy target of the Renewable Energy Directive will be limited to 5%. This is to stimulate the development of alternative, so-called second generation biofuels from non-food feedstock, like waste or straw, which emit substantially less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels and do not directly interfere with global food production. For the first time, the estimated global land conversion impacts - Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) - will be considered when assessing the greenhouse gas performance of biofuels.

New Maritime Agenda by EUbusiness — last modified 09 October 2012, 13:51 CET

A European agenda for creating growth and jobs in the marine and maritime sectors was adopted on 8 October by European Ministers for maritime policy and the European Commission at a conference in Limassol organised by the Cypriot Presidency. Five years after the launch of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy, the Member States and the Commission reaffirmed that a dynamic and coordinated approach to maritime affairs enhances the development of the EU's 'Blue Economy' while ensuring the health of seas and oceans.

Many Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollutants - Air quality in Europe 2012 by EUbusiness — last modified 24 September 2012, 19:51 CET

Almost a third of Europe's city dwellers are exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM). Particulate matter is one of the most important pollutants in terms of harm to human health as it penetrates sensitive parts of the respiratory system. The EU has made progress over the past decades to reduce the air pollutants which cause acidification, but a new report published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that many parts of Europe have persistent problems with outdoor concentrations of PM and ground level ozone.

EU energy efficiency directive by EUbusiness — last modified 13 September 2012, 16:05 CET

Mandatory energy-saving measures, including renovating public buildings, energy-saving schemes for utilities, and energy audits for all large firms, will be required by an EU energy efficiency directive approved by the European Parliament in plenary on 11 September. It is estimated that cutting energy consumption by 20% could save the EU EUR 50 billion per year.

Marine Knowledge: digital seabed map of European waters by EUbusiness — last modified 29 August 2012, 19:35 CET

The oceans and seas that surround Europe offer new opportunities for growth and jobs to meet the Europe 2020 goals. To best tap this potential, there is a need to know more about what is happening under the sea. The European Commission is proposing to create a digital seabed map of European waters by 2020 by collecting all existing data into one coherent database accessible to everyone. In a Green Paper on "Marine Knowledge" adopted today the Commission launches a consultation as to how this could be achieved. It poses a number of questions such as "how can ongoing efforts in Member States be incorporated into a common EU effort?", "how can new cheaper observation technologies be developed?" and "how can the private sector contribute?"

Linking the Australian and European Union emissions trading systems by EUbusiness — last modified 28 August 2012, 12:03 CET

The Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Hon Greg Combet MP, and the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Ms Connie Hedegaard announced on 28 August that Australia and Europe will be linking their emissions trading systems. A full two-way link, by means of the mutual recognition of carbon units between the two cap and trade systems, is to commence no later than 1 July 2018. Under this arrangement, businesses will be allowed to use carbon units from the Australian emissions trading scheme or the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for compliance under either system.

New e-waste rules enter into force 13 August by EUbusiness — last modified 13 August 2012, 23:39 CET

Improved rules on the collection and treatment of e-waste entered into force on 13 August 2012. E-waste (i.e. waste electrical and electronic equipment, or WEEE) is one the fastest growing waste streams, and it offers substantial opportunities in terms of making secondary raw materials available on the market. Systematic collection and proper treatment is a precondition for recycling materials like gold, silver, copper and rare metals in used TVs, laptops and mobile phones. The new Directive is a clear step forward in terms of environmental protection and a major boost to resource efficiency in Europe.

Emissions Trading: Commission prepares to change the time profile for auctions of emission allowances by EUbusiness — last modified 25 July 2012, 13:01 CET

The European Commission initiated in mid-April the review of the auction time profile of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and proposes today a Decision to clarify the provisions of the EU ETS Directive on the timing of auctions of emission allowances. In phase three of the EU ETS – running from 2013 to 2020 – a large amount of allowances will be auctioned, with the revenues accruing to Member States.

New Biocides Regulation - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 17 July 2012, 19:05 CET

New rules on biocides enter into force today. They will bring a significant boost to the protection of human health and the environment. Biocidal products are necessary for the control of organisms that are harmful to human or animal health or that cause damage to materials. But as their properties can also pose risks to humans, animals and the environment, they need careful regulation. The new regulation on biocidal products will increase the safety of these chemical products and simplify their authorisation on the EU market, improving their free movement on the internal market.

Proposals to reduce CO2 emissions from cars and vans further by 2020 - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 11 July 2012, 18:37 CET

The proposals put forward by the European Commission today would amend existing regulations on CO2 emissions from light duty vehicles (cars and vans). The proposals will cut average emissions from new cars to 95 grams of CO2 per km (g CO2/km) in 2020 from 135.7g in 2011 and a mandatory target of 130g in 2015. Emissions from vans will be reduced to 147g CO2/km in 2020 from 181.4g in 2010 (the latest year for which figures are available) and a mandatory target of 175g in 2017.

Innovation partnership for Smart Cities and Communities - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 11 July 2012, 12:36 CET

One of the greatest challenges facing the EU is how best to design and adapt cities into smart intelligent and sustainable environments. Almost three quarters of Europeans live in cities, consuming 70% of the EU's energy. Congestion costs Europe about 1% of its GDP every year; most of it is located in urban areas. Smart urban technologies can make a major contribution to tackling many urban challenges. By launching a Smart Cities and Communities European Innovation Partnership (SCC) the European Commission aims to boost the development of smart technologies in cities – by pooling research resources from energy, transport and ICT and concentrating them on a small number of demonstration projects which will be implemented in partnership with cities. For 2013 alone, € 365 million in EU funds have been earmarked for the demonstration of these types of urban technology solutions.

EU policy for the Arctic - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 03 July 2012, 16:10 CET

The European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have today outlined the way forward for the EU's constructive engagement in the Arctic. The Arctic region is seen as a vital component of the Earth's environment. Climate change in the Arctic is advancing dramatically, with change visible on a yearly basis, impacting significantly on its ecosystem and the livelihood of its inhabitants. At the same time, rapidly retreating sea ice alongside technological progress are opening up new economic opportunities in the region such as shipping, mining, energy extraction and fishing. While beneficial for the global economy, these activities also call for a prudent and sustainable approach: further repercussions for the fragile Arctic can be expected if top environmental standards are not met. Summarised in three words, ''knowledge, responsibility, engagement'', the strategy adopted today contains a set of tangible actions that contribute to research and sustainable development in the region and promote environmentally friendly technologies that could be used for sustainable shipping and mining. It also underlines the EU's activities in the Arctic since 2008. For example, the EU has made a contribution of 20 million EUR per year in Arctic research over the last decade and has invested more than EUR 1.14 billion in the sustainable development of the region since 2007.

Doing business in Slovenia: Sustainability by Ina Dimireva — last modified 17 May 2012, 01:25 CET

The Slovenian Development Strategy is the document that provides businesses with guidance on how to become more sustainable.

Doing business in Portugal: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 01 May 2012, 16:34 CET

Businesses in Portugal are obliged to comply with certain environmental legislation in order to be able to operate.