Environment Guides

Up one level

List of 15 energy projects for European economic recovery by EUbusiness — last modified 09 December 2009, 23:09 CET

The European Commission has approved 15 energy projects which will significantly contribute to the economic recovery of the EU, while increasing our security of energy supply and substantially reduce CO2 emissions. With the decision, the Commission grants EUR 1 billion to six Carbon Capture and Storage projects and EUR 565 million to nine offshore wind energy projects.

Community action plan for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in the Mediterranean by Ina Dimireva — last modified 04 December 2009, 14:16 CET

This communication from the European Commission establishes an action plan for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in the Mediterranean.

Copenhagen climate conference: key EU objectives by EUbusiness — last modified 02 December 2009, 14:14 CET

The European Commission today outlined the EU's objectives for the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen on 7-18 December. It underlined the crucial importance of reaching a global, ambitious and comprehensive climate agreement. It said the European Union will be working to achieve maximum progress towards finalisation of an ambitious and legally binding global climate treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol in 2013. The conference, it says, must settle the key political elements of the treaty and set up a process and mid-2010 deadline for completing the full text. The EU also wants the Copenhagen agreement to incorporate a 'fast start' deal allowing for immediate implementation or preparation of certain actions, including financial assistance to least developed countries.

Greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme by Ina Dimireva — last modified 10 December 2009, 16:41 CET

The European Union is establishing a greenhouse gas emission trading scheme for the cost-effective reduction of such emissions in the Community. This scheme should enable the Community and the Member States to meet the commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions made in the context of the Kyoto Protocol. Installations operating in the energy sector, iron and steel production and processing, the mineral industry and the paper and board industry will automatically be subject to the emission trading scheme.

Community Civil Protection Mechanism by EUbusiness — last modified 24 November 2009, 18:46 CET

The Community Civil Protection Mechanism was established in 2001 to support the mobilisation of emergency assistance in the event of major disasters.

Proposed regulation to reduce CO2 emissions from light commercial vehicles - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 29 October 2009, 00:05 CET

The European Commission has proposed legislation to reduce the average CO 2 emissions of light commercial vehicles (vans) to 175 grams per kilometre. The proposal will be phased in from 2014 to 2016, and contains a long term emission reduction target of 135 g/km by 2020. The format of the proposed legislation is similar to the proposals on passenger cars agreed at the end of 2008. It is one of the last outstanding elements of the EU's strategy to improve the fuel economy of light-duty vehicles which account for about 12% of the EU's total carbon emissions. The proposal underlines the EU's commitment to putting in place concrete measures to deliver on its greenhouse gas commitments in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate conference.

Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU - EC priorities by EUbusiness — last modified 15 October 2009, 15:48 CET

The European Commission has presented a Progress Report outlining the achievements of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) over the past two years and looking out into its future. Alongside this, the Commission has tabled concrete proposals on two major IMP issues – the integration across sectors and countries of maritime surveillance and the international dimension of Europe’s maritime policy. Taken together, these three documents provide compelling evidence of how the IMP can unlock the economic potential of Europe’s vast maritime and coastal areas, while making its seas safer and more secure through streamlined new governance and by exploiting synergies across the full range of sea-related policies.

Environment and sustainable management of natural resources by Ina Dimireva — last modified 02 October 2009, 22:24 CET

The main objectives of Thematic Programme for Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources including Energy for the period 2007-2013 are to integrate environmental protection requirements into the Community's development and other external policies and to help promote the Community’s environmental and energy policies abroad in the common interest of the Community and partner countries and regions.

Policy Coherence for Development by Ina Dimireva — last modified 02 October 2009, 22:28 CET

When exploring ways to accelerate progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the European Union (EU) considers how non-aid policies can assist developing countries in attaining the MDGs. The EU activity in this field is not only a key political commitment in the context of the MDGs, but also has a firm legal basis in the Treaty establishing the European Community (Article 178).

Commission proposal on temporary measures for a consistent response to carousel fraud in certain sectors - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 29 September 2009, 22:44 CET

As a response to new and worrying fraud patterns reported by several EU Member States, the European Commission has adopted a proposal for an optional and temporary application of the reverse charge mechanism to supplies of certain goods and services, which will allow Member States to fight carousel fraud in a consistent manner across the European Union. The proposal notably covers greenhouse gas emission allowances that have been the object of VAT fraud during last summer. The proposal includes evaluation and reporting obligations for Member States which will allow a precise assessment of the efficiency of the measures.

REACH - Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals by Ina Dimireva — last modified 24 September 2009, 19:27 CET

REACH is the Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It entered into force on 1st June 2007. It streamlines and improves the former legislative framework on chemicals of the European Union.

CLP: Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging by Ina Dimireva — last modified 22 September 2009, 22:43 CET

The CLP is an EU regulation which sets the rules for classification and labelling of chemicals. It aims to determine whether a substance or mixture displays properties that lead to a classification as hazardous.

Chemicals Reference Documents by Ina Dimireva — last modified 22 September 2009, 22:47 CET

EU reference documentation related to CLP (the Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures) and specific chemicals.

EU Communication Stepping up international climate finance - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 10 September 2009, 17:48 CET

The European Commission today put forward a blueprint for scaling up international finance to help developing countries combat climate change. This initiative aims to maximise the chances of concluding an ambitious global climate change agreement at the December U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen. By 2020 developing countries are likely to face annual costs of around €100 billion to mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Much of the finance needed will have to come from domestic sources and an expanded international carbon market, but international public financing of some €22-50 billion a year is also likely to be necessary. The Commission proposes that industrialised nations and economically more advanced developing countries should provide this public financing in line with their responsibility for emissions and ability to pay. This could mean an EU contribution of some €2-15 billion a year by 2020, assuming an ambitious agreement is reached in Copenhagen.

GDP and Beyond - Measuring progress in a changing world by EUbusiness — last modified 10 September 2009, 23:16 CET

Measuring progress in a changing world is the focus of a European Commission Communication launched at a high-level workshop on 9 September. The actions proposed in this Communication aim to improve the measurement of a nation's progress by complementing the current and best known measure of economic activity, Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As a part of efforts to make the shift towards a low carbon, resource-efficient economy the Commission will present a pilot version of a comprehensive environmental index in 2010. The European Statistical System will implement Environmental Accounting as a standard in Macro-economic statistics.

EU Environment Contacts by Ina Dimireva — last modified 03 September 2009, 14:14 CET

 

REACH - Recycling and Waste Prevention - Clean Air by Ina Dimireva — last modified 03 September 2009, 14:14 CET

A long-awaited compromise on the REACH - the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals - was adopted by the European Union in December 2006, to come into force in June 2007. REACH is hoped to increase protection of human health and the environment while enhancing the innovative capability and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.

Nature and Biodiversity by Ina Dimireva — last modified 03 September 2009, 14:12 CET

The European Community and its Member States are contracting parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and EU Heads of State and Government undertook in 2001 to halt the decline of biodiversity in the EU by 2010 and to restore habitats and natural systems. In 2002, they also joined some 130 world leaders in agreeing to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss globally by 2010.

Reducing CO2 Emissions from light-duty vehicles by Ina Dimireva — last modified 03 September 2009, 14:13 CET

The legislation on CO2 from passenger cars is now officially published in the form of Regulation (EC) No 443/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars as part of the Community's integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles.

European Climate Change Programme by Ina Dimireva — last modified 03 September 2009, 14:11 CET

The European Commission launched the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) in June 2000. The goal of the ECCP is to identify and develop all the necessary elements of an EU strategy to implement the Kyoto Protocol. The development of the first ECCP involved all the relevant groups of stakeholders working together, including representatives from the Commission’s different departments (DGs), the Member States, industry and environmental groups. The second European Climate Change Programme (ECCP II) was launched in October 2005.