6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Environmental Policy in the European Union A guide to improve understanding of how EU environmental policy is made and who makes it

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Presentation to the CEEC LOGON Group LOGON Study visit: 3-7 April 2004 Prepared by Edward Cameron

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Why is environmental policy important? 1. A legal obligation for the Accession Candidates Transposing Transposing Implementation Implementation Enforcement Enforcement

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Why is environmental policy important? 2. An obligation with significant economic impact Infrastructure Infrastructure Service costs Service costs Enforcement/ Implementation Enforcement/ Implementation Costs to business / industry Costs to business / industry Awareness raising / behaviour change Awareness raising / behaviour change

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Why is environment important? The European Commission estimates that compliance with the environmental acquis will cost the Accession Candidates approximately €80 to €120 billion each. The European Commission estimates that compliance with the environmental acquis will cost the Accession Candidates approximately €80 to €120 billion each.

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Why is environment important? The Commission also estimates that the total value of the benefits of implementation will range from €134 billion to €681 billion The Commission also estimates that the total value of the benefits of implementation will range from €134 billion to €681 billion

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Why is the EU an important player? It is the place where 60% - 80% of national policy or legislation is determined It is the place where 60% - 80% of national policy or legislation is determined Environmental Acquis comprises more than 500 legislative items Environmental Acquis comprises more than 500 legislative items

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON The three components of Sustainable Development EconomicSocial Environmental “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Drivers Role of the Parliament Role of the Parliament Going above the national and straight to Europe Going above the national and straight to Europe Internal dynamics as well as responses to external international agreements Internal dynamics as well as responses to external international agreements

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Who decides environmental policy? Commission is the key player at the policy formulation stage Commission is the key player at the policy formulation stage Council of Ministers is the key legislative body. Ministers in the Council have gone further in Brussels than they would have been allowed to go in their own national capitals Council of Ministers is the key legislative body. Ministers in the Council have gone further in Brussels than they would have been allowed to go in their own national capitals

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Who decides environmental policy? European Parliament has become powerful over time. It has strengthened legislation on some occasions (emissions), and buried legislation on others. It is generally considered to be “greener” than the Commission or Council. European Parliament has become powerful over time. It has strengthened legislation on some occasions (emissions), and buried legislation on others. It is generally considered to be “greener” than the Commission or Council. ECJ sets the parameters between single market and environment. In addition it is a key instrument for enforcement. ECJ sets the parameters between single market and environment. In addition it is a key instrument for enforcement.

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON How is environmental policy decided? Most environmental issues are subject to QMV and the simplified Co-decision procedure. Some exceptions to this are energy, fiscal measures, land-use planning, and water resources. Most environmental issues are subject to QMV and the simplified Co-decision procedure. Some exceptions to this are energy, fiscal measures, land-use planning, and water resources.

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON “Environmental decision-making... …is the result of interaction, in particular between the "institutional triangle" formed by the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission”. Source: EUROPA

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Key questions for Brussels policy makers What incentives should be used? Should they be economic? What incentives should be used? Should they be economic? Should the enforcement and punishment regimes be stronger? Should the enforcement and punishment regimes be stronger? What role for information and communication? What role for information and communication? What role for externalization? What role for externalization?

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Key questions for Brussels policy makers What role do financial instruments have (LIFE)? What role do financial instruments have (LIFE)? How should technical instruments be used (EMAS, ECO-LABEL, EIA, SEA etc…)? How should technical instruments be used (EMAS, ECO-LABEL, EIA, SEA etc…)?

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON 6th Environmental Action Programme (6 th EAP) Sets out the environmental priorities for the EU up to Four areas are highlighted: Sets out the environmental priorities for the EU up to Four areas are highlighted: –climate change –nature and biodiversity –environment and health –management of natural resources and waste

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON 6th Environmental Action Programme (6 th EAP) Measures to achieve these priorities are: Measures to achieve these priorities are: –improving the application of environmental legislation, –working with the market and citizens and ensuring that other Community policies take greater account of environmental considerations. –Integrated Product Policy. This aims to make products more environmentally sustainable throughout their life cycle.

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON The Thematic Strategies The 6th EAP includes the development of “Thematic Strategies” as a specific way to tackle seven key environmental issues. The 6th EAP includes the development of “Thematic Strategies” as a specific way to tackle seven key environmental issues. Include objectives and targets, precise measures, and a plan of implementation. Include objectives and targets, precise measures, and a plan of implementation.

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON The Thematic Strategies Soil protection; Soil protection; Protection and conservation of the marine environment; Protection and conservation of the marine environment; Sustainable use of pesticides; Sustainable use of pesticides; Air pollution; Air pollution; Urban environment; Urban environment; Sustainable use and management of resources; Sustainable use and management of resources; Prevention and recycling of waste Prevention and recycling of waste

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Waste Management Involves three complementary strategies: Involves three complementary strategies: –eliminating waste at source by improving product design –encouraging the recycling and re-use of waste –reducing pollution caused by waste incineration Includes Framework Directives, Legislation aimed at specific streams, and now a Thematic Strategy. Includes Framework Directives, Legislation aimed at specific streams, and now a Thematic Strategy.

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Water Policy Includes Directives dealing with: Includes Directives dealing with: –drinking water –bathing water –ground water –waste water Has evolved into a framework directive dealing with sustainable use of water resources and achieve good ecological and chemical status in all European waters by Has evolved into a framework directive dealing with sustainable use of water resources and achieve good ecological and chemical status in all European waters by 2015.

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Air pollution and climate change Aimed at cutting emissions from industrial activities and road vehicles. Aimed at cutting emissions from industrial activities and road vehicles. Where transport is concerned, the strategy aims to: Where transport is concerned, the strategy aims to: –reduce polluting emissions –reduce the fuel consumption of private cars –promote clean vehicles (tax incentives).

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Air pollution and climate change Emissions Trading Directive in December 2002, which makes the EU the first legal entity in the world setting absolute emission limits for individual industrial CO2 emitters – or in other words about 5000 installations in Europe covering almost 50% of the EU’s climate pollution Emissions Trading Directive in December 2002, which makes the EU the first legal entity in the world setting absolute emission limits for individual industrial CO2 emitters – or in other words about 5000 installations in Europe covering almost 50% of the EU’s climate pollution

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON How does the EU’s environmental policy REALLY work? Driven by personalities Driven by personalities Resulting from compromises Resulting from compromises A product of external shocks A product of external shocks National Self-interest National Self-interest Powerful lobby groups Powerful lobby groups Institutional self-interest Institutional self-interest Expert-driven Expert-driven

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON The implementation deficit “In 1997 the Commission brought infringement cases against each and every EU Member State for failing to properly transpose EU Directives on environment. The Netherlands and Denmark were the only countries to have a single case against them. All the other countries had two or more”. “In 1997 the Commission brought infringement cases against each and every EU Member State for failing to properly transpose EU Directives on environment. The Netherlands and Denmark were the only countries to have a single case against them. All the other countries had two or more”.

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON The implementation deficit is a failure to: Transpose Transpose Comply Comply Implement Implement Enforce Enforce Communicate Communicate Tackle behaviour Tackle behaviour Build capacity Build capacity Deal with subsidiarity Deal with subsidiarity Choose the right instrument Choose the right instrument Provide access to third parties Provide access to third parties

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON Some links rectory.htm rectory.htm rectory.htm rectory.htm en.htm en.htm en.htm en.htm

6 April 2004Presentation to LOGON For more information Edward Cameron