THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT POLICY

 

Introduction

 

1 Political objectives

 

2  The Community spheres of intervention and corresponding financing programmes

 

2.1 Air pollution

2.1.1 Pollution caused by transport 

2.1.2 Fighting against greenhouse gas emissions

Pursuing the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol

Financing opportunities

Projects of programmes and financing opportunities/policies

 

2.2 Water protection and treatment

2.2.1 Drinking water treatment

The Community policy

Financing opportunities and concrete actions

2.2.2 Protecting lakes, rivers and seas

The Community policy

Financing opportunities and Community actions

2.2.3 Promoting a better quality of bathing water

 

2.3 Protection of threatened fauna and flora

The Community guidelines

Financing opportunities and Community actions

 

2.4 Fighting for the protection of biodiversity

Biological diversity : Communication of the Commission of 27 March 2001 

Financing opportunities

 

2.5 Waste management

 

2.6 Noise pollution

 

3 Integrating the environmental dimension into other European policies

 

3.1 Integrating the environment into Community energy policy

3.1.1 The Community measures

3.1.2 Financing opportunities

 

3.2 Integrating the environment into Community employment policy

 

3.3 Integrating the environment into sustainable agriculture

3.3.1 Reform the CAP

3.3.2 Getting European funds to contribute to a sustainable agriculture

 

3.4 Integrating the environment into developing countries and third countries

3.4.1 Description of the Community actions

3.4.2 Financing programmes

 

3.5 Integrating the environmental dimension into industry policy

3.5.1 Guidelines of the Community industrial policy in the environmental dimension

3.5.2 Financing opportunities

 

3.6 Integrating the environment into sustainable development of the urban environment

3.6.1 Guidelines and Community objectives

3.6.2 Funding opportunities

 

4 The main Community technical instruments

 

4.1 Programme LIFE : the direct environmental financial tool

4.1.1 LIFE III – Nature

4.1.2 LIFE III – Environment

4.1.3 LIFE III – Third countries

 

4.2 The European Environment Agency

 

4.3 Environmental liability: taxes, principle of "polluter pays"

4.3.1 Appeal to financial tools

4.3.2 Environmental liability: the polluter pays

4.3.3 Technical tools for fighting against pollution

Environmental management and audit scheme

Eco-label : promoting environment-friendly products

 

5 The challenges of enlargement

 

5.1 Transfer of Community patrimony (acquis communautaire)

 

5.2 Financing opportunities for the CEEC

 

6 6th Environment Action Programme

 

 

Introduction

 

During the past few years, the European Union has become aware of the importance of the environmental factor for the elaboration of its policies.

This month, in a special file, we have chosen to explain the Community Environment policy to you and all the programmes linked to environment protection susceptible to finance your projects per topic.

 

1  Political objectives

 

For more than 3O years, the European Union has developed a significant policy covering the field of environment. Currently, there are more than 250 legislative texts dealing with various fields such as water, air, chemical products, industrial activity, agriculture…

 

The policy pursues the following objectives

- Care, protection and improvement of environmental quality

- Health protection for citizens

- Careful and rational use of natural resources

- Promotion of measures dedicated to face regional or global problems of environment at an international level

 

However, the environmental policy must aim at a high level of protection, foster preventive injunction and apply the principle of “the polluter pays” and the precautional principal.

Finally, the principal of subsidiarity is being applied to environment: the Community takes action if the objectives it pursues can be implemented efficiently enough at its level.

 

Consult the site  of Commission’s  DG Environment :

http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/environment/index_en.htm

Contact list of DG Environment per sector, for further information

http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/environment/directory.htm

 

The Development Bank of the Council of Europe also participates to the environmental policy through a financing programme called Environment protection, that allocates loans and guarantees for projects dealing with environmental topics. Find the programme Environment protection in the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11227

 

A subsidy serving the environmental policy: Programme Civil Protection

In September 2000, the Commission published a Communication that aims at fostering coordination of  emergency interventions in the event of natural, ecological or environmental catastrophes as well as serious marine pollution happening within our outside the Community.

Find all details of the Programme in the Eurofunding data base

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11058

 

Another financing opportunity in the associative field : Promotion of European NGOs protecting environment

For further information on the Programme, consult the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&PGM=11052

Find all the new guidelines of the Programme in the Eurofunding-zine

http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=91

 

 

2  The Community spheres of intervention and corresponding financing programmes

 

2.1 Air Pollution

 

Three spheres of intervention can be identified, for which the European Union has established programmes financing projects.

 

2.1.1 Pollution caused by transport 

 

The gas emissions are mentioned in Programme AUTO-OIL II. The Programme pursues all measures launched by the Commission to improve air quality.

For further information, consult

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/autooil/auto-oil_en.pdf

 

2.1.2 Fighting against greenhouse gas emissions

 

· Pursuing the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol

 

Under the expression of greenhouse effect, we gather the notion of progressive warming of the earth’s atmosphere, essentially due to CO2 emissions and chlorofluorocarbons.

The current policy about climate change is led in the framework of the Kyoto Protocol.

 

Facing the environmental preoccupations, the European Union has played an essential role in the negotiations launched for the elaboration of the Kyoto Protocol.

Generally, the European Union had agreed for compulsory objectives and elements that were not pursued in the Convention because other countries were opposed to them.

 

The European Union hopes to ratify the protocol before the end of 2001 and invites all parties to follow the same example, especially the United States that, considered as one of the most polluting country in the world, deny to sign it.

The next Summit on climate change and air pollution will take place in September 2002.

So we can easily understand that air pollution has become an international stake.

 

For further information on the Bonn Summit

http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=114

 

Caution! It is essential to pay attention to the actions of the Commission that could initiate new financing programmes to help the Community actors to reduce gas emissions. 

 

· Financing opportunities

 

On 4 May 2001, the European Union has issued a  new financing Programme  CAFE - Clean Air for Europe

General objective: establishing an integrated strategy to fight against air pollution and improve human health and environmental protection.

 

The Programme Clean Air for Europe constitutes the first of the thematic strategies announced in the 6^th Action Programme for Environment.

Find all details of the Programme and the financing opportunities in the data base Eurofunding http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11311

 

In the framework of the European Research Policy, the Commission has launched a study campaign on the ozone depletion, THESEO, which finances research projects associating more than 500 scientists.

For further information on THESEO

http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/envsc/theseo.html

 

 

Financing Programme EESD – Key Action 2 – Global change, climate and biodiversity

Find Programme EESD in the Eurofunding Database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10918

 

· Projects of programmes and financing opportunities/policies

 

The Commission decided to quickly launch a new policy on gas emission exchange before the application of the Protocol.

It wishes that the European Union can get more experience before the launching of an international exchange system of gas emissions in 2008.

The system allocates quotas to companies for their greenhouse gas emissions regarding the government objectives in the field of environment.

 

The Commission is drawing up concrete proposals so that the  European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) can be led at middle and long term.

For further information on EPCC

http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=81

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2000/com2000_0088en01.pdf

http://www.welcomeurope.comm/news_info.asp?idnews=122

 

So pay attention to the European Community decisions that could be passed before the end of the year and would allow you to get subsidies or part-financing for your projects with an environmental dimension!

 

 

2.2 Water protection and treatment

 

The European Union seeks for sustainable management of water quality and quantity. It ensures the population with provision of drinking water and satisfaction of the economic needs, protects the aquatic fauna and tries to limit natural, intentional  or accidental catastrophes in the seas.

 

2.2.1 Drinking water treatment

 

· The Community Policy

 

Concerning the drinking water quality, numerous European regions register strong nitrate concentrations in ground waters, essentially coming from the use of chemical fertilisers or slurry disposal produced by intensive animal breeding.

Up to now, the Member States must build a treatment plant for cities with more than 2000 inhabitants by 2005. Financial aids can be allocated to them.

 

· Financial opportunities and concrete actions

 

Financing Programme EESD – Key Action 1 – Sustainable management and quality of water

Find all details of Programme EESD on our Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10917

 

 

2.2.2 Protecting lakes, rivers and seas

 

· The Community Policy

 

After several accidents that triggered serious marine pollutions, the European Union has established an Action Programme aiming at controlling and monitoring pollution caused by the accidental discharge of oil into the sea.

 

· Financing opportunities and Community actions

 

Financing programme MARIS

The Programme aims at promoting marine information society. 

To acknowledge the amounts you can get in the framework of Programme MARIS

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11318

 

Financing Programme EESD – Key Action 3 – Sustainable Marine Ecosystems

To access the financing opportunities of Programme EESD 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10921

 

A  Community framework of cooperation in the field of accidental marine pollution was passed in December 2000. The financial allocation amounts to 7 million Euros for 2000-2006.

 

Finally, in order to ensure a better transparency on the vessel statement, the European Commission collaborates with the French marine authorities to finance a database EQUASIS (European Quality Shipping Information System).

Find EQUASIS http://www.equasis.org/

 

 

2.2.3 Promoting  a better quality of bathing waters

 

A European directive establishes the minimum criteria to which bathing waters have to refer and the control conditions of these norms.

Consult the report of the Commission on bathing waters and beach cards

http://europa.eu.int/water/water-bathing/tourist.html

http://europa.eu.int/water/cgi-bin/bw.pl

 

In the frame of the action Blue Flag coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEE), a label for bathing waters and sanitary and safety facilities can be granted.

Consult the website “Blue Flag”

http://www.blueflag.org

 

2.3 Protection of threatened fauna and flora               

 

The reduction and destruction of natural habitat continues.

The objectives of the European Union in this field are the ones following

- protecting the wild fauna and flora species that are threatened

- ensuring their conservation

- monitoring the trade exchanges

 

· The Community guidelines

 

The fate of the forests is continuously investigated: in its latest report, the European Commission observed that a quarter of the trees are being damaged by air pollution.

 

A Programme for sustainable forest management is being studied.

For further information on the sustainable management of forest resources in third countries

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/forests/en/en3_t03.htm

Communication of the Commission « towards a forestry strategy for the European Union »

http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/fore/comm/649_en.pdf

 

Finally, as the problems are treated at a global scale, the European Union has signed international conventions protecting the fauna and flora.    

For further information on the Rio Convention (June 1992) :                

http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/sustdev/climate.htm

 

· Financial opportunities and Community actions

 

Network Natura 2000

This is a European network for the protection of natural sites.

For further information on Natura 2000 :

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/natura.htm

 

The financing Programme LIFE takes part to the establishment of Natura 2000 by financing actions for the future sites of the network.

Find Programme LIFE in our database Eurofunding :

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10933

 

The Structural Funds, the Cohesion Fund and Community initiatives support the economic valorisation of natural sites too.

Find the Structural Funds in Eurofunding

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11239

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11243

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11244

 

Financing Programme Tropical Forests

For further information on the Programme, consult our Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11112

 

 

 

2.4 Fighting for the protection of biodiversity

 

· The biological diversity: Commission Communication of 27 March 2001 

 

This Communication is divided into five volumes.

 

The Volume I presents the policy for biodiversity protection in Europe. The following volumes give details on integrated policies and offer a series of actions that could trigger the creation of financing programmes.

 

Biodiversity Action Plan for the conservation of natural resources  - Volume II

Consult volume 2 in the Communication of the Commission

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2001/act0162en01/com2001_0162en01_2.pdf

 

Biodiversity Action Plan for Agriculture - Volume III

Consult volume 3 of the Commission Communication

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2001/act0162en01/com2001_0162en01_3.pdf

Find Programme SAPARD in the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11073

 

Biodiversity Action Plan for fisheries  - Volume IV 

Consult the Volume IV of the Communication

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2001/act0162en01/com2001_0162en01_4.pdf

 

Find Programme Quality of Life – Key Action 5 – sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry in the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10964

 

Biodiversity Action Plan for Economic and Development Co-operation - Volume V 

Find the Commission Communication

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2001/act0162en01/com2001_0162en01_5.pdf

 

· Financing opportunities

 

Financing Programme EESD – Key Action 2 – Global Change, Climate and Biodiversity

Find Programme EESD in our Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10918

 

Financing Programme Quality of life and management of living resources

Find Programme Quality of life in the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10959

 

Recently, a website on the Programme Quality of life was established to display the latest news about the Programme as well as different calls for proposal published during the year, advice of methodology…

For further information http://www.cordis.lu/life/home.html

 

2.5 Waste management

 

The Member States develop a common regulation to control waste treatment, encourage recycling and limit toxic substances.

 

Each country must build the necessary facilities for recycling. A financial support can be granted by the European Investment Fund: Programme Waste and Environment

Find all details of Programme Waste and Environment in the Eurofunding databases Eurofunding 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11204

 

For the reduction and recycling of waste, the European Union grants an economic label, the eco-label, to some industrial products that do not deteriorate the environment during their life cycle.

For further information http://www.afnor.fr/

 

 

2.6 Noise pollution

 

Since 1993, the fight against noise has been controlled in the framework of the 5^th Action Programme for Environment protection (the 6^th is being elaborated).

There are some Community directives that rule noise emissions, apart from trains. Each Member State hopes to limit the level of noise pollution for train facilities.

Finally, the Commission offers to establish “noise cards”

A synopsis of the cards will allow the creation of a database in order to publish panoramas of the EU situation every five years.

 

3 Integrating the environmental dimension into the other Community policies

 

Concerning the local policy, the grants allocated by the Structural Funds must take the protection and improvement of the environment into account.

                       

Find the Structural Funds in our Eurofunding database

The European Social Fund - ESF http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11244

Find the Welcomeurope special file on the ESF

http://www.welcomeurope.com/thema.asp?id=7

The EAGGF

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11239

The ERDF 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11243

 

 

3.1 Integrating the environment into Community energy policy

 

3.1.1 The Community measures

 

The Commission identifies three main objectives :

- Promoting the energy efficiency and energy conservation

- Increasing production and use of energy sources less polluting

- Reducing the environmental impacts on production and use of energy sources

 

 

3.1.2 Financing opportunities

 

In order to ensure the implementation of these actions, the European Commission and other Community organs have established a great number of Programmes susceptible to finance your projects.

                       

Financing Programme ETAP

ETAP is a specific Programme of study, analysis and expectations concerning the development of an energetic policy.

Find all details about Programme ETAP on the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11127

 

Financing Programme Synergy

The Programme aims at helping to strengthen the international energetic cooperation. 

For further information on Synergy, consult our Eurofunding database http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11048

In May 2001, the Council has passed a decision relative to the new guidelines of Programme Synergy, following some malfunction especially in the efficiency of the Programme implementation.

Find the latest news on Programme Synergy in the Eurofunding-zine 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=103

 

 

Financing opportunity Alternative Energy Programme

This programme is offered by the UE-Japan Centre for industrial cooperation.

Find all details about the Programme on our Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10988

 

Financing Programme  Alterner II

The Programme aims at promoting renewable energy sources.  

For further information on Programme Altener II, consult the Eurofunding database http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10929

 

 

Financing Programme SAVE II

The Programme aims at promoting the energetic capacity.

Find Programme SAVE II on the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10929

 

Financing Programme EESD Energy, Environment and sustainable development

For further information on Programme EESD 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10916

More details about the 5^th Framework Programme in the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11181

 

Financing Programme EESD – Key Action 5 – Cleaner Energy Systems

For further information on EESD Key action 5, consult Eurofunding 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10923

 

Financing Programme EESD – Energy Generic RTD activities

For further information, consult the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10925

 

Financing Programme EESD – Key Action 6 – Economic and efficient energy

For further details on the Programme in the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10924

 

Financing Programme CARNOT

The Programme finances technological actions promoting the clean and efficient use of solid fuel.

For further information on CARNOT, consult the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11050

 

Financing Programme ALURE

Alure finances the cooperation in the field of energy between the European Union and South America.

For further information on Programme ALURE

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10935

 

Financing Programme Energy Efficiency

The Programme is proposed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and grants a bank support for a better use of energy in the CEEC and in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

For further information, consult the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11234

 

Financing Programme Greenlight

This is a Programme to take full advantage of the existing light systems and to design new facilities.

For further information on Programme Greenlight, consult 

http://www.eu-greenlight.org/

 

 

3.2 Integrating the environment into employment policy

 

Currently, the European Social Fund (ESF) finances the Community Social Policy. It develops Initiative Programmes such as EQUAL in the field of employment.

For further information on the ESF, consult the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11244

For more details on EQUAL, consult the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11147

 

 

3.3 Integrating the environment into agriculture policy: towards a sustainable agriculture

 

3.3.1 Reform the CAP

 

The environmental strategy of the European Union in the framework of the CAP can be characterised throughout targeted agro-environmental measures, especially the rural areas.

The environmental standards are part of support systems. However, the Member States can link direct payments to the respect of environmental requirements. The new rules are to trigger a reduction of payments to farmers that do not make the necessary efforts to satisfy the requirements of the European environmental law.

 

3.3.2 Getting European Funds to contribute to a sustainable agriculture

 

The CAP is an area within the field of the Member States competence.

 

For other Community actors, there are several Programmes susceptible to finance your actions and projects contributing to the environment protection in the field of agriculture.

 

Financing Programme Quality of Life – Key Action 5 – sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry

For further information on Programme Quality of Life, consult our Eurofunding database http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10964

 

 

The Structural Fund – EAGGF

The European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund

For further information on the EAGGF, consult Eurofunding 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11239

 

Financing Programme LEADER+

The Programme finances the support of sustainable and rural development, through original and integrated strategies.

Find LEADER+ in the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11042

 

Financing Programme INTERREG

The Financing Programme looks for the promotion of cross-border cooperation to strengthen the social and economic cohesion and the homogeneous development of the EU territories through cooperation actions.

Find the latest news about INTERREG III in the Eurofunding-zine

http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=80

For further information on the Programme, consult the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11037

 

3.4 Integrating the environment into developing countries and third countries

 

3.4.1 Description of the Community actions

 

The objectives were defined in a Communication of the Commission in 2000 to respond to several challenges. This is about defining a strategy so that the environment gets a determining role in the economic aid and development from the EU to partner countries, in order to allow them to assume their environmental liabilities in the future.

 

 

3.4.2 Financing Programmes

 

Financing Programme Environment in developing countries

For further information on the Programme, consult the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11075

 

 

Financing Programme EU - China Environmental Management Cooperation

Find the Programme in the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10930

 

Financing Programme LIFE III – third countries

The objective of this part of Programme LIFE is the creation of the administrative structures necessary in the environmental sector, as well as the development of policies and Environmental Action Programmes in third countries frontage of the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas different than the CEEC (5 candidate countries up to now: Rumania, Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary and Estonia)

 

Find Programme LIFE III Third countries in the Eurofunding database

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10934

 

Financing Programme SAPARD

The Programme finances the projects that support the candidates countries to solve their problems of rural and local agricultural and sustainable development.

For further information on SAPARD, consult the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11073

 

Financing Programme SMAP

It is a Programme for environmental action at middle and long term in the Mediterranean area.

Find all details on the Programme in the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11051

 

 

3.5 Integrating the environmental dimension into industrial policy

 

3.5.1 Guidelines of the Community industrial policy in an environmental strategy

 

The conclusions of the European Council of 29 April 1999 have shown the importance to extend the strategy of the environmental policy integration into the European policies of the industrial sector.

 

3.5.2 Financing opportunities

 

Financing Programme ECSC – Steel research

For further information, consult the Eurofunding database          

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11102

 

Financing Programme Growth – Competitive and sustainable growth

For further information, consult Eurofunding 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10919

 

Financing Programme Growth – Key Action 4 – new perspectives in aeronautics

Find the Programme Growth in the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10900

 

Financing Programme EU – China LIEP

The Programme finances the cooperation and assistance in the fight against urban industrial pollution in the province of Liaoning in China.

For further information on the Programme, consult the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10943

 

Financing Programme EURATOM controlled thermonuclear fusion

To acknowledge all the funding opportunities proposed by Euratom, consult the Eurofunding database http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm10940

 

3.6 Integrating the environmental dimension into sustainable development of the urban environment

 

3.6.1 Guidelines and Community objectives

 

Find all details of the decision in the Eurofunding – zine

http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=124

 

3.6.2 Funding opportunities

 

Financing Programme URBAN II

The objective of the Programme is the economic and social revitalisation of urban areas in crisis in order to promote urban sustainable development.  

For further information on Programme URBAN, consult the Eurofunding database http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11041

 

Financing Programme EESD – Key Action 4 – The city of tomorrow and cultural heritage

For further information on Programme EESD, consult the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10922

 

Caution!! A website was inaugurated on Cordis :

Consult

The site of the city of tomorrow and cultural heritage http://www.cordis.lu/eesd/ka4/home.html

and the timeliness of the Programme http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=94

 

 

Financing Programme CIVITAS

The Programme proposed by the European Commission finances the urban policy for clean urban transport: city – vitality – durability.

For further information on Programme CIVITAS, please refer to the Eurofunding database http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11177

 

In July 2001, the Commission published the list of the 14 pilot cities that will fight against pollution thanks to clean urban transport.

Follow the timeliness of Programme CIVITAS in the Eurofunding – zine 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=66

 

 

4 The main Community technical tools

 

4.1 Programme LIFE : the direct environmental financial tool

 

LIFE is the main financial tool of the Community environment policy. The Programme supports innovative actions showing that it is possible to develop territories or plants by protecting the environment. It aims at contributing to the development, the implementation and the updating of the Community policy and legislation in the field of environment, especially the integration of the environment into other policies as well as a sustainable development in the Community.

The Programme co-finances actions in the Community and some third countries (The CEEC are submitted to some peculiar conditions for LIFE nature and environment).

Currently, only five CEEC can be eligible: Rumania, Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary and Estonia.

 

LIFE III has started on 1^st January 2000 and will end on 31 December 2004.

The Programme is made of three thematic parts for a total amount of 640 million Euros.

 

 

4.1.1 LIFE III – Nature

 

The first part owns 47% of the total budget.

The objective is to contribute to the implementation of the Community directive relative to the conservation of wild birds and the one relative to the conservation on natural habitats .

It also supports the implementation of a natural site network under the name of Natura 2000.

Find all details on Programme LIFE III nature in the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10933

Follow the timeliness of Programme LIFE Nature in the Eurofunding-zine

http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=115

 

 

4.1.2 LIFE III – Environment

 

The second part of LIFE also owns 47% of the total budget.

The specific objective is to contribute to the development of techniques and innovative methods, as well as the development of the Community policy in the field of environment.

For further information on LIFE III – Environment, consult the Eurofunding database  http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10932

Find the timeliness of Programme LIFE - Environment in the Eurofunding-zine

http://www.welcomeurope.com/news_info.asp?idnews=135

 

 

4.1.3 LIFE III – Third countries

 

The third and last part of Programme LIFE owns only 6% of the total budget.

The objective is to contribute to the creation of administrative structures useful in the field of environment, as well as the development of environmental policies and action programmes in the third countries frontage of the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas, different than the CEEC.

Find the third part of Programme LIFE third countries in the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=10934

 

 

4.2 The European Environment Agency

 

The Agency fulfils following functions  

- Registering, collecting, analysing and disseminating data on the environment statement

- Providing the Community and the Member States with objective information necessary to the formulation and implementation of efficient environmental policies

- Contributing to the monitoring of environmental measures

- Working for the data comparing at a European level

- Fostering the development and integration of environmental forecast techniques

- Ensuring a large dissemination of transparent environmental information

 

Consult the site of the European Environment Agency http://www.eea.eu.int

 

The networks of the EEA

 

Network EIONET

This network is composed of experts and contains a database and diverse information systems in each Member State.

For further information on the network, consult http://www.eionet.eu.int/

 

Report DOBRIS

The Agency is in charge of the redaction of reports on the environmental statement and perspectives every five years. The Agency publishes an annual report entitled “environmental signals” that present environmental indicators.

 

 

4.3 Environmental liability: taxes and principle of “polluter pays”

 

4.3.1 Appeal to financial tools

 

The taxes and environmental royalties can allow the implementation of the principle “polluter pays”, by prompting the consumers and producers to adopt a behaviour more compatible to ecological requirements.

 

Caution! Up to now, the principle of eco-taxes has not been implemented!

 

4.3.2 Environmental liability: polluter pays

 

The environmental liability aims at solving the problem when a person damages the environment, he would have to pay an amount of money to remedy the troubles it caused.

Objectives :

- Polluters must be identified

- The damages must be quantified

- A link must be established between the polluters and the damages

The polluters must then pay for the damages they cause. 

 

4.3.3 Technical instruments for fighting against pollution

 

· Environmental management and audit scheme

 

A regulation of 19 March 2001 allows the voluntary involvement of organisations to a Community system of environmental management and audit scheme (EMAS).

For further information on EMAS :

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/emas/faqs_en.htm

You can also read page 15 of the periodical “the environment for European”

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/news/efe/news7_fr.pdf

 

 

· Eco-label: promoting environment-friendly products

 

The system aims at

- Promoting the products having a reduced impact on the environment rather than the other products of the same category

- Providing the consumers with exact information and advice scientifically proven concerning the products

 

The 6^th Community Action Programme for the Environment invites all the sectors of the society to participate to the search for sustainable solutions to ecological problems. That is why the eco-label plays a very significant role.

 

For further information, read page 13 et 14 of the periodical “the environment for European » http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/news/efe/news7_fr.pdf

 

 

5 The challenges of Enlargement

 

5.1 Transfer of Community patrimony (acquis communautaire)

 

On a sector level, the actions to be implemented can be divided into 5 parts

- Air pollution : survey the areas and agglomerations where the European limits of emission are exceeded, modernise the refinery for the observance of the European standards

- Waste management: approximation of laws since 1997

- Water pollution: sensible amelioration of water quality and treatment of waste water, but few progresses were made in the application of the directive “nitrates”

- Industrial pollution and risk management : the CEEC own several industrial plants and factories that produce high polluting energies, so it is a very sensible field

- nuclear safety and radiation protection: recently, all candidate countries have passed an orientation law

 

The application of the environmental Community patrimony supposes the creation of expensive facilities for 

- Drinking-water supply

- Management of waste water

- big facilities of combustion

- Waste management

 

 

5.2 Financing opportunities for the CEEC

 

Financing Programme PHARE multi-beneficiary for Environment

For further information on Programme PHARE, consult the Eurofunding database http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11161

 

The Structural Fund  – ISPA

The Structural Pre-Accession Instrument ISPA supports the candidate countries for the accession to the Union in the fields of Environment and transport.

Find Programme ISPA in the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&Pgm=11055

 

Financing Programme LIFE

The Commission fosters the involvement of candidate countries that wish to participate to the Community financial tool in favour of the Environment.

Find Programme LIFE in the Eurofunding database 

http://www.welcomeurope.com/prog.asp?search=yes&10932

Currently, only 5 CEEC are able to participate to Programme LIFE : Rumania, Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary and Estonia.

 

6 The 6^th Environment Action Programme

 

The 6^th Action Programme pursues the objectives elaborated in the 5^th that was signed for the period 1992-2000 and was called  « towards a sustainable development”.

 

The Communication of the Commission of January 2001 “Environment 2010 : our future, our choice” defines the priorities and objectives of the Community Environmental policy until 2010 and beyond, providing the details and measures to take to contribute to the implementation of the European Union’s strategy concerning sustainable development.

 

The Communication offers five priority domains of political actions and strategies

 

- Foster the observance of the legislation in force

- integrate the environment into other policies

- collaborate with the market

- involve and alter the citizens’ behaviour

- take the environment into account in the decisions relative to the spatial management and planning

 

Specific actions

 

- Support the IMPEL network and its extension to the candidate countries (IMPEL means Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law and constitutes an informal network of environmental authorities coming from the Member States. The European Commission also belong to it.) For further information, consult http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/impel

- Prepare reviews of the environmental law implementation

- Promote the results of the implementation of the environmental legislation the most interesting or the bottom ones

- Foster the environmental standard inspection

- Fight against environmental criminality

- Ensure the implementation by requesting for actions at the European Court of Justice

 

Priority spheres of intervention

- Climate Change

- Biodiversity

- Environment and Health

- Sustainable Development of resources and waste

 

Finally, it is important to highlight the priorities of the Community environmental policy in the international context, especially facing the enlargement as well as the importance that the Union wishes to settle to scientific and economic analysis, like the environmental indicators (the work is led in collaboration with the European Environmental Agency)

 

A special file realised by Christelle Mazza © Welcomeurope 2001