European Union Environment Action Program

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With an Environment Action Program (EAP), the European Union defines the medium-term objectives of European environmental policy for several years . In November 2013, the seventh environmental action program “Living well within the limits of our planet” was adopted by the European Council and the European Parliament, which covers the period up to 2020. The legal basis for the environmental action programs is Article 192 (3) of the TFEU . The programs are adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union after consulting the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions .

Development of the environmental action programs

First Environment Action Program (1974–1975)

The first environmental action program of the European Economic Community was adopted in 1973. The declaration of the Council of the European Communities of November 22, 1973 on an action program of the European Communities for environmental protection is based on the will of the heads of state and government of the European member states, proclaimed at the Paris summit in 1972 , to increase living standards, living conditions and quality of life improve. The precautionary principle , according to which it is better to avoid pollution than to combat its effects afterwards, was a key aspect of the first EAP.

Second Environment Action Program (1977–1981)

The second environmental action program, adopted on May 17, 1977, continued the objectives of the first EAP with five guiding principles:

  1. Continuity in environmental policy
  2. Establish mechanisms for preventive action, particularly in the areas of pollution, spatial planning and waste management
  3. Protection and rational use of the living space
  4. Priority for measures to protect inland waterways and the sea, to combat air pollution and to combat noise
  5. Consideration of environmental aspects in cooperation between the European Community and developing countries.

Third Environment Action Program (1982-1986)

With the third environmental action program (adopted on February 7, 1983), the careful use of natural resources was included as a new goal in environmental policy for the first time.

Fourth Environment Action Program (1987-1992)

On October 19, 1987, the Council decided on the fourth Environment Action Program after the Single European Act had come into force a few months earlier , which had significantly expanded the European Community's environmental powers. Since the implementation of the European internal market has restricted the possibility of national environmental standards and limit values, more Europe-wide standards for environmental protection should now be introduced instead. In addition, European citizens should be made aware of environmental protection: 1987 was declared the European Year of Environmental Protection.

Fifth Environment Action Program (1992-2000)

A report on the state of the environment published in 1992 showed that, despite the four environmental action programs adopted by then, the state of the environment is changing in various areas, including: a. Air, water, biodiversity , had deteriorated. Based on this report, the fifth environmental action program, adopted on February 1, 1993, set itself the goal of changing the Community's growth model in such a way that a path towards sustainable and environmentally sound development is followed . It was drawn up in parallel with the 1992 Rio Conference and Agenda 21 and was the first initiative of the European Commission in the field of sustainable development . At the same time, it was the first environmental action program with a name: For sustainable and environmentally friendly development .

The program proposed strategies for seven environmental priorities ( global warming , acidification, conservation , water management , urban environment, coastal areas and waste management) along with four other objectives . However, the fifth environmental action program lacked quantifiable objectives and monitoring mechanisms. When reviewing the plan in 1996, the European Commission identified the lack of concrete objectives and the lack of commitment from Member States as the main weaknesses of the program.

Sixth Environment Action Program (2002–2012)

The sixth environmental action program ( Our future is in our hands ) was adopted on July 22, 2002, with the longest term to date, namely ten years . The program, which is valid until July 21, 2012, names four thematic priority areas of current European environmental policy:

  • Combating climate change: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the period 2008–2012 by 8%, as well as a radical reduction in global emissions by 20 to 40% by 2020
  • Protection of nature and biodiversity: Among other things, protection of landscapes, new initiatives to protect the marine environment
  • Environment, health and quality of life: Among other things, fundamental revision of the EU risk assessment system for chemicals, combating noise pollution, a specific strategy to improve air quality
  • Sustainable use and management of natural resources and waste

With the exception of the goal of combating climate change, the sixth environmental action program again lacks quantifiable goals. Instead, the 6th Environment Action Program foresees seven thematic strategies that should be adopted within three years of the program's entry into force (July 2005). On September 21, 2005 the first thematic strategy (air pollution control) was adopted. Thematic strategies followed

  • on the marine environment (October 24, 2005),
  • on waste prevention and recycling (December 21, 2005),
  • on the sustainable use of natural resources (December 21, 2005),
  • on the urban environment (January 11, 2006).

The thematic strategies are currently (as of July 2006)

  • for soil protection and
  • for the sustainable use of pesticides

out.

By 2010, uniform air quality standards are to be implemented in the European Community and the respective laws of the member states are to be coordinated. In 2005 the EU Commission therefore presented the “Proposal for a Directive on Air Quality and Clean Air in Europe” and a “Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution (CAFE, Clean Air For Europe)”.

The proposal for a directive aims to fundamentally revise, simplify and streamline existing Community law in the field of air quality by merging the existing law into a single directive. What is new is the introduction of controls for human exposure to the smallest airborne particles with a diameter of no more than 2.5 μm. The Commission is proposing to tighten up existing laws so that the Member States are required to draw up and implement new plans and programs in order to improve where environmental regulations are not met.

Further objectives of the proposed directive are in particular:

  • Defining and setting air quality targets for human health and the environment;
  • Assessment of air quality using uniform methods and criteria;
  • Provision of measurement data for monitoring trends and monitoring success;
  • Structure of a system of electr. Reporting to improve the flow of information;
  • Ensuring public access to air quality information;
  • Maintaining and improving air quality.

The comprehensive monitoring and reporting obligation on air pollutants provided for in the proposed directive is intended to make developments in air pollution more predictable in the long term, enable model calculations to be carried out at an early stage and enable counter-strategies and action plans in good time.

Overall, the proposal summarizes the following existing regulations:

  • RL 96/62 / EC on the assessment and control of air quality (air pollution control framework);
  • RL 1999/30 / EG on limit values ​​for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxides, particles and lead in the air (1st subsidiary RL);
  • RL 2000/69 / EG on limit values ​​for benzene and carbon monoxide in the air (2nd daughter RL);
  • Directive 2002/3 / EG on the ozone content of the air (“Third Daughter Directive”) and
  • Council Decision 97/101 / EC on the exchange of data and information on air quality measurement between Member States.

According to the Commission, there is convincing evidence that fine dust PM2.5 is more dangerous than larger particles. However, the coarser proportions (particles between 2.5 and 10 μm in diameter) must not be neglected. Therefore, a new approach to PM2.5 control is needed to complement the existing measures for PM10. The proposed approach envisages the establishment of a maximum concentration limit for PM2.5 in the air by 2010 in order to avoid unacceptably high health risks. At the same time, the Commission is proposing a non-binding target for the general reduction in human exposure to PM2.5 between 2010 and 2020.

Seventh Environment Action Program (2013-2020)

The seventh environmental action program with the title “Living well within the limits of our planet”, adopted on November 20, 2013, will run until 2020 and its objectives provide an outlook for 2050. It comprises nine thematic priorities:

  1. Protecting, conserving and enhancing the Union's natural capital;
  2. Transition of the Union to a resource-efficient, environmentally friendly and competitive low- CO 2 economy;
  3. Protecting EU citizens from environmental pressures, health risks and risks to the quality of life;
  4. Maximize the benefits of Union environmental law through improved implementation;
  5. Improving the knowledge and evidence base for Union environmental policy;
  6. Securing investments in environmental and climate policy and taking external environmental costs into account;
  7. Improving environmental integration and policy coherence;
  8. Promoting the sustainability of cities in the Union;
  9. Enhance the Union's ability to effectively address international environmental and climate problems.

Eighth Environment Action Program?

On 4 October 2019, the Council adopted conclusions containing political guidelines for EU environment and climate policy for the period 2021-2030. In it, he calls on the Commission to present an ambitious and targeted proposal for the 8th Environment Action Program (EAP) by early 2020 at the latest .

Table overview

UAP no. title running time Important goals, remarks source
1 - 1974–1975 * Improvement of the quality of life, u. a. by avoiding environmental pollution Official Journal of the European Communities, C 112 (December 20, 1973), pp. 1–53
2 - 1977-1981 Update of the objectives of the 1st EAP; more detailed description of the environmental pollution Official Journal of the European Communities C 139 (13 June 1977), pp. 1-46
3 - 1982-1986 Update of the objectives of the 1st and 2nd EAP; Conservation of natural resources as a new goal; the preventive nature of environmental policy is emphasized Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 (17 February 1983), pp. 1–16
4th - 1987-1992 Update of previous goals; Integration of environmental policy in all policy areas; Raising public awareness of environmental protection Official Journal of the European Communities, C 328 (7 December 1987), pp. 1-44
5 For sustainable and environmentally friendly development 1992-2000 The Sustainable Development , is inserted; Restriction to focus areas Official Journal of the European Communities C 138 (17 May 1993), p. 1 ff.
6th Our future is in our hands 2002–2012 The polluter pays and the precautionary principle are emphasized more; Areas of action are defined; Introduction of thematic strategies Official Journal of the European Communities L 242 (10 September 2002), pp. 1–15
7th Live well within the limits of our planet 2013-2020 Official Journal of the European Communities L 354 (December 28, 2013), pp. 171–200

See also

literature

  • Michael Langerfeldt: The Sixth Environment Action Program of the European Community. Hope for ten years of active environmental protection in Europe? Natur und Recht 25 (6), pp. 339-342 (2003), ISSN  0172-1631

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Decision No. 1386/2013 / EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 20, 2013 on a general Union Environment Action Program for the period up to 2020 “Living well within the limits of our planet” . In: Official Journal of the European Union . L 354, December 28, 2013, pp. 171-200.
  2. ↑ 8th Environment Action Program - Council adopts conclusions. Retrieved April 6, 2020 .