the environmental issue : introduction to the european union policy

Ling-en HSIAhttp://www.slideshare.net/lingen

November 20 2008

Why an EU policy?

The objectives of the EU

Policy funding

Consequences on the greenhouse gas

emissions

Why an EU policy?

The objectives of the EU

Policy funding

Consequences on the greenhouse gas

emissions

Facts: The air and sea pollution are borderless. There are negative externalities inside a country and across countries, as well.

Examples: The Chernobyl disaster (1986), oil slicks,

deat waves etc.

Manage simultaneously Economic development, social fairness and Protection of the environment Sustainable Development

“ L'union fait la force” = “Unity Makes Strength”

More weight at the world level + better harmonization measures= More effective actions

“1. Union policy on the environment shall contribute to pursuit of the following objectives:

— preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment,

— protecting human health,— prudent and rational utilisation of natural

resources,— promoting measures at international level to

deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems, and in particular combating climate

change.”

“ 2. […][The Union policy]shall be based on the

precautionary principle and on the principles that preventive action

should be taken, that environmental damage

should as a priority be rectified at source and that the polluter should pay.”

Objectives:

Protection and improvement of the quality of the environment & protection of public health

Prudent and rational utilization of natural resources

Promote internationaly environmental measures

The 6th EAP is a decision of the European Parliament and the Council adopted in 2002. It sets out the framework for environmental policy-making in the European Union for the period 2002-2012 and outlines actions that need to be taken to achieve them.

4 priority areas:

Climate change Biodiversity Environment & Health Sustainable management of resources and

wastes.

Kyoto protocol: “stabilization of greenhouse gas

concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”

United Nations Millennium Development Goals: ensure environmental sustainibility

Full paper & bibliography on http://www.slideshare.net/lingen