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EU Environmental Policy Instruments

EU Environmental Policy Instruments. 2005 International Summer School, ULB 11 July 2005 David Zaruk. Elements of an Environmental Issue. Local in nature Current and newsworthy Anthropocentric in concern – health emphasis Environmental problems are man-made

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EU Environmental Policy Instruments

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  1. EU Environmental Policy Instruments 2005 International Summer School, ULB 11 July 2005 David Zaruk

  2. Elements of an Environmental Issue • Local in nature • Current and newsworthy • Anthropocentric in concern – health emphasis • Environmental problems are man-made • Needs a certain level of scientific disagreement • Concerns an unquantifiable risk perception • Issues are changing: from real threats to risks (precautionary principle)

  3. The Atlantic divide • Different definitions of nature • Different historical approaches • Perceptions on innovation and regulation • Precautionary principle • Roles of stakeholders, workers councils

  4. Sixth Environment Action Programme Environment 2010: Our Future, Our Choice • Stakeholder consultation • Four priority areas for urgent action: • Climate change • Nature and biodiversity • Environment and health and quality of life • Natural resources and waste

  5. Sixth Environment Action Programme Seven Thematic Strategies: • Clean Air For Europe (CAFE) • Soil protection • Sustainable use of pesticides • Protect and conserve the marine environment • Waste prevention and recycling • Sustainable use of natural resources • Urban environment

  6. Important Issues Kyoto Protocol • Member States negotiated with one voice and all simultaneously ratified Kyoto in 2002 • The Bubble – internal burden sharing in 2006 • Carbon emission trading schemes established • Took lead, after US withdrawl, to save Kyoto • A major success for the EU • Only two Member States on target to meet Kyoto • A major failure for the EU and a brewing storm

  7. REACH – A new standard?Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals • Three DGs involved – different agendas • What is REACH about? Substitution or safe use? • Stakeholder gridlock (jobs vs health) – intense lobbying • EU Parliament – six Committees – 6000 amendments • Democratic by-pass or parliamentary exhaustion • Workability and communications issues not yet addressed! SCALE – Health and Environment Strategy • Science – Children – Awareness – Legislation – Evaluation • Three DGs involved, science-based, stakeholders consulted • Shared biomonitoring information, coordinated action plan.

  8. EU environment perspectives • 6th Action Plan has not made progress • No real mandate in any EC or EU treaties («flanking» in constitution) • Environment Council is divided • Player on the international stage to influence national government policy

  9. Some minefields • GMOs, Member States and the WTO • REACH - SCALE • Focus on acquis integration • WEEE (electronic waste) • Polluter Pays • Aarhus convention • Precautionary principle (policy/politics) • Bringing Kyoto home

  10. Questions? david@zaruk.com www.zaruk.com/ulb.ppt

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