Brussels, 20/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - With the 6th Environmental Action Programme (EAP) due to come to an end in July, it is a matter of urgency that the European Commission present the 7th EAP, the European Parliament (EP) says in a resolution adopted in Strasbourg, following on from the general agreement reached in the informal Environment Council on the principles of this framework programme (see EUROPE 10597). MEPs took the same view as rapporteur Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany) that this strategic programme establishing future environmental policy priorities and measures must allow the EU to reduce its environmental footprint, slow unsustainable consumption of resources and promote more efficient use of energy and natural resources.
“The programme should help achieve targets for 2020, set mid-term 2030 targets for emissions reductions, energy efficiency and renewables, and set out a vision for the state of the environment in Europe in 2050”, Leinen said after the vote. MEPs say the 7th EAP should help mainstream climate change and other environmental objectives across all policy areas, particularly in industry, transport, agriculture and fisheries.
Resources, energy and waste. MEPs say “an absolute reduction of resource use is urgently needed”. The EAP should reflect the need for binding targets for energy efficiency, they add. Beyond better enforcement of existing waste legislation, MEPs say the new framework programme “should set more ambitious prevention, re-use and recycling targets, including a net decrease of waste generation”.
Water and land. Parliament urges member states to fully and effectively implement existing water rules. It calls for targets to be drawn up to ensure sustainability of land use and reminded the Commission that sustainability criteria are needed for biofuels and biomass.
Harmful subsidies. The programme should also include a strict and detailed plan both at European and national level for the phasing-out of all environmentally harmful subsidies by 2020, for example to avoid adverse affects on biodiversity.
Emerging threats. The 7th EAP should properly address emerging threats to human and animal health, such as nanomaterials, endocrine disruptors and the combination effects of chemicals. (AN/transl.rt)