EU’s 8^th action programme is to promote economy of wellbeing, according to a draft EU Council decision

The EU’s 8^th Environmental Action Programme (8^th EAP) for the next decade, proposed by the European Commission in October 2020 to provide the EU and its Member States with a framework for monitoring EU environmental policy up to 2030 (see EUROPE 12581/7), should aim at sustainability and economy of wellbeing, according to a new draft EU Council and Parliament decision, as seen by EUROPE.

This draft, dated 22 January, is the result of a compromise—the third of its kind—concocted by the Portuguese Presidency, incorporating the written contributions of experts from the EU Council’s Environment Working Group.

Compared to the previous version (see EUROPE 12644/5), it places greater emphasis on sustainability and significantly expands and clarifies the objectives.

Thus, the 8^th EAP should both support the objectives of the European Green Deal, in line with the long-term goal of ‘living well, within the limits of the planet’ by 2050, and contribute to the achievement of the UN Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It recalls that the European Green Deal underpins the next generation EU Recovery Plan, which encourages investment in the key sectors needed for the green and digital transition to build resilience and create growth and jobs in a fair and inclusive society. 

The 8^th EAP should accelerate the transition to an economy of wellbeing, the text emphasises. It further states that economic activity should develop in ways that do no harm but, on the contrary, reverse climate change and environmental degradation, protect, sustainably use and restore biodiversity, achieve land degradation neutrality, prevent or, where this is not possible, minimise pollution and maintain and enhance natural capital, and promote a sustainable bioeconomy.

If the six thematic priorities of the 8^th EAP are confirmed, the text adds the fight against desertification and land degradation to objective 5 (protect, preserve and restore biodiversity and enhance natural capital, including air, water, soil and forest, freshwater, wetland and marine ecosystems).

Progress should be monitored on the basis of the most recent data and indicators, using a systemic approach that is consistent with existing monitoring or governance tools, whether environmental or climate. 

Furthermore, the compromise stresses the importance of local and regional authorities, NGOs and private sector involvement for the success of the 8^th EAP. 

The approval of the draft decision, when it is finalised, is scheduled for the Environment Council meeting of 18 March, as the Portuguese Presidency hopes. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)