Brussels, 20/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The conclusions of the European Council on the EU's revised sustainable development strategy were quite well received by the environmental NGOs, which see it as a good starting point, even though they would have liked it to have been more ambitious.
John Hontelez, Secretary General of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) declared, “This new Sustainable Development Strategy gives a clear framework for energy, transport, agriculture, industry, development, trade, social and economic issues. It values environmental protection as an essential element of a successful EU, not as a burden”. Mr Hontelez added, however, the following rejoinder, “The Strategy has few specific longer-term targets and schedules and does not promote many new actions, but it's an acceptable starting point. We call on the Commission and Member States to implement the Strategy without delay and the European Council, with the active involvement of other Council formations”.
The EEB regretted that the European Council had refused to set clear medium and long term objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions or commit itself to a coordinated initiative for reforming environmental taxes and the objectives and policies essential for improving the efficient use of resources.
Nevertheless, the EEB was pleased that the Council had taken into account an initiative for promoting Green Public Procurement throughout the EU. It also considered it essential that the Council acknowledged the need to tackle the question of growth in the transport sector and shift towards more environmentally-friendly modes of transport. The EEB affirmed that this should have tangible consequences for the mid-term review of the EU's transport policy, which the Commission is launching on 22 June.
“The Barroso Commission seems to believe that only technological innovation can adequately reduce transport's impact on global warming, air pollution, urban sprawl and fragmentation of natural areas. This is an illusion, and the Council realises it. The new Transport Policy will be the first test of whether the Commission takes the new Strategy seriously."