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10 November 2009
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Commission to propose action plan for green technology 

Published: Tuesday 19 March 2002   

On 13 March, the European Commission issued a report that describes the potential of green technology, identifies the present market barriers, and gives directions for future actions. The report is a first step towards a Community action plan for environmental technology, which is expected before the end of 2002.

Background:


The Lisbon summit set the goal to increase the competitiveness of the EU without harming the environment. The Gothenburg summit in 2001 agreed on a sustainable development strategy, adding a clear environmental dimension to the Lisbon strategy. To achieve growth and at the same time protect the environment would be a true win-win solution. It is central to the philosophy of sustainable development. The Commission sees environmental technology as a tool to achieve this.

In an earlier study carried out on behalf of the Commission, the size of the eco-technology market was described, and its growth-potential, under the right conditions, was estimated. The study concluded that it could be one of the fastest growing markets in the EU.

 

Other related news:


The decoupling of environmental pollution and resource use from economic growth will demand advanced and cost-effective technologies. These should go further than just end-of-pipe technology, and include pollution prevention technologies, new materials, energy and resource-efficient processes, and the development of environmental know-how.

In its report the Commission sets out the market barriers that prevent a growing market for environmental technologies, and suggests the following changes:

  • The market prices do not reflect the costs of the use of the environment. The environmental costs should be internalised to provide the correct signals for investors and consumers. Economic instruments such as environmental taxation and incentives could be used.
  • New technology is expensive. Since the environment is a public good, EU policies should support the dissemination and awareness of new technologies, to make them affordable for companies.
  • Uncertainties hinder investments. The EU must be clear in its long-term priorities.
  • Information is lacking. The EU can assist in disseminating information, e.g. through the IPPC, where "best available techniques" must be applied and permits updated to reflect changes of techniques. The EU should also encourage the use of voluntary measures such as EMAS, ISO 14001 and environmental agreements.

 

Next steps:


The report is the first step towards an EU Action Plan for environmental technologies. At the Barcelona summit on 15-16 March, it was decided that the Action Plan should be issued before the end of 2002. It will include:

  • a survey of promising technologies
  • the identification of market and institutional barriers
  • the identification of a targeted package of measures to address the problems

 

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