Tag: 6th environmental action programme

Proposed LIFE+ regulation is now in a last-chance conciliation procedure after MEPs rejected the Council’s position to delegate 80% of environmental funds directly to member states.

On 22 September, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas presented a Soil Framework Directive that leaves plenty of flexibility and time for member states to counter the increasing degradation of Europe's soils.

Increased eco-efficiency, new ecotaxes and abolishing harmful subsidies are the main elements of the new generation of EU environment policy advocated by the Finnish Presidency during the informal meeting of environment ministers in Turku.

A new EU Action Plan seeks to clarify responsibilities between the EU and member states on bringing plant and animal extinction to a halt by 2010. But environmentalists say the measures are weak and may just come too late.

A report written by the Institute for European Environmental Policy paints a critical picture of the implementation of the EU's 6th environment action programme. Most of the objectives of the 10-year strategy will not be fulfilled before 2012, says the report.

The Commission proposes EU nations draw up national programmes to keep European seas clean, safe from oil spills and healthy. Environmental groups say the strategy is "inadequate" and call for binding EU measures.

The Commission is continuing with its series of internet consultations on future environmental policies with a debate on how to protect European soils from pollution.

A new LIFE+ funding instrument, with a budget of 2.19 billion euro over the period 2007-13, will focus on better implementation, governance and communication of environmental policies.

On 8 July, the Commission announced that 110 active substances used in pesticides will have to be withdrawn from the market by December 2003. Those will add to the 320 substances that will no longer be authorised for use in July 2003.

The agreement reached in conciliation between Parliament and Council has left it to the Commission to propose compulsory insurance schemes for companies six years after the directive enters into force.

On 13 March 2002, the Council and the European Parliament made a final deal on the proposed 6th Environmental Action Programme. It is a balanced compromise between the two actors, and it takes into consideration some of the Parliament's key issues.

The European Parliament adopted its opinion on the 6th environmental action programme on 17 January. Strict timetables and objectives were rejected.

The environment committee of the European Parliament adopted on 18 December its recommendation for second reading of the 6th environmental action programme. The committee reintroduced its first-reading demands for more quantitative objectives and timetables. It also wanted Parliament's role in defining the new environmental thematic strategies strengthened.

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Environment ministers criticise draft 6th Environmental Action Programme for lacking clear objectives and timetables

European Environment Bureau (EEB) presents proposals to reinforce the 6th Environmental Programme

Commission launches public debate on new strategy to improve environmental performance of products throughout lifecycle

European Commission adopts EU's environmental action programme for the next ten years