Europaudvalget 2005-06
Det Europæiske Råd 15-16/12-05 Bilag 8
Offentligt
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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Brussels, xxx
COM(2005) yyy final
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
On the review of the Sustainable Development Strategy
A platform for action
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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
On the review of the Sustainable Development Strategy
A platform for action
(Text with EEA relevance)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
2.4.
2.5.
2.6.
3.
3.1.
3.2.
4.
A Framework for action ............................................................................................... 4
Making the change: focusing on key issues ................................................................. 6
Climate change and clean energy ................................................................................ 7
Public health ................................................................................................................ 8
Social Exclusion, demography and migration ............................................................. 9
Management of natural resources ............................................................................. 10
Sustainable transport ................................................................................................. 11
Global poverty and development challenges ............................................................. 12
Delivering results ....................................................................................................... 13
More effective follow-up ............................................................................................ 13
Better policy making .................................................................................................. 14
Conclusions ................................................................................................................ 16
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Review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy
Europeans value
quality of life.
They want to enjoy prosperity, a clean environment, good
health, social protection and equity. They want this not only for themselves but for their
children and grandchildren. In the face of a rapidly changing world – a world in which the
pace of change can seriously challenge the capacity of the economy, the social fabric and
nature to adjust - Europe needs to modernise and keep at the forefront of change. The
challenge is to maintain a momentum that mutually reinforces economic growth, social
welfare and environment protection.
This challenge and the imperative for change were recognised by the European Council in
Gothenburg in 2001 with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Strategy to which an
external dimension was added in 2002 at the European Council in Barcelona. The principles
and objectives of sustainable development – economic prosperity, social equity, environment
protection and international responsibilities- were reaffirmed by the European Council in June
2005 when they adopted guiding principles for sustainable development and figured centrally
in the discussions of European Heads of State at Hampton Court in October 2005.
Europe has made a good start in applying these principles of sustainable development.
Important initiatives have been taken in the renewed Lisbon process, in the social sphere and
in the pursuit of environment protection. However, the rapid pace of change requires the
stepping up of efforts to keep Europe on a sustainable path. With a strengthened commitment
to growth and jobs, combined with a determination to preserve and protect Europe’s social
and natural heritage, to exploit knowledge, to foster innovation, to approach policy
development in an integrated way and to provide financial means, it can be done.
Governments will always be an important part of the solution as they set the framework
within which citizens and businesses take decisions. But, sustainable development cannot
only be about what governments can do. All stakeholders, businesses and citizens in
particular, need to be empowered and encouraged to come up with new and innovative ways
to address the challenges and seize the opportunities. Europe cannot address all these
challenges alone, and has shown determination to work with international partners on global
issues and in a global perspective.
1.
A F
RAMEWORK FOR ACTION
Sustainable development is the overarching long term goal of the European Union set out in
the Treaty. The European Council set out a strategy in 2001 for moving toward this goal.
Since then, ambitions have been translated into policy initiatives which in turn are bringing
results on the ground.
The framework for action is in place. On the economic side, the renewed Lisbon strategy is
the motor for growth and jobs. It will help the EU adapt to the challenges of global
competition and an ageing population. A stronger European economy is vital to and part of
sustainable development; it will help generate the means to invest, for example in a cleaner
environment, in better education and health care and in social protection. In turn, more
sustainable use of natural resources and increased social justice are critical to our economic
success.
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Recognising these linkages, the EU is exploiting the mutually reinforcing elements of
economic, social and environment policy. The Commission now undertakes impact
assessments for all major policy proposals to assess their contribution to sustainability. The
reform of the agricultural and fisheries policy, the reinforcement of rural development policy
as well as the modernisation of cohesion policy reflects this commitment to integrated policy
making. The EU has put a policy framework in place to combat climate change, including an
ambitious emission trading system for CO
2
to encourage industrial plants to reduce their
emissions at least cost.
Several cross-cutting and thematic strategies and action plans
1
, often accompanied by specific
targets and milestones have been adopted. These include joint efforts across a wide range of
areas, for example, to improve security, public health, enhance social inclusion, strengthen
cohesion and to halt the loss of biodiversity, improve soil, water and air quality. Member
States and local and regional governments have also acted across the board, for example to
address social exclusion, to prepare for the impact of an ageing society, reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and improve the quality of local public transport.
2
This review takes account of these achievements and sets out further concrete actions for the
coming years. It is the culmination of a review process launched in early 2005 which has three
closely related elements, forming a package:
– a Commission Communication adopted in February 2005, taking stock of progress and
proposing first orientations,
– Guiding Principles adopted in June 2005 by the European Council,
– this Communication focusing on implementation and actions.
In developing this package, the Commission has consulted widely and listened to the Council
and Parliament, Member States, NGO’s, citizens and stakeholders
3
. The main lessons from
this dialogue are that the reviewed Strategy needs a stronger focus, a clearer division of
responsibilities, wider ownership and broader support, a stronger integration of the
international dimension and more effective implementation and monitoring.
The objective of this review
is not to replace but to further develop
the Sustainable
Development Strategy. It is committed to ensuring that links between European policy
initiatives are exploited and tradeoffs assessed to achieve sustainability objectives. The review
Identifies key issues where a stronger impetus is needed in coming years
Suggests that the external dimension of sustainable development (e.g. global resource use,
international development concerns) be factored into internal policy making and that the
impact of European policy choices on global sustainable development be more consistently
assessed
1
A broad overview of the different EU strategies and action plans that work in support of sustainable development is
provided at Annex II.
2
3
Key examples of progress achieved have been set out in the Commissions Communication of February
2005 COM (2005) 37. See also the December 2005 Eurostat publication on Sustainable Development
Indicators.
Commission Communication ofin February 2005 COM (2005) 37. The Commission received more than
1100 contributions during the consultations.
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Proposes ways to measure progress and regularly review priorities, with a view to
facilitating greater coherence between Member State and EU strategies
Recommends a continuous dialogue with the people and organisations - business leaders,
regional and local authorities, NGOs, academia, and citizens organisations - who are
engaged and committed to making change happen
2.
M
AKING THE CHANGE
:
FOCUSING ON KEY ISSUES
This Review highlights a number of key issues which need a strong push at the highest
political level to engage the public, speed up decision-making and action at all levels,
encourage more ‘joined up’ thinking and accelerate the uptake of new and better ideas. It
recognises the need to check on progress regularly and makes suggestions as to how to do
that.
In moving ahead on the specific issues, a number of cross cutting factors need to be taken into
account. Trends are inter-linked and therefore it is necessary to continue to examine sector
policies in the round, in an integrated framework. The fight against climate
change,
for
example, is multi-faceted, with both energy and transport policies having a key role to play in
reduction of green house gas emissions. Climate change has social impacts, for example
because severe climate events, such as flooding and drought, often disproportionately affect
the weakest regions and parts of the population. Europe is already exploiting the positive
linkages across policy areas. Action on sustainable energy is being taken with a view to
enhancing security of energy supply, reducing climate change and local air pollution, poverty
and improving security, while promoting rural and local development. There are nonetheless
trade-offs. Some policies engender adjustment costs and ways need to be found to balance
tradeoffs in an optimal manner.
Effective responses require international co-operation and solidarity. The EU is committed to
poverty alleviation in developing countries and is working closely with the United Nations in
moving towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It is engaged in a
range of multilateral efforts, for example, in working with others to meet commitments on
biodiversity, fish stocks, energy and water agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, and in combating climate change. The EU will use its influence to bring more
nations behind an ambitious sustainable development agenda. It will also use its own
instruments, such as trade and co-operation agreements, to drive change and will factor the
external dimension into its internal policy making.
The EU and Member States need to continue to invest in research and technology to find new
cost effective and resource efficient ways of production and consumption. By harnessing new
technologies - IT and communication tools, alternative energy generation, low environmental
impact products and processes, new fuels and transport technologies – Europe can make a
break through in resource efficiency which has the potential to drive growth along a
sustainable path.
Education plays a key role in facilitating the changes that are part of sustainable development.
It ensures that people have the skills to adapt to global change, that knowledge is spread and
that stakeholders become engaged in change.
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2.1.
Climate change and clean energy
Climate change is happening. It cannot be prevented but it can be contained at acceptable
levels and its negative impacts can be significantly decreased. It is a global problem that
demands global solutions. More effort is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, not only
in the EU but by other major emitting countries and emerging economies. It is also essential
that the EU adapts to climate change and helps developing countries in particular to do
likewise.
The necessary changes will affect some groups, sectors or countries more than others.
Developing mechanisms to help those more seriously affected and to motivate all
international partners to implement active climate change policies is important.
Reducing climate change provides important social and economic opportunities and will help
reduce other unsustainable trends. Changing our patterns of energy use could, for example,
save the EU at least 20% of its present energy consumption cost-effectively - a saving
equivalent to the combined energy consumption of Germany and Finland. The EU is well
endowed with renewable sources of energy- wind, solar, biomass, wave, hydro, geothermal-
and has the technologies to use these to meet a far greater proportion of its demand for heat,
electricity and fuel.
Beyond the obvious economic returns, experience shows that measures to reduce climate
change and exploit the EU’s own potential for efficiency and renewable energy have many
other knock on benefits - increased security of supply, reduced emissions of other pollutants,
local development and quality employment. It also helps the EU maintain a leading position
in innovative technologies, at a time when strong competition is developing in these areas.
Moreover, the EU is also well placed to assist developing countries achieve economic growth
using least polluting technologies, for example through the Clean Development Mechanism
under the Kyoto Protocol, which enables the transfer of these technologies to developing
countries. The potential is there. It needs to be exploited.
Key actions:
The EU will seek commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions further, beyond the end
of existing commitments in 2012, by developing proposals and working towards broader
international agreements that cover all greenhouse gases and sectors, encourage
innovation and include measures for adaptation. The EU emissions trading scheme could
serve as an example for an international carbon market.
The EU will develop future climate policy through the second phase of the European
Climate Change Programme, working with stakeholders to develop new actions to
systematically exploit cost-effective options, covering for example cars, aviation,
technology development and adaptation. The EU and Member States will review the EU
Emissions Trading Scheme with a view to further developing it and consider its extension
to other greenhouse gases and sectors, such as aviation.
At their informal meeting in Hampton Court in November 2005 the Heads of State and
Government agreed to ask the Commission to develop a re-invigorated sustainable, secure
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and competitive European energy policy. The Commission is developing major initiatives
on biomass
4
and biofuels in 2006. It will also launch a debate in 2006 on EU policy on
renewable energy up to 2020, including on the share of the energy mix from renewable
sources. This would provide a clear target for all actors involved, providing the certainty
sought by business and investors. The EU will continue to promote the use of renewable
energies worldwide.
The Commission will propose an action plan on energy efficiency to realise the estimated
20% cost effective savings potential. A strong push is needed on energy savings in
buildings, to go beyond the current laws on energy performance in buildings to help
households in particular. The Commission will work with Member States using structural
funds to realise energy efficiency goals, and in particular with those Member States with
the greatest potential for improvement.
2.2.
Public health
Health is a global issue. Diseases spread quickly across continents. Europe needs to increase
its capacity to fight cross-border health threats. EU efforts have to be accompanied by
effective action in neighbouring countries and at global level. Fighting health threats requires
rapid and effective response and functioning health systems, management, technology and
infrastructure capability. One Member State’s incapacity to react could put the whole EU at
risk. Bridging health inequalities across the EU is therefore crucial.
The EU also has an obligation to support international efforts to improve health care.
Currently 40 million globally suffer from HIV/Aids. 24 million people have died, 5 million of
them children. Malaria kills more than a million people every year – mostly children in Sub-
Saharan Africa. The growing antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria remain a serious problem.
Health promotion and disease prevention (by addressing health determinants at the
appropriate level) will reduce the economic and social burden of illness in the long-term. In
addition, better knowledge of the effects of pollutants on health, will also facilitate improved
preventive and planning measures
Key actions:
For the EU and its Member States to:
upgrade their action plans on handling health threats (in preparation for a possible
pandemic, taking account of the recently updated guidance on pandemic influenza
preparedness).
agree and implement an EU Strategy to address HIV/ AIDS, including by taking steps to
improve surveillance and strengthen co-operation between Member States. For third
countries, efforts need to be stepped up to implement the existing EU Programme for
Action to confront HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
coordinate research into the links between environmental pollutants, exposure and health
impacts to improve our understanding of what environmental factors cause health
problems and how best to prevent them
4
Add reference to COM (when adopted Dec. 2005) 628.
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2.3.
Social exclusion, demography and migration
Tackling poverty and social exclusion in the EU is not just about increasing low incomes. It is
about promoting access to employment, housing, mobility, health care, communication and
information services and above all education and skills training. A significant share of the EU
population (15%) is at risk of poverty. Childhood poverty is a particular concern. As
discussed at the informal Heads of State and Government meeting at Hampton Court, the
fight against social exclusion has to be given urgent attention.
The EU not only faces economic but also significant social challenges as a result of its
ageing
society.
Ageing of the population will accelerate until 2040, which, coupled with a drop in
fertility rates, will cause the working population to contract. In fact, lower fertility together
with rising life expectancy could mean that, by 2050, there will be two people of working age
to support each elderly person, compared to four people today. These trends could also reduce
growth rates.
Governments need to prepare Europe's economy and society for the ageing of many of our
societies. Boosting productivity and employment participation, in particular that of older
workers and women, is necessary to maintain our capacity for sustained economic growth.
Modernisation of Europe's social protection systems, notably in the areas of pensions and
long-term care, is key as is the promotion of active and healthy ageing. More family-friendly
policies are needed. Effective management of migration flows, including the positive
integration of migrants and their families is essential. This also highlights the need to invest
more and better in human capital from a lifecycle perspective to maintain the employability of
workers. This includes the implementation of effective lifelong learning strategies by Member
States.
Key Actions:
In response to the discussions of heads of state and government at Hampton Court in
October 2005, the Commission will present a communication in early 2006 which will
look at ways in which the EU can help Member States respond to the demographic
challenges it faces, notably by promoting active ageing strategies, the integration of
immigrants and better conditions for families. It will consult social partners on whether to
propose new initiatives to support reconciliation of work and private life.
The Commission proposes a European Year of combating poverty and social exclusion. A
roadmap for equality between women and men will be presented in 2006, to help achieve
gender equality and help address the EU’s demographic challenge. The EU supports the
efforts of Member States to modernise social protection systems to ensure their
sustainability.
The EU and its Member States should continue to develop an EU policy on legal
migration, strengthen the integration of migrants and their families and fight illegal
immigration. The Commission has proposed support to Member States integration
measures through a European Fund for the integration of Third Country Nationals for
2007-2013. It has issued a policy plan on legal migration, including admission procedures.
It will also propose a common policy framework to fight illegal immigration in 2006.
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2.4.
Management of natural resources
We rely heavily on flows of natural resources – for raw materials, food, energy and land - and
on natural processes to “absorb” the increasing waste produced by a growing human
population, now of some six billion. The UN’s 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
suggests that two-thirds of the ecosystem services, on which humans depend, are in decline.
Europe's demands on the planet have risen by almost 70 per cent since the early 1960’s.
Europeans are estimated to use 4.9 hectares of productive land on average per person to
support their lifestyles (compared to 9.5 for the USA and 1.5 for China), whereas the global
average is 1.8 hectares.
Certain land and sea use patterns have led to increased traffic congestion, energy use and
pollution, increased risk from flooding and loss of landscapes, habitats, and biodiversity
5
.
Global patterns of resource use are of concern as they are reducing the earth’s regenerative
capacity and the services that nature provides. The loss of bio-diversity, prompted in part by
climate change, has economic impacts, including on tourism and sectors such as agriculture
that are dependent on ecosystem services (pollination, soil fertility, water availability and
quality) or other sectors that use biological information as a source of innovation.
By taking a lead in finding innovative solutions to a better management of resources, the EU
can promote a more resource efficient economy and position itself as a world leader in eco-
efficient technologies. There is a growing realisation- not least among business- of the scale
of opportunity to be seized in investing in eco-innovation. The market for sustainable
products and processes will have to grow to meet the demands of a fast growing global
‘middle’ class, for consumer goods and services alongside environmental quality. A
coordinated approach, anticipating the need to shift to more sustainable production and
consumption process, will provide Europe with a competitive edge.
Governments have a major role in ensuring success, by providing a predictable, long-term
regulatory framework that rewards eco-innovation to support businesses now looking to
develop sustainable activities. Public authorities have the purchasing power to generate
momentum for change. In the EU, for example, public bodies (such as local authorities,
schools, hospitals) buy EURO 1600 billion worth of products and services each year – 16% of
our GDP. This can be used to create the critical mass needed for the market success of
sustainable technologies.
Key actions:
Member States should, together with the Commission, exchange experiences and best
practice on shifting taxation from labour to consumption and /or pollution in a revenue-
neutral way, to contribute to the EU goals of increasing employment and of protecting the
environment. In addition, Member States should make more effective use of their
considerable procurement power to support the uptake of innovative, more energy-efficient
and cleaner applications. The Commission will propose a directive on public procurement
of green vehicles.
5
The European Environment Agency’s 2005 report on the State of the Environment recognises that over
the past 30 years important progress has been made. However, the environmental situation in many
aspects remains unsustainable. This can only be addressed through more effective integration of
environmental concerns into other policy areas.
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The EU will work with Member States and stakeholders to promote eco-innovation and to
expand the market for eco-technologies. Member States should implement their roadmaps
for environmental technologies. In the context of the 7
th
Research framework programme,
the EU will provide funding to catalyse actions and drive forward research and technology
development in key areas including hydrogen and fuel cells.
The Commission will draw up an action plan to promote sustainable production and
consumption, building on ongoing initiatives and instruments such as resource and waste
policies, integrated product policy and standards, environmental management schemes and
innovation and technology policies, to reinforce their impact, address any gaps and ensure
their contribution to global initiatives
The EU and Member States should ensure sufficient funding and management of the
Natura 2000 network of protected areas, and better integrate biodiversity concerns into
internal and external policies to halt the loss of biodiversity.
2.5.
Sustainable transport
The availability of affordable transport has benefited us all. But we have also suffered from
downsides such as congestion, health impacts and environmental degradation. As the
economy grows, so has transport demand. High growth means that despite significant
improvements in vehicle performance, negative impacts are rising and current trends are
unsustainable.
The benefits of mobility can be provided with much lower economic, social and
environmental impacts. This can be done by reducing the need for transport (e.g. by changing
land-use, promoting telecommuting and videoconferencing), making better use of
infrastructure and of vehicles, changing modes, for example to use rail instead of road,
cycling and walking for short distances and developing public transport, using cleaner
vehicles and developing alternatives to oil such as bio-fuels and hydrogen powered vehicles.
The benefits of more sustainable transport are wide ranging and significant: tackling
congestion thereby cutting costs to businesses, saving people time and improving access for
regional and local development, reducing climate change and biodiversity impacts, increasing
security of energy supply by reducing oil dependence; improving the local environment and
reducing impacts on health, in particular in urban areas.
Key actions:
The EU and its Member States should focus on making alternatives to road transport a
more attractive option for freight and passengers, including by developing the Trans-
European Networks and intermodal links for freight logistics, to allow goods to shift easily
between road, rail, and water transport. This will be the subject of a major political debate
in the second half of 2006.
The European Commission will continue to examine the use of infrastructure charging in
the EU, drawing on successful local congestion charging schemes, EU-wide infrastructure
charging for lorries and new opportunities arising with new satellite, information and
communication technologies.
The Commission will propose a package of measures to improve the environmental
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performance of cars by promoting clean and energy efficient vehicles including a Directive
on the procurement of such vehicles, new vehicle standards, and increasing the use of
biofuels. It has already proposed that Member States differentiate taxes on passenger cars
according to CO
2
emissions.
2.6.
Global poverty and development challenges
The global threats to sustainable development are all interconnected. Poverty, environmental
degradation and conflict feed each other. More than one billion people live on less than one
dollar a day and 2.7 billion live on less than two dollars. 2.6 billion people - over 40 per cent
of the world's population - do not have basic sanitation, and more than one billion still use
unsafe sources of drinking water. Not only is poverty and inequality unjust but they are a
threat to world development, long term prosperity, peace and security. Globalisation means
that our collective prosperity and security depend critically on success in fighting poverty.
Action is needed at all levels – by the EU bilaterally as well as multilaterally, and in an
integrated way. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to global sustainable development at the
UN World Summit in September 2005, by implementing actions from of the World Summit
on Sustainable Development, working towards achieving the Millennium Development
Goals, and pursuing the Doha Development Agenda. To meet global challenges, the EU has
to make sure that its internal and external policies work well together for maximum impact.
The EU is at the forefront of international efforts to eradicate poverty. It provides over half of
the world’s aid and has committed to further increase this assistance, both in quality and
quantity. It has recently adopted a “European Consensus on Development”, setting a common
vision and means for development.
Key Actions:
The EU and its Member States should increase their volume of aid to 0.7 % of Gross
National Income (GDI) in 2015 achieving an intermediate target of 0.56 % in 2010 with
individual objectives of 0.51 % for the EU 15 and 0.17 % for the EU 10.
The EU and its Member States should increase the effectiveness, coherence and quality of
their aid policies in the period 2005 – 2010 by greater co-ordination between Member
States, the development of a Common EU Programming framework; using more joint
actions and co- financing of projects, increasing coherence between development and other
policies. They should increase the quality of aid through effective budget support, debt
reduction and untying of aid.
The EU will advocate the improvement of international environmental governance, inter
alia through the creation of a UN Environmental Organisation and strengthening of
multilateral environmental agreements. It will step up its efforts to ensure that international
trade is used as a tool to achieve genuine global sustainable development, both in socio-
economic and environmental terms. It will do so both in a multilateral context (WTO,
Doha Round) and as part of its regional and bilateral trade relations.
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3.
3.1.
D
ELIVERING RESULTS
More effective follow-up
There is a need for monitoring and follow-up. This can be done without creating new
procedures or more paperwork. It will involve:
submitting a progress report from the Commission every two years. It will draw on the set
of sustainable development indicators, designed with the assistance of national experts,
adopted by the Commission in February 2005
6
. A first report with the latest statistical
information accompanies this Communication.
the European Council and the European Parliament discussing progress, on the basis of the
Commission’s report, reviewing priorities and providing general orientations on
sustainable development at least every two years.
the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions playing
an important role in building stronger support for action, for example, through the
organisation of regular stakeholder discussions and through acting as a catalyst to stimulate
debate at national level as well.
the European Commission launching a review of the Sustainable Development Strategy
during 2009, involving a process of wide stakeholder consultation.
In addition, all Member States have developed their own national sustainable development
strategies, or are close to finalising them; many of them report regularly on progress made.
However, the opportunity to learn from each other, to identify what has worked well and
where the pitfalls are, has not so far been fully exploited. The different national strategies and
the European Strategy should as far as possible be mutually reinforcing so that the whole can
become more than the sum of its parts.
It is therefore proposed that Member States:
Review their national strategies as appropriate, in the light of the European Union’s
Strategy and publish them by no later than the end of 2006. Member States are encouraged
to review, in particular, how the use of their national policy instruments (see section 5.1)
could be made more effective and better integrated with actions taken or proposed at
European level;
On the basis of the reviewed national strategies, undertake a light peer review process,
focusing on specific themes, and in particular, seeking to identify examples of good
policies and practices that could be implemented by all. The peer review could include an
external evaluation dimension possibly with support from the network of national
sustainable development advisory councils and involvement of third countries. A first pilot
review, under the guidance of the Presidency, and with the assistance of the Commission,
involving Member States who wish to volunteer, could be conducted during 2006.
6
SEC (2005)161.
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Consider, where these do not yet exist, the setting up of independent advisory councils on
sustainable development to stimulate informed debate and contribute to national and EU
progress reviews.
The Commission invites Candidate countries to complete their national strategies and align
their reforms with the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. The Commission will take this
into account in its progress reports.
The EU strategy for sustainable development should feed into the international processes on
sustainable development and help progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and
the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
3.2.
Better policy making
Improving policy coherence: impact assessment and other better regulation
tools.
The tools to help policy-makers to identify the right approach exist and effective impact
assessment should be applied from the earliest stages of policy development. This enables
policy-makers to identify the best options based on a balanced assessment of the likely
economic, social and environmental impacts, the links and tradeoffs between them and taking
account of the views of stakeholders. For example, impact assessments of trade proposals are
an important way of integrating external impacts into EU decision-making. These all promote
the integration of different policies leading to more coherent decisions and broader
consideration about how to achieve more sustainable outcomes, exploiting win-wins,
identifying and addressing knock-on effects and trade-offs in the EU and internationally.
Key Actions:
All EU institutions should ensure that major policy decisions are based on proposals that
have undergone impact assessments, consistent with the inter-institutional agreement on
Better Law-making. The Commission will ensure that all of its major initiatives are subject
to impact assessment and that completed Impact Assessments are made available to the
public when decisions are made.
Member States should also make much wider use of impact assessment when developing
policies when spending public funds and developing strategies, programmes and projects.
They should follow recommendations in the Community Strategic Guidelines to ensure
Cohesion and Structural Funds strengthen synergies between environmental protection and
growth.
Impact assessment should be complemented by a wider use of evaluation to assess
ex-post
the impact of policies.
The EU will take the external dimension into account looking at impacts of policy
proposals.
Using the most effective mix of instruments
Governments and other public bodies have a wide range of tools by which they can encourage
people to make changes - how they regulate, tax, procure, subsidise, invest, spend and provide
information. The challenge is to achieve the right policy mix so that the use of instruments
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and implementation of policies contribute to sustainable development. For instance, Member
States should make the best use of structural funds to support sustainable development.
Perhaps the most powerful method to promote change is to ensure that markets send the right
signals (“getting prices right”), thus providing a powerful incentive for people to change their
behaviour and shape the market place accordingly. This can be done by making sure that all
of us, producers and consumers alike, face the full costs and consequences of our decisions –
when we are making those decisions. For example, this means building the cost imposed on
others in society by “polluters” into the price of the product, as some Member States have
already done (for example, through charges or green taxes). In this way, producers have an
incentive to produce and consumers an incentive to consume more environmentally-friendly
goods and services.
Sometimes governments can have an important impact simply by providing information to the
public and businesses, to help them choose better options. Good examples exist of labelling
and information services on the energy consumption and environmental performance of
electrical goods, household products and services. Many public authorities across the EU have
developed effective communication strategies to encourage citizens to sort waste for recycling
purposes, to travel more sustainably or to save energy.
Education is a prerequisite for promoting behavioural change. The Commission will work to
support Member States actions on education, investment in human capital and life long
learning for sustainable development.
Key Actions:
The EU will seek to use the full range of policy instruments, whilst promoting the use of
market based instruments for the flexibility they offer in meeting sustainable development
objectives. Member States should ensure that full use is made of the array of instruments at
governments’ disposal and that any subsidies provided are used in a manner which is
coherent with the objectives of sustainable development and in accordance with the Treaty.
The Commission will mainstream sustainable development in its information and
communication activities, for both internal and external EU policies.. The Commission will
continue, together with other Community institutions, to organise events and stakeholder
fora on the various strands of the strategy, to raise knowledge and awareness, disseminate
new ideas and exchange best practice. Surveys
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consistently show that Europeans’
awareness of sustainability issues is high. The challenge is to translate that awareness into
more sustainable behaviour. Effective communication needs to be geared to national and
local audiences, so Member States have a key role.
Mobilising actors and multiplying success
The EU and its Member States have a critical role to play, but they cannot - and should not -
be the sole guardians of the sustainable development agenda. Other actors will need to take
action; businesses, regional and local authorities, NGOs, social partners, universities and
schools – and individual citizens and consumers. Progress will rely on the enormous creative
and market power of business, and of regional and local bodies and authorities.
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Refer to Eurobarometer.
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More and more business leaders recognise that it pays to care about sustainable development.
The most successful companies see that paying attention to sustainable development spurs
investment in new technologies, processes and products which the customer wants
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. They
know that it makes good business sense to plan ahead and know where to invest for the future.
They know there are opportunities if we have vision, for example by moving towards a low
carbon economy. They know they can have influence on those from whom they source their
inputs. They need however a stable regulatory framework for action.
Social partners also play a key role: active dialogue between employers and employees is
important for tackling the social dimensions of sustainable development, such as work
organisation, skills and training and equal opportunities.
In addition, many regional governments and municipalities have stepped up their efforts to
find practical solutions to problems. As they are often the ones providing public services,
from public transport to power generation, from waste collection to caring for the poor, they
are well placed to effect practical change on the ground. There is major scope for learning
from their successes. Good examples abound.
Key Actions:
The Commission:
Calls on the business leaders and other key stakeholders of Europe to engage in urgent
reflection with political leaders on the medium- and long-term policies needed for
sustainability and propose ambitious business responses which go beyond existing
minimum legal requirements. Such an initiative fits well with the Commission’s efforts to
encourage corporate social responsibility and complements the dialogue with social
partners and civil society. The Commission will work with the Presidency to see how best
to foster this process.
Will invite proposals from other EU institutions and organisations on how best to organise
ways to reward the best sustainable development initiatives taken by regional and local
authorities
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ONCLUSIONS
There are real opportunities for a better life, greater social justice and the emergence of new
innovative industries where Europe, with the right policies, can lead the world. However, we
can only benefit from these opportunities if we deal now with the threats to sustainability
resulting from our way of life. Success in reversing unsustainable trends is both indispensable
and achievable, as plenty of success stories from around the world illustrate.
This review of the EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy aims to bring the EU Institutions,
Member States, businesses and citizens and their representative organisations together behind
a clear vision and political framework for action. The Commission, therefore, invites the
Council and the Parliament to endorse the proposed approach, to seek urgent progress on the
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For example, many relevant studies have found evidence of a positive link between environmental governance and
financial performance. The 50 companies rated best in terms of their corporate sustainability reports have a higher
credit rating than the average.
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actions identified, and to work closely together in the run-up to the 2006 June European
Council to forge strong and broad-based support behind a shared strategy.
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