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Europaudvalget 2005-06
Det Europæiske Råd 15-16/12-05 Bilag 8
Offentligt

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 2.12.2005

SEC(2005)

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COMMISSION WORKING DOCUMENT

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ANNEX 1

DECLARATION ON GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Presidency Conclusions DOC

10255/05 BRUSSELS EUROPEAN COUNCIL 16 and 17 JUNE 2005..................................... 5

ANNEX 2

OBJECTIVES, TARGETS, POLICIES AND ACTIONS – GETTING PROGRESS

ON THE SDS .............................................................................................................................. 8

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE ........................................................................... 9

PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH – PUBLIC HEALTH .............................................. 10

COMBATING SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND ADDRESSING DEMOGRAPHIC

CHANGE .................................................................................................................... 11

BETTER MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES .......................................... 13

MAKING TRANSPORT MORE SUSTAINABLE ....................................................... 15

FIGHTING GLOBAL POVERTY AND PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT ................ 17

ANNEX 3

THE 2005 REVIEW OF THE EU SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY:

INITIAL STOCKTAKING AND FUTURE ORIENTATIONS COMMUNICATION FROM THE

COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT {COM (2005)

37} ............................................................................................................................................ 20

Foreword .................................................................................................................................. 21

Part I: Sustainable Development – What is at stake? .............................................................. 23

Introduction ................................................................................................................ 23

The european union’s approach to sustainable development .................................... 24

Why a review? ............................................................................................................ 25

Taking Stock of Progress ........................................................................................... 25

Part II: Responding to the challenges ...................................................................................... 32

5.1.

5.2.

5.3.

5.4.

5.5.

Future Orientations .................................................................................................... 32

Reaffirm the basic principles of the European Union Sustainable Development

Strategy ...................................................................................................................... 32

Reaffirm the new approach to policy making and policy coherence ......................... 32

Maintaining a focus on key unsustainable trends and exploring the linkages between

unsustainable trends in greater detail........................................................................ 33

Setting objectives, targets and milestones .................................................................. 33

Ensuring effective monitoring .................................................................................... 34

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5.6.

Strengthen ownership and improve co-operation with public and private actors at all

levels ........................................................................................................................... 34

Next steps ................................................................................................................... 35

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ANNEX 1

DECLARATION ON GUIDING PRINCIPLES

FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Presidency Conclusions DOC 10255/05

BRUSSELS EUROPEAN COUNCIL

16 and 17 JUNE 2005

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Sustainable development is a key objective set out in the Treaty, for all European Community

policies. It aims at the continuous improvement of the quality of life on earth of both current

and future generations. It is about safeguarding the earth’s capacity to support life in all its

diversity. It is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law and respect for

fundamental rights including freedom and equal opportunities for all. It brings about solidarity

within and between generations. It seeks to promote a dynamic economy with full

employment and a high level of education, health protection, social and territorial cohesion

and environmental protection in a peaceful and secure world, respecting cultural diversity.

To achieve these aims in Europe and globally, the European Union and its Member States are

committed to pursue and respect, on their own and with partners, the following objectives and

principles:

Key objectives

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Safeguard the earth's capacity to support life in all its diversity, respect the limits of the

planet's natural resources and ensure a high level of protection and improvement of the quality

of the environment. Prevent and reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable

production and consumption to break the link between economic growth and environmental

degradation.

SOCIAL EQUITY AND COHESION

Promote a democratic, socially inclusive, cohesive, healthy, safe and just society with respect

for fundamental rights and cultural diversity that creates equal opportunities and combats

discrimination in all its forms.

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

Promote a prosperous, innovative, knowledge-rich, competitive and eco-efficient economy

which provides high living standards and full and high-quality employment throughout the

European Union.

MEETING OUR INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Encourage the establishment and defend the stability of democratic institutions across the

world, based on peace, security and freedom. Actively promote sustainable development

worldwide and ensure that the European Union’s internal and external policies are consistent

with global sustainable development and its international commitments.

Policy guiding principles

PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Place human beings at the centre of the European Union’s policies, by promoting fundamental

rights, by combating all forms of discrimination and contributing to the reduction of poverty

and the elimination of social exclusion worldwide.

SOLIDARITY WITHIN AND BETWEEN GENERATIONS

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Address the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their needs in the European Union and elsewhere.

OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY

Guarantee citizens’ rights of access to information and ensure access to justice. Develop

adequate consultation and participatory channels for all interested parties and associations.

INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS

Enhance the participation of citizens in decision-making. Promote education and public

awareness of sustainable development. Inform citizens about their impact on the environment

and their options for making more sustainable choices.

INVOLVEMENT OF BUSINESSES AND SOCIAL PARTNERS

Enhance the social dialogue, corporate social responsibility and private-public partnerships to

foster cooperation and common responsibilities to achieve sustainable production and

consumption.

POLICY COHERENCE AND GOVERNANCE

Promote coherence between all European Union policies and coherence between local,

regional, national and global actions in order to enhance their contribution to sustainable

development.

POLICY INTEGRATION

Promote integration of economic, social and environmental considerations so that they are

coherent and mutually reinforce each other by making full use of instruments for better

regulation, such as balanced impact assessment and stakeholder consultations.

USE BEST AVAILABLE KNOWLEDGE

Ensure that policies are developed, assessed and implemented on the basis of the best

available knowledge and that they are economically sound and cost-effective.

PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE

Where there is scientific uncertainty, implement evaluation procedures and take appropriate

preventive action in order to avoid damage to human health or to the environment.

MAKE POLLUTERS PAY

Ensure that prices reflect the real costs to society of production and consumption activities

and that polluters pay for the damage they cause to human health and the environment.

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ANNEX 2

OBJECTIVES, TARGETS, POLICIES AND ACTIONS – GETTING PROGRESS ON

THE SDS

This annex contains a selection of key EU strategies, action plans and other initiatives in

support of sustainable development. Reference is made to operational objectives and targets

where these exist. In addition, many Member States have developed their own sustainable

development strategies and action plans. Indeed, in several areas, Member States are best

placed to bring about change. The EU can support and complement Member State actions,

facilitate exchange of best practice and act as a focal point for review of progress and

promotion of further action.

The Sustainable Development Strategy provides the strategic policy framework for how best

to address the main unsustainable trends. An essential element of this framework is the inter

linkages between the trends. There are multiple inter linkages between the key priorities

identified in the core document. A clear example of this is that by increasing the use of

renewable energy, we will also combat climate change. Similarly, by improving land use,

making transport more sustainable and changing energy patterns, we also protect biodiversity.

The different strategies and action plans should therefore not be considered in isolation. Each,

in its own way, will make a contribution to solving problems in other areas. It is important

that the inter linkages are well understood and that policy answers are developed which

integrate different aspects with a view to achieving win-win situations. The issue of inter

linkages between trends is an area which still needs further development. The Commission

assesses the impact of all its new major policy initiatives.

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ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

Overall Objective

To limit climate change and its costs to society

Operational objectives and targets:



In March 2005, the European Council reconfirmed its aim

for a global surface average

temperature not to rise by more than 2°C

compared to pre-industrial levels

and that

therefore concentration levels lower than 550 ppm CO

should guide global limitation and

reduction efforts



The EU-15 and most EU-25 Member States are committed under the Kyoto Protocol to

targets for reducing greenhouse gases by 2008- 2012.

The EU-15 target is for an 8%

reduction in emissions compared to 1990 levels



To contribute to this ultimate aim, as agreed by the European Council in March 2005, the

EU will

explore with other parties, strategies for

achieving necessary emission

reductions in greenhouse gases

and will consider, in this context, reduction pathways for

the group of developed countries in order of 15-30% by 2020 compared to the baseline

envisaged in the Kyoto protocol

Examples of Key Actions: Ongoing and Planned



Development of EU Climate Change for the post 2012 world. Communication adopted

February 2005, COM (2005) 35 final.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/future_action.htm



Second phase of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP). Launched October

2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/eccp.htm



EU GHG Emission Trading Scheme, adopted January 2005, Directive 2003/87/EC.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/emission.htm



10-Year Implementation Plan for Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)

2005-2015.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/environment/newsanddoc/article_2211_en.htm



Green paper on energy efficiency, COM (2005) 265 final. Adopted June 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/efficiency/doc/2005_06_green_paper_book_en.pdf



Energy Efficiency Action Plan. Adoption foreseen 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2000/com2000_0247en01.pdf

Sources: IPPC 2nd Assessment Report, Council Conclusions 1996, COM(2005) 35 final p.3, European

Council Conclusions March 2005

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

New and renewable energies. Communication on the support of electricity from renewable

energy sources, based on implementation of Directive 2001/77/EC. To be adopted

December 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/res/legislation/electricity_en.htm



Biomass action plan. Adopted December 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/res/biomass_action_plan/index_en.htm



Sustainable energy Europe campaign.

http://www.sustenergy.org/

PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH – PUBLIC HEALTH

Overall objectives

To promote good public health and improve protection against health threats

Operational objectives and targets:



To improve

protection against health threats

by developing capacity to respond to

threats in a co-ordinated manner



To further

improve food and feed legislation,

including review of food labelling



To continue to

promote high animal health and welfare standards

in the EU and

internationally



To curb the increase in preventable life style diseases through

health promotion and

prevention



To ensure that chemicals are produced, handled and used in ways that

do not pose

significant threats to human health

and the environment by 2020



improve information on environmental pollution

and adverse health impacts

Examples of Key Actions: Ongoing and Planned



General Health Strategy as a follow up to Health and Consumer Programme 2007-2013,

COM (2005) 115 final.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/index_en.htm



The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, set up 2005, following

REGULATION (EC) 851/2004.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_overview/strategy/ecdc/ecdc_en.htm



Strategy on HIV/AIDS. Expected adoption end 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/theme/human_social/docs/health/Programme

%20for%20Action%20(EN).pdf#zoom=100

http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/health/poverty-diseases/aids_en.html

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

Communication on pandemic influenza preparedness, COM 2005 (607) final.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/COMM_PDF_COM_2005_06

07_F_EN_ACTE.pdf



Communication on Generic Preparedness Planning for Public Health Threats, COM (2005)

605 final.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/COMM_PDF_COM_2005_06

05_F_EN_ACTE.pdf



Recommendation on improving patient safety by prevention and control of healthcare

associated infections. Adoption foreseen 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_threats/com/comm_diseases_cons01_en.htm

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2004/com2004_0301en01.pdf



Follow up and implementation of White Paper on Food Safety, COM (1999) 719.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/intro/white_paper_en.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/library/pub/pub06_en.pdf



Animal Health Strategy – Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of

Animals 2006 -2010. To be adopted 2007.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/animal/diseases/strategy/index_en.htm



EU Environment and Health Action Plan for the period 2004-2010, COM (2004) 416 final.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/health/index_en.htm



Council Regulation for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals

(REACH), COM (2003) 644.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/chemicals/reach.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/reach/index_en.htm

COMBATING SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND ADDRESSING DEMOGRAPHIC

CHANGE

Overall Objective

To create a socially inclusive society

Operational objectives and targets:



To pursue the setting of specific EU targets for reducing the number of people

at risk of

poverty

by 2010 with special focus on the need to reduce child poverty, in the context of

the OMC



To support Member States in their efforts to

modernise social protection

in view of

demographic ageing



To significantly

increase the labour market participation

of women and older workers

according to set targets, as well as increasing employment of migrants by 2010

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

To continue

developing an EU legal migration policy,

accompanied by policies to

strengthen the integration of migrants and their families



To pursue

lifelong learning

and halve by 2010 the number of 18 to 24 year olds with only

lower secondary education who are not in education and training

Member States are the main actors in achieving real results against these targets. The EU can

support and complement Member State actions; the EU can facilitate exchange of best

practice and act as a focal point for review of progress and promotion of further action. The

Social Agenda outlines the EU actions with the aim of achieving full employment and an

inclusive society.

The Commission and Council

outlined a strategy to tackle budget implications of ageing

populations, under which Member States should reduce public debt levels to pre-empt the

budgetary consequences of ageing populations, and undertake comprehensive labour-market

reforms, including tax and benefit systems to reach higher employment rates, in particular

among older workers and women, as well as ambitious reforms of pension systems in order to

contain pressures on public finances.

Examples of Key Actions: Ongoing and Planned



OMC on Social Protection and Inclusion. Ongoing.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/social_protection/index_en.htm



Community Action Programme on Employment and Social Solidarity ‘PROGRESS’,

2007-2013. To be adopted 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2004/com2004_0488en01.pdf



OMC on Education and Training (“Education and Training 2010”). Ongoing.

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2004/com2004_0488en01.pdf



Integrated Action Programme in the field of Lifelong Learning 2007-2013 (COM (2004)

474). To be adopted 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/newprog/index_en.html



Communication on the demographic future of Europe. To be adopted 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/social_situation/green_paper_en.html



A Health and Safety Strategy 2007 -2012, communication to be adopted 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/employment_social/index_en.htm



Roadmap for equality between men and women, communication to be adopted 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/gender_equality/index_en.html

Council of the European Union (2001), ‘The contribution of public finances to growth and employment:

improving quality and sustainability’, report of the Commission and the (Ecofin) Council to the

European Council (Stockholm 23 and 24 March 2001), 699/01; European Commission (2000)

‘Communication on the contribution of public finances to growth and employment: improving quality

and sustainability’, COM(2000)846

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

Communication on non-discrimination and equal opportunities for all, COM (2005) 224 –

European Year 2007.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/index_en.htm



European Year on tackling poverty and social exclusion 2010.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/social_inclusion/index_en.htm



The new generation of structural and cohesion funds, adopted 2004. COM (2004) 493,

COM (2004) 494, COM (2004) 495.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/funds/2007/index_en.htm



Proposal to establish a European Migration Monitoring Centre. Adoption foreseen in 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/doc_centre/immigration/doc_immigration_intro_e

n.htm



Green Paper on the future of the European Migration Network, COM (2005) 606. Adopted

2005.

http://www.european-migration-network.org/



Follow-up to Communication on “A Common Agenda for Integration: Framework for the

Integration of Third-Country Nationals in the European Union”, COM (2005) 389 final.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/funding/inti/funding_inti_en.htm

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2005/com2005_0389en01.pdf



Action plan against Trafficking in human beings. Adoption end 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/fsj/crime/trafficking/fsj_crime_human_trafficking

_en.htm

BETTER MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Overall Objective

Safeguard the earth’s capacity to support life in all its diversity, respect the limits of the

planet’s natural resources and promote sustainable production and consumption to break the

link between economic growth and environmental degradation.

Operational objectives and targets:



Improve resource productivity:

get more output from each unit of resource used and

reduce the environmental damage (noxious emissions to air, water and soil as well as

overexploitation of land and other resources) caused by each unit



Improve management and avoid overexploitation of

renewable natural resources

such as

fisheries, biodiversity, forestry, water, air, soil and climate, restore degraded marine

ecosystems by 2015 in line with Johannesburg Plan of Implementation agreed at the World

Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) including to achieve

Maximum

Sustainable Yield in Fisheries

by 2015

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

To consider how to reduce EU energy consumption

by 2020, given the 20% estimated

cost-effective potential for savings in energy consumption. The Commission is launching a

discussion on this



12% of energy consumption from renewable sources by 2010



21% of EU-25

electricity consumption to be met by renewable sources

by 2010. This

provides the basis for national indicative targets



Halt the loss of biodiversity

in the EU by 2010 and contribute effectively to significantly

reduce the worldwide rate of biodiversity loss by 2010



Implementation and management of Natura 2000:

sites adopted by 2006 (marine sites

2010); sites designated and under effective management by 2010 (marine sites 2012)



Harness technological development

towards decoupling between economic growth and

environmental pressure

Examples of Key Actions: Ongoing and Planned



Environmental technologies action plan (ETAP), COM (2004) 38 final. Definition of the

conditions for establishing environmental performance targets for key products, with

Member States and key stakeholders by 2007.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/etap/

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/docum/9842sm.htm



Action Plan for Sustainable Production and Consumption. Adoption foreseen 2007.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/index_en.htm



Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of resources. Adoption December 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/natres/



Thematic strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste. Adoption December 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/strategy.htm



Integrated Product Policy (IPP), follow up to COM (2003) 302.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ipp/home.htm



Greening of public procurement, including a proposed directive on public procurement of

clean and energy efficient vehicles foreseen end 2005 and examination, with Member

States, of how best to promote green public procurement for other major product groups,

by 2007

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/gpp/index.htm



Rural Development Strategic Guidelines, strategic guidelines, National Strategies and

Rural Development Programmes for the period 2007 – 2013, COM (2005) 304.

Adopted 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/capreform/rdguidelines/index_en.htm

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

Thematic Strategy on Soil. Adoption foreseen in 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/strategy.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/soil/



Thematic Strategy on air pollution, COM (2005) 446 final. Adopted September 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/air/cafe/



Protection of the marine environment including the Thematic Strategy on the protection

and conservation of the marine environment and other actions. Adoption 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/water/marine.htm



The EU Water Framework Directive - integrated river basin management for Europe,

Implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html



European Biodiversity Strategy. Adopted 1998. Communication on biodiversity strategy to

be adopted 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/nature_conservation/natura_2000_network/

managing_natura_2000/index_en.htm



Implementing multilateral environmental agreements. Ongoing.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/international_issues/agreements_en.htm



Green paper on maritime affairs. Adoption foreseen in early 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/fisheries/maritime/index_en.htm



Green Diplomacy Network. Ongoing.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/env/



EU Forest Action Plan. Adoption foreseen 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/index_en.htm

MAKING TRANSPORT MORE SUSTAINABLE

Overall Objective

Ensure that our transport systems meet society’s economic and social needs whilst minimising

their undesirable impacts on the economy, society and the environment.

Operational objectives and targets:



Improve transport

demand management

in order to reduce the negative effects of

transport growth



Achieve sustainable levels of transport energy use in line with other sectors and

reduce

transport greenhouse gas emissions

proportionately more than transport energy use



Reduce pollutant emissions

from transport to levels that minimise effects on human

health or the environment

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

Ensure that the average new car fleet

achieves CO

emissions of 140g/km by 2008/9 and

120g/km by 2012,

as part of an integrated policy approach.



Work towards the

introduction of Euro V emission standards

for light duty vehicles and

introduce Euro VI for heavy vehicles



By 2010 ensure that 5.75 % of transport fuel is

biofuels



Reduce

transport noise

both at source and through mitigation measures to ensure overall

exposure levels minimise impacts on health



Increase

road safety

by improving road infrastructure, encouraging road users to be more

responsible and by making vehicles safer



By 2010

halve road transport deaths

compared to 2000



By 2010 modernise the EU framework for

public passenger transport

services to

encourage better efficiency and performance

Examples of Key Actions: Ongoing and Planned



White paper “European transport policy for 2010: time to decide” and mid-term review,

COM (2001) 370.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/library/lb_texte_complet_en.pdf



EU strategy on CO

emissions from light duty vehicles. Communication on revised

strategy to be adopted September 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/co2/co2_home.htm



Promoting the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels for transport, Directive

2003/30/EC.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/res/legislation/biofuels_en.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/res/legislation/doc/biofuels/en_final.pdf



Clean Urban Transport. Civitas II launched early 2005.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/en/cut_en.html

http://www.civitas-initiative.org/main.phtml?lan=en



Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment. To be adopted January 2006 – including a

measure on sustainable urban transport plans.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/home_en.htm



Transport infrastructure charging.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/infr-charging/charging_en.html



Third railway package to make rail more attractive, adopted 2004, including COM (2004)

140 final.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/rail/package2003/new_en.htm

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FIGHTING GLOBAL POVERTY AND PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT

Overall objectives

To actively promote sustainable development worldwide and ensure that the European

Union’s internal and external policies are consistent with global sustainable development and

its international commitments

Operational objectives and targets:

The EU will implement its commitments related to the international framework for

sustainable development, whose building blocks are the World Summit on Sustainable

Development (Johannesburg), the Monterrey Consensus, the outcome of the Millennium

Review Summit and of the World Summit.

The EU will make a significant contribution to the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

These are:



eradicate extreme poverty and hunger



To reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day



To reduce by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger



To achieve

universal primary education



To ensure that all boys and girls complete a full course of primary schooling



To promote

gender equality and empower women



To eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by

2005, and at all levels by 2015



To reduce

child mortality



To reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five



To improve

maternal health



To reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio



To combat

HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases



To halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS



To halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases



To ensure

environmental sustainability



To integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and

programmes; reverse loss of environmental resources

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

To reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe

drinking water



To achieve significant improvement in lives of at least 100 million slum-dwellers

by 2020



To develop a

global partnership

for development including developing further an open

trading and financial system

To achieve these, the EU will in particular:

increase aid volumes;

2) improve the

quality, coherence and effectiveness of its aid;

implement

EU strategy on Africa;

promote Conflict Prevention;

5) implement the

Development Policy

– the European Consensus on Development;6) ensure the

successful

completion of the Doha Development Agenda

and its contribution to the MDGs and

sustainable development, 7) implement the

GSP Plus,

8) ensure its

regional and bilateral

trade agreements contribute to sustainable development,

support global sustainable

development

Actions: Ongoing and Planned



Accelerating progress towards attaining the MDGs, COM (2005) 132.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/communications/communications_en.htm



EU Strategy for Africa, COM (2005) 489.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/communications/docs/eu_strategy_for_africa

_12_10_2005_en.pdf#zoom=100



Financing for Development and Aid effectiveness, COM (2005) 133.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/communications/docs/communication_133_e

n.pdf



Policy Coherence for development, COM (2005) 134.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/communications/docs/communication_134_e

n.pdf



General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) Conclusions: The European

Union Development Policy ”The European Consensus”, based on the Communication

COM (2005) 311.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/development_policy_statement/index_en.



Doha Development Agenda. Ongoing.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/newround/doha_da/index_en.htm



Bilateral and regional trade agreements (such as Economic Partnership Agreements with

the ACP countries). Ongoing.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/cotonou/index_en.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/index_en.htm



Harnessing globalisation – Actions.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/global/index_en.htm

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http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/global/sia/index_en.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/global/csr/index_en.htm



Implementation of EU commitments under the World Summit on Sustainable

Development, EU Water Initiative, EU Energy Initiative, 10-Year Implementation Plan on

international sustainable production and consumption practices. Ongoing.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/wssd/index_en.html



EU international programme for Action to confront HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria,

2007, COM (2004) 726.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/theme/human_social/pol_health3_en.htm

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ANNEX 3

THE 2005 REVIEW OF THE EU SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY:

INITIAL STOCKTAKING AND FUTURE ORIENTATIONS

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

{COM (2005) 37}

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Foreword

Sustainable development is a fundamental objective of the European Union, but it is also a

global challenge faced by our partners around the world. It raises the questions of how to

reconcile economic development, social cohesion, north/south equity and protection of the

environment. Its importance is reflected in the EU Treaty and taken up in the Constitution,

which challenges the Union “to

work for the sustainable development of Europe based on

balanced economic growth and price stability, a highly competitive social market economy,

aiming at full employment and social progress, and a high level of protection and

improvement of the quality of the environment”.

With rapid demographic changes, the next decades will put enormous and increasing pressure

on the world’s resources, whether in terms of climate change, natural resources, biodiversity,

or the wealth gap between North and South. We must take action today in order to preserve

for tomorrow the delicate economic, social and environmental balances governing the globe.

Europe’s future can only be seen in this global context. The EU has already made significant

efforts to promote sustainable development at home and internationally. By taking a proactive

approach, the EU can turn the need for environmental protection and social cohesion into

opportunities for innovation, growth and jobs. With the review of the sustainable development

strategy (SDS) we recall our commitments to better define the structural changes needed in

our economies and society, and set up a positive agenda to steer this process of change for

better quality of life for all.

To respond to this challenge, co-ordinated action and strong leadership is needed from the

Union in order to shape solutions that can make a lasting difference to people in Europe and

in every part of the world.

This is why at the start of this millennium the European Union engaged itself in a compelling

agenda for change, to ensure that we start to face up to unsustainable economic, social and

environmental trends. In 2000 the Lisbon Strategy set out an ambitious agenda of economic

and social reforms to create a highly dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy. In

2001 a broad Strategy for Sustainable Development was launched by the European Council in

Gothenburg and in 2002 its external dimension was defined in Barcelona, ahead of the UN’s

World Summit on Sustainable Development in the summer of 2002. Each of these steps has

been accompanied by important decisions and action to fulfil the commitments made.

However, despite all this not enough progress has been seen; unsustainable trends have yet to

start to reverse and the international stakes remain high.

The combination of the start of a new Commission and the arrival of a new European

Parliament provides the right moment to take stock of progress and to push to accelerate the

pace of change.

The first steps have been made. The Commission in proposing the Strategic Objectives for the

Union over the next five years has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development. It

has just proposed in the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy to make a renewed Lisbon

agenda our strategy for growth and jobs; allowing us to use the motor of a more dynamic

economy to fuel our wider social and environmental ambition. In this way, Lisbon remains an

essential component of the overarching objective of sustainable development set out in the

Treaty: improving welfare and living conditions in a sustainable way for present and future

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generations. As the Commission affirmed in the mid-term review: “Both

Lisbon and the

Sustainable Development Strategy contribute to ensuring this goal. Being mutually

reinforcing, they target complementary actions, use a range of instruments and produce their

results in different time frames.”

Moreover, the review of the Lisbon strategy is accompanied by the launch also today by the

Commission of an updated EU Social Agenda; an agenda mapping out the policies that can

help to ensure a more cohesive continent and the further development of our social model in

response to unsustainable trends. In this way, our Social Agenda is contributing in its own

right to the goal of sustainable development.

This Communication represents the Commission’s first step in reviewing the Sustainable

Development Strategy in 2005. This report provides an initial assessment of the progress

made since 2001 and outlines a number of future orientations, which can guide the review of

the Sustainable Development Strategy which will be presented in a separate Communication

to the European Parliament and Council later this year. This Communication builds on debate

over the proceeding year, including the opinion of the European Economic and Social

Committee last April and the results of a public consultation launched by the Commission last

October

The European Union has a broad, long term vision on its future. We believe in the strength

and underlying values of our dynamic European model. We will ensure that the needs of the

present and future generations can be met. This fundamental objective will transpire in all

Union policies. Sustainable development requires action now. The European Union has the

capacity, competence and creativity to make the changes needed. Europeans and all other

citizens of the world can count on the Union’s commitment to ensure a sustainable future for

all.

A more detailed summary of the outcome of these exercises is set out in Parts 1 and 2 of the

Commission staff working document, SEC(2005) 225. The full Commission report on the consultation

results will shortly be available at http://europa.eu.int/comm/sustainable/pages/review_en.htm.

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Part I: Sustainable Development – What is at stake?

NTRODUCTION

Sustainable Development

– meeting the needs of the present generation without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs – is a fundamental

objective under the Treaty on European Union

and the Constitution. It is an overarching

concept which underpins all Union policies, actions and strategies and requires economic,

environmental and social policies to be designed and implemented in a mutually reinforcing

way.

In an ever more globalised world, clear political leadership is necessary to promote

dynamic European model

for today and in the future. The Commission is firmly committed

to sustainable development and wants to set a positive agenda for change. Our future in

Europe and in the world requires a long term vision and action across a wide range of

policies. The Commission is convinced that we need to improve prosperity, solidarity and

security in order to deliver a better quality of life for us and future generations. We need

growth and more jobs, a cleaner and healthier environment. We need a more cohesive society

where prosperity and opportunity is shared across the European Union and beyond. We need

more innovation, research and education. We need to fulfil our global responsibilities and

commitments. Our future prosperity and quality of life will depend on our capacity and

commitment to change our production and consumption patterns and to decouple economic

growth from environmental degradation.

Action on these issues cannot be confined to the Union alone. Sustainability remains a global

challenge. This is why it is essential to show European leadership along twin internal and

external tracks. This requires an integrated approach and reflects the fact that with

globalisation and increasing interdependence between issues, the EU can only deliver fully on

its key internal priorities if it succeeds at the same time on the world scene. Equally, the EU’s

ability to reflect its global commitments in all its policies is crucial if it is to turn words into

deeds, maintaining its credibility as a world leader in the field of sustainable development.

While this Commission’s mandate continues until the end of 2009, it has a clear obligation to

look beyond that date in formulating policy. If we want to achieve our future goals, we must

not wait until tomorrow; we have to take action now. Realising the long term vision calls for

concrete objectives to steer long term trends as well as mechanisms to meet the goals set out,

starting now. This Commission has already confirmed the relevance of its core strategic

objectives of prosperity, solidarity and security to sustainable development

The EU first set out its commitment to sustainable development in June 2001. At this time the

Gothenburg

European Council adopted the EU Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) on

the basis of a Commission Communication. In 2002, the Commission presented a second

Communication

focussing on the external dimension of sustainable development, which was

endorsed by the European Council in

Barcelona.

These texts together form the basis of the

Art. 2 of the Treaty on European Union.

COM(2005) 12, 26.1.2005 : “Strategic objectives 2005-2009 - Europe 2010: A partnership for

European Renewal: Prosperity, Solidarity and Security”.

COM(2002) 82, 13.2.2002: "Towards a global partnership for sustainable development".

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comprehensive EU Sustainable Development Strategy. The Commission has committed to

review the Strategy at the start of each new Commission’s term in office. This will be done in

the course of 2005 on the basis of experience over the past four years.

The revised Sustainable Development Strategy will need to adopt a broader approach

highlighting the structural changes in the economy needed to move towards more sustainable

production and consumption patterns and covering un-sustainable trends. With a further

strengthening of the new approach to policy-making, the revised Strategy will reaffirm its

three dimensional approach and also ensure the full integration and reinforcement of the

external aspects of sustainable development. It will furthermore confirm the commitment

made in the proposal on the financial perspectives 2007-2013 that sustainable development

will be a guiding principle for EU policies.

HE EUROPEAN UNION

’

S APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Strategy on Sustainable Development has the following components:

First, it sets out a

broad vision of what is sustainable.

The strategy’s basic message is that,

ultimately, the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability must go

hand–in-hand and mutually reinforce one another:

“Sustainable development offers the

European Union a positive long-term vision of a society that is more prosperous and more

just, and which promises a cleaner, safer, healthier environment - a society which delivers a

better quality of life for us, for our children, and for our grandchildren”

. Understanding the

importance of and the interrelationships between these three pillars of sustainable

development is crucial.

The second, and arguably the most ambitious part of the strategy, seeks to

improve the way

in which we make policies,

focussing on improving policy coherence and making people

aware of possible trade offs between contradictory objectives so that informed policy-

decisions can be taken. This implies careful examination of their full effects, including those

of non-action notably through early impact assessment, and sending the right signals to the

market by getting prices right. It also requires that EU policy makers take into account the

global context and actively promote consistency between internal and external policies.

Furthermore, it also calls for investment in science and technology to support the adjustments

needed for sustainable development. Finally, the new approach to policy-making insists on

improving communication and mobilizing citizens and business.

Third, it addresses a limited number of

trends that are clearly not sustainable,

such as the

issues of climate change and energy use, threats to public health, poverty and social exclusion,

ageing societies, management of natural resources, and land use and transport.

Finally, the global dimension expands on some of the international goals and focuses on the

priority objectives identified in the EU contribution to the World Summit on Sustainable

Development (WSSD). These are harnessing globalisation, trade for sustainable development,

fighting poverty, social development, sustainable management of natural and environmental

resources, improving the coherence of European Union policies, better governance at all

levels and financing sustainable development.

COM(2001) 264 “ A Sustainable Europe for a Better World: A European Union Strategy for

Sustainable Development”, p. 2.

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HY A REVIEW

The Commission is already committed to review the strategy at the beginning of each new

Commission’s mandate. This has been welcomed by the European Council, most recently in

June and November 2004. In addition, a number of developments further underline the need

for a review at this point in time:



the worsening of unsustainable trends, notably, the growing pressure on natural resources,

biodiversity and the climate as well as the persistent inequality and poverty and the

increasing economic and social challenges posed by an ageing population;



Europe’s economic underperformance coupled with new competitive pressures triggered

by continued globalisation and the emergence of newly industrialised countries (such as

China, India and Brazil), signalling increased economic competition and possible shifts in

national production structures, which have implications for sustainable development at a

global level;



new international commitments and negotiations which all have the potential to contribute

to global sustainable development need to be matched by increased implementation efforts

(such as the WTO Doha Development agenda, the Johannesburg plan of implementation

decided at the WSSD, the Monterrey commitments on financing for development and the

Millennium Development Goals );



new security threats, such as terrorism (11 September 2001 and 11 March 2004 attacks),

natural crises (flooding) and health scares (e.g. SARS) have led to a heightened sense of

vulnerability. Moreover, there is a growing awareness of the need to take action against

organised crime, corruption and racism;



finally, the review should take account of the enlargement of the European Union to 25

Member States, the definition of national sustainable development strategies in most of the

Member States and the greater involvement of local and regional authorities.

AKING

TOCK OF

ROGRESS

While some progress has been made in implementing the Strategy and immediate results

cannot be expected, it is clear that much remains to be done. There are few signs that most of

the threats to sustainable development have been reversed. They require urgent and continued

attention. While a more detailed account of progress can be found in the Commission staff

working document

, a number of important developments can be highlighted.

Changing the way we make policies.

Since 2001 a “new way of policymaking” has

been introduced to make policies more coherent and to create the right conditions to promote

sustainable development.

SEC(2005) 225.

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Improving policy coherence

The integration of a number of horizontal principles of the Treaties in all EU policies is a

central objective. An example of EU action to this end is the “Cardiff process”, which

promotes integration of environmental concerns into sectoral policies. However, a first

stocktaking in 2004 of the Cardiff process showed that progress has been limited so far.

A new Impact Assessment mechanism was introduced in the Commission in 2003 as one

instrument to help improve policy coherence. It is designed to assess the economic,

environmental and social impacts of major policy proposals in an integrated manner and to

make the trade-offs between competing goals more explicit. To date, the Commission has

produced over 50 Impact Assessments on a wide range of policies from proposals for the Re-

Insurance Directive to policy orientations on the Common Market Organisation of Sugar, and

the financing of Natura 2000. On the external side, sustainability impact studies have been

initiated on all major trade negotiations.

Developing the open method of coordination

The open method of coordination can be a powerful instrument to promote exchange of good

practice, involve and mobilize stakeholders and put pressure on Member States to adopt a

more strategic and integrated approach and deliver more efficient policies. Common

objectives and common indicators have, for example, been agreed by the Commission and the

Member States in the areas of social inclusion and pensions. Most Member States have set

quantitative targets for the reduction of poverty and social exclusion.

Getting prices and incentives right

Making sure that market prices reflect the true costs of economic activities to society will

encourage changes in production and consumption patterns. To achieve this, market-based

instruments like environmentally-related taxes, emission trading schemes and subsidies can be

an effective complement to traditional regulatory measures. In this area, progress has been

made in recent years at EU level, but decision making is still sometimes difficult, in particular

in relation to taxation because of the unanimity requirement in the Council. Examples where

the EU has applied market-based instruments include the 2003 Energy Tax Directive, which

extends the Community system of minimum tax rates from mineral oils to other energy

products, and the EU-wide allowance trading scheme for greenhouse gas emissions, which is

in place since 2005 to help achieve the Kyoto reduction targets.

Investing in science and technology

Advances in knowledge and technological progress are key to achieving a balance between

economic growth and social and environmental sustainability. There are many synergies to

exploit between innovation for quality and performance and innovation to optimise energy

use, waste and safety. More energy-efficient machines, for example, consume fewer natural

resources and lead to lower emissions. Investments in new technology will also create jobs

and growth. EU action in this field includes the sustainable development activities of the 6

Framework Programme for Research and Technology Development. The Environmental

Technologies Action Plan promotes technology platforms on hydrogen and fuel cells,

photovoltaics, sustainable chemistry, water supply and sanitation. The EU is also stimulating

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the take up of technologies having an impact on our social systems, for example, healthcare

systems

Communicating and mobilising citizens and business

Civil society and the private sector play important roles in sustainable development. Several

initiatives have been taken at EU level to encourage active involvement of these groups, and

to improve the consultation processes and the mobilisation of stakeholders. Among other

things the Commission has adopted minimum standards for stakeholder consultation and

improved information on and participation in environmental decision making. It has also

taken various initiatives to promote Corporate Social Responsibility.

Unsustainable trends

Climate change and clean energy

In the last 100 years Europe’s temperature has risen faster than the global average (0.95°C in

Europe compared with 0.7°C globally); 8 out of 9 glaciers are retreating to a significant

extent; extreme weather events - such as droughts, heat waves and floods - have increased

Keeping the global temperature rise below the level at which more dangerous climate change

becomes probable requires deep global cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Certain estimates of

damage caused by extreme events in 2002 indicate a loss of €25 billion

. A reliable and

affordable energy supply is far from commonplace in the developing world, where over 2

billion people rely on biomass (wood, waste, etc.) as their primary energy source and 1.6

billion lack access to electricity.

The European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) has served as a key vehicle to take action

against climate change in Europe. It covers crucial energy initiatives and the recently

launched EU-wide allowance trading scheme for greenhouse gas emissions, which started

operating on 1 January 2005. The EU is also promoting a number of measures contributing to

tackle climate change through its Regional Funds. However, while the latest available data

show that by 2002 the EU-15 had reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2.9% from 1990

levels, much more needs to be done in order to reach the Kyoto Protocol target of a 8%

reduction from 1990 levels during the period 2008-2012. Internationally, the EU has also

continued to play a leading role in promoting the ratification of Kyoto and in implementing

the commitments made at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development

(WSSD). The EU has in this regard advocated the use of renewable energies worldwide,

through the Johannesburg Renewable Energy Coalition. The EU Energy Initiative is a

contribution to the WSSD, aiming to improve access to adequate, sustainable and affordable

energy services in rural, peri-urban and urban areas.

In Europe, renewed commitment is given to make real progress on energy efficiency through

a new Energy Efficiency Initiative.

Public health

See for example the recently adopted e-health action plan: making healthcare better for European

citizens – an action plan for a European e-health area, COM(2004) 356.

EEA report “Impacts of Europe’s changing climate”, August 2004.

Munich Re, Geo risk research department, January 2004.

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The threats to public health in the EU have continued to increase since 2001. Life-style-

related and chronic diseases increase rapidly worldwide with obesity showing the most

alarming developments (10-40% increase during the last 10 years in most EU countries). The

HIV/AIDS epidemic has globally reached its highest level of infections ever (39.4 million)

and the proportion of newly reported HIV infections has more than doubled in Europe since

1996. Greater contact and mobility around the globe has increased the impact of health threats

through infectious diseases such as avian flu and SARS. Bioterrorism is another new element.

In developing countries, recent health and development gains have been reversed and the

spread of major communicable diseases is a serious threat to their future development. The

World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that unhealthy environments every year cause

the death of over 5 million children worldwide.

Examples of policy measures taken since 2001 include the funding of genome research to

fight antibiotic resistance; the establishment of a joint EU surveillance and early warning

networks for communicable diseases; the adoption of a proposal for a new EU regulatory

framework for chemicals (REACH); the adoption of the European Environment and Health

Action Plan 2004-2010; and the setting up of a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and

European Centre on Communicable Diseases (ECDC).

Internationally, EU financing to tackle diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria

has increased substantially. Contributions have also been made to reduce the price of essential

pharmaceutical products in developing countries.

Poverty and social exclusion

Poverty and social exclusion represent a growing problem. In the EU, around 15% of the

population lives at risk of income poverty. The situation in some of the new Member States is

of particular concern. Other worrying trends are the transmission of poverty and exclusion

across generations and the disproportionate burden borne by certain population sub-groups

(e.g. unemployed, single parents, disabled people, ethnic minorities). Worldwide, 2.8 billion

of the world’s 6 billion people live on less than € 2 per day.

EU Member States have agreed to co-ordinate their policies for combating poverty and social

exclusion by setting common objectives, designing national action plans and evaluating these

using common indicators to monitor progress. The European Commission is supporting this

co-ordination process. European Regional Policy funding also contributes to this goal, for

example, through investments in education, training and local employment.

To tackle the issue worldwide, the EU’s development policy sets as its main objective to

significantly reduce and, eventually, to eradicate poverty. A variety of actions have been

taken within the framework of the new global partnership for poverty eradication and

sustainable development established at the Doha, Monterrey and Johannesburg summits.

An ageing society

Population growth in the EU is projected to come to an end and a decreasing and ageing

working population will have to support an increasing number of old people. The old-age

dependency ratio is forecast to increase from 24% in 2004 to 47% in 2050.

Whereas increasing life expectancy is a major achievement, Europe's ageing society raises

sustainability issues which need to be addressed. Neither migration nor a rapid increase in

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birth rates can avert a sharp rise in the share of older people in the population over the next

two decades.

The Commission is working with Member States to modernize social protection systems to

ensure that they remain financially sustainable and socially adequate. Measures also include

prolonging the working lives of older workers. The target, established by the European

Council in Barcelona, is for 50% of 55-64 year olds to be in work by 2010 and for the

effective labour market exit age to be raised by 5 years by 2010. Apart from tackling the

financial side, healthcare systems also need to evolve to cope with expected demand from the

increased number of elderly people, in particular in order to improve access to healthcare. The

Union is facilitating structured co-operation in this field and the exchange of good practice.

Management of natural resources

Rapid global population growth means that by 2010 there will already be 400 million more

people on Earth compared to now, essentially located in urban areas. In a world of growing

‘interdependence’ we cannot continue to produce and consume as we are doing today. Bio-

diversity is under threat. Worldwide, there are 15 500 species of plants and animals which

face a high risk of extinction. Recent decades have already seen very significant losses in

virtually all types of eco-systems and species (animals, plants, forests, fresh water, fertile

land, etc). Fresh water is another precious natural resource under pressure. Overall, the global

water crisis threatens lives, sustainable development and ultimately peace and security.

Policy actions taken to achieve the EU’s target of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010

include the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy, and

the creation of the Natura 2000 network. A Communication on halting the loss of biodiversity

by 2010 is in preparation. Measures to enhance resource efficiency include the EU Directive

on waste electrical and electronic equipment and Commission Communications on integrated

product policy. In the period from 2000-2006, the European Union is also deploying large

amount of money from the Structural and Cohesion Funds to co-finance investments in favour

of environmental infrastructures and the rehabilitation and maintenance of industrial, urban

and natural sites.

International initiatives include the EU Water Initiative – “Water for Life” - as a follow up to

the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The EU is also taking a leading role both in

the Convention on Biodiversity and in the work to establish a ten-year framework of

programmes on sustainable consumption and production.

Land use and transport

Despite the aim to decouple transport from GDP growth, the volume of transport continues to

rise faster than GDP. This has impacts in a variety of areas, ranging from traffic congestion

and health problems caused by air pollutants, to increased CO

emissions affecting the EU’s

targets on climate change.

The EU has initiated a number of policy initiatives to limit the negative effects of this trend in

the growth in transport. It is encouraging a shift from road transport to modes with lower

environmental impacts, such as clean buses, shipping and rail. The Commission has also

proposed that Member States introduce infrastructure charging to influence transport demand,

by moving towards a situation where prices paid by transport users reflect the full costs to

society (e.g. the Euro vignette directive), but implementation remains limited. Moreover,

significant progress albeit offset by increase in demand and volume of transport, has been

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made in vehicle and fuel technology, driven by EU legislation and initiatives. Finally, actions

are being pursued to improve the urban environment and land-use management, for example

through the EU Structural Funds programme “Urban II” and the Research Framework

Programme. The Commission is also preparing a Thematic Strategy on the Urban

Environment which is due to be published in 2005.

External aspects of sustainable development

In addition to the unsustainable trends listed above, promoting sustainable development at the

global level has, inter alia, included the following EU actions:

–

Harnessing Globalisation

Globalisation is the new context in which sustainable development has to be achieved. While

it can be an important stimulus to sustainable development, the gains from globalisation are

too often unevenly spread between and within countries and unregulated integration can have

negative impacts on the environment and society as a whole.

The EU supports a coherent and integrated approach to questions relating to globalisation in

WTO, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and across UN bodies. It also wants to

strengthen key bodies – such as, for example, the International Labour Organisation.

To effectively and equitably integrate the developing world into the global economy, the

ongoing WTO-negotiations, the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), are essential. In the

DDA-negotiations, the EU has since 2002 consistently been working to pursue its objectives

in terms of the promotion of global sustainable development across the board on a large

number of negotiating issues. Furthermore, since developing countries’ efforts to integrate

into the global trading system need to be effectively supported, trade related assistance (TRA)

has been designated as one of the priority areas for the EU's development co-operation and

the TRA dimension has been integrated in all the relevant levels of decision making on how

to allocate funds.

In addition, since the WSSD, the EU has also taken important steps to implement supportive

action related to trade policy outside the scope of the DDA, inter alia, through pursuing its

efforts to include a substantive element on sustainable development in all ongoing or future

bilateral or regional negotiations.

–

Better Governance at Global level

Good governance and the promotion of democracy are critical factors in reaching the

Millennium Development Goals. The Millennium Declaration states that creating an

environment that is conducive to development and to the elimination of poverty depends, inter

alia, on good governance within each country, on good governance at the international level

and on transparency in the financial, monetary and trading systems.

The Commission has addressed institutional capacity building, good governance and the rule

of law in a Communication on Governance and Development, focusing on institutional

capacity building and dialogue on governance in different types of country situations. Efforts

have also been made to promote sustainable development in all existing international and

regional cooperation agreements and policy instruments. In addition, strengthened

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international governance for sustainable development has been at the heart of EU’s efforts to

develop effective multilateralism.

Financing for development (FfD)

To reach the Millennium Development Goals, financing is needed. However, the UN target of

0.7% Official Development Assistance (ODA) of Gross National Income (GNI) is still far

from being fulfilled.

The EU defined its contribution to the “Financing for development process” in eight explicit

commitments, endorsed by the European Council in Barcelona on 14 March 2002. The latest

monitoring report forecasts that aid levels in the enlarged EU (25 Member States), as a whole,

will exceed its intermediate target of 0.39% ODA/Gross National Income (GNI) and provide

0.42 % of its GNI in ODA by 2006, or an estimated € 38.5 billion. The total volume of

additional resources mobilised during 2002–2006 is € 19 billion.

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Part II: Responding to the challenges

UTURE

RIENTATIONS

In the light of the continuing challenges, Europe must not only stand by its commitment to a

long-term agenda for sustainable development and a better quality of life, but also to find

ways to tackle these more effectively.

5.1.

Reaffirm the basic principles of the European Union Sustainable Development

Strategy

The concept of sustainable development and the complementarity between the Sustainable

Development Strategy and the Lisbon Strategy have been clarified in the foreword.

Beyond that, the review will confirm the quintessential

three-dimensional nature

sustainable development as the cornerstone of the strategy, i.e. a development that can only be

achieved if economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection go hand in hand,

both in Europe and in other parts of the world.

The review will also take into account

the EU's contribution to global sustainable

development

in two ways: first, by addressing the international aspects of the six

unsustainable trends addressed by the strategy; second, by integrating into it the external EU

policies that contribute to global sustainable development. In doing so, the EU will reconfirm

and strengthen its commitment to take a leading role in driving the sustainable development

agenda at global level.

5.2.

Reaffirm the new approach to policy making and policy coherence

The review will re-enforce the

‘new approach to policy making’

as the central means of

placing sustainable development at the core of EU policy-making. In particular, the future EU

Sustainable Development Strategy will give a further boost to the different components of the

EU’s Better Regulation agenda, including impact assessment, stakeholder consultation and

regulatory simplification.

This means that sustainable and cost-effective policy making will continue to be promoted

through Better Regulation, including a more effective implementation of a

balanced Impact

Assessment mechanism

covering both new internal and external Commission policy

initiatives. In addition, sustainability impact assessment studies will continue to be applied to

major trade agreements. While the tool has recently been refined to take account of first

lessons learned

, continued attention will be given to possible ways to further improve the

method, particularly with regard to the economic, social and environmental aspects of

sustainable development. In this respect the Commission also intends to improve consultation

of stakeholders on EU policies. Furthermore, attention will also be paid to the importance of

ensuring adequate follow-up to the Inter-Institutional Agreement with the European

Parliament and the Council

(e.g. to the need for European Parliament and the Council to

Ref. Impact Assessment: Next Steps – in support of Competitiveness and Sustainable Development,

SEC(2004) 1377, 21.10.2004.

Interinstitutional agreement on better lawmaking, OJ C 321, 31.12.2003, p. 1.

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apply the same principles and standards regarding impact assessment when it comes to impact

assessment of substantial amendments to Commission proposals).

Also included under the new approach is the

open method of coordination,

notably in the

fields of social inclusion, access to the labour market and social protection where this method

plays a key role in modernizing social protection systems.

As part of the new approach to policy making, the Commission will continue to promote the

use of

market-based instruments

to reflect the true costs of resource use and its

environmental impact to society. For example, Member States will be invited to look at how

they could shift the burden of taxation onto the causes of environmental damage and away

from labour. The review will also further emphasize the importance of investments in

science

and technology

for sustainable development. Possible means to further promote eco-

innovations include the EU’s research programme, the Commission’s Innovation Policy, as

well as public procurement. Exchanging information with external partners on sustainable

research, science and technology will also be promoted.

5.3.

Maintaining a focus on key unsustainable trends and exploring the linkages

between unsustainable trends in greater detail

The review will maintain the Strategy’s focus on

main trends that pose a threat to

sustainable development.

Many of these trends can only be tackled through continued action

over a long period of time and will involve major structural changes in the functioning of our

societies and economies. However, this should not be an excuse for inaction in the short run.

The review will therefore include

a thorough assessment of the unsustainable trends

covered in the current strategy

with a view to identifying objectives and necessary actions

for the years to come. The priority areas identified in 2001 should also be brought into line

with the international commitments made by the EU at the World Summit on Sustainable

Development, the UN conference for Financing for Development as well as the UN

Millennium Declaration and other related multilateral agreements and commitments

undertaken by the EU. Moreover, they will be updated to reflect the accession of ten new

Member States to the EU – and the prospect of further enlargement in the not too distant

future – which poses new challenges for the Union’s capacity to address the unsustainable

trends. In this context, the review will also examine the case for adding a limited number of

new or not previously considered trends, including economically unsustainable trends.

Finally, the review will pay greater attention

to identifying inter-relationships between the

selected unsustainable trends.

It will seek to maximize positive synergies and reduce trade-

offs. For example, by promoting a shift in transport from road to rail it is possible to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions and reduce congestion at one and the same time (creating a ‘win-

win’ situation). Another example would be how investment in fundamental technological

change could result in better competitiveness and at the same time improve environmental

quality and social cohesion.

5.4.

Setting objectives, targets and milestones

The approach taken in the 2001 strategy was to define medium-term headline objectives

relating to each of the unsustainable trends and to identify a number of measures intended to

address these. The review will confirm the need for clearer objectives, targets and related

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deadlines as a way of giving focus to action in priority areas and enabling progress to be

measured.

Although the trends represent long-term problems that will need long-term solutions, the only

way to ascertain that society is moving in the right direction is by setting clear intermediate

targets and measuring progress. Setting long-term objectives, therefore, must not come to

mean postponing action.

The revised strategy will therefore present new headline objectives for each of the

unsustainable trends and set the intermediate milestones which will allow the EU to monitor

actual progress. The operational objectives and action plans will be identified within the

relevant internal and external sectoral policies which will also be the main vehicles for

implementation and monitoring of the policy initiatives, including international commitments

agreed under the Millennium Declaration and the Barcelona and Monterrey summits.

5.5.

Ensuring effective monitoring

The decision in Gothenburg to ensure yearly monitoring of the strategy at the Spring

European Councils has fallen short of expectations. A reinforced reporting system will be

developed in the review. It will focus on the short and medium-term delivery of the strategy’s

objectives, combining and simplifying as far as possible current reports on sustainable

development issues. The institutional responsibilities (particularly the roles of the European

Council and the European Parliament) in the monitoring process will also be made clearer.

Monitoring will take place in particular on the basis of sustainable development indicators

developed by the Commission. These will draw on, among other things, the various indicators

developed within the sectoral policy processes and the synthesis already made from these in

the set of structural indicators which have monitored progress towards the targets set as part

of the Lisbon reform agenda. More effort will also be put into developing future models,

forecasts and further gathering of scientific data to help effective monitoring.

5.6.

Strengthen ownership and improve co-operation with public and private actors

at all levels

Further action is needed to raise awareness, mobilise and involve stakeholders at all levels. It

must be clear who is responsible for what action at what point in time and who will bear the

costs. To this end, the Commission will explore how to create effective partnerships with

industry, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and consumer interests, particularly

with a view to discussing ways of helping to curb the unsustainable trends identified in the

context of the review.

More consistency will be sought between EU, global, national, regional and local initiatives to

promote sustainable development. Possible actions will include identifying common priorities

under each of the headline objectives; starting a process of mutual learning with Member

States and/or regions; and setting up mechanisms for the permanent exchange of information

on best practice.

The Union will also need to step up its efforts to stimulate further action in other parts of the

world, both in industrialised countries and countries in transition, and in the developing

world. The Commission will strive to develop the dialogue on sustainable development

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objectives with partners outside the EU, notably administrations and civil society in third

countries as well as international organisations and NGOs focused on global issues.

EXT STEPS

The Commission invites the European Council, the Council, the European Parliament,

Member States, regional authorities and all parts of civil society to comment on the proposed

orientations for the strategy. An initial opportunity for discussion will be the holding of the

stakeholder forum organised by the European Economic and Social Committee on 14 and 15

April 2005. The Commission will then present a proposal for a revised sustainable

development strategy for the Union later this year.