The report also indicates a clear understanding of the need for change. It states that 'changes are indispensable' if production and environmental protection are to be achieved simultaneously. More significantly it says there should be a long-term objective to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. Although no specific indicators are given, the report does stress the need for such indicators. The Council is expecting a report from the Commission identifying such indicators by the end of 2000.
Considerable attention is given to the use of innovative approaches and instruments.