Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on the review of the European Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development 'Towards sustainability' (COM(95)0647 - C4-0147/ 96 - 96/0027(COD)) (Codecision procedure: first reading)
Date: 1996-11-13
Institutions: Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, European Parliament
Subjects: EU action, EU environmental policy, EU programme, sustainable development













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51996AP0300

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on the review of the European Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development 'Towards sustainability' (COM(95)0647 - C4-0147/ 96 - 96/0027(COD)) (Codecision procedure: first reading)  


Official Journal C 362 , 02/12/1996 P. 0112 





A4-0300/96Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on the review of the European Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development 'Towards sustainability' (COM(95)0647 - C4-0147/96 - 96/0027(COD))The proposal was approved with the following amendments:(Amendment 1)Recital 6>Original text>Whereas a number of developments with a bearing on sustainable development have occurred since the adoption of the programme, in particular the adoption of Agenda 21 as the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development, and the adoption by the Commission of a White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment;>Text following EP vote>Whereas a number of developments with a bearing on sustainable development have occurred since the adoption of the programme, in particular the adoption of Agenda 21 as the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development, the adoption by the Commission of a White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment and the commitments entered into at Helsinki in 1994;(Amendment 2)Recital 6a (new)>Text following EP vote>Whereas the review should also reflect the commitments entered into and the conclusions adopted as part of various international and intergovernmental processes, inter alia the Environment for Europe Ministerial Process, including the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy and the UNECE Guidelines on Access to Environmental Decision Making, the Copenhagen Summit on Sustainability and Equity (1995), the Berlin Conference on Climate Change (1995) and the Habitat II Conference on the Urban Environment (1996);(Amendment 3)Recital 6b (new)>Text following EP vote>Whereas one of the objectives to be pursued by Community policy on the environment (Article 130r) is the protection of human health;(Amendment 4)Recital 7>Original text>Whereas the enlargement of the European Union by the three Member States, Austria, Finland and Sweden, poses new environmental challenges to the Union and committed the Community to review certain provisions of its legislation in the environmental field;>Text following EP vote>Whereas the enlargement of the European Union by the three Member States, Austria, Finland and Sweden, poses new environmental challenges to the Union and committed the Community to review certain provisions of its legislation in the environmental field with the aim of reaching the highest level of environmental protection in the Union by 1 January 1999 so that the new Member States will not have to lower their environmental standards;(Amendment 5)Recital 10>Original text>Whereas on 10 November 1995 the European Environmental Agency presented an updated state of the environment report as a contribution to the review process;>Text following EP vote>Whereas on 10 November 1995 the European Environmental Agency presented an updated state of the environment report as a contribution to the review process which made it clear that without additional measures the 1992 aims for the year 2000 will not be attained for the following seven important objectives: stabilisation of carbon dioxide emissions, 30% reduction of NOx emissions and VOC emissions, stabilisation of municipal waste per capita, stabilisation of noise above 65 DB(A), no pesticides in groundwater by 2005 and no nitrate in groundwater;(Amendment 6)Recital 10a (new)>Text following EP vote>Whereas one out of ten plant species, 30% of bird species, 30% of freshwater fish species, 30% of reptile species and two out of five mammal species in the European Union are threatened with extinction according to the 1995 State of the Environment Report;(Amendment 7)Recital 14a (new)>Text following EP vote>Whereas it is necessary to incorporate more binding Community actions underpinned by fixed time frames with a view to making the Fifth Environmental Action Programme more credible and ensuring that the priorities are actually put into practice;(Amendment 13)Entire text>Text following EP vote>The words 'priorities are' to be replaced by the words 'the Community will' throughout the text.(Amendment 14)Article 1, first paragraph a (new)>Text following EP vote>In order to achieve the 1992 aims for the year 2000 the Commission shall, before the end of 1997, submit proposals for additional measures for those aims which risk not being attained in the year 2000.(Amendment 15)Article 1, second paragraph>Original text>In order to speed up the process and to ensure the more efficient implementation of the approach set out in the programme, the Community itself will focus on five key priorities and five other issues as being those which will give an additional impulse to the implementation of the programme.>Text following EP vote>In order to speed up the process and to ensure the more efficient implementation of the approach set out in the programme, the Community itself will focus on five key priorities with a precise timetable and five other issues as being those which will give an additional impulse to the implementation of the programme.(Amendment 17)Article 2(2.1.)(a)>Original text>(a) to further develop links between agricultural market instruments and environmental requirements pursuant to the process of the reform of the common agricultural policy with reduced reliance on market price support compensated by direct aid measures, which, where appropriate, could be linked to environmental considerations, as well as a better integration of market policies, rural development and environment policies. Such measures should include monitoring and reporting obligations;>Text following EP vote>(a) integrate environmental considerations into agricultural policy making and introduce new incentive schemes to secure specific environmental objectives. Such measures should include monitoring and reporting obligations. The scope to attach further environmental conditions to production-related payments (so long as these payments continue) should be assessed to inform further discussion.>Text following EP vote>(aa) require the Commission to start the groundwork for a fresh and radical reform of the common agricultural policy, to be implemented at the latest at the time of accession by the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The reform, which is to be implemented gradually, shall ensure that the structure of agriculture in the Union is fully consistent with the aims of the Action Programme, including its provisions on the protection of groundwater and drinking water. The reform shall ensure that aid will in future primarily be tied to the use of sustainable methods of farming;(Amendment 19)Article 2(2.1)(ca) (new)>Text following EP vote>(ca) promote sustainable fishing practices, and discourage overfishing, particularly the harvesting of immature fish for use as animal feed or heating oil;(Amendment 20)Article 2(2.1)(d)>Original text>(d) to further develop an integrated strategy for the sustainable use of pesticides, including more detailed provisions on the distribution and sales of pesticides and restrictions of use and substitution of the most dangerous pesticides;>Text following EP vote>(d) require the Commission, before the end of 1997, to submit proposals for an integrated strategy incorporating targets and time limits for reducing the use of pesticides, including proposals for more detailed provisions on the distribution and sales of pesticides and the use and substitution of the most dangerous pesticides, which shall be prohibited. Preventive measures and environmental considerations should be key elements in the definition of such a strategy. As part of the strategy, targets should be laid down for reducing the use of pesticides in individual sectors (agriculture, forestry, horticulture) preferably in the form of targets for the quantities of active substances used and the frequency of treatment.(Amendment 27)Article 2(2.2)(c)>Original text>(c) to further tighten the provisions on emissions and noise from road vehicles and aircraft and on fuel quality, to develop action to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars and to strengthen Community provisions on the inspection and maintenance of vehicles;>Text following EP vote>(c) further tighten the provisions on emissions and noise from road vehicles and aircraft and on fuel quality, develop action to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars by laying down an average target for new and imported cars of 3 litres/100 km for petrol-fuelled cars and 2.7 litres/100 km for diesel- engined cars by 2005 at the latest, strengthen Community provisions on the inspection and maintenance of vehicles, and set quantifiable targets for the improvement of urban air quality and the reduction of CO2 emissions from vehicles and a timetable for their achievement;(Amendment 28)Article 2(2.2)(d)>Original text>(d) to promote exchanges of experience between local authorities in relation to sustainable transport initiatives;>Text following EP vote>(d) promote exchanges of experience between local authorities in relation to sustainable transport initiatives, including local action-based Agenda 21 plans on the basis of cooperation between public authorities and local people;(Amendment 29)Article 2(2.3)(a)>Original text>(a) to support the development and application of energy-saving technologies and practices including renewable energy sources, by means of funding, awareness-raising and information measures, and to develop criteria for the screening of subsidy schemes in order to redress incentives which have an adverse effect;>Text following EP vote>(a) support the development and application of energy-saving technologies and practices including renewable energy sources, cascading energy use, and combined heat and power production, by means of funding, awareness-raising and information measures, and develop an EU action programme to remove by the year 2000 all energy-sector subsidies which encourage energy consumption and prevent the introduction of clean technologies;(Amendment 32)Article 2(2.3)(d)>Original text>(d) to pursue the development of a Community framework for voluntary agreements in conformity with competition rules.>Text following EP vote>(d) reinforce existing measures under the SAVE, ALTENER, THERMIE and JOULE programmes by setting targets for a 3% per annum reduction in primary energy consumption per unit of GDP and for a 1% per annum increase in sustainable and renewable energy sources' share of energy consumption,>Text following EP vote>- place greater emphasis on economic management instruments,>Text following EP vote>- work to reduce energy consumption,>Text following EP vote>- redirect, by 1999, 50% of Community funding for research into fusion energy towards research into energy efficiency and sustainable and renewable energy sources,>Text following EP vote>- draw up provisions for the assessment of the environmental impact of transporting nuclear materials.(Amendment 35)Article 2(2.4)(c)>Original text>(c) to improve legislation in relation to a coherent and comprehensive control of pollution from industrial installations, to develop a complementary framework to integrated pollution control, taking account of the particular problems of smaller installations and to encourage a better integration of external costs;>Text following EP vote>(c) improve legislation in relation to a coherent and comprehensive control of pollution from industrial installations, develop a complementary framework to integrated pollution control on the basis of the best available technology principle, taking account of the particular problems of smaller installations, encourage, by using economic management instruments, a better integration of external costs,and introduce a Directive for a European Pollution Emission Register following the example of the USA,>Text following EP vote>(ca) draw up an EU action plan to ensure implementation and sanctioning of all regulatory measures aimed at reducing industrial emissions and pollution, ensuring improved integration of the polluter pays principle into EU legislation, including the introduction of EU-wide legislation on liability for making good environmental damage;(Amendment 36)Article 2(2.4)(fa) (new)>Text following EP vote>(fa) ensure the phasing out and prohibition of persistent organic pollutants (POPS) which have a deleterious effect on the environment or health, where environment-friendly alternatives exist.(Amendment 40)Article 2(2.5)(c)>Original text>(c) to promote the implementation of innovative good practices in the field of sustainable tourism development;>Text following EP vote>(c) promote the implementation of innovative good practices in the field of sustainable tourism development applying the 'polluter pays' and 'user of natural resources pays' principles;>Text following EP vote>(ca) ensure that the Structural Funds are used to support sustainable forms of tourism and that the projects financed by these funds are made the subject of EIAs.(Amendment 43)Article 3(3.1)(-a) (new)>Text following EP vote>(-a) environmental accounting;(Amendment 44)Article 3(3.1)(a)>Original text>(a) environmental charges;>Text following EP vote>(a) the submission, by 1997, of proposals for a reform of environmental charges so as to effect a shift from taxes on employment to taxes on resources and pollution, in accordance with the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment,(Amendment 45)Article 3(3.1)(c)>Original text>(c) voluntary agreements in the field of the environment in conformity with competition rules;>Text following EP vote>(c) voluntary agreements in the field of the environment in conformity with competition rules, where such agreements can achieve substantially better results than other methods and insofar as members of the public and relevant NGOs are involved in formulating and monitoring them. Failure to comply with the agreements will result in the imposition of penalties;(Amendment 47)Article 3(3.2)(-a) (new)>Text following EP vote>(-a) require the Commission to submit, by 1997, a proposal for a Directive on the environmental impact of policies, plans and programmes in the Community and of Commission proposals for drafts, programmes and EU legislation where relevant.(Amendment 48)Article 3(3.2)(c)>Original text>(c) to reinforce the role of standardization, in particular by the integration of environmental aspects in the elaboration of industrial standards;>Text following EP vote>(c) reinforce the environmental role of standardization, in particular by the integration of environmental aspects in the elaboration of industrial standards following the adoption of a Council Resolution setting out the terms for NGOs, including how NGOs are to be able to participate in the process,>Text following EP vote>(ca) draw up requirements for the assessment of effects on the environment which are in future to be a key element in shaping the terms of reference for CEN as regards standards. The Commission is to draw up by the middle of 1997 at the latest a specific basis detailing how environmental considerations are to be taken into account in the CEN's future terms of reference;(Amendment 50)Article 3(3.2)(e)>Original text>(e) to review how environmental considerations could be better incorporated into the application of the Community's public procurement rules while safeguarding fair competition;>Text following EP vote>(e) require the Commission to submit, before the end of 1997, concrete proposals as to how environmental considerations could be better incorporated into the Community's public procurement rules with a view to changing the existing rules so that they explicitly give preference to environment-friendly tenders;(Amendment 53)Article 4, second paragraph (-a) (new)>Text following EP vote>(-a) ensure openness and transparency at all levels in the Community's institutions;(Amendment 56)Article 4, second paragraph (b)>Original text>(b) to enhance the role and implementation of reporting requirements under Community legislation;>Text following EP vote>(b) require the Commission to step up its efforts to ensure that Member States comply with the reporting requirements laid down in Community legislative acts and also to intensify the work done in the management committees which have been set up by taking a decision on the formalities of such requirements;(Amendment 57)Article 4, second paragraph (c)>Original text>(c) to enhance cooperation between the appropriate authorities responsible for implementation and enforcement of legislation;>Text following EP vote>(c) require the Commission to submit, before the end of 1997, proposals aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation with the appropriate authorities in the Member States responsible for implementation and enforcement of Community environmental legislation. Such an initiative by the Commission should comprise a proposal as to how greater transparency can be achieved as regards supervision and enforcement efforts in the Member States (preferably by means of national annual reports to be drawn up in accordance with standardized guidelines). Such a proposal should also include proposals for the setting up of a common European environmental inspectorate. The Commission shall then publish a special annual report on the environment, as it does on competition and the internal market, detailing the progress made by the Member States in implementing and enforcing Community environmental legislation;(Amendment 59)Article 4, second paragraph (e)>Original text>(e) to consider whether sanctions for non-compliance in new legislation could be introduced;>Text following EP vote>(e) require the Commission to propose, in connection with the review of existing legislative acts and in proposals for new environmental legislation, provisions requiring Member States to lay down national provisions on the enforcement of environmental rules and the penalties to be imposed if such rules are breached,>Text following EP vote>(ea) require the Commission to ensure promptly, in accordance with its responsibility set out in Article 155 of the Treaty, that procedures for dealing with breaches of the Treaty, including the imposition of penalties pursuant to Article 171, are used effectively and without unnecessary delay, and to report to the European Parliament and the Council on the above activities.(Amendment 65)Árticle 5, second paragraph (da) (new)>Text following EP vote>(da) collect and disseminate widely information and knowledge concerning the link between the state of the environment and human health;(Amendment 66)Article 6, introduction>Original text>The Community will reinforce its role in international action on the environment and sustainable development. This implies in particular strengthening its approach to cooperation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, enhancing its role in relation to environmental issues as identified in Agenda 21, and in relation to bilateral and multilateral cooperation on sustainable development issues.>Text following EP vote>In recognition of the cross-border nature of serious environmental problems and of the good prospects the Community has for becoming the driving force in the further development of international environmental rules, the Community acknowledges its obligation to strengthen its role and take the lead, in particular as regards the international obligations which it has entered into in conventions and protocols.>Text following EP vote>The Commission is to ensure that the Community assumes the role of driving force in future work relating to the Biodiversity and Climate Conventions and that the Community also takes the lead in international efforts to establish a global legally binding regulatory system for persistent organic pollutants (POPS).(Amendment 67)Article 6(6.1)(a)>Original text>(a) to further develop a comprehensive approach in relation to environmental matters in the context of the strategy to prepare the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe for accession;>Text following EP vote>(a) further develop a comprehensive approach in relation to environmental matters in the context of the strategy to prepare the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe for accession. The Community will, with the aid of technical and administrative cooperation and financial support, e.g. by establishing environmental centres in the countries concerned, commit itself to helping the applicant countries achieve at least the current level of environmental protection in the EU and the level of environmental protection that is to be achieved at the time of their accession. This will include giving higher priority to the drawing up and implementation of environmental action plans for each of the countries with a view to their possible accession;(Amendment 73)Article 6(6.3)(fa) (new)>Text following EP vote>(fa) contribute to improving safety in the nuclear reactors in the region (Ignalina, St. Petersburg, Kola);(Amendment 76)Article 6(6.4)(b)>Original text>(b) to give preference to multilateral solutions to trade and environment problems, respecting trade principles and promoting transparency in the definition and implementation of environmental measures, including new instruments of environmental policy;>Text following EP vote>(b) ensure that the WTO rules, provisions and procedures, especially those that are applied for the purpose of arbitration, take full account of the need to maintain a high level of environmental protection, in particular as regards the general provisions;(Amendment 78)Article 7, first paragraph>Original text>The Community will ensure that its environmental policy is based on reliable and comparable data, statistics and indicators, on sound scientific information and on an assessment of the costs and benefits of action or the lack of action.>Text following EP vote>The Community will ensure that its environmental policy is based on reliable and comparable data, statistics and indicators, on sound scientific research in the physical and social sciences, and on an assessment of the costs and benefits of action or the lack of action.>Text following EP vote>The European Environment Agency will continue to play a key role in monitoring, analyzing and reporting on environmental developments in the Community. The Community will make sure that the best possible use is made of the Agency with regard to the development of the policies dealt with in this Decision. With regard to this the Community will also ensure that the Agency takes into consideration the objectives and priorities laid down in this Decision when the Agency establishes its programme of work and in particular when its multiannual programme of work is reviewed.(Amendment 81)Article 7, second paragraph (e)>Original text>(e) developing satellite accounts to national accounts as a first step towards the integration of environmental aspects into national accounting concepts and practices;>Text following EP vote>(e) developing auxiliary or satellite accounts to national accounts as a first step towards the integration of environmental aspects into national and Community accounting concepts and practices which will entail drawing up a green GNP for 1999 as laid down in the Fifth Programme.(Amendment 82)Article 8, second, third and fourth paragraphs (new)>Text following EP vote>The Commission is, in this connection, to start work on the development of information systems in the form of product data sheets or environmental data on goods ensuring that life-cycle oriented data on raw materials, intermediates and finished goods are provided throughout the production and distribution system.>Text following EP vote>This information must be available in particular to professional buyers working for public-sector undertakings, industrial undertakings and retail companies.>Text following EP vote>At the international level, within the WTO and ISO, the Commission is to endeavour to ensure that all cradle-to-grave environmental data relating to a product can be provided in a uniform way, irrespective of the country of origin, so that environmental properties of products can become the parameter for international competition which is a precondition for the necessary technological development.(Amendment 85)Article 11(11.1), introduction>Original text>11.1. In relation to climate change and ozone depletion, particular attention will be given to:>Text following EP vote>11.1. In relation to climate change and ozone depletion, the Community will step up its efforts to fulfil the objectives of the Climate Convention, and the Commission will therefore introduce measures in a number of fields, with particular attention being given to:(Amendment 86)Article 11(11.1)(a)>Original text>(a) identifying reduction objectives for carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases for 2005 and 2010, and defining policies and measures necessary for their achievement;>Text following EP vote>(a) the fulfilling by the EU of the objectives of stabilizing CO2 emissions in the year 2000, which the Community set for itself when the Fifth Environmental Action Programme was adopted, inter alia identifying reduction objectives for carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases for 2005, 2010 and 2030, stipulating for carbon dioxide a 20% reduction in 2005, a 30% reduction in 2010 and a 50% reduction in 2030 (compared to 1990 levels), and defining policies and measures necessary for their achievement;(Amendment 87)Article 11(11.1)(b)>Original text>(b) strengthening its control measures on halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and methyl bromide, as well as on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons, and intensifying research directed at finding suitable substitutes for these substances.>Text following EP vote>(b) the continuous tightening up of the EC Regulation on ozone-depleting substances, so that such substances are eliminated as quickly as possible, as technically feasible and affordable alternatives become available. This course shall be continued by setting a target of eliminating such substances more or less totally in the year 2005;>Text following EP vote>(ba) introducing without delay legislation aimed at cutting the consumption of methyl bromide by 50% and rapidly phasing it out by 2001.(Amendment 89)Article 11(11.2)(b)>Original text>(b) establishing or amending quality objectives with respect to specific pollutants, and developing common procedures for the assessment and monitoring of air quality;>Text following EP vote>(b) establishing or amending quality objectives with respect to specific pollutants ensuring that critical loads/levels for eco-systems are not exceeded, and developing common procedures for the assessment and monitoring of air quality;(Amendment 91)Article 11(11.4), introduction>Original text>In relation to waste management, the Community will update the present waste strategy in the light of developments since 1989. Particular attention will be given to:>Text following EP vote>In relation to waste management, the Community will update the present waste strategy in the light of developments since 1989 and base the new Community Waste Strategy on the following hierarchy:1. Prevention2. Reuse3. Recycling/biomethanisation/ composting4. Incineration with energy recovery5. Landfill.The Community will:(Amendment 92)Article 11(11.4)(aa) (new)>Text following EP vote>(aa) require the Commission to submit, before the end of 1997, a proposal for a Directive on Waste Management Plans based on the extended waste hierarchy, producers' responsibility, the separation of different waste streams, and the proximity principle;(Amendment 93)Article 11(11.4)(ab) (new)>Text following EP vote>(ab) require the Commission to submit before the end of 1997 a proposal for a Directive on Hazardous Waste Management based on producers' responsibility, separation of dangerous waste streams, the proximity principle and an eco-tax on dangerous chemicals which will fund detoxifying installations for hazardous waste;(Amendment 97)Article 11(11.6)>Original text>11.6. In relation to nature protection and biodiversity, the Community, in the implementation of its other policies, will ensure a full integration of nature protection and biodiversity concerns.>Text following EP vote>11.6. In relation to nature protection and biodiversity, the Community will devise a strategy for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of biological diversity in relevant sectoral or multi-sectoral plans, programmes and policies and, in the implementation of its other policies, will ensure a full integration of nature protection and biodiversity concerns.>Text following EP vote>In relation to the implementation of new reforms, it is to ensure that the impact thereof on biodiversity is assessed.>Text following EP vote>The existing set-aside scheme is to be extended to include new support arrangements which may be used for permanent set-aside to recreate permanent natural zones, and increased efforts to restore natural conditions.>Text following EP vote>With a view to strict implementation of the Habitat Directive, the Commission shall establish before the end of 1997 criteria for the buffer zones and migratory corridors of the European Network of protected sites, including Natura 2000.(Amendment 98)Article 11(11.7)(c)>Original text>(c) further developing policies to fully address Agenda 21 with respect to the substitution or phasing out of toxic chemicals;>Text following EP vote>(c) further developing policies to fully address Agenda 21 with respect to the substitution or phasing out of hazardous chemicals, inter alia by drawing up measures for the classification and labelling of chemicals based on experimental data and/or structural similarities, in connection with Regulation (EC) No 793/93 on existing chemicals, with a view to phasing them out,>Text following EP vote>(ca) drawing up an action plan with a view to speeding up the testing of hazardous substances on the EINECS list;(Amendment 99)Article 11(11.7)(da) (new)>Text following EP vote>(da) submitting a proposal for the adaptation of EU rules to comply with the demand made at the accession negotiations with Finland, Sweden and Austria concerning exemptions in those cases where the new Members' rules are more far-reaching than those of the EU. This proposal should be presented before the end of 1997.(Amendment 100)Article 11(11.7)(db) (new)>Text following EP vote>(db) ensuring that, in accordance with the Fifth Environmental Action Programme's target, some positive steps are taken to reduce by 50% the number of vertebrate animals used for experimental purposes by the year 2000, and that, in application of Article 34(1) of the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes, the Community commits itself to communicate on an annual basis statistical data on animal experimentation, particularly with regard to the use of primates and with the short-term objective of prohibiting the use of wild-caught primates.(Amendment 101)Article 11(11.7)(dc) (new)>Text following EP vote>(dc) the proposal by the Commission before the end of 1997 of a draft Directive on a Strategic Management Plan for all radioactive waste based on the proximity principle.(Amendment 102)Article 11a (new)>Text following EP vote>Article 11aA Sixth Environmental Action ProgrammePreparations for the Sixth Framework Programme should be started in good time so that a full discussion can be held between the European Institutions, the Member States, interest groups and citizens. The necessary steps towards sustainable development, which this Programme should lay down, must be presented in the form of clearly defined targets for 2010 and 2020.Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on the review of the European Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development 'Towards sustainability' (COM(95)0647 - C4-0147/96 - 96/0027(COD))(Codecision procedure: first reading)The European Parliament,- having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council, COM(95)0647 - 96/0027(COD) ((OJ C 140, 11.5.1996, p. 5.)),- having regard to Article 189b(2) of the EC Treaty and Article 130s(3) of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C4-0147/96),- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,- having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection and the opinions of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy and the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A4- 0300/96),1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;4. Should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament, calls on the Council to notify Parliament and requests that the conciliation procedure be initiated;5. Points out that the Commission is required to submit to Parliament any modification it may intend to make to its proposal as amended by Parliament;6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.