Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the "Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council Ten years after Rio: Preparing for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002"
Date: 2001-11-14
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: international meeting, sustainable development, the EU's international role

3.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 107/9

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the ‘Communication from the Commission to the
European Parliament and the Council “Ten years after Rio: Preparing for the World Summit on
Sustainable Development in 2002”’

(2002/C 107/04)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the decision taken by the Commission on 31 May 2001, under the first paragraph of
Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to consult the Committee of the Regions
on the matter;

having regard to the decision of its Bureau of 13 June 2000 to instruct Commission 4 — Spatial Planning,
Urban Issues, Energy, Environment — to draw up the relevant opinion;

having regard to the European Commission Communication: ‘A Sustainable Europe for a Better World:
A European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development’ (COM(2001) 264 final);

having regard to the Communication from the Commission: ‘The Global Assessment of the European
Community Programme of Policy and Action in relation to the environment and sustainable development
(Fifth Environment Action Programme)’ (COM(1999) 543 final);

having regard to the European Commission Report: ‘Agenda 21 — The first five years: Implementation
of Agenda 21 in the EU’;

having regard to the Commission’s Working Document on ‘From Cardiff to Helsinki and beyond —
Report to the European Council on integrating environmental concerns and sustainable development
into Community policies’ (SEC(1999) 1941);

having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and
the Economic and Social Committee on ‘Pricing policies for enhancing the sustainability of water
resources’ (COM(2000) 477 final);

having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament
on ‘Bringing our needs and responsibilities together — integrating environmental issues with economic
policy’ (COM(2000) 576 final);

having regard to the Commission’s Green Paper: ‘Towards a European strategy for the security of energy
supply’ (COM(2000) 769 final);

having regard to the Communication from the Commission on ‘The European Union’s oil supply’
(COM(2000) 631 final) and the forthcoming review of the Common Transport Policy;

having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the sixth environment action
programme of the European Community ‘Environment 2010: Our future, our choice’ — The Sixth
Environment Action Programme and the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the
Council laying down the Community Environment Action Programme 2001-2010 (presented by the
Commission) [COM(2001) 31 final — 2001/0029 (COD)] and the Committee of the Regions’ Opinion
on this proposal (CdR 36/2001 fin) (1);

having regard to the Environment Council Conclusions of 8 March 2001 (6752/01) on the World
Summit on Sustainable Development;

having regard to the agreements signed by the EU at the Rio earth summit (1992) relating to climate
change and biodiversity;

having regard to commitments made by the EU at the negotiations relating to the Kyoto protocol
concerning reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;

(1) OJ C 357, 14.12.2001, p. 44.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

3.5.2002

having regard to the ratification by the Member States of the EU of the Kyoto protocol;

having regard to the Draft Opinion (CdR 37/2001 rev. 2) adopted by Commission 4 on 8 October 2001
for which the rapporteur was Ms Sally Powell (Member of Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough
Council, UK, PSE);

whereas the Treaty establishing the European Union demands that environmental considerations have to
be integrated into Community policies, in particular to ensure a sustainable development,

adopted the following opinion unanimously at its 41st plenary session on 14 and 15 November 2001
(meeting of 14 November).

1. The Committee of the Regions’ views concerning the

Communication

1.1.
The Committee of the Regions welcomes the Com-
mission’s Communication as an effective start to preparing an
EU contribution to the 2002 World Summit.

1.2.
The Committee warmly welcomes the Commission’s
view that the European Union should take a leading role in the
Rio+10 process, both in the preparatory process and at the
Johannesburg Summit itself.

The Committee is disappointed that the Communi-
1.8.
cation makes little mention of
local
and regional authorities to sustainable development, despite
Agenda 21’s defining of local government as a ‘major group’,
one of the nine key partners in delivering sustainable develop-
ment.

the contribution of

1.9.
The Committee is of the view that the Communication
also fails to recognise the importance of Local Agenda 21,
which has been recognised as one of the most successful ways
of implementing Agenda 21.

The Committee of the Regions wholeheartedly sup-
1.3.
ports the European Union and the governments of
the
15 Member States in their steadfast determination to ensure
international ratification of the Kyoto protocol in 2001.

1.10.
The Committee welcomes the Commission’s recog-
nition that sustainable development requires the integration of
economic development, social development and environmen-
tal protection objectives.

The Committee of

1.4.
the Regions shares the Com-
mission’s view that the expectations raised at the Rio Summit
in 1992 have not been realised, and that substantial obstacles
will have to be overcome if real progress is to be made in
addressing the barriers to sustainable development in the
European Union and in the world.

1.5.
The Committee supports the Commission’s view that
the EU should support a focused agenda, concentrating on
key sustainable development issues where progress can be
measured.

1.6.
A balanced agenda that integrates Northern and South-
ern concerns is needed, and the Committee is of the view that
clearly defined and qualitative targets — to be established with
the involvement of all relevant stakeholders — are crucial in
providing guidance to individual sectors of society.

1.11.
The Committee of the Regions welcomes the Com-
mission’s decision not to establish substantive EU positions for
the Summit, nor to pre-judge the outcomes of consultation.

1.12.
between the different levels of governance is essential
tackling global environmental problems.

The CoR believes that co-ordination and co-operation
in

2. The Committee of the Regions’ recommendations

concerning the Communication

2.1. General recommendations

1.7.
The Committee agrees with the Commission that one
of the most important ways in which the Union can contribute
to progress towards sustainable development will be in the
enlargement process; and supports the view that a dialogue
should be initiated with candidate countries on preparations
for the Summit.

2.1.1.
The Committee sees the 2002 World Summit as an
opportunity to showcase and evaluate progress made on
Agenda 21 within the EU and its Member States and to re-
affirm political commitment to Agenda 21 as the basis upon
which the Union will pursue sustainable development in the
future.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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The Committee asks that the Commission to give
2.1.2.
further indication of
the ways in which their suggested
strategic objectives reflect the integrated economic, social and
environmental approach; and whether they fully reflect the
objectives of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy.

and services. Production processes and their sustainability can
be influenced by the choices of consumers and these will
in ensuring sustainable use of
be increasingly significant
resources.

2.2. Role of local and regional authorities

2.2.1.
The Committee of the Regions calls for an active role
for local and regional authorities in formulating and promoting
the European Union contribution to the Johannesburg Summit
in 2002.

The Committee is of the view that local government
2.2.2.
delegates should be included in all Member State delegations
to the Summit, and recommends that the Commission pro-
mote this view to Member States.

In particular,

the view that

the CoR is of

2.2.3.
the
Communication should highlight the positive work being
done under the Local Agenda 21 process,
in which local
authorities across the world have made much progress in
engaging their communities. The 2002 Summit offers an
opportunity to consider the successes of Local Agenda 21 to
date, and to disseminate information and share experience of
the progress that has been made.

2.3. Wide participation and engagement

2.3.1.
International agreements and procedures tend to fail
in the implementation stage if they lack local and regional
support. The CoR asks that the Commission ensure that
relevant views and information from the grass-roots level
reaches and is engaged in the European decision-making
process.

2.3.2.
New kinds of citizen commitments are required not
only in the developing countries but in EU Member States as
well, and the Committee of the Regions is of the view that
extensive consultation and involvement of all levels of public
authorities and stakeholders is essential
in preparing the
Union’s contribution to the Johannesburg Summit. Local and
regional authorities, as the level of governance closest to the
people, and in many cases leading cross-sector partnerships,
have a critical role to play in this process.

2.3.3.
The Committee of the Regions is of the view that, in
the context of increasing globalisation and in the interests of
integrating economic, social and environmental concerns, it
will be particularly important to involve business in the
Johannesburg Summit and in the preparatory processes. The
definition of businesses involved in informing the preparations
for the earth summit should be as broad as possible, taking in
not only producers of goods but firms involved in promoting
and stimulating the consumption of those goods. In addition
to the involvement of business it is important to ensure
participation in the process of consumers and users of goods

2.3.4.
In addition to active co-operation between European
regions and municipalities, active involvement of universities,
research institutes, public institutions, NGOs and business
should be encouraged at local and regional level. In this area
the CoR could play an important role by providing a platform
for discussion and dialogue on European issues at local and
regional level.

2.4. Additional input from the Commission

2.4.1.
The CoR takes the view that environmental degra-
dation and social exclusion often go hand in hand, and that
partnership at local and regional level seem to be the most
effective way of fighting exclusion and promoting an integrated
approach towards sustainable development. Innovative EU
actions could promote the dissemination of best local and
regional practices and assist in the identification of new ways
of effective and broad participation and inclusion.

The CoR would suggest that the Commission concen-
2.4.2.
trate on three important processes in developing sustainable
policies: the EU enlargement, the EU’s common strategy for
the Mediterranean and the Northern Dimension for the policies
of the Union.

2.4.3.
The CoR reiterates what it has called for on previous
occasions, namely for a more active role for regional and local
authorities in formulating and implementing environmental
policy in the regions and municipalities of the new applicant
states.

2.4.4.
The CoR would wish to further develop innovative
co-operation for sustainable development between EU regions
and regions in the applicant states. In this context the CoR
proposes that a larger proportion of pre-accession assistance
be used for sustainable development, by for instance, and
among others, supporting public-transport measures.

2.4.5. With respect to the Northern Dimension, the CoR
would draw particular attention to the fact that one of the
most important challenges for sustainable development in
Europe is nuclear and radiation safety, the main problem being
the partly defective safety measures which exist in nuclear-
power stations. The CoR recommends that the Commission,
drawing on its experience to date with financial assistance in
the both CEEC and NIS, should focus especially in the latter
group of countries and intensify support for cases which
present the greatest human and environmental risk, thereby
giving these cases top priority, and if necessary supporting the
decommissioning of dangerous nuclear plants.

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2.4.6.
Concerning the existing and already more established
EU Mediterranean Policy, the CoR has already called (1) for
the establishment of guidelines for an interregional and
transnational programme for regional and local authorities on
both sides of the Mediterranean, that would put an end to
the existing fragmentation and ensure greater political co-
ordination and more effective use of resources. This pro-
gramme should address the sustainable development of the
peoples on the southern and eastern sides of the Mediterranean,
with special focus on spatial planning, the environment, SMEs,
employment, economic and social policy, and the management
of migratory flows.

2.4.7.
Particular attention should also be given to regions
with more vulnerable environments, ensuring that their popu-
lations take a leading role in their economic and social
development in line with environmental quality objectives and
in accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and social
cohesion.

2.4.8.
The CoR would additionally suggest that the Com-
mission give due consideration to agricultural policy, which

(1) CdR 123/2000 fin — OJ C 22, 24.1.2001, p. 7.

remains an area where Community policies impact heavily on
environmental and social sustainability. Agricultural policy
may be the subject of detailed discussion at Johannesburg,
and the Commission should devote serious attention to an
assessment of this impact.

There is an important distinction to be made between
2.4.9.
the availability and the accessibility of
information. The
Committee recommends that the Commission should develop
models for the effective communication of economic and
scientific information to help enable individuals as well as
organisations and institutions to make more sustainable
choices.

2.4.10.
The Committee of the Regions supports the empha-
sis given in the Communication to the impact on sustainability
of world population growth. However, it believes that the
Communication should pay additional attention to the issue of
economic and social sustainability in relation to demographic
change, with particular reference to some of the consequences
of an ageing population structure.

Brussels, 14 November 2001.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Jos CHABERT