Decision No 1600/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 July 2002 laying down the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme
Date: 2002-07-22
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, action programme, climate change, environmental cooperation, environmental policy, environmental protection, management of resources, quality of the environment, sustainable development, waste management

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I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

DECISION No 1600/2002/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

laying down the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme

of 22 July 2002

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu-
nity, and in particular Article 175(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),

Having regard to the opinion of
Regions (3),

the Committee of

the

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty (4), in the light of the joint text approved by
the Conciliation Committee on 1 May 2002,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

A clean and healthy environment is essential for the
well-being and prosperity of
society, yet continued
growth at a global level will lead to continuing pressures
on the environment.

The Community's fifth environmental action programme
‘Towards Sustainability’ ended on 31 December 2000
having delivered a number of important improvements.

Continued effort is required in order to meet the envir-
onmental objectives and targets already established by
the Community and there is a need for the Sixth Envir-
onmental Action Programme (the ‘Programme’) set out
in this Decision.

(4)

A number of serious environmental problems persist
and new ones are emerging which require further action.

(1) OJ C 154 E, 29.5.2001, p. 218.
(2) OJ C 221, 7.8.2001, p. 80.
(3) OJ C 357, 14.12.2001, p. 44.
(4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 31 May 2001 (OJ C 47 E,
21.2.2002, p. 113), Council Common Position of 27 September
2001 (OJ C 4, 7.1.2002, p. 52) and Decision of the European Parlia-
ment of 17 January 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
Decision of the European Parliament of 30 May 2002 and Decision
of the Council of 11 June 2002.

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

Greater focus on prevention and the implementation of
the precautionary principle is required in developing an
approach to protect human health and the environment.

A prudent use of natural resources and the protection of
the global eco-system together with economic prosperity
and a balanced social development are a condition for
sustainable development.

The Programme aims at a high level of protection of the
environment and human health and at a general
improvement in the environment and quality of life,
indicates priorities for the environmental dimension of
the Sustainable Development Strategy and should be
taken into account when bringing forward actions under
the Strategy.

The Programme aims to achieve a decoupling between
environmental pressures and economic growth whilst
being consistent with the principle of subsidiarity and
respecting the diversity of conditions across the various
regions of the European Union.

The Programme establishes environmental priorities for
a Community response focusing in particular on climate
change, nature and biodiversity, environment and health
and quality of life, and natural resources and wastes.

For each of these areas key objectives and certain targets
are indicated and a number of actions are identified with
a view to achieving the said targets. These objectives and
targets constitute performance levels or achievements to
be aimed at.

The objectives, priorities and actions of the Programme
should contribute to sustainable development
in the
candidate countries and endeavour to ensure the protec-
tion of the natural assets of these countries.

Legislation remains central
to meeting environmental
challenges and full and correct implementation of the
existing legislation is a priority. Other options for
should also be
achieving environmental objectives
considered.

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(13)

The Programme should promote the process of integra-
tion of environmental concerns into all Community poli-
cies and activities in line with Article 6 of the Treaty in
order to reduce the pressures on the environment from
various sources.

(14) A strategic integrated approach, incorporating new ways
of working with the market,
involving citizens, enter-
prises and other stakeholders is needed in order to
induce necessary changes in both production and public
and private consumption patterns that influence nega-
tively the state of, and trends in, the environment. This
approach should encourage sustainable use and manage-
ment of land and sea.

(15)

(16)

(17)

(18)

Provision for access to environmental information and
to justice and for public participation in policy-making
will be important to the success of the Programme.

Thematic strategies will consider the range of options
and instruments required for dealing with a series of
complex issues that require a broad and multi-dimen-
sional approach and will propose the necessary actions,
involving where appropriate the European Parliament
and the Council.

There is scientific consensus that human activity is
causing increases in concentrations of greenhouse gases,
leading to higher global temperatures and disruption to
the climate.

The implications of climate change for human society
and for nature are severe and necessitate mitigation.
Measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases can
be implemented without a reduction in levels of growth
and prosperity.

(19)

Regardless of the success of mitigation, society needs to
adapt to and prepare for the effects of climate change.

(20) Healthy and balanced natural systems are essential for

supporting life on the planet.

(21)

There is considerable pressure from human activity on
nature and biodiversity. Action is necessary to counteract
pressures arising notably from pollution, the introduc-
tion of non-native species, potential risks from releasing
genetically modified organisms and the way in which the
land and sea are exploited.

(22)

is a finite resource that

Soil
pressure.

is under environmental

(23) Despite improvements in environmental standards, there
is increased likelihood of a link between environmental
degradation and certain human illnesses. Therefore the
potential risks arising, for example, from emissions and

hazardous chemicals, pesticides, and from noise should
be addressed.

(24) Greater knowledge is required on the potential negative
impacts arising from the use of chemicals and the
responsibility for generating knowledge should be placed
on producers, importers and downstream users.

(25)

(26)

(27)

(28)

Chemicals that are dangerous should be replaced by safer
chemicals or safer alternative technologies not entailing
the use of chemicals, with the aim of reducing risks to
man and the environment.

Pesticides should be used in a sustainable way so as to
minimise negative impacts for human health and the
environment.

The urban environment is home to some 70 % of the
population and concerted efforts are needed to ensure a
better environment and quality of
life in towns and
cities.

There is a limited capacity of the planet to meet the
increasing demand for resources and to absorb the emis-
sions and waste resulting from their use and there is
evidence that the existing demand exceeds the carrying
capacity of the environment in several cases.

(29) Waste volumes in the Community continue to rise, a
significant quantity of these being hazardous, leading to
loss of resources and to increased pollution risks.

(30)

(31)

(32)

Economic globalisation means that environmental action
is increasingly needed at international level, including on
transport policies, requiring new responses from the
Community linked to policy related to trade, develop-
ment and external affairs enabling sustainable develop-
ment to be pursued in other countries. Good governance
should make a contribution to this end.

Trade, international investment flows and export credits
should make a more positive contribution to the pursuit
of environmental protection and sustainable develop-
ment.

Environmental policy-making, given the complexities of
the issues, needs to be based on best available scientific
and economic assessment, and on knowledge of the state
and trends of the environment, in line with Article 174
of the Treaty.

(33)

Information to policy makers, stakeholders and the
general public has to be relevant, transparent, up to date
and easily understandable.

(34)

Progress
needs to be measured and evaluated.

towards meeting environmental objectives

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taking account of

(35) On the basis of an assessment of the state of the environ-
ment,
information
provided by the European Environment Agency, a review
of progress and an assessment of the need to change
orientation should be made at the mid term point of the
Programme,

regular

the

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Scope of the Programme

(hereinafter

This Decision establishes a programme of Community
1.
action on the environment
referred to as the
‘Programme’). It addresses the key environmental objectives and
priorities based on an assessment of the state of the environ-
ment and of prevailing trends including emerging issues that
require a lead from the Community. The Programme should
promote the integration of environmental concerns in all
Community policies and contribute to the achievement of
sustainable development
the current and future
throughout
enlarged Community. The Programme furthermore provides for
continuous efforts to achieve environmental objectives and
targets already established by the Community.

2.
The Programme sets out the key environmental objectives
to be attained. It establishes, where appropriate, targets and
timetables. The objectives and targets should be fulfilled before
expiry of the Programme, unless otherwise specified.

The Programme shall cover a period of ten years starting
3.
from 22 July 2002. Appropriate initiatives in the different
policy areas with the aim of meeting the objectives shall consist
of a range of measures including legislation and the strategic
approaches outlined in Article 3. These initiatives should be
presented progressively and at the latest by four years after the
adoption of this Decision.

The objectives respond to the key environmental priorities

4.
to be met by the Community in the following areas:

— climate change,

— nature and biodiversity,

— environment and health and quality of life,

— natural resources and wastes.

Article 2

Principles and overall aims

1.
The Programme constitutes a framework for the Commu-
nity's environmental policy during the period of the Programme
with the aim of ensuring a high level of protection, taking into
account the principle of subsidiarity and the diversity of situa-
the Community, and of
tions in the various

regions of

achieving a decoupling between environmental pressures and
economic growth. It shall be based particularly on the polluter-
pays principle,
the precautionary principle and preventive
action, and the principle of rectification of pollution at source.

The Programme shall
form a basis for the environmental
dimension of the European Sustainable Development Strategy
and contribute to the integration of environmental concerns
into all Community policies, inter alia by setting out environ-
mental priorities for the Strategy.

2.

The Programme aims at:

— emphasising climate change as an outstanding challenge of
the next 10 years and beyond and contributing to the long
term objective of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations
in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous
anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Thus a
long term objective of a maximum global
temperature
increase of 2 °Celsius over pre-industrial levels and a CO2
concentration below 550 ppm shall guide the Programme.
In the longer term this is likely to require a global reduction
in emissions of greenhouse gases by 70 % as compared to
1990 as identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC);

— protecting, conserving, restoring and developing the func-
tioning of natural systems, natural habitats, wild flora and
fauna with the aim of halting desertification and the loss of
biodiversity, including diversity of genetic resources, both in
the European Union and on a global scale;

— contributing to a high level of quality of life and social well
being for citizens by providing an environment where the
level of pollution does not give rise to harmful effects on
human health and the environment and by encouraging a
sustainable urban development;

— better resource efficiency and resource and waste manage-
to bring about more sustainable production and
ment
consumption patterns,
thereby decoupling the use of
resources and the generation of waste from the rate of
economic growth and aiming to ensure that the consump-
tion of renewable and non-renewable resources does not
exceed the carrying capacity of the environment.

3.
The Programme shall ensure that environmental objec-
tives, which should focus on the environmental outcomes to be
achieved, are met by the most effective and appropriate means
available, in the light of the principles set out in paragraph 1
and the strategic approaches set out in Article 3. Full considera-
tion shall be given to ensuring that the Community's environ-
mental policy-making is undertaken in an integrated way and
to all available options and instruments, taking into account
regional and local differences, as well as ecologically sensitive
areas, with an emphasis on:

— developing European initiatives to raise the awareness of

citizens and local authorities;

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— extensive dialogue with stakeholders, raising environmental

— the development of a global partnership for environment

awareness and public participation;

and sustainable development;

— analysis of benefits and costs, taking into account the need

to internalise environmental costs;

— the integration of environmental concerns and objectives

into all aspects of the Community's external relations.

— the best available scientific evidence, and the further
improvement of scientific knowledge through research and
technological development;

Article 3

— data and information on the state and trends of the environ-

Strategic approaches to meeting environmental objectives

ment.

The Programme shall promote the full

4.
integration of
environmental protection requirements into all Community
policies and actions by establishing environmental objectives
and, where appropriate, targets and timetables to be taken into
account in relevant policy areas.

Furthermore, measures proposed and adopted in favour of the
environment should be coherent with the objectives of the
economic and social dimensions of sustainable development
and vice versa.

5.
The Programme shall promote the adoption of policies
and approaches that contribute to the achievement of sustain-
able development in the countries which are candidates for
accession (‘Candidate Countries’) building on the transposition
and implementation of the acquis. The enlargement process
should sustain and protect the environmental assets of the
Candidate Countries such as wealth of biodiversity, and should
maintain and strengthen sustainable production and consump-
tion and land use patterns and environmentally sound transport
structures through:

— integration of environmental protection requirements into
Community Programmes including those related to develop-
ment of infrastructure;

— promotion of transfer of clean technologies to the Candi-

date Countries;

— extended dialogue and exchange of experience with the
national and local administrations in the Candidate Coun-
tries on sustainable development and preservation of their
environmental assets;

— cooperation with civil society, environmental non-govern-
mental organisations (NGOs) and business in the Candidate
Countries to help raise public awareness and participation;

— encouraging international

financing institutions and the
private sector to support the implementation of and compli-
ance with the environmental acquis in the Candidate Coun-
tries and to pay due attention to integrating environmental
concerns into the activities of the economic sector.

6.

The Programme shall stimulate:

— the positive and constructive role of the European Union as
a leading partner in the protection of the global environ-
ment and in the pursuit of a sustainable development;

The aims and objectives set out in the Programme shall be
pursued, inter alia, by the following means:

1. Development of new Community legislation and amend-

ment of existing legislation, where appropriate;

2. Encouraging more effective implementation and enforce-
ment of Community legislation on the environment and
without prejudice to the Commission's right to initiate
infringement proceedings. This requires:

— increased measures to improve respect for Community
rules on the protection of the environment and addres-
sing infringements of environmental legislation;

— promotion of

improved standards of permitting,
inspection, monitoring and enforcement by Member
States;

— a more systematic review of the application of environ-

mental legislation across the Member States;

— improved exchange of information on best practice on
implementation including by the European Network
for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environ-
mental Law (IMPEL network) within the framework of
its competencies;

3. Further efforts for integration of environmental protection
requirements into the preparation, definition and imple-
mentation of Community policies and activities in the
different policy areas are needed. Further efforts are neces-
sary in different sectors including consideration of their
specific environmental objectives, targets, timetables and
indicators. This requires:

— ensuring that the integration strategies produced by the
in different policy areas are translated into
Council
effective action and contribute to the implementation
of
the
the environmental aims and objectives of
Programme;

— consideration, prior

to their adoption, of whether
action in the economic and social fields, contribute to
and are coherent with the objectives, targets and time
frame of the Programme;

— establishing appropriate regular internal mechanisms in
the Community institutions, taking full account of the
need to promote transparency and access to informa-
tion, to ensure that environmental considerations are
initiatives,
fully
including relevant decisions and legislative proposals;

in Commission policy

reflected

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— regular monitoring, via relevant indicators, elaborated
where possible on the basis of a common methodology
for each sector, and reporting on the process of sectoral
integration;

— further

integration of

into
Community funding programmes without prejudice to
existing ones;

environmental

criteria

— full and effective use and implementation of Environ-
mental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental
Assessment;

spread
processes and products;

application

of

environmentally

friendly

— encouraging wider uptake of the Community's Eco-
Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) (1) and devel-
oping initiatives to encourage companies to publish
rigorous and independently verified environmental or
sustainable development performance reports;

— establishing a compliance assistance programme, with

specific help for small and medium enterprises;

— stimulating the introduction of company environ-

mental performance award schemes;

— that the objectives of the Programme should be taken
into account in future financial perspective reviews of
Community financial instruments;

— stimulating product

innovation with the aim of
greening the market including through improved disse-
mination of results of the LIFE Programme (2);

4. Promotion of sustainable production and consumption
patterns by effective implementation of the principles set
out in Article 2, to internalise the negative as well as the
positive impacts on the environment through the use of a
blend of
including market based and
economic instruments. This requires, inter alia:

instruments,

— encouraging reforms of subsidies that have consider-
able negative effects on the environment and are
incompatible with sustainable development,
inter alia
by establishing, by the mid-term review, a list of criteria
allowing such environmentally negative subsidies to be
recorded, with a view to gradually eliminating them;

— analysing the environmental efficiency of

tradable
environmental permits as a generic instrument and of
emission trading with a view to promoting and imple-
menting their use where feasible;

— promoting and encouraging the use of fiscal measures
such as environmentally related taxes and incentives, at
the appropriate national or Community level;

— promoting the integration of environmental protection

requirements in standardisation activities;

5. Improving collaboration and partnership with enterprises
and their representative bodies and involving the social
partners, consumers and their organisations, as appro-
priate, with a view to improving the environmental perfor-
mance of enterprises and aiming at sustainable production
patterns. This requires:

— promoting an integrated product policy approach
throughout
the Programme that will encourage the
taking into account of environmental requirements
throughout the life-cycle of products, and more wide-

— encouraging voluntary commitments or agreements to
achieve
including
setting out procedures in the event of non-compliance;

environmental objectives,

clear

6. To help ensure that individual consumers, enterprises and
public bodies in their
roles as purchasers, are better
informed about the processes and products in terms of
their environmental
impact with a view to achieving
sustainable consumption patterns. This requires:

— encouraging the uptake of eco-labels and other forms
of environmental information and labelling that allow
consumers
to compare environmental performance
between products of the same type;

— encouraging the use of reliable self-declared environ-

mental claims and preventing misleading claims;

— promoting a green public procurement policy, allowing
environmental characteristics to be taken into account
and the possible integration of environmental life cycle,
including the production phase, concerns
in the
procurement procedures while respecting Community
competition rules and the internal market, with guide-
lines on best practice and starting a review of green
procurement in Community Institutions;

7. To support environmental

integration in the financial

sector. This requires:

— considering a voluntary initiative with the financial
sector, covering guide-lines for the incorporation of
data on environmental cost in company annual finan-
cial reports, and the exchange of best policy practices
between Member States;

(1) Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 19 March 2001 allowing voluntary participation by
organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme
(EMAS) (OJ L 114, 24.4.2001, p. 1).

(2) Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 17 July 2000 concerning the Financial Instrument for
the Environment (LIFE) (OJ L 192, 28.7.2000, p. 1).

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— calling on the European Investment Bank to strengthen
the integration of environmental objectives and consid-
erations into its lending activities in particular with a
view to supporting a sustainable development of Candi-
date Countries;

— promoting integration of environmental objectives and
considerations into the activities of other financial insti-
tutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development;

8. To create a Community liability regime requires inter alia:

— legislation on environmental liability;

9. To improve collaboration and partnership with consumer
groups and NGOs and promote better understanding of
amongst
and participation in environmental
European citizens requires:

issues

— ensuring access

to information, participation and
justice through early ratification of the Aarhus Conven-
tion (1) by the Community and by Member States;

— supporting the provision of accessible information to
citizens on the state and trends of the environment in
relation to social, economic and health trends;

— general raising of environmental awareness;

— developing general rules and principles for good envir-

onmental governance in dialogue processes;

10. To encourage and promote effective and sustainable use
and management of land and sea taking account of envir-
onmental concerns. This requires, while fully respecting
the subsidiarity principle, the following:

— promoting best practice with respect

to sustainable
land use planning, which takes account of specific
regional circumstances with particular emphasis on the
Integrated Coastal Zone Management programme;

— promoting best practices and supporting networks
fostering the exchange of experience on sustainable
development
sea, coastline,
including urban areas,
mountain areas, wetlands and other areas of a sensitive
nature;

— enhancing the use,

increasing resources and giving
broader scope for agri-environment measures under
the Common Agricultural Policy;

— encouraging Member States to consider using regional
planning as an instrument
for improving environ-
mental protection for the citizen and promoting the
exchange of experience on sustainable regional devel-
opment, particularly in urban and densely populated
areas.

Article 4

Thematic strategies

requiring

environmental problems

1.
Actions in Articles 5 to 8 shall include the development
of thematic strategies and the evaluation of existing strategies
for priority
a broad
approach. These strategies should include an identification of
the proposals that are required to reach the objectives set out
in the Programme and the procedures foreseen for their adop-
tion. These strategies shall be submitted to the European Parlia-
ment and Council and shall, where appropriate take the form
of a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council to
be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in
Article 251 of the Treaty. Subject to the legal base of the
proposal, the legislative proposals arising from these strategies
shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in
Article 251 of the Treaty.

2.
The thematic strategies may include approaches among
those outlined in Article 3 and in Article 9 and relevant qualita-
tive and quantitative environmental
targets and timetables
against which the measures foreseen can be measured and
evaluated.

3.
The thematic strategies should be developed and imple-
mented in close consultation with the relevant parties, such as
NGOs,
industry, other social partners and public authorities,
while ensuring, as appropriate, consultation of Candidate Coun-
tries in this process.

The thematic strategies

4.
should be presented to the
European Parliament and the Council within 3 years of the
adoption of the Programme at the latest. The mid term report,
in which the Commission evaluates the progress made in
implementing the Programme, shall
include a review of the
thematic strategies.

The Commission shall report annually to the European
5.
Parliament and the Council on the progress in the development
and implementation of the strategies and on their effectiveness.

Article 5

Objectives and priority areas for action on tackling climate
change

The aims set out in Article 2 should be pursued by the

1.
following objectives:

— ratification and entering into force of the Kyoto Protocol to
the United Nations framework Convention on climate
change by 2002 and fulfilment of its commitment of an
8 % reduction in emissions by 2008-12 compared to 1990
levels for the European Community as a whole, in accor-
dance with the commitment of each Member State set out
in the Council Conclusions of 16 and 17 June 1998;

(1) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Deci-
to Justice in Environmental Matters,

sion-Making and Access
Aarhus, 25 June 1998.

— realisation by 2005 of demonstrable progress in achieving

the commitments under the Kyoto Protocol;

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— placing the Community in a credible position to advocate
an international agreement on more stringent reduction
targets for the second commitment period provided for by
the Kyoto Protocol. This agreement should aim at cutting
emissions significantly, taking full account, inter alia, of the
findings of the IPCC 3rd Assessment Report, and take into
account the necessity to move towards a global equitable
distribution of greenhouse gas emissions.

These objectives shall be pursued by means, inter alia, of

2.
the following priority actions:

(iii) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector:

(a) identifying and undertaking specific actions to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from aviation if no such
action is agreed within the International Civil Aviation
Organisation by 2002;

(b) identifying and undertaking specific actions to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from marine shipping if no
such action is agreed within the International Maritime
Organisation by 2003;

(i) Implementing

climate
including the Kyoto Protocol by means of:

international

commitments

(c) encouraging a switch to more efficient and cleaner
forms of transport including better organisation and
logistics;

(a) examining the results of the European Climate Change
Programme and adopting effective common and coor-
dinated policies and measures on its basis, as appro-
priate, for various sectors complementary to domestic
actions in the Member States;

(d) in the context of the EU target of an 8 % reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions, inviting the Commission to
submit by the end of 2002 a Communication on quan-
tified environmental objectives for a sustainable trans-
port system;

(b) working towards the establishment of a Community
framework for the development of effective CO2 emis-
sions trading with the possible extension to other
greenhouse gases;

(e) identifying and undertaking further specific action,
including any appropriate legislation, to reduce green-
house gas emissions from motor vehicles including
N2O;

(c) improving monitoring of greenhouse gases and of
progress towards delivering Member States commit-
ments made under the Internal Burden Sharing Agree-
ment;

(ii) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector:

(a) undertaking as soon as possible an inventory and
review of subsidies that counteract an efficient and
sustainable use of energy with a view to gradually
phasing them out;

(b) encouraging renewable and lower carbon fossil fuels

for power generation;

(c) encouraging the use of renewable energy sources,
including the use of incentives, including at the local
level, with a view to meeting the indicative target of
12 % of total energy use by 2010;

(d) introducing incentives to increase Combined Heat and
Power and implement measures aiming at doubling the
overall share of Combined Heat and Power in the
Community as a whole to 18 % of the total gross elec-
tricity generation;

(f) promoting the development and use of alternative fuels
and of low-fuel-consuming vehicles with the aim of
substantially and continually increasing their share;

(g) promoting measures to reflect the full environmental

costs in the price of transport;

(h) decoupling economic growth and the demand for
transport with the aim of reducing environmental
impacts;

(iv) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in industrial produc-

tion:

(a) promoting eco-efficiency practices and techniques in

industry;

(b) developing means to assist SMEs to adapt,

innovate

and improve performance;

(c) encouraging the development of more environmentally
sound and technically feasible alternatives,
including
the establishment of Community measures, aiming at
reducing emissions, phasing out the production where
appropriate and feasible and reducing the use of indus-
trial fluorinated gases HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), PFCs
(Perfluorocarbons) and SF6 (sulphur hexafluoride);

(e) prevent and reduce methane emissions from energy

production and distribution;

(v) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors:

(f) promoting energy efficiency;

(a) promoting energy efficiency notably for heating,
cooling and hot tap water in the design of buildings;

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(b) taking into account the need to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, alongside with other environmental consid-
erations, in the Common agricultural policy and in the
Community's waste management strategy;

ment Mechanism (CDM) in the Kyoto Protocol and joint
implementation;

— responding to identified technology-transfer needs;

(vi) Using other appropriate instruments such as:

— assisting with the challenge of adapting to climate change

in the countries concerned.

(a) promoting the use of

fiscal measures,

including a
timely and appropriate Community framework for
energy taxation, to encourage a switch to more effi-
cient energy use, cleaner energy and transport and to
encourage technological innovation;

(b) encouraging environmental agreements with industry

sectors on greenhouse gas emission reductions;

(c) ensuring climate change as a major theme of Commu-
nity policy for research and technological development
and for national research programmes.

3.
the
In addition to the mitigation of climate change,
Community should prepare for measures aimed at adaptation
to the consequences of climate change, by:

— reviewing Community policies, in particular those relevant
addressed
so that

adaptation is

to climate
change,
adequately in investment decisions;

— encouraging regional climate modelling and assessments
both to prepare regional adaptation measures such as water
resources management, conservation of biodiversity, deserti-
fication and flooding prevention and to support awareness
raising among citizens and business.

4.
It must be ensured that the climate challenge is taken into
account in the Community's enlargement. This will require,
inter alia, the following actions with Candidate Countries:

— supporting capacity building,

application of
domestic measures for the use of the Kyoto mechanisms
and improved reporting and emission monitoring;

the

for

— supporting a more sustainable transport and energy sector;

— ensuring that cooperation with candidate countries

is

further strengthened on climate change issues.

5.
Combating climate change will form an integral part of
the European Union's external relations policies and will consti-
tute one of the priorities in its sustainable development policy.
This will require concerted and coordinated efforts on the part
of the Community and its Member States with a view to:

— capacity-building to assist developing countries and coun-
tries with economies in transition for example through
encouraging projects in connection with the Clean Develop-

Article 6

Objectives and priority areas for action on nature and
biodiversity

The aims set out in Article 2 should be pursued by the

1.
following objectives:

— halting biodiversity decline with the aim to reach this objec-
including prevention and mitigation of

tive by 2010,
impacts of invasive alien species and genotypes;

— protection and appropriate restoration of nature and biodi-

versity from damaging pollution;

— conservation, appropriate restoration and sustainable use of

marine environment, coasts and wetlands;

— conservation and appropriate restoration of areas of signifi-
cant landscape values including cultivated as well as sensi-
tive areas;

— conservation of species and habitats, with special concern

to preventing habitat fragmentation;

— promotion of a sustainable use of the soil, with particular
attention to preventing erosion, deterioration, contamina-
tion and desertification.

2.
the
These objectives shall be pursued by means of
following priority actions, taking into account the principle of
subsidiarity, based on the existing global and regional conven-
implementation of the relevant
tions and strategies and full
Community acts. The ecosystem approach, as adopted in the
Convention on Biological Diversity (1), should be applied when-
ever appropriate:

(a) on biodiversity:

— ensuring the implementation and promoting the moni-
toring and assessment of the Community's biodiversity
strategy and the
including
through a programme for gathering data and informa-
tion, developing
and
promoting the use of best available techniques and of
best environmental practices;

action plans,

appropriate

indicators,

relevant

the

— promoting research on biodiversity, genetic resources,
ecosystems and interactions with human activities;

(1) OJ L 309, 13.12.1993, p. 1.

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— developing measures

sustainable use,
sustainable production and sustainable investments in
relation to biodiversity;

to enhance

— encouraging coherent assessment, further research and

cooperation on threatened species;

— promoting at

the global

level a fair and equitable
sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic
resources to implement Article 15 of the Convention
on Biological Diversity on access to genetic resources
originating from third countries;

— developing measures aimed at

the prevention and
control of invasive alien species including alien geno-
types;

— establishing the Natura 2000 network and imple-
menting the necessary technical and financial
instru-
ments and measures required for its full implementation
and for the protection, outside the Natura 2000 areas,
of species protected under the Habitats and Birds Direc-
tives;

methods, integrated farming practices, organic farming
and agro-biodiversity, in future reviews of the Common
Agricultural Policy, taking account of the need for a
balanced approach to the multifunctional role of rural
communities;

(g) promoting sustainable use of the seas and conservation of
marine ecosystems, including sea beds, estuarine and coastal
areas, paying special attention to sites holding a high biodi-
versity value, through:

— promoting greater integration of environmental consid-
erations in the Common Fisheries Policy, taking the
opportunity of its review in 2002;

— a thematic strategy for the protection and conservation
of the marine environment taking into account,
inter
alia,
the terms and implementation obligations of
marine Conventions, and the need to reduce emissions
and impacts of sea transport and other sea and land-
based activities;

— promoting the extension of the Natura 2000 network

— promoting integrated management of coastal zones;

to the Candidate Countries;

(b) on accidents and disasters:

— promoting Community coordination to actions by
Member States in relation to accidents and natural disas-
ters by, for example, setting up a network for exchange
of prevention practices and tools;

— developing further measures to help prevent the major
accident hazards with special regards to those arising
from pipelines, mining, marine transport of hazardous
substances and developing measures on mining waste;

(c) a thematic strategy on soil protection, addressing the
prevention of, inter alia, pollution, erosion, desertification,
land degradation, land-take and hydrogeological risks taking
into account regional diversity,
including specificities of
mountain and arid areas;

(d) promoting sustainable management of extractive industries

with a view to reduce their environmental impact;

the landscape values

(e) promoting the integration of conservation and restoration
including
instru-

of
tourism, taking account of relevant international
ments;

into other policies

(f) promoting the integration of biodiversity considerations in
agricultural policies and encouraging sustainable rural
development, multifunctional and sustainable agriculture,
through:

— encouraging full use of current opportunities of the
Common Agriculture Policy and other policy measures;

— encouraging more environmentally responsible farming,
extensive production

including, where appropriate,

— further promote the protection of marine areas, in parti-
cular with the Natura 2000 network as well as by other
feasible Community means;

(h) implementing

and
and further developing
measures on forests in line with the forest strategy for the
European Union, taking account the principle of subsi-
diarity and biodiversity considerations,
incorporating the
following elements:

strategies

rural

— improving existing Community measures which protect
forests and implementing sustainable forest manage-
ment, inter alia, through national forest programmes, in
connection with
development plans, with
increased emphasis on the monitoring of the multiple
roles of forests in line with recommendations adopted
by the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of
Forests in Europe and the United Nations Forum on
Forests and the Convention on Biodiversity and other
fora;

— encouraging the effective coordination between all
policy sectors involved in forestry, including the private
sector, as well as the coordination of all stakeholders
involved in forestry issues;

— stimulating the increase of the market share for sustain-
ably produced wood,
inter alia, through encouraging
certification for sustainable forest management and
encouraging labelling of related products;

— continuing the active participation of the Community
and of Member States in the implementation of global
and regional resolutions and in discussions and negotia-
tions on forest-related issues;

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— examining the possibilities to take active measures to
prevent and combat trade of illegally harvested wood;

extraction from water resources are sustainable over the
long term;

— encouraging consideration of climate change effects in

forestry;

(i) on genetically modified organisms (GMOs):

— achieving levels of air quality that do not give rise to signifi-
cant negative impacts on and risks to human health and the
environment;

— developing the provisions and methods for risk assess-
ment, identification, labelling and traceability of GMOs
in order to enable effective monitoring and controls of
health and environmental effects;

— substantially reducing the number of people regularly
affected by long-term average levels of noise, in particular
from traffic which, according to scientific studies, cause
detrimental effects on human health and preparing the next
step in the work with the noise directive.

— aiming for swift ratification and implementation of the
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and supporting the
build up of regulatory frameworks in third countries
where
financial
assistance.

technical

through

needed

and

Article 7

Objectives and priority areas for action on environment
and health and quality of life

1.
The aims set out in Article 2 should be pursued by the
following objectives, taking into account relevant World Health
Organisation (WHO) standards, guidelines and programmes:

— achieving better understanding of the threats to environ-
ment and human health in order to take action to prevent
and reduce these threats;

— contributing to a better quality of life through an integrated

approach concentrating on urban areas;

— aiming to achieve within one generation (2020) that chemi-
cals are only produced and used in ways that do not lead to
a significant negative impact on health and the environ-
ment, recognising that the present gaps of knowledge on
the properties, use, disposal and exposure of chemicals need
to be overcome;

These objectives shall be pursued by means of

2.
following priority actions:

the

(a) reinforcement of Community research programmes and
scientific expertise, and encouragement to the international
coordination of national research programmes, to support
achievement of objectives on health and environment, and
in particular the:

— identification and recommendations on the priority
areas for research and action including among others
the potential health impacts of electromagnetic pollu-
tion sources and including particular attention to the
development and validation of alternative methods to
animal testing in particular in the field of chemical
safety;

— definition and development of indicators of health and

environment;

— re-examination, development and updating of current
including where
health standards and limit values,
effects on potentially vulnerable
appropriate,
groups, for example children or the elderly and the
synergies and the reciprocal
impact of various pollu-
tants;

the

— review of trends and the provision of an early warning

mechanism for new or emerging problems;

— chemicals that are dangerous should be substituted by safer
chemicals or safer alternative technologies not entailing the
use of chemicals, with the aim of reducing risks to man and
the environment;

(b) on chemicals:

— reducing the impacts of pesticides on human health and the
environment and more generally to achieve a more sustain-
able use of pesticides as well as a significant overall reduc-
tion in risks and of the use of pesticides consistent with the
necessary crop protection. Pesticides in use which are
persistent or bio-accumulative or toxic or have other prop-
erties of concern should be substituted by less dangerous
ones where possible;

— achieving quality levels of ground and surface water that do
not give rise to significant impacts on and risks to human
health and the environment, and to ensure that the rates of

— placing the responsibility on manufacturers, importers
and downstream users for generating knowledge about
all chemicals (duty of care) and assessing risks of their
use,
including in products, as well as recovery and
disposal;

— developing a coherent

system based on a tiered
approach, excluding chemical substances used in very
low quantities, for the testing, risk assessment and risk
management of new and existing substances with
testing procedures that minimise the need for animal
testing and develop alternative testing methods;

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— ensuring that the chemical substances of concern are
subject to accelerated risk management procedures and
that substances of very high concern, including carcino-
genic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction substances
and those which have POPs (persistent organic pollu-
tants) characteristics, are used only in justified and well
defined cases and must be subject
to authorisation
before their use;

awareness, promoting the use of codes of good
practices, and promoting consideration of
the
possible application of financial instruments;

(v) a transparent system for reporting and monitoring
progress made in fulfilling the objectives of the
strategy including the development of suitable indi-
cators;

— ensuring that

the results of

the risk assessments of
chemicals are taken fully into account in all areas of
Community legislation where chemicals are regulated
and to avoid duplication of work;

— providing criteria for including among the substances of
very high concern those that are persistent and bio-
accumulating and toxic and substances that are very
persistent and very bio-accumulative and envisaging the
addition of known endocrine disrupters when agreed
test methods and criteria are established;

— ensuring that the main measures that are necessary in
view of the identified objectives are developed speedily
so that they can come into force before the mid-term
review;

— ensuring public access to the non-confidential informa-
tion in the Community Register on Chemicals (REACH
Register);

(c) on pesticides:

— full implementation and review of the effectiveness of
the applicable legal framework (1) in order to ensure a
high level of protection, when amended. This revision
might include, where appropriate, comparative assess-
ment and the development of Community authorisation
procedures for placing on the market;

— a thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides

that addresses:

(i) minimising the hazards and risks to health and

environment from the use of pesticides;

(ii) improved controls on the use and distribution of

pesticides;

(iii) reducing the levels of harmful active substances
including through substituting the most dangerous
with safer, including non-chemical, alternatives;

(iv) encouragement of the use of low input or pesticide
free cultivation among others through raising users'

(1) Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the
placing of plant protection products on the market (OJ L 230,
19.8.1991, p. 1). Directive as last amended by Commission Direc-
tive 2001/49/EC (OJ L 176, 29.6.2001, p. 61).

(d) on chemicals and pesticides:

— aiming at swift ratification of the Rotterdam Convention
on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain
Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International
Trade and of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants (POPs);

— amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 2455/92 of 23
July 1992 concerning the export and import of certain
dangerous chemicals (2) with the aim of bringing it into
line with the Rotterdam Convention,
improving its
procedural mechanisms and improving information to
developing countries;

— support the improvement of the management of chemi-
cals and pesticides in developing and candidate coun-
including the elimination of stocks of obsolete
tries,
pesticides,
inter alia, by supporting projects aimed at
such elimination;

— contributing to international efforts on the elaboration
of a strategic approach on international chemicals
management;

(e) on the sustainable use and high quality of water:

— ensuring a high level of protection of surface and
groundwater, preventing pollution and promoting
sustainable water use;

— working towards ensuring full

implementation of the
Water Framework Directive (3), aiming at a good ecolo-
gical, chemical and quantitative water status and a
coherent and sustainable water management;

— developing measures aimed at cessation of discharges,
emissions and losses of Priority Hazardous Substances,
in line with the provisions of the Water Framework
Directive;

— ensuring a high level of protection of bathing water,

including revising the Bathing Water Directive (4);

(3) Directive 2000/60/EC of

(2) OJ L 251, 29.8.1992, p. 13. Regulation as last amended by Commis-
sion Regulation (EC) No 2247/98 (OJ L 282, 20.10.1998, p. 12).
the
Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Commu-
nity action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1).
(4) Council Directive 76/160/EEC of 8 December 1975 concerning the
quality of bathing water (OJ L 31, 5.2.1976, p. 1). Directive as last
amended by the 1994 Act of Accession.

the European Parliament and of

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— ensuring the integration of the concepts and approaches
of the Water Framework Directive and of other water
protection directives in other Community policies;

(f) on air quality, development and implementation of the
measures in Article 5 in the transport, industry and energy
sectors
should be compatible with and contribute to
improvement of quality of air. Further measures envisaged
are:

(h) on urban environment:

— a thematic strategy promoting an integrated horizontal
approach across Community policies and improving the
taking into account
quality of urban environment,
progress made in implementing the existing coopera-
tion framework (1) reviewing it where necessary, and
addressing:

— improving the monitoring and assessment of air quality,
including the deposition of pollutants, and the provision
of information to the public, including the development
and use of indicators;

— a thematic strategy to strengthen a coherent and inte-
grated policy on air pollution to cover priorities for
further actions, the review and updating where appro-
priate of air quality standards and national emission
ceilings with a view to reach the long term objective of
no-excedence of critical loads and levels and the devel-
opment of better systems for gathering information,
modelling and forecasting;

— adopting appropriate measures concerning ground-level

ozone and particulates;

— considering indoor air quality and the impacts on
future measures

for

health, with recommendations
where appropriate;

— playing a leading role in the negotiations and the imple-
mentation of the Montreal Protocol on ozone depleting
substances;

— playing a leading role in the negotiations on and
strengthening the links and interactions with interna-
tional processes contributing to clean air in Europe;

— further development of specific Community instruments
for reducing emissions from relevant source categories;

(g) on noise:

— supplementing

and

improving measures,
further
including appropriate type-approval procedures, on
noise emissions from services and products,
in parti-
cular motor vehicles including measures to reduce noise
from the interaction between tyre and road surface that
do not compromise road safety, from railway vehicles,
aircraft and stationary machinery;

— developing and implementing instruments to mitigate
traffic noise where appropriate, for example by means
transport demand reduction, shifts to less noisy
of
technical
modes of
measures and of sustainable transport planning;

the promotion of

transport,

— the promotion of Local Agenda 21;

— the reduction of the link between economic growth

and passenger transport demand;

— the need for an increased share in public transport,
rail, inland waterways, walking and cycling modes;

— the need to tackle rising volumes of traffic and to
bring about a significant decoupling of transport
growth and GDP growth;

— the need to promote the use of low emission vehi-

cles in public transports;

— the consideration of urban environment indicators.

Article 8

Objectives and priority areas for action on the sustainable
use and management of natural resources and wastes

The aims set out in Article 2 should be pursued by the

1.
following objectives:

— aiming at ensuring that the consumption of resources and
their associated impacts do not exceed the carrying capacity
of
the environment and breaking the linkages between
economic growth and resource use. In this context the indi-
cative target to achieve a percentage of 22 % of the electri-
city production from renewable energies by 2010 in the
Community is recalled with a view to increasing drastically
resource and energy efficiency;

— achieving a significant overall reduction in the volumes of
waste generated through waste prevention initiatives, better
resource efficiency and a shift towards more sustainable
production and consumption patterns;

— a significant reduction in the quantity of waste going to
disposal and the volumes of hazardous waste produced
while avoiding an increase of emissions to air, water and
soil;

(1) Decision No 1141/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 27 June 2001 on a Community framework for coopera-
(OJ L 191,
tion to promote sustainable urban development
13.7.2001, p. 1).

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— encouraging re-use and for wastes that are still generated:
the level of their hazardousness should be reduced and they
should present as little risk as possible; preference should be
given to recovery and especially to recycling; the quantity
of waste for disposal should be minimised and should be
safely disposed of; waste intended for disposal should be
treated as closely as possible to the place of its generation,
to the extent that this does not lead to a decrease in the effi-
ciency in waste treatment operations.

2.
These objectives shall be pursued taking into considera-
tion the Integrated Product Policy approach and the Communi-
strategy for waste management (1) by means of
ty's
the
following priority actions:

(i) developing a thematic strategy on the sustainable use and

management of resources, including inter alia:

(a) an estimate of materials and waste streams in the
for
flow

Community,
and exports
example by using the instrument of material
analysis;

including

imports

(b) a review of the efficiency of policy measures and the
impact of subsidies relating to natural resources and
waste;

(c) establishment of goals and targets for resource effi-
ciency and the diminished use of resources, decoupling
the link between economic growth and negative envir-
onmental impacts;

(d) promotion of extraction and production methods and
techniques to encourage eco-efficiency and the sustain-
able use of raw-materials, energy, water and other
resources;

(e) development and implementation of a broad range of
instruments including research,
technology transfer,
market-based and economic instruments, programmes
of best practice and indicators of resource efficiency;

(ii) Developing and implementing measures on waste preven-

tion and management by, inter alia:

(a) developing a set of quantitative and qualitative reduc-
tion targets covering all relevant waste, to be achieved
at Community level by 2010. The Commission is
invited to prepare a proposal for such targets by 2002;

(b) encourage ecologically sound and sustainable product

design;

(c) raising awareness of the public's potential contribution

on waste reduction;

(d) the formulation of operational measures to encourage
waste prevention, e.g. stimulating re-use and recovery,
the phasing out of certain substances and materials
through product-related measures;

(1) Council Resolution of 24 February 1997 on a Community strategy

for waste management (OJ C 76, 11.3.1997, p. 1).

(e) developing further indicators in the field of waste

management;

(iii) Developing a

thematic

strategy on waste

recycling,

including inter alia:

(a) measures aimed at ensuring source separation,
collection and recycling of priority waste streams;

the

(b) further development of producer responsibility;

(c) development and transfer of environmentally sound

waste recycling and treatment technology;

(iv) Developing or revising the legislation on wastes, including,
inter alia, construction and demolition waste,
sewage
sludge (2), biodegradable wastes, packaging (3), batteries (4)
and waste shipments (5), clarification of
the distinction
between waste
and development of
adequate criteria for the further elaboration of Annex IIA
and IIB of the framework directive on wastes (6).

and non-waste

Article 9

Objectives and priority areas for action on international
issues

1.
The aim set out in Article 2 on international issues and
the international dimensions of the four environmental priority
areas of this Programme involve the following objectives:

— the pursuit of ambitious environmental policies at the inter-
level paying particular attention to the carrying

national
capacity of the global environment;

— the further promotion of sustainable consumption and

production patterns at the international level;

— making progress to ensure that trade and environment poli-

cies and measures are mutually supportive.

(2) Council Directive 86/278/EEC of 12 June 1986 on the protection of
the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge
is used in agriculture (OJ L 181, 4.7.1986, p. 6). Directive as last
amended by the 1994 Act of Accession.

(3) Directive 94/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste (OJ L
365, 31.12.1994, p. 10). Directive as last amended by Commission
Decision 1999/177/EC (OJ L 56, 4.3.1999, p. 47).

(4) Commission Directive 93/86/EEC of 4 October 1993 adapting to
technical progress Council Directive 91/157/EEC on batteries and
accumulators containing certain dangerous substances (OJ L 264,
23.10.1993, p. 51).

(5) Council Regulation (EEC) No 259/93 of 1 February 1993 on the
supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out
of the European Community (OJ L 30, 6.2.1993, p. 1). Regulation
as last amended by Commission Decision 1999/816/EEC (OJ L 316,
10.12.1999, p. 45).

(6) Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste (OJ L 194,
25.7.1975, p. 39). Directive as last amended by Commission Deci-
sion 96/350/EC (OJ L 135, 6.6.1996, p. 32).

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These objectives shall be pursued by means of

2.
following priority actions:

the

knowledge and the strategic approaches set out in Article 3
shall be pursued by means of the following priority actions:

(a) integrating environment protection requirements into all
including trade and
the Community's external policies,
development cooperation, in order to achieve sustainable
development by inter alia the elaboration of guidelines;

(b) establishing a coherent set of environment and develop-
ment targets to be promoted for adoption as part of ‘a new
global deal or pact’ at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development in 2002;

(c) work towards strengthening international environmental
governance by the gradual reinforcement of the multilateral
cooperation and the institutional
framework including
resources;

(d) aiming for swift ratification, effective compliance and enfor-
cement of
and agreements
relating to the environment where the Community is a
Party;

international

conventions

(e) promoting sustainable environmental practices in foreign

investment and export credits;

(f) intensify efforts at

to arrive at
the international
consensus on methods for the evaluation of risks to health
and the environment, as well as approaches of risk manage-
ment including the precautionary principle;

level

(g) achieving mutual supportiveness between trade and the
needs for environmental protection, by taking due account
of the environmental dimension in Sustainability Impact
Assessments of multilateral trade agreements to be carried
out at an early stage of their negotiation and by acting
accordingly;

(h) further promoting a world trade system that fully recog-
nises Multilateral or Regional Environmental Agreements
and the precautionary principle, enhancing opportunities
trade in sustainable and environmentally friendly
for
products and services;

(a) development of improved mechanisms and of general rules
and principles of good governance within which stake-
holders are widely and extensively consulted at all stages so
as to facilitate the most effective choices for the best results
for the environment and sustainable development in regard
to the measures to be proposed;

(b) strengthening participation in the dialogue process by
support,

appropriate

through

environmental NGOs
including Community finance;

(c) improvement of the process of policy making through:

— ex-ante evaluation of the possible impacts, in particular
the environmental
impacts, of new policies including
the alternative of no action and of the proposals for
legislation and publication of the results;

— ex-post

the
measures in meeting their environmental objectives;

effectiveness of

evaluation of

existing

(d) ensuring that environment and notably the priority areas
identified in this Programme are a major priority for
Community research programmes. Regular
reviews of
environmental
research needs and priorities should be
undertaken within the context of the Community Frame-
work Programme of research and technological develop-
ment. Ensuring better coordination of research related to
the environment conducted in Member States inter alia to
improve the application of results;

development of bridges between environmental and other
actors in the fields of information, training, research, educa-
tion and policies;

(e) ensuring regular information, to be provided starting from

2003, that can help to provide the basis for:

(i) promoting cross-border environmental cooperation with

neighbouring countries and regions;

— policy decisions on the environment and sustainable

development;

(j) promoting a better policy coherence by linking the work
done within the framework of the different conventions,
including the assessment of interlinkages between biodiver-
sity and climate change, and the integration of biodiversity
considerations
the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the
Kyoto Protocol.

into the implementation of

Article 10

Environment policy making

— the follow-up and review of sector integration strategies
as well as of the Sustainable Development Strategy;

— information to the wider public.

The production of this information will be supported by
regular reports from the European Environment Agency
and other relevant bodies. The information shall consist
notably of:

— headline environmental indicators;

— indicators on the state and trends of the environment;

The objectives set out in Article 2 on environment policy-
making based on participation and best available scientific

— integration indicators;

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(f) reviewing and regularly monitoring information and
reporting systems with a view to a more coherent and effec-
tive system to ensure streamlined reporting of high quality,
comparable and relevant environmental data and informa-
tion. The Commission is invited, as soon as possible, to
provide a proposal as appropriate to this end. Monitoring,
data collection and reporting requirements
should be
addressed efficiently in future environmental legislation;

(g) reinforcing the development and the use of earth moni-
toring (e.g. satellite technology) applications and tools in
support of policy-making and implementation.

report together with any proposal for amendment that it may
consider appropriate to the European Parliament and the
Council.

2.
The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament
and the Council a final assessment of the Programme and the
state and prospects for the environment in the course of the
final year of the Programme.

Article 12

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the
European Communities.

Article 11

Monitoring and evaluation of results

Done at Brussels, 22 July 2002.

1.
In the fourth year of operation of the Programme the
Commission shall evaluate the progress made in its implemen-
trends and
tation together with associated environmental
prospects. This should be done on the basis of a comprehensive
set of indicators. The Commission shall submit this mid-term

For the European Parliament

The President

P. COX

For the Council

The President

P. S. MØLLER