CELEX: 51988PC0202
Language: en
Date: 1988-05-05
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION on preventing environmental damage by the implementation of education and training measures (submitted by the Commission)

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COM (88) 202
Vol. 1988/0062
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                   COM ( 88 ) 202 final
                                   Brussels , 10 May 1988
                             PROPOSAL FOR A
                           COUNCIL DECISION
                 on preventing environmental damage
      by the Implementation of education and training measures
                    ( submitted by the Commission )
 ---pagebreak---                         g
                                      - 1 -
                             EXPLANATOBY KStCRAKDjK
 1.  ВАСКСЗХЮ
                                                             t
The various European Community action programmes on the environment have
highlighted the vital role that education must play as part of an overall
strategy to proteot natural resources and prevent risks to the environment .
The first aotion programme1 stressed that if people were to accept fully
their responsibilities as regards the problems of protecting the
environment , they needed to be informed by appropriate educational action .
The programmes adopted in 1977 , 2 1933® and 1987^ also showed the
important contribution that education - as a means of making the population
in general and young people In particular aware of the problems - should
make towards the protection and improvement of the environment .
The Community aotion on environmental education involved , among other
things , the development of a network of pilot schools to encourage
cooperation and exchange of experience between the schools in the network
and to test new teaching methods and materials .
This network was set up in 1977 .    There have been two phases , the primary
phase ( 1977-1982 ) and the secondary phase ( 1932-1986 ) with the
participation of 29 and 31 schools respectively in all Community Member
States .
The results of this aotion have been as follows : firstly the pilot schools
network has made it easier to disseminate ideas and experience regarding
environmental, eduoation throughout the community . It has also had. some
innovative effects in that it has encouraged the idea of taking account of
the environment when drawing up new educational programmes and the creation
of national or regional networks or associations of teachers specializing
in environmental education .
1 OJ C 112 , 20.12 . 1973 .
2 OJ C 139 . 13.6-1977 .
3 OJ C 46 , 17.2.1983 .
4 0J   70 . 18.3.1987 .
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 2 -
 II . NEW AIMS
 It seems self-evident that Community action in this field should have wider
 and more ambitious aims . Indeed the principles of CoramunitY environment
 policy as defined .in the new Article 130 R of the EBC Treaty include
 preventive action to stop pollution at its source , rather than measures to
 combat its effects after the event .   In order to achieve this aim it will
be neoeesary to promote the development of environmental education and
 training since this is undoubtedly one of the most effective ways of
preventing pollution , as it makes people aware of environmental problems
and guides their behaviour in the direction of the greatest possible
protection of natural resouroes .
The Council of Environment Ministers , moreover , whan examining the 4th
action programme5 requested that oommunity action should be oonoentrated
on oertain key areas including environmental education and training . This
priority was also highlighted by the European Parliament in its opinion on
the 4th action programme.®
The diversity of education systems in the Member States , however , which has
always been regarded as one of the sources of the great culture! heritage
 of European countries does not allow of too detailed a definition of the
 form and methods for the introduction or development of environmental
 education and training . Any Community action in this area should be
 restricted to establishing a number of general principles for the
appropriate authorities in the Member States to put into practice without
prejudice to any independent action by the Commission .
III .  CONTENT OF THE PPQPOSAL
The aim of the present proposal is to define a consistent set of
education and training measures whioh will contribute effectively to the
prevention of environmental damage . To achieve this aim , the educational
systems in all the Member States must encourage the guidance cf people 's
behaviour in the direction of the greatest possible proteotion of the
5 CkJ C 259 , 29 . 10 . 1957 .
6 OJ C 166 , 15.6.1987 .
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 3 -
environment and heighten publlo awareness of problems in this area . In
fact it is particularly important to make sure that the public is aware of
a number of* ideas referred to in Artiole 1(2 ).
Article 2 provides for action by the appropriate authorities in the Member
Statee to promote the development of environmental eduoatlon and training .
The provisions of this article are based on the two following ideas :
- the essential elements of environmental eduoatlon and training must be
   included in gbl levels Of general education and vocational training
   ( including training for adults ).
 - the environment .is an inter-disaiplinary oonoept ocnneoted with all
   school subjects x.e . not merely natural soienoes but also social
   sciences .
Cne pcint which demands priority attention is the training of environment
specialists since the application of ercLsting legislation in this field
requires Industry and the national administrations to have at their
disrscsal staff with the necessary qualifications . In view of this . Article
2(2) stipulates that the Member States should encourage the training of
specialists In the various disciplines relating to the environment by
introducing ecological subjects into further training programmes .
The same paragraph highlights the need to ensure the inclusion of
environmental studies in vocational training and ’university education . The
main aim is to ensure that greater consideration will be given to the
requirements for the conservation of the environment by those with future
responsibilities , whose behaviour frequently has a not Inconsiderable
impact on the environment and natural resouroes .
IV .   ΑΓΙίΓΓΙΟΝΑή Μ2Α5Ι33Ξ8ΙΟ ΕΕ ΤΑΚΞΝ ΑΤ ΟΠΜΜϋΝΙΊΥ 1ΖΥΕ1
The Ideas set out :_r. the preceding paragraphs have shown that it is up to
the Member States to take the necessary steps to ensure the development of
environmental education .    However , the Cammunlty institutions also have an
important part tc play­
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 4
A number of measures aimed at supporting and supplementing action taker, by
the Member States need to be taken at Community level . These measures ,
which will in part be implemented under the Fourth action programme on the
environment , would be aimed in particular at promoting the oamparlson and
transfer of experience at national level and encouraging the oonsiderati.cn
of specifically European aspects of environmental education . With this in
view , it appears to be neoessary inter al la to :
- draw up a list of all the action taken or being taken in the Member
  States ;
- make available to teachers and pupils alike basic documentation on the
  various Community environment issues ;
- prepare a European handbook of the university centres offering courses in
  disciplines relevant to the training of specialists In environment
  issues ;
- organize meetings , seminars and oolloqnia and a European summer school
  for those responsible for education .
It is also neoessary to ensure better integration of environmental concerns
in existing Community programmes and activities in education and vocational
training . Integration would make it possible , among other things , to :
- promote meetings of young Europeans on topics of environmental protection
  through the "Youth for Europe " Schemes (YES ) and " Exchanges between Yeung
  Workers " schemes :
- encourage initiatives by young people for young people or partnerships on
  environmental issues ;
- step up cooperation between higher education establishments active in
  environmental matters , by using the opportunities offered by the ERASMUS
  programme , in particular to promote the mobility of students and teachers
  and the development of caramon curricula .
 ---pagebreak---                                      s
promote , in environmental matters , oooper&tion between universities and
industry In training in the new technologies , using the opportunities
offered by the OGMETT programme to this end ;
encourage contact between specialists in environmental education at
national level by Including environmental " eduoaticn"as a topio In the
ARIQN programme .
 ---pagebreak---                                        - θ -
                                 Proposai for a
                                Coinxil 1 Deolslan
                                         of
or. preventing damage to the environment by the implementation of education
and training measures
The Council of the European Communities
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
and in particular Artiole 130S thereof ,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission , ^
Having regard tc the opinion of the European Parliament , 2
Having regard to the opinion of the Eoonomio and Sooial Committee . 2
Whereas Article 120 R(2 ) of the Treaty establishing the European Eccnomio
Community lays down that action by the Community relating to the
environment shall be based Inter alia on the principle of preventive
action ;
Whereas education and training have an important role to play in this
connection , whereas in environmental matters , their objective is to make
the public aware of existing problems and possible solutions in this area ,
and tc encourage everyone to pay the greatest possible attention tc
environmental requirements ;
Whereas the European Communities environmental action programmes of 1972 , 4
1977 , 5 1962® and 1967? emphasize the importance of increasing publlo
awareness through appropriate measures in the field of education ;
Whereas the Pesclution of the Council of the European Communities and of
the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within
the Council of 19 October 1987,® on the continuation and implementation of
a European Community policy and action programme on the environment
declares that it is important for Community action to ocnoentrate on
2
3
4 OJ C 112 , 20.12.1972 , p.l .
6 GJ C 129 , 13.6.1977 .
6 OJ C 46 , 17.2.1983 .
7 07 70 , 13.3.1983 .
8 OJ C 289 , 29.10 . 1987 .
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 7 -
 certain priority areas while observing the powers of the Community and the
 Member States arid in this conneotion nai l s for increased, efforts to promote
 environmental, education and training at appropriate levels ;
Whereas the Resolution of the Council and of the Ministers for Education
meeting within the Counoil of 9 February 1976 comprising an action
 programme in the field of education® provides for the implementation of
 various measures to promote closer relations between national education
 systems and cooperation in the field of higher education ;
Whereas , having regard to the diversity of education systems in the Member
 States , oertain principles should be established , the implementation of
which would be the responsibility of the competent authorities in the
Member States ;
Whereas it is in particular necessary to encourage the observance of these
principles at all levels cf education and training (preschool , primary ,
 secondary and higher ) ;
Whereas Member States should also train an adequate number of specialists
 In environmental natters in order to meet the growing demand from
undertakings and administrations and contribute to the achievement of the
objectives of Community environment policy In practioe ;
Whereas in addition to national measures , the Community institutions should
take action to encorrage comparison and transfer of experience gained at
national level , ensure that greater consideration is given to speolfloally
European aspects and incorporate environmental matters into existing
Community programmes on education and training ;
EAS ADQPTED TETS D3CISICN :
1 . Protection of tiie environment requires oitizens to be made mere aware
cf the problems existing in this area and of possible solutions .
2 . The achievement of this objectives defends an awareness of the
following :
- the environment as the oommon heritage of mankind ;
- the ecological balance and the need to safeguard it ;
- the right to enjoyment of an unpolluted environment ;
 ---pagebreak---                                      - a -
- the need for the rational use of natural resources ;
 - the effects of human activities on the local , national and world
   environment ;
- the wav in which, each individual Oan by his own behaviour , particularly
   ae a oonsumer , contribute to the protection of the environment .
Article 2
1.   The oompetent authorities of the Member States shall introduce the
points set out In paragraph. 2 of Article 1 at all levels of teaching ,
general education and vocational training (including adult training ; , in
cooperation with local bodies and , where appropriate , parents .
To this end , the competent authorities of the Member States shall :
- give consideration to these aspects when drawing up curricula and the
   disciplines in question and organizing interdisciplinary oourees ;
- rtahe provision for extra-curricular school activities by means of which
   theoretical knowledge of the environment acquired in school oan be tried
   out in praotioe ;
- take appropriate measures to develop teachers' knowledge of the
   environmental matters in the context of their initial and in-service
   training , and encourage their further training by means of pilot schemes
   and research projects ;
- undertake specific action to provide teachers and pupils with appropriate
   teaching materials .
2.   The Member States shall promote the training of specialists in the
various disciplines relating to the environment by introducing eoologioal
subjects into further training programmes . This shall also be encouraged
in the field of vocational training , including university education , with a
view to steering the behaviour of those with future response billties in a
direction which is most favourable to the conservation of the environment
and natural resources .
3 . In order to ensure that the actions set out in the two preceding
paragraphs are incorporated more effectively into the teaching strictures
and strategies of the respective education and training systems , the
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 9 -
competent authorities of each Member State shall draw up a programme
setting out the practical arrangements for the implementation of the
objective referred to in Article 1(1 ).
•i . These programmes shall take acoount of the fact that environmental
education aid vocational training is a principle of interdisciplinary
teaching of relevance both to the field of natural sciences and that of
sooial sciences .
Article 2
Member States shall take the necessary measures to comply with this
Decision by 1 April 1990 at the latest and. shall forthwith notify the
Commission thereof .
The Commission shall present a report on the implementation of this
Decision to the Council and the European Parliament by 1 July 1902 .
This Decision is addressed to the Member States .