A thematic strategy

The forthcoming EU strategy on the urban environment is one of a series of “thematic strategies” to be adopted this year by the Commission, as set out in the 6^th Environment Action Programme which set out a direction for Community environmental policy for 2001-2010.

The 6^th Environmental Action Programme (6^th EAP) http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/newprg/index.htm sets out four priority areas:

      Climate Change

      Nature and bio-diversity

      Environment and Health and quality of life

      Natural Resources and Waste

Progress on implementation of environmental policy is made available in an annual report:-

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/lisbon.htm

Thematic strategies are described as representing a ‘modern way of policy-making’. They deliver broad objectives under a Programme - a package of measures to achieve their goal. Development and implementation of thematic strategies takes place in close consultation with relevant parties, such as Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), industry, other social partners and public authorities.  There are currently seven thematic strategies being prepared under the responsibility of Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.  These are:

      Sustainable use and management of resources

      Soil protection

      Protection and conservation of the marine environment

      Sustainable use of pesticides

      Air pollution

      Urban Environment

      Waste prevention and recycling.

The thematic strategy on the urban environment, mentioned earlier in this Brief, takes a geographically defined approach and integrates different policies at local level. The strategies are developed on the basis of extensive knowledge and consultation. This consultation will provide input to allow the strategy on the urban environment to be completed.

The College of Commissioners debated the future of environment policy on 20th July 2005. This debate followed intense discussions within  Commission services over the adoption of the thematic strategies proposed on air pollution and on the marine environment.  At issue is the cost of any new legislation on the environment and its subsequent impact on the competitiveness of European industry.  Commission President Barroso is all too aware of the gap between aspiration and reality in achieving Europe’s ambitious Lisbon Agenda for 2010 in relation to jobs and growth.  The impact assessment of the air pollution strategy alone estimated that this strategy could cost Euro 12 billion.  For the Environment Directorate General, the concern is that the thematic strategies have a role to play in consolidating and clarifying existing environmental legislation and that the costs of ‘non-action’ would place an additional burden on national health services.  They point to the timescale for implementing the air quality strategy, which would spread costs until a target date of 2020.

It is hoped that autumn 2005 will bring clarification on this and other social measures whose strategic role in EU Affairs is now uncertain.