BRUSSELS BRIEF

BRUSSELS BRIEF - NOVEMBER 2005

This brief aims to provide a monthly up-date on news from the European Institutions of interest to the civil engineering profession. Our regular topics include EU policies and actions on Research and Technological development, Education and Training, Environment, Energy, Information Technology and matters of more general interest such as transport, project financing and news from the European Parliament. More detailed reports of meetings with European Commission and Parliament are provided to ECCE member organisations with Working Papers and Minutes of Meeting. The November ECCE Brussels Brief Annexe relates to Renewable Energy.

Annex: Renewable Energy and its role in European Commission Research

EU/COMMISSION POLICY:

U.K. Presidency News of interest to civil engineering professionals:

Informal Ministerial Meeting on Road Safety Conclusions recognised the need to focus on four aspects: Improving safety on European roads; Funding road safety; Enforcement and best practice; and Vehicle safety. (Further information is contained here)

Also in November, as part of its Presidency the U.K. hosted the Health and Safety Senior Labour Inspectors Committee (SLIC) Conference in London.

U.K. Presidency pages: http://www.eu2005.gov.uk

Next Presidencies:

1st January -30th June 2006: Austrian Presidency

1st July -31st December 2006: Finnish Presidency

NEWS ITEMS FROM THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS:

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

° European Parliament committees provide opinions on 7^th Framework Programme: 1. Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Full text (Rapporteur: Thijs Berman MEP); 2. Committee on Regional Development Full text (Rapporteur: Alyn Smith MEP). 3. Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality Full text (Rapporteur: Britta Thomsen MEP).

° International Council for Science launches natural disaster mitigation initiative: Two particular needs are identified: 1. research to discover why natural disasters appear to be increasing 2. need to identify human activities that can aggravate or mitigate their effect. A key component will focus on linking scientific advice to end users (e.g. local/regional/national governments, development agencies, humanitarian organisations). The final goal is to establish an international collaborative research and communications programme to last for a decade or more. http://www.icsu.org

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:

° News from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Meeting in Tunis: The Internet Society welcomed WSIS proposal to build on existing Internet governance mechanisms The WSIS recommendation includes a proposal for a new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue - the Internet Governance Forum. The proposed forum would have no oversight function and would have no involvement in the day-to-day operations of the Internet. Internet Society -- ISOC The private sector was represented in the Summit process by CCBI (the Coordinating Committee of Business Interlocutors), chaired by ICC (the International Chamber of Commerce). Business asked government for: 1. A technology neutral, competitive marketplace. 2. A strong system of intellectual property protection. 3. Government operations which are transparent and operate under the rule of law. 4. A commitment to gender neutral education and training, using information and communication technologies wherever possible.

Companies participating in the World Summit on the Information Society opposed plans for an intergovernmental body overseeing administration of the Internet, saying it would only serve to "create uncertainty and hinder innovation". Further information: www.businessatwsis.net ICC Commission on E-business, IT and Telecoms International Chamber of Commerce

° The digital divide in Europe: 85% of students and 13% of retired persons used the internet in 2004. In all Member States for which data are available, the highest proportion of internet use during first quarter of 2004 was recorded for students. The highest ratios were registered in Finland (97%), Sweden and Denmark (both 96%), and the lowest in Greece (55%), Ireland (57%) and Italy (74%). Across the EU, employees generally registered the second highest proportion of internet use: highest were Sweden (86%), Denmark (83%), the Netherlands and Finland (both 82%); the lowest in Greece (28%), Lithuania and Hungary (both 33%). Full text

° Commission's statement of intention to set up i2010 high level group of national representatives the Commission has the intention to set up a "i2010 High Level Group" which will be composed of representatives of Member States. Full text of Document 14225/05 Addendum 01

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION:

° Commission Communication on “Modernising education and training: a vital contribution to prosperity and social cohesion in Europe” : This sets out the Commission contribution to the 2006 Joint Progress Report on the implementation of the “Education and Training 2010” work programme to be jointly agreed with the Council of Ministers in February 2006. This Work Programme is the education and training component of the Lisbon strategy. It aims to modernise Europe’s education and training systems.

° The Commission also adopted a proposal for a Recommendation of the Council and the Parliament on Key Competences. These are considered to be the essential skills, knowledge and attitudes that every European should possess in a knowledge-based society and economy. The eight key competences identified include: (1) Communication in the mother tongue; (2) Communication in foreign languages; (3) Basic competences in maths, science and technology; (4) Digital competence; (5) Learning to learn; (6) Interpersonal, intercultural and social competences, and civic competence; (7) Entrepreneurship; and (8) Cultural expression. These are underpinned by basic skills, and include ‘horizontal components’ such as critical thinking, creativity, the European dimension, and active citizenship. Taken together, they contribute to achieving “personal fulfilment, active participation and improve a person’s employability”.

THE ENVIRONMENT:

° First report on implementation of the 1996 Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive raises concerns about the slow implementation. The law aims to regulate and limit harmful emissions to air, water and land from major industrial operations (factories, energy-generation plants, large farms etc). Delay in issuing the necessary permits means that planned environmental improvements will be compromised. The Commission urges Member States to make greater efforts to meet the October 2007 deadline. Currently, procedures are open against Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Spain for failure to act. http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ippc/index.htm The IPPC review will proceed through 2006 and be concluded in 2007 with a Commission Communication. If appropriate, the Commission will propose legislative changes to the Directive. More information on the review process can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ippc/ippc_review_process.htm.

° Prototype Satellite service for forest mapping supports Kyoto Protocol The European Space Agency’s Kyoto-Inventory service has been designed to produce information products on changing land use associated with carbon 'sinks' or 'sources' that can support national governments' reporting requirements to the Kyoto Protocol. In general developed countries are required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% from those during reference year 1990, with the EU committed to an 8% reduction - the Protocol also includes a mechanism for offsetting emissions against increases in the stock of carbon stored in vegetation, in particular forests. The Kyoto-Inventory project is being scaled up within a service called GSE Forest Monitoring. Further information: European Space Agency http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/index.ht ml and http://www.gmes.info/

° Emissions trading – highlights of recent survey now published: A key finding is that companies across sectors demand longer-term certainty and predictability about the scheme, in particular the allocation of emission allowances, so that they can plan investment in technology. The legal basis for greenhouse gas emissions trading is Directive 2003/87/EC. A paper with survey highlights appears on http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/emission.htm

° Commission approves plan for disposal of radioactive waste from Temelín nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic: The Commission Opinion on disposal was published in the EU Official Journal (OJ C293/40 25.11.2005) Text (Further news on nuclear plant decommissioning appears in the European Parliament section of this ECCE Brussels Brief).

° Progress on amending Water Directives: 1. Extension of Conciliation Period on draft Bathing Water Directive: Full text of Document 14136/05 For technical reasons (legal linguistic translations) the conciliation for a Proposal for a Directive on the management of bathing water quality and repealing Directive 76/160/EEC has been postponed. 2. Finalised text of common position on protection of groundwater against pollution has been produced:Full text of Document 12062/05

° Noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors - EESC Opinion: The European Economic and Social Committee has welcomed the Commission proposal to modify Directive 2000/14/EC ("noise directive"). The EESC has emphasised that the main sources of noise, in the construction industry and in gardening activities and forestry, are indeed the various types of equipment listed in the Directive and that the technical information and guarantees provided by manufacturers are crucial to the employer in terms of noise management. Full text of Opinion

° Finalised text of regulation extending and amending European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Full text of Document 3648/05 This amends Council Directives 91/689/EEC and 96/61/EC

° Environmental cases and breaches:

Case against Spain for derelictions of duty at landfill waste disposal sites - Case filing C-361/05: Court notice for the OJ Failure to fulfil obligations related to Council Directive 75/442/EEC , as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC , and Article 14 of Council Directive 99/31/EC

° Germany has not fully transposed the directive on protection of wild habitats: opinion (C-98/03) Germany must pay costs for failure to fully implement directive 92/43/CEE Full text of this Opinion

For rulings by the European Court of Justice see http://curia.eu.int/en/content/juris/index.htm

ENERGY:

° Renewable energy research: The Commission held a Renewable Energy Conference in Brussels in November to promote the use of renewable energy which currently represents about 50% of the energy research programme. The EU will invest €440 million of research money in advancing these technologies between 2002- 2006 and proposes to maintain this level of investment in the 2007-2013 research programme. http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/energy/index_en.htm

° Commission sector inquiry confirms many of the criticisms made about EU gas and electricity markets: Initial findings confirm the analysis the Commission put forward in its Report on Progress in Creating the Internal Gas and Electricity Market. The need for action is emphasised. After a wide public consultation on the preliminary findings, scheduled for February and March of 2006, the Commission will discuss and propose necessary structural, regulatory and competition law-based remedies. For further information: Text of initial findings Competition DG

The text of the Commission services working paper summarising the issues identified is available on the Europa website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/antitrust/others/sector_inquiries/energy/

TRANSPORT:

° Transport policy – mid-term review of the White Paper on "the European transport policy for 2010 The Commission will carry out a review over the coming months. This is a public consultation and comments should reach the Commission's services no later than the 31/12/2005 . Access this link to obtain The questions Background is available on the policy document: White Paper: "European transport policy"

° 3^rd Annual meeting of cities in Europe’s CIVITAS programme: Nantes in France was the venue to the Civitas network meeting comprising 36 member cities who seek to develop alternatives to private car use in towns and cities in order to reduce congestion and pollution. The Commission will continue financial support under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development (7FP)(2007-2013). To date, Commission cofinancing totals €100 million www.civitas-initiative.org

Reference point: Energy and Transport DG

INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING:

° European Investment Bank

° The EIB is providing a EUR 150 million loan for co-financing of priority projects (i) those co-financed by EU Structural Funds to develop the Latvian economic and social infrastructure and (ii) projects in the fields of the environment and Trans-European Networks co-financed by the EU Cohesion Fund.

° The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending EUR 25 million for the upgrading of two existing hydroelectric power plants on the Kemijoki River in Lapland, northern Finland.

° Opening of EIB’s first project in Russia: Russian President Putin and Mrs Valentina Matvienko, Governor of St. Petersburg were present for the inauguration of the South West Wastewater Treatment Plant in St Petersburg

° Further Information on European Investment Bank loans is to be found on http://www.eib.org

° The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

° Lithuania has committed itself to shut down the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant by 2009. It closed Unit 1 in December 2004. The EBRD-administered Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund (IIDSF) will provide a €90 million grant for the environmental and technical upgrading of the Lithuanian Power Plant to help secure the power supply during and after the closure. The 1,800 MW the multi-fuel plant, which is situated in the town of Elektrenai, will become the main generator of electricity in Lithuania after the final closure of Ignalina.

° Information on EBRD activity is to be found on: http://www.ebrd.org

GENERAL INTEREST:

° Information note from Presidency on green public procurement in the EU Full text of Document 14991/05

NEWS FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT:

http://www.europarl.eu.int

For those who wish to look further into European Parliament business and transactions, the European Parliament unveiled its new website in September.

The site includes five main sections: (1) ‘News’ -daily, up-to-date Parliament news; (2) the ‘Parliament‘ section which describes the institution’s role, powers and organisation and sets out services offered, such as Petitions and Correspondence with Citizens, and gives the addresses of the Parliament’s 31 information offices; (3) ‘Your MEPs’ section provides information on the 732 Members of Parliament, including details on their careers and parliamentary offices; (4) the ‘Activities’ section allows users to search for documents by institution, type or date for the last three parliamentary terms, i.e. the last 15 years; (5) an ‘EP Live’ section broadcasts events taking place in the European Parliament using ‘web streaming’ technology.

° A Plenary session of the European Parliament was held in Strasbourg from 14^th to 17th November.

Parliament met again in plenary session in Brussels from 30^th November to 1^st December 2005.

° In Strasbourg MEPs debated one of the most important pieces of legislation in this Parliament at first reading. Over 1,000 amendments were tabled on the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) proposals by Parliament's environment, industry and internal market committees, as well as by other MEPs. Sectoral interest in these proposals has been expressed by those involved with construction materials. Main issues to be voted on were: whether to impose a duty on businesses not to market products which are dangerous to health; what minimum production levels would trigger the need for a chemical safety assessment report; what threshold to apply under which information requirements might be eased; whether to bring in a 'quality mark' for articles produced in line with REACH; what to include on the list of exemptions; how to limit experiments on animals and the role of the future European Chemicals Agency.

° European Commission background information on this controversial proposal may be found on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/chemicals/reach.htm

° The outcome of the debate was a compromise position which will maintain industry’s responsibility to make available information on the hazards, risks, and risk reduction measures for chemicals ("burden of proof") in all cases. A targeted approach will be introduced on data requirements for 1-10 tonnes chemicals (those having been identified by the impact assessment studies as being the ones for which costs of REACH implementation would be higher). Further information may be found on: http://www.europarl.eu.int/news/public/story_page/008-2560-318-11-46-901-20051118STO02559-2005-14-11-2005/default_en.htm

° A further debate was held on how best to use EU funds for decommissioning of nuclear power stations. The Slovakian power station (Bohunice V1) is the subject of a specific proposal regarding cost where the debate will focus on how much money to put in and for how long on the different parts of the power station. The debate will also broaden out to the overall strategy for decommissioning as there are currently vastly different ways of managing the process and the funding in the different EU Member States. European Parliament resolution on the use of financial resources earmarked for the decommissioning of nuclear power plants Full text

° A major debate was held on climate change: MEPs adopted a resolution intended to set out the European Parliament's position ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Montreal (28 Nov - 9 Dec). Agenda items proposed: building on Kyoto Protocol targets; emission reduction targets to be achieved by 2020; partnerships with China, South Africa, Brazil and India; research and innovation.

° MEPs also debated the European Commission's Work Programme for 2006. (This was adopted at the end of October.) It sets out both the overall strategic priorities for the Commission and what legislative proposals and other communications it plans to publish. 2006 will be the European Year for Mobility of Workers. Specific pieces of legislation listed include proposals on bringing aviation into the EU's emissions trading scheme; a directive on clearing & settlement; a revision of existing rules on safety of toys. The Commission also proposes to pursue its better regulation agenda with refinement of its business impact assessments.

Some reports of interest to members:

- 'A criteria based approach to the Seventh EU Research Framework Programme for energy and nuclear' Green/EFA report Rapporteur: Joint group of 4 MEPs from the Green/EFA group

- Report on the communication … European Electronic Communications Regulation and Markets 2004 A6-0305/2005 Rapporteur: Patrizia Toia MEP

- Working Document on i2010 - A European Information Society for growth and employment Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Rapporteur: Reino Paasilinna MEP Full text

CONFERENCES TO NOTE:

° Seminar on safer roadside engineering, Budapest, Hungary -30th November to 1st December 2005

This event is to discuss engineering good practices covering such areas as accident data analysis, preventive hazard identification and road safety audits. It is organised by the EU funded RISER project consortium and the European Union Road Federation (ERF). Further information

° Global Conference on Social Responsibility, Vilamoura, Portugal 16th- 18th Feb 2006.

The conference, at Vilamoura in Portugal’s Algarve area will focus especially on The Role of Business in Poverty Alleviation. The World Council for Corporate Governance (WCFCG) is testing the idea of widening the scope of corporate social responsibility (CSR) from roots in labour relations and community, to a way of making business pro-active in alleviating poverty.

° BETON 2006 Ready Mixed Concrete Congress, Istanbul, Turkey, April 2006

The congress is accompanied by an international concrete-aggregate technologies and equipment exhibition. Paper topics are Concrete in Human Life, Special Types of Concrete, Concrete Technology, Production and Application Technology, Architectural use of Concrete, Regulations and Quality Management Systems and Marketing and Industrial Problems. Deadline for abstract papers is 2 May 2005. e-mail: beton2006@thbb.org Information: www.beton2006.org

° 13th SEFI MWG Seminar, Buskerud University College, Kongsberg, Norway, 11th-14th June 2006 The main themes will be mathematical e-learning and innovative ways of teaching mathematics. Website: http://dmath.hibu.no/sefiseminar/index.html

The seminar is followed by the 3rd European Workhop on MathML and

Scientific e-Contents 13th-15th June 2006. Here the main themes will be all areas of brand new technology related to interactive mathematics on the web and mathematical and scientific e-learning. Website: http://dmath.hibu.no/workshop/

° Joint International Conference on Computing and Decision Making in Civil and Building Engineering, will be held in Montreal (Delta Centre-Ville Hotel), Canada, on June 14-16, 2006. For the first time three streams of conferences will gather together at a joint Conference under a common theme: Building on I.T. This will be the largest gathering in computing and decision making in civil and building engineering in 2006. (i) ICCCBE-XI - 11th International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (ii) ICCC-ASCE - 2006 International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering of ASCE and (iii) DMUCE-5 - 5th Conference on Decision Making in Urban and Civil Engineering. Further information: http://www.icccbexi.ca,

° International Symposium on Dams in the Societies of the XXI Century,Barcelona, June 18^th 2006 Subjects covered will include the role of dams in water management, hydropower, and flood control, viability and acceptability of dams and their alternatives. Further details from: www.icold-barcelona2006.org. e-mail: secretariat@icold-barcelona2006.org

°First International Conference on Advances in Bridge Engineering, Brunel University, UK, 26^th -28^th June 2006 CALL FOR PAPERS: Full information and publicity leaflet from www.brunel.ac.uk/sed/bec2006 Further information available by e-mail from: bridgeconf.2006@brunel.ac.uk

Annex: Renewable Energy and its role in European Commission Research

This information briefing was prepared by Diana Maxwell, Secretary General, ECCE

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy at time of going to press, we do not take any responsibility for errors in the information presented in this document.

ECCE on the Web: http://www.eccenet.org

The registered office address of the European Council of Civil Engineers is: One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA

Tel: (+44) 20 7222 7722 Fax: (+44) 207 222 7500 e-mail: eccesecretariat@hotmail.com

Written correspondence addressed to the Secretary General should be sent to:

ECCE Secretariat, 3 Springfields, Amersham, Bucks HP6 5JU

Web presentation: Matthew Easton, Elgin, Morayshire

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