Environment

"The EU plays an important role in environmental policymaking. Environmental problems, such as air and water pollution, climate change and the decline in biodiversity, do not respect borders, so cooperation at EU level is necessary and well developed." – Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for Environment

The EU is a leader in global efforts to protect the environment. The EU, for instance, is one of the initiators of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) creating a strategic approach to the international management of chemicals. The EU is a signatory and active participant in the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change, which entered into force in February 2005. Moreover, the EU is party to a number of international agreements and partnerships, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depletion.

Internally, the EU's treaty is based on the notion of "sustainable development" and the EU adheres to this by integrating environmental requirements into the definition and implementation of other EU policies and activities. The ultimate goal of sustainable development is to achieve a form of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The overall direction of EU environment policy is laid out in the latest action programme--"Environment 2010: Our Future, Our Choice." It concentrates on four priority areas: climate change; nature and biodiversity; environment and health; and natural resources and waste. Also, an Environment and Health Action Plan for 2004-2010 promotes a close relationship between health, environment and research policy.

The EU has established a comprehensive system of environmental protection covering emissions into the air and water, noise, waste disposal, conservation of natural habitats, chemicals, biotechnology, industrial accidents and nuclear safety. An example of such domestic actions is the EU Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) on CO2 emissions from industrial installations. In general, the EU's environmental policy is underpinned by the "precautionary principle." It is based on the "polluter pays" concept and the management and control of pollution at source.

EU-India Environment Forum

The 2012 Environment Forum which took place in New Delhi on 21 November 2012, focused on Sustainable Forestry and Biodiversity. The programme and presentations can be found here :