European Union News - Environmnet

In the framework of the Water Forum and in order to prepare the Rio+20 summit, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) president, Mercedes Bresso and CoR vice-president Valcárcel Siso asked to encourage networking on the issue of water, both within Europe and in the broader perspective of sustainable development at a global level.

Fisheries Ministers adopted a general approach in which they states its position on the controversial of "shark finning". According to this general approach, the Council is in line of the Commission's proposal to suppress the derogation that would mean sharks can only be landed with their fins attached. The Council now awaits the position of the European Parliament, before it will formalise its position.

The non-binding resolution now adopted by the European Parliament calls for an in increase of the CO2 emissions reduction for 2050 to make the EU economy more competitive and dramatically less dependent on fossil fuels. This resolution sets a policy framework for the European Union to achieve an 80-95% reduction in its CO2 emissions by 2050.

On the occasion of the 6th World Water Forum, the Joint Research Centre published a report which shows variations in yearly freshwater generation from 10 mm to over 500 mm for Europe and from less than 0.1 mm to over 500 mm for Africa. In addition to these results, the European Environment Agency highlighted in a report that Europe needs to redouble efforts in using water more efficiently to avoid undermining its economy, as well as a resolution adopted by the European Parliament.

The European Commission has presented a new proposal on accounting of greenhouse gases emissions in the forest and agriculture sectors. According to the Commission, this is the first step towards incorporating removals and emissions from forests and agriculture into the EU's climate policy.

Although 26 Member States could agree on the final compromise text with regard to a proposes roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050, Poland could not accept the provisions regarding the milestones for EU domestic emission reductions and further work on the 2030 milestone. Therefore, Poland blocked Council conclusions on this topic for the second time.

A Communication adopted by the European Commission highlights the positive benefits of environment law, showing how preventing damage to the environment can cost far less than long-term remediation. The main objective of this Communication is to help to intensify the dialogue with governments and all other stakeholders on how can work better together to achieve better implementation of EU law.

The winning city of the 2011 European Mobility Week Award has been Bologna. The panel of judges found that the Italian city had done the best job in promoting clean alternatives to using cars and involving citizens in activities to support sustainable urban mobility during European Mobility Week 2011.

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy approved a series of binding measures to help implement the overall 20% target. MEPs want Member States to make concrete plans for achieving energy savings of 80% in the buildings sector by 2050.