European Union News - Environmnet

In an effort to end an impasse in international climate talks, the commission has published a plan for financing the fight against global warming in developing countries. It proposes an EU contribution of between €2bn and €15bn a year by 2020. The plan provides a starting point for discussions in the parliament and council to define the EU’s position on one of the toughest issues facing the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December.

A political dispute over the borders in Western Sahara prevented Spain and Morocco from ratifying the Cooperation Agreement for the Protection of the Coasts and Waters of the North-East Atlantic against Pollution (Lisbon Agreement), which was signed on October 1990. Once the dispute over the concerned articles of the Agreement has been settled, and after Spanish ratification, it is appropriate for the Community to conclude the Additional Protocol to the Lisbon Agreement. The Lisbon Agreement creates a mechanism to ensure the cooperation between the Contracting Parties in case of pollution accidents.

The European Commission declared on September 3rd 2009 its support for a new Global Framework for Climate Services that is being discussed at the 3rd World Climate Conference (WCC-3) in Geneva. Proposed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the purpose is to obtain more scientifically reliable data and prediction systems for climate forecasting.

The EU is phasing out traditional light bulbs over the next three years in favour of a new generation of energy-efficient lighting. Under new rules coming into force in September, manufacturers and importers can no longer sell clear incandescent light bulbs of 100 watts or above in the EU. However, shops may continue to sell bulbs already in stock.

Swedish government ministers have outlined their Council Presidency priorities to the committees on constitutional affairs, climate change, international trade and gender equality. Further presentations will be made to other committees this week, now that MEPs have returned from their holidays.

A new EU-funded project aims to develop economically and environmentally efficient techniques for the production of biofuels. Called NEMO ('Novel high-performance enzymes and micro-organisms for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to bioethanol'), the initiative will generate new ways of converting agricultural and forestry waste, such as straw and wood chips, into liquid biofuels.

On 1–3 September, the European Parliament’s buildings in Brussels will be crawling with Swedish ministers and officials. The ministers will be presenting the Swedish Presidency’s priorities to the Parliament’s committees. The committee presentations are public and can be followed on the Presidency website.

The European Union, year after year, is being hit by forest fires. This puts European citizens at risk and causes tremendous costs economically and to nature and wildlife. Therefore 55 partners, with support of the European Commission, have joined forces in a project for rapid mapping of places at risk via satellites, the SAFER project.

Due to the extreme weather conditions and severe forest fires in Greece, the European Commission activated on August 22nd, the Community Mechanism for Civil Protection and requested assistance with aerial means. The most dangerous fires, which are threatening the capital Athens, are in North-East Attica.

The European Commission has launched a photo contest within the framework of the project EDEN (European Destinations of Excellence). EDEN supports models of sustainable tourism development in the European Union. The project is based on national competitions that take place every year during which "destinations of excellence" are chosen by each participating country tour

The European Union offers young Europeans the opportunity to express their views and help build a sustainable world. On the eve of the tenth International Youth Day, the European Union has highlighted again that, if society is to make sustainable progress, young people must take a fuller part in social, economic and political life.

The European Commission has launched a pilot project which aims to study air quality in schools from both the EU and candidate countries and Central and Eastern Europe. The study will develop guidelines to cover different situations in order to create healthy school environments.