European Union News - Environmnet

The EU has initiated, on the 13th June 2008, anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations into imports of biodiesel from the United States. Examination by the European Commission of complaints lodged by European industry found that an investigation was warranted – sufficient evidence was provided of subsidies to the US biodiesel sector, as well as dumping of biodiesel in the European market. The complainant has argued that this has had an adverse effect on the European biodiesel industry. A detailed investigation by the Commission will now determine whether measures are justified under EU trade rules.

Intense negotiations are ongoing in Bonn, Germany, during the 28th Sessions of Subsidiary bodies of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The aim is to move forward in the road towards a global agreement on a post-Kyoto climate change framework to be reached by December 2009. During the Bonn meeting scientists from the JRC Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) have contributed to two of the hottest topics on ground:

• future treatment of the “Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)” sector.
• “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation on developing countries (REDD)” issue.

The European Commission today hosted a high-level conference on the relationship between soil and climate change, and the role of soil management in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Organic matter plays a fundamental role supporting soil fertility, retaining water, sustaining biodiversity and regulating the global carbon cycle. But organic matter is in decline, and the conference heard how large amounts of carbon have been lost to the atmosphere in recent years.

The European Commission debated the policy responses needed to mitigate the effects of rising global fuel prices, on the 11th June 2008. Based on thier conclusions, President Barroso will present a communication, to be adopted in good time to be discussed at the European Council on 19-20 June in conjunction with the recent Commission communication on rising food prices.

On the 11th June 2008, the European Commission published a directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliment and of the Council from 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. 'Ambient air' shall mean outdoor air in the troposphere, excluding workplaces.

On the 7th June 2008, the European Commission released information from European institutions and bodies  concerning the Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty Cases where the Commission raises no objections. One of the aids schemes granted was for the United Kingdom forestry sector due to start on the 31st July 2008 lasting until the 31st of July 2013.

Four Companies have won the 2008 European Business Awards for the Environment. The winners were announced this evening by European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas at an awards ceremony during the annual Green Week conference in Brussels. The awards recognise "the Best of the Best" businesses that have won awards at national level.

The last Environment Council under the Slovenian presidency will take place in Luxembourg on 5th June 2008 on World Environment Day. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will represent the European Commission. The Council will hold policy debates on the Climate and Energy package presented by the Commission in January and the proposed regulation to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars. There will be an exchange of views on genetically modified organisms and a decision is expected for be taken on a common position on whaling.

The public awareness raising campaign on climate change launched by the European Commission in May 2006 moves into a final stage tomorrow that will focus on five Member States – Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria. Launched on World Environment Day, this third phase of the “You control climate change” campaign aims to initiate pro-active dialogue on climate change in these five countries, where national campaigns have not yet been implemented. This stage of the campaign is centred around television advertising and a competition for young people that seeks to create a virtual community of ‘Changers’ committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by adapting their daily habits.

The European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Civil Protection Unit, is launching a Call for Proposals with the aim of identifying projects on an EU civil protection rapid response capability which might be eligible for financial support. This financial support will take the form of grants.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) was officially opened today by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Vice-President Günter Verheugen together with Gérard Onesta, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Finnish Prime Matti Vanhanen. Located in Helsinki, ECHA is responsible for managing the implementation of the REACH requirements in relation to the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction processes of chemical substances. ECHA formally began its activities a year ago and its work has been devoted to intensive preparations, including staff recruitment and establishing support structures and procedures.

This year's Green Week, the biggest annual conference devoted to European environment policy, will take place from 3 to 6 June at the Charlemagne Building in Brussels. Under the slogan "Only One Earth – Don’t waste it!" Green Week 2008 will focus on the need for Europe and the rest of the world to make its use of resources more sustainable. In addition to 38 conference sessions, there will be an extensive side-events programme, including a ceremony on 3 June at which Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will announce the winners of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2008. Eleven companies from seven Member States have been nominated.