The Sixth Environment Action Programme of
the European Community 2002-2012
Introduction to the 6th Environment Action
Programme (6th EAP)
What is the 6th EAP?
The 6th
EAP is a decision of the European Parliament and the Council
adopted on 22nd July 2002. It sets out the framework for environmental
policy-making in the European Union for the period 2002-2012
and outlines actions that need to be taken to achieve them.
The 6th EAP identifies four priority areas:
The 6th EAP promotes full integration of environmental protection
requirements into all Community policies and actions and provides
the environmental component of the Community's strategy for
sustainable development. The link is made between environment
and European objectives for growth, competitiveness and employment.
What instruments?
The 6th EAP calls for the development of seven
Thematic Strategies in the field of soil and the marine
environment (in the priority area of biodiversity), air, pesticides
and urban environment (in the priority area of environment,
health and quality of life) and natural resources and waste
recycling (in the priority area of natural resources and waste).
The Thematic Strategies constitute the framework for action
at EU level in each of the concerned priorities.
Furthermore, the 6th EAP establishes strategic approaches
to meet the environmental goals and sets objectives and priority
actions on international issues. The strategic approaches
include among others: the development of Community legislation
and its effective implementation and enforcement, the integration
of environment protection requirements in other Community
policies and the promotion of sustainable production and consumption
patterns, improving collaboration with enterprises and informing
individual consumers, enterprises and public purchasers about
the environmental impact of processes and products. |