Management Plan 2015 DG Environment
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Ref. Ares(2015)3228249 - 31/07/2015
Management Plan 2015
DG Environment
1Contents
PART 1. MISSION STATEMENT............................................................................................. 3
PART 2. THIS YEAR'S CHALLENGES ...................................................................................... 3
PART 3. GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF THE POLICY ................................................................... 6
PART 4. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR OPERATIONAL ABB ACTIVITIES ................................... 8
2PART 1. MISSION STATEMENT
DG Environment's mission follows from the General Union Environment Action Programme to
2020 (7th EAP) 'Living well, within the limits of our planet':
To enable EU citizens to live well, within the planet's ecological limits, based on an
innovative, circular economy, where biodiversity is protected, valued and restored and
environment-related health risks are minimized in ways to enhance our society's resilience,
and where growth has been decoupled from resource use.
PART 2. THIS YEAR'S CHALLENGES
In 2015 the General Union Environment Action Programme1 will provide the framework for our
work to achieve an inclusive green economy, while protecting our natural capital and the health of
our citizens.
Green Economy
In line with the political guidelines of President Juncker and the emphasis on green growth,
advancing the green economy will be our key concern next year. Greening is a must if we are to
ensure long-term prosperity, create sustainable jobs, increase competitiveness, inclusion and in
general the well-being of all citizens. Building on the Europe 20202 Resource Efficiency Flagship
Initiative3 and the Roadmap to a resource efficient Europe4, 2014's Circular Economy
Communication5 with its political target to increase resource productivity by 30% between 2014
and 2030 provides guidance for our efforts.
We will promote the transition to a circular economy through a comprehensive and coherent
approach that fully takes into account interactions and interdependence across the whole value
chain, rather than focussing exclusively on one part of the economic cycle. It will comprise a
revised legislative proposal on waste, as well as a Communication setting out an action plan on the
circular economy. We will also examine next steps to restrict hazardous substances and to
address waste electrical and electronic equipment. However, the bulk of our work on waste
management will remain the implementation of waste legislation as well as the monitoring of the
waste prevention and management plans of the Member States.
We will underpin our contribution to the European Semester with good-quality, up-to-date
indicators and data, and with targeted proposals and our focus will be on further integrating
resource efficiency and circular economy thinking into the semester process. We will seek to
enhance synergies with other policies, in particular in the fields of energy, climate, research and
innovation, industry and competitiveness.
The integration of environmental issues into the cohesion policy and structural instruments will
ensure that they reflect the environmental priorities and infrastructure needs, and earmark
appropriate funding. Environmental infrastructures for water, waste and air are an integral part of
investments driving economic growth and job creation in the Member States.
1
Decision No 1386/2013/EU on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020 ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet’
COM(2014) 398
2
Communication 'EUROPE 2020 – A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth' COM(2010) 2020
3
Communication 'A resource-efficient Europe – Flagship initiative under the Europe 2020 Strategy' COM(2011) 21
4
Communication 'Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe' COM(2011) 571
5
Communication 'Towards a circular economy: a zero waste programme for Europe' COM(2014) 398
3Natural Capital
We will prepare the mid-term review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy which will be halfway
through its lifespan to 2020. 2015 will see the publication of a "State of Nature" report under the
Habitats and Birds Directives, which will assess the state of a significant part of European
biodiversity. We will identify invasive alien species of EU concern and deliver on EU-wide mapping
and assessment of ecosystems and their services. We will also step up efforts to protect global
biodiversity, including through combatting wildlife trafficking, improving implementation of EU
legislation to address illegal logging and implementing the EU Regulation on Access to and
Sharing the Benefits of Genetic Resources. Green Week 2015 will be dedicated to biodiversity
and nature and allow for an extensive dialogue with all stakeholders to drive our agenda forward.
Environment-related Pressures and Risks to Health
Implementing existing air quality legislation, including the development of country reviews and
high-level dialogues to stimulate compliance and supporting negotiations with the co-legislators in
pursuit of an ambitious agreement on the air quality package will be key activities. We also work
towards concluding the Minamata Convention on mercury as well as on evaluating the regulatory
fitness of the Environmental Noise Directive.
The Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources6 will continue to set the agenda of our
water policy. We will focus on analysing draft second River Basin Management Plans (RBMP),
reporting on the progress in the implementation of both the Water Framework and the Floods
Directives and exploring how to take forward water reuse.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive7 (MSFD) and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive8
will remain at the core of our marine policy. We will support the preparation of the programme of
measures by Member States, improve coordination in each marine region and produce a report on
MSFD monitoring programmes.
REACH will remain at the centre of our chemicals policy with the focus shifting to the evaluation of
the information submitted by companies to examine the quality of the registration dossiers and
the testing proposals, and to clarify if a given substance constitutes a risk to human health or the
environment.
The 2014 Commission Recommendation, adopted to help those Member States which undertake
shale gas operations to address health and environmental risks and improve transparency for
citizens, will also be examined to see if it is working as intended.
International Environment Policy and LIFE
As the European year for development, 2015 will be a key year for international sustainable
development, with the agreement on the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 on the
agenda. In early 2015, the EU will set out its views on a new Global Partnership, including the
policies and financial and non-financial means to realise this agenda over the next 15 years. We
will also provide our input on how to monitor and review the agenda, and to ensure accountability
to all partners. Furthermore, we will continue to work closely on a range of environmental issues
with our strategic partners, candidate and potential candidate countries as well as neighbourhood
countries and regions.
6
Communication 'A Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources' COM(2012) 673
7
Directive 2008/56 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy
8
Directive 2014/89 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning
4Starting with the project awards in 2015, the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises is taking over the LIFE programme and is dealing with new projects. DG Environment
remains in charge of existing and integrated projects.
Better compliance promotion, implementation and REFIT
Better compliance promotion and implementation can be achieved by working closer and better
with the Member States, with the Commission focussing on structural and significant issues and
cases. We will support Member States' efforts to secure compliance and vigorous enforcement of
the current rules and will further reflect on improving frameworks for inspections and access to
justice.
Ensuring that our legislation is fit for purpose is also of paramount importance. We will carry out a
fitness check on the EMAS9 and Ecolabel10 Regulations. We will commence the evidence gathering
phase for the fitness check of EU nature legislation11 and launch the associated public
consultation. Evaluations and REFIT evaluations will also be carried out on the Timber
Regulation12, the Drinking Water Directive13, the Environmental Liability Directive14 and the
INSPIRE Directive15 for managing spatial information. The latter is a particularly important
contributor to the Digital Agenda and green growth, as the geospatial industry figures in the top
ten global growth areas.
DG Environment has committed and dedicated staff. This was illustrated by last years' positive
staff survey results. The wide public interest and concern for environment remains high, as shown
by the regular Euro-barometer survey. However, we have to continually aim at achieving efficiency
gains to manage the mandatory reductions in posts.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Measuring our performance through the following KPIs will help us to measure progress towards
our objectives:
− Resource productivity, as a proxy for greening the economy, sustainable competitiveness
and reducing environmental impacts of resource use;
− Common birds population, as a proxy for wide-ranging pressures on ecosystems and the
services they provide for the quality of life;
− Exposure of urban population to air pollution;
− Quality of EU waters;
− Residual error rate to reflect the degree of sound financial management (defined as the
share of payments at risk of mismanagement compared to the overall payments).
Karl FALKENBERG
Director-General, DG Environment
9
Regulation 1221/2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS)
10
Regulation 66/2010 on the EU Ecolabel
11 Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds and Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora
12
Regulation 995/2010 laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market
13
Council Directive 98/83 on the quality of water intended for human consumption
14
Directive 2004/35 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage
15
Directive 2007/2 establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE)
5PART 3. GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF THE POLICY
The Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth defines the overall
policy framework in which the Commission operates. Particularly important for DG
Environment is the objective of greening the economy, which entails reducing both material
costs and environmental harm through more efficient use of resources and innovation, thus
contributing to growth, competitiveness and job creation.
This ambition was further developed in the General Union Environment Action Programme,
'Living well, within the limits of our planet' (7th EAP)16. Building on a number of strategic
initiatives including the 2011 Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe17, the 2020 EU
Biodiversity Strategy18, the Water Blueprint19 and the Implementation Communication20, the
Programme provides an overarching framework for environmental policy up to 2020 which
will be complemented by funding through the LIFE programme21.
LIFE is the only EU instrument dedicated specifically to environment. Through its general
objectives, it supports the implementation of the 7th EAP by contributing to the shift towards
a resource-efficient economy, protecting biodiversity, better developing and implementing
EU environmental law, supporting integration of environmental concerns into other policies
and better environmental governance.
General objective 1: to contribute to securing the Union's long term prosperity Programme-based (LIFE)
within ecological limits, based on a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy, Non programme-based
improved quality of life and wellbeing of citizens and a healthy environment
This objective is supported by the four General Objectives of the LIFE Programme: General Objective 1: To contribute to
the shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, to the protection and improvement of the
quality of the environment and to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, including the support of the Natura 2000 network
and tackling the degradation of ecosystems; General Objective 2: To improve the development, implementation and
enforcement of Union environmental and climate policy and legislation, and to act as a catalyst for, and promote, the
integration and mainstreaming of environmental and climate objectives into other Union policies and public and private
sector practice, including by increasing the public and private sector's capacity; General Objective 3: To support better
environmental and climate governance at all levels, including better involvement of civil society, NGOs and local actors;
22
General Objective 4: To support the implementation of the 7th Environment Action Programme.
Impact indicator 1: Resource productivity: GDP (€) per Raw Material Consumption (RMC, kg) → proxy for greening
the economy, sustainable competitiveness and reducing environmental impacts of resource use
Description:
Resource productivity is defined as the ratio between Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Raw Material Consumption
(RMC). The indicator RMC is derived from Domestic Material Consumption (DMC) figures collected as part of the
Economy-wide Material Flow Accounts (EW-MFA), which includes biomass, non-metallic minerals, fossil energy
16
Decision No 1386/2013/EU on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020 ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet’
17
Communication 'Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe' (COM(2011) 571)
18
Communication 'Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020' (COM(2011) 244)
19
Communication 'The Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water resources' (COM(2012)673)
20
Communication 'Improving the delivery of benefits from EU environment measures: building confidence through better knowledge and
responsiveness' (COM(2012)095)
21
Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 on the establishment of a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)
22
Draft General Budget of the European Commission for the Financial Year 2015, Working Document Part I: Programme Statements of
operational expenditure at http://ec.europa.eu/budget/library/biblio/documents/2015/DB/DB2015_WDI_en.pdf
6materials and metal ores. Until recently, DMC was used for measuring Resource Productivity but it is replaced by
23
RMC as it better takes account of material impacts outside the EU.
Baseline (2001, EU28) Milestone Target
30% improvement by 2030 compared to
1.27 €/kg
n/a 2014 (estimated Resource Productivity of
1.53 €/kg in 2014)
Source: Eurostat 2012; target based on the European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development, COM (2001) 264, "EUROPE 2020, A
strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth" and COM(2014) 398 "Towards a circular economy: a zero waste programme for
Europe" in which the previous Commission made a case for such a target and SWD(2014) 211 "Analysis of an EU target for Resource
Productivity"
Impact indicator 2: Common birds population, index 1980=100 proxy for the state of biodiversity and the
integrity of ecosystems; reflects wide-ranging pressures coming e.g., from agriculture, fisheries, energy and
transport sectors
Description: This indicator is an aggregated index integrating the population abundance and the diversity of a
selection of common bird species. Rare species are excluded. Three groups of bird species are presented in this
indicator: farmland specialists, forest specialists and all common bird species (farmland species, forest species and
other species). The indicator is produced by the European Bird Census Council (EBCC) and its Pan-European Common
Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS) programme. Although this indicator has a narrow focus compared to the EU
policy objectives on biodiversity and ecosystem services, it is considered to be the best available dataset and also to
24
be indicative of general environmental status.
Baseline (2010, EU20+2) Milestone Target (2020)
86 n/a Reverse or halt the decline
Source : EBCC/RSPB/Birdlife International/Statistics Netherlands, 2014, covers 25 Member States; headline target for biodiversity based on
COM(2011)244 "Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020"
Planned evaluations:
Fitness check of the Birds and Habitats Directives, end date: 2016
Evaluation of the 7th Environmental Action Programme, 2018
With its human and financial resources DG Environment aims to develop and implement an
environmental policy framework that responds to environmental challenges within the EU and
beyond, and which will improve the health and well-being of citizens.
A significant part of EU environmental policy is regulatory in nature. The legislation is proposed
by the Commission following input from various stakeholders and a rigorous impact assessment.
The end result depends on the final shape in which the European Parliament and the Council
adopt it and the way it is implemented by the Member States.
Implementation involves multi-level governance, with public and private bodies from the local
to the EU level all having a role to play. The Commission's responsibilities include ensuring that
Member States transpose and apply EU legislation correctly and, in some cases, implementing it
directly itself. Implementation is helped through facilitating exchange of best practices,
proposing non-legislative instruments (delegated and implementing acts), developing guidance,
organising meetings with experts from Member States and ensuring that legislation remains fit
for purpose in light of evolving challenges and circumstances. DG Environment also responds to
complaints from the public on environmental issues and proposes legal action against Member
States when necessary.
23
Details on how RMC and DMC are calculated can be found from ESTAT at
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/environment/material_flows_and_resource_productivity/database
24
Full details on how the Common Bird population index is calculated can be found at: http://www.ebcc.info/indicators2014.html.
7Improvements suggested by indicators are influenced not only by our efforts but also by
external factors, including how the policies are implemented by Member States. A number of
driving forces are sometimes beyond the control of not just DG Environment or the Commission
but also of the EU as a whole (e.g. certain socioeconomic changes, cooperation with
international partners, etc.). Also, improvements in the state of the environment tend to be
relatively slow, partly because policy to improve the environment rarely has an immediate
effect, and also because in some cases the environment can take time to recover. In this
context, the European Environment Agency (EEA) is identifying suitable indicators to measure
progress toward the objectives of the 7th EAP.
It is challenging to develop aggregate indicators which would take account of various dimensions
of the environment while remaining accurate and meaningful. No single indicator – such as GDP
or the rate of inflation - is yet available to the Commission to accurately measure issues such as
the quality of life, the quality of the environment or sustainability. Work is under way to develop
a pilot index on environmental pressures to complement currently used economic and social
indicators.
PART 4. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR OPERATIONAL ABB ACTIVITIES
ABB 07 02: Environmental policy at Union and international level
Environmental policy is an area of shared competence between the EU and the Member States.
For some type of environmental problems, action at national, regional or local level is sufficient,
in line with the principle of subsidiarity. However, many forms of environmental degradation and
some natural or man-made disasters span national borders so addressing them at EU rather than
national level is more effective. In addition, common solutions promote a more level-playing
field and fairer competition for companies across the single market. At global and regional levels
environmental challenges can be best addressed through international co-operation. The EU can
influence international governance in order to address these challenges and most successfully
when it acts with one voice.
Against this background, the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)25 established that the EU shall pursue a policy in the
field of environment with objectives to preserve, protect and improve the quality of the
environment, protect human health, and promote prudent and rational utilisation of natural
resources. The Treaties provide for EU environmental policy to build on the precautionary and
the polluter pays principles and to embed an environmental dimension into other policies.
The Treaties enable the EU to participate in international environmental agreements, and give
the Commission a strong coordinating and representation responsibility. When necessary the EU
also needs to adapt its own legislation to integrate the results negotiated at the multilateral
level. Environmental concerns must also be integrated into trade agreements, and
environmental protection and cooperation is now an integral part of EU foreign policy.
LIFE funding supports activities that, given their nature, would not be financed at national level
while focussing on relatively small scale projects. This catalyses broader actions, and the
mainstreaming of environmental action into other EU spending instruments, such as EMFF,
ERDF, EAFRD26 to finance larger investments necessary for the protection of the environment.
25
Articles 3 and 17 of TEU and Articles 11, 49, 191-193, 208 and 209 of TFUE
26
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Agricultural Fund for Rural
Development (EAFRD)
8New features of LIFE include Preparatory and Integrated Projects which enable better alignment
with policy priorities in a more strategic, cost-effective way, as well as help integrating
environmental concerns into other policies. The Governance and Information strands have been
substantially improved in order to increase the performance of its communication pillar as well
as to increase its capacity to support implementation of the environmental policy in the EU.
Priority is also given to the replicability of the projects and to their capacity to lead to
marketable solutions to environmental problems.
The EU added value of the new LIFE Programme is stemming from its increased link to EU
policies as well as its capacity to lead to marketable environmental solutions easily measureable.
A first LIFE multiannual work programme for 2014-201727 was adopted. It will be subject to a
mid-term (2017) as well as a final evaluation (2020). LIFE uses the following management
modes: centralised direct management by the Commission; centralised indirect management
with the delegation of implementation tasks to an executive agency; and joint management with
international organisations. Further tasks may be entrusted to the European Investment Bank
(EIB), the European Investment Fund (EIF), or other financial institutions, including through the
development of dedicated financial instruments such as the Natural Capital Financial Facility. In
the case of the latter a delegation agreement with the EIB for its initial operation is well-
advanced.
The responsibility for the implementation of the LIFE programme is delegated to the Executive
Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME)28, with the exception of projects
flowing from the previous LIFE programmes and new Integrated, Technical Assistance and
Preparatory Projects under the Environment sub-programme, which will, for the time being, be
managed directly by the Commission services. Reporting on the programme performance on the
basis of the performance indicators in the LIFE Regulation, and of the output and
outcome/impact indicators in the LIFE multiannual work programme for 2014-2017, also
remains the responsibility of the Commission services.
ABB activity: 0702 Environmental policy at Union and international level
Financial resources Human resources
(€) in commitment appropriations
Operational Administrative expenditure Total Establishment Estimates of Total
expenditure (managed by the service) plan posts external personnel
(in FTEs)
07 02 07 01 02 07 01 04 01
365.1 3.1 million 1.6 million 344 61 405
million
07 01 06 01
5.6 million
27
Commission Implementing Decision of 19 March 2014 on the adoption of the LIFE multiannual work programme for 2014-17, OJ L/116,
17/04/2014, p.1.
28
Formerly Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI)
9Specific objectives, indicators, main outputs and planned evaluations
The specific objectives of DG Environment reflect the priorities set out in the General Union
Environment Action Programme. They are inter-related and action under one objective will
often contribute to the achievement of other objectives. When achieved in unison they will
take the European Union closer to the 2050 vision of the Action Programme29 as reflected in
the general objective of DG Environment.
General objective: to contribute to securing the Union's long term prosperity within ecological limits, based on a
smart, sustainable and inclusive economy, improved quality of life and wellbeing of citizens and a healthy
environment
30
Specific objective 1 : to protect, conserve and enhance the Union’s Programme-based (LIFE)
natural capital Non programme-based
This objective is in particular supported by Specific Objective 2 of the LIFE Programme: Halting and reversing the biodiversity
loss, including the support of the Natura 2000 network and tackling the degradation of ecosystems (see footnote 22).
Conserving and managing ecosystems in a sustainable manner will ensure the long-term
availability of goods and services that ecosystems supply and which are crucial to meet the
needs of humans, nature and the economy; from fertile soil to water provision and purification,
from flood control to raw materials, from fishing to marine biotechnology. Ensuring no net loss
of biodiversity and ecosystem services and making more prudent and rational use of land and
soil are important prerequisites for achieving this objective.
External factors: Achievement of this objective will be influenced by the extent to which EU
nature legislation and the newly adopted Regulation on Invasive Alien Species are properly
implemented in the Member States, all actions under the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 are
delivered upon, and how well biodiversity, soil and water considerations are incorporated into
other sectors of the economy, notably agriculture and regional development, both of which are
part-financed by EU funds.
Indicator 1: Conservation status of species and habitats of European importance (percentage in conservation
categories)
Description: Article 1 of the Habitats Directive defines the term conservation status as applied to habitats and to
species. These definitions take into account parameters such as the extent of the area in which the habitat/species is
found, the surface of the habitat area, its structure and functions (in case of habitat), the size of the population, its
age structure, mortality and reproduction (of species).
Baseline (2001-2006, EU 25) Milestone Target (2020)
Habitats: favourable (17%),
unfavourable – inadequate (28%),
unfavourable – bad (37%), unknown
(18%)
Improve conservation status
Species: favourable (17%),
unfavourable – inadequate (30%),
unfavourable – bad (22%), unknown
(31%)
Source: Report on the Conservation Status of Habitat Types and Species under the Habitats Directive COM (2009)358; target based on COM
(2011)244 'Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020', Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild
birds and Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
29
"In 2050, we live well, within the planet’s ecological limits. Our prosperity and healthy environment stem from an innovative, circular
economy where nothing is wasted and where natural resources are managed sustainably, and biodiversity is protected, valued and
restored in ways that enhance our society’s resilience. Our low-carbon growth has long been decoupled from resource use, setting the
pace for a safe and sustainable global society."
30
This and subsequent specific objectives refer to the same general objective
10Indicator 2: Mean annual urban land take per country as a percentage of 2000 artificial land
Description: Land take by the expansion of residential areas and construction sites is the main cause of the increase
in the coverage of urban land at the European level. Agricultural zones and, to a lesser extent, forests and semi-
natural and natural areas, are disappearing in favour of the development of artificial surfaces. This affects
biodiversity since it decreases habitats, the living space of a number of species, and fragments the landscapes that
support and connect them. The annual land take in European countries assessed by 2006 Corine land cover project
31
(EEA39 except Greece) was approximately 108 000 ha/year in 2000-2006 .
Baseline (2000-2006, EU28) Milestone Target (2050)
The average value of EU-28 is 0.51%
(data for Greece are not available) with
a very wide range from 2.8 % in Spain No net land take
or 2.3 % in Cyprus to 0.1% in Romania
or Malta
Source: Land Take, European Environment Agency 2013; target based on COM (2011)571 'Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe';
Indicator 3: Percentage of the surface area of marine waters (marine regions and sub-regions) conserved through
32
spatial protection measures (networks of marine protected sites in the context of Habitat, Birds and Marine
Strategy Framework Directives as well as Common Fisheries Policy)
Description: The spatial protection measures include a variety of actions to protect the marine environment
including those laid down in EU legislation. Article 21 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires the
Commission to report on an inventory of such areas which can be considered as a starting point before the
implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Such an inventory has been prepared by the European
Environment Agency and will be published in 2015.
Baseline Milestone Target (2020)
5.9% in 2012 including 4% through - in the 0-12nm zone: 20%
Natura2000) - in the Exclusive Economic Zone: 10%
Source: EU draft budget 2014 – Working document of the Services of the Commission Part I – Programme Statements of operational
expenditure; target based on Aichi Target 11 under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to cover at least 10% of all waters;
Main outputs and planned evaluations:
Indicator (Progress
Description unless indicated Target
otherwise)
Mid-term review of the Biodiversity Strategy* Adoption 2015
An assessment of the state of nature in the EU* Adoption 2015
Preparation of the fitness check of the Birds and Habitats Directive* 2015
- Completion of MS, stakeholder & public consultations, organisation of
stakeholder conference
Completion and management of Natura 2000 and implementation of the 2015
nature legislation**
- Adoption of COM decisions on Sites of Community Importance;
Biogeographical Seminars for Marine, Continental, Pannonian, Black Sea and
Steppe Regions
Implementation of the recently adopted Regulation on invasive alien 2015
species**
Completion of Commission-led actions supporting implementation (e.g.
preparation of initial list of species of EU concern and establishment of
31
More information at: http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/land-take-2/assessment-2
32
As required by Article 13.4 and 5 of Marine Strategy Framework Directive
11European Alien Species Information Network)
Effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit- 2015
sharing of genetic resources in the EU and the EU ABS Regulation
Implementation of the Timber Regulation** 2015
Further development of the biodiversity knowledge base: the Initial Mapping 2015
and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) and the
enhancement of the EU Biodiversity Information System for Europe (BISE)*
Integration of biodiversity into key EU sectoral policies** 2015
Mobilisation and tracking of adequate financing support from key EU sectoral
policies; evaluation of Prioritised Action Frameworks for Natura 2000
Implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive** 2015
(including Article 21 report on Marine Protected Areas and Article 12 report
on monitoring programmes)
Work on marine litter and implementation of the recently adopted Directive 2015
on Maritime Spatial Planning*
Natura 2000 Award Scheme to promote awareness about the network and 2015
recognise excellence in its management*
Green Week* 2015
LIFE (estimated amount and number of outputs): 2015
Integrated project (€38 million, 4)
Traditional projects (€93.3 million, 66)
Projects funded by financial instrument (€ 10 million, 2)
Public procurement (6.5 million, 22)
Planned evaluations:
Fitness check of the Birds and Habitats Directive, end date: 2016
REFIT evaluation of the Zoos Directive, end date: 2016
Evaluation of the Timber Regulation, end date: 2015; in parallel to the FLEGT evaluation being conducted by DG
DEVCO, end date 2015
* Commission output (fully under Commission control)
** Final output (could be/is influenced by other actors, such as Member States)
Specific objective 2: to turn the EU into a resource-efficient, green Programme-based (LIFE)
and competitive economy Non programme-based
This objective is in particular supported by Specific Objective 1 of the LIFE Programme: Contribute to a greener and more
resource-efficient economy and to the development and implementation of EU environmental policy and legislation (see
footnote 22).
Using resources efficiently and paying more attention to the limits imposed by the Earth's
natural resources is a condition for achieving and maintaining growth, good quality jobs and a
high level of well-being, for both current and future generations.
To maintain growth and stay competitive we need to move from the current linear economy
based on extraction, production, consumption and disposal to a circular, resource efficient
model, where resources are preserved and sustainable managed, and the added value in
products is kept for as long as possible and waste is eliminated. More efficient use of energy,
natural resources and raw materials not only reduce associated pollution but are also key drivers
for cost reductions, improved productivity and competitiveness, and security of supply.
12External factors: The extent to which waste legislation is implemented by the Member States,
along with broader greening of economies, promoted, inter alia, through the EU Semester and
other policies, will influence the delivery of this objective.
Indicator 1: Total waste generated (kg/person)
Description: The indicator on total waste generated per capita reflects the total amount of waste (prior to breakdown per
waste stream) per average population which enables data to be normalised between countries and eliminates the effects
of changes in national population sizes over time33.
Baseline (2004, EU 28) Milestone Target (continuous)
5198 kg/person n/a Reduce
Source: Eurostat, 2015; target based on COM (2011)571 'Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe'
Indicator 2: Municipal waste generation (kg/person) and treatment (%): movement up through the waste hierarchy
Description: Municipal waste is generated by households, commercial activities and other sources whose activities are
similar to those of households and commercial enterprises. It does not include other waste arising e.g., from mining,
industrial or construction and demolition processes. This indicator reflects the amounts of municipal waste generated per
capita which enables data to be normalised between countries and eliminates the effects of changes in national population
sizes over time. Treatment of waste is defined on the basis of the treatment operations as set out in the Waste Framework
Directive 2008/98/EC, the indicator makes a distinction between several treatment types: Energy recovery, Incineration
without energy recovery, Recovery (excluding energy recovery and backfilling), Backfilling; Deposit onto or into land, Land
treatment and release into water bodies34.
Baseline (2002, EU 27) Milestone (2020) / Proposal 2030 Target (continuous)
Generation: 527 kg/person Reduce generation
Recycling & composting: 28% Recycling: 50% Increase recycling & composting
Incineration: 16% Proposal for 2030: 70% Reduce landfilling (towards virtual
elimination)
Landfilling: 51%
Source: Eurostat, 2015; targets based on Directive 2008/98/EC (Waste Framework Directive) and COM (2011)571 'Roadmap to a Resource
Efficient Europe'
Main outputs and planned evaluations:
Indicator Target
(Progress unless
Description
indicated
otherwise)
Providing input to the EU Semester and the Country Specific Recommendations * 2015
Implementation of the different strands of the waste legislation, including the 2015
assessment of the MS Waste Management Plans, Waste Prevention Programmes
and ex-ante conditionality under the cohesion policy**
Preparatory work for a report on the financial incentive mechanism under the 2015
Ship Recycling Regulation – interim report *
Report on WEEE scope and collection targets* Adoption 2015
Proposal on RoHS scope* Adoption 2015
33
Full details how this data is generated can be found at http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/waste/data/main_tables
and in the Manual on Waste Statistics by ESTAT at
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/product_details/publication?p_product_code=KS-RA-13-015.
34
Full details can be found in the Manual on Waste Statistics by ESTAT at
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/product_details/publication?p_product_code=KS-RA-13-015
13Circular Economy Package* Adoption 2015
Contribution to the implementation of new state aid rules and promotion of continuous
market-based instruments to achieve environmental policy objectives, in
particular in the EU semester context, including environmental taxation and
green public procurement*
Advancing work on the environmental footprint of products and organizations * 2015
Review of the Eco-innovation Action Plan* 2015
Work on the direct and indirect impacts of bioenergy and bio-economy on land 2015
(forests, agricultural and natural) and on wider environmental and economic
impacts *
35
LIFE (estimated amount and number of outputs) : 2015
Integrated project (€30 million, 3)
Traditional projects (€76 million, 54)
Public procurement (14.6 million, 49)
Planned evaluations:
REFIT evaluation of the EMAS and Ecolabel Regulations, end date: 2015
* Commission output (fully under Commission control)
** final output (could be/is influenced by other actors, such as Member States)
Specific objective 3: to safeguard the Union's citizens from Programme-based (LIFE)
environment-related pressures and risks to health and wellbeing Non programme-based
This objective is supported by Specific Objective 1 of the LIFE Programme: Contribute to a greener and more resource-efficient
economy and to the development and implementation of EU environmental policy and legislation (see footnote 22).
Environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants through water, food or air are important
determinants of health. Reducing environmental pressures from households, transport,
agriculture, industry or energy production and lowering exposure to hazardous substances play
a major role in maintaining natural resources such as clean air, good quality water in sufficient
quantity and productive soil. This preserves the very basis of key economic activities such as
agriculture, the agro-food industry, tourism, power generation and the chemical industry, and
lowers the risks related to catastrophic events such as floods and drought with their big social
and economic burden. Moreover, reducing health care and clean-up costs translates into lower
expenditure for the public purse as well as lost working days for businesses. These efforts
stimulate innovation and boost cleaner environmental technologies, while enhancing European
businesses' capacity to adapt and respond to new challenges and to compete more effectively on
the global markets.
External factors: The implementation of current EU legislation and Commission proposals that
are informed by the most up-to-date scientific knowledge and their implementation in the
Member States will influence the achievement of this objective. This applies both for air and
water legislation as well as for REACH legislation on chemicals.
Indicator 1: Exposure to air pollution: percentage of urban population resident in areas in which daily PM10
concentration exceeds daily limit value (50 µg PM10/m³ 24 hour average) over the period of a calendar year
Description: The indicator shows the fraction of the urban population that is potentially exposed to ambient air
concentrations of PM10 in excess of the EU limit value set for the protection of human health. PM10 refers to
particulates whose diameter is less than 10 micrometres; these can be carried deep into the lungs where they can
35
Together with Specific Objective 3 (Environment-related pressures)
14cause inflammation and a worsening of the condition of people with heart and lung diseases. The urban population
considered is the total number of people living in cities with at least one monitoring station at a background location.
The population data applied derives from the Urban Audit, which is conducted at the initiative of the Directorate-
General for Regional Policy in cooperation with Eurostat and the national statistical offices of the 27 current Member
36
States .
Baseline (2001, EU 25) Milestone Target (2020)
Population impacted: 0 % exceedances of daily limit values more
n/a
- More than 35 days: 26,8% than 35 times per calendar year.
Source: European Environment Agency, 2013 (data for Greece and Malta not included); target based on Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient
air quality and cleaner air for Europe
Indicator 2: Exposure to air pollution: percentage of urban population resident in areas in which ozone
concentrations exceed the target value (120 µg O3/m³ as daily maximum of 8 hour mean)
Description: The indicator shows the fraction of the urban population that is potentially exposed to ambient air
concentrations of ozone in excess of the EU limit value set for the protection of human health. Ozone (O 3) can react
with biomolecules in the lung and cause impairment of lung function and exacerbation of lung conditions such as
bronchitis and asthma. The urban population and the population data are as for the indicator above.
Baseline (2001, EU 24) Milestone Target (2020)
Population impacted: 0 % exceedances more than 25 days per
n/a calendar year, averaged over three years
- More than 25 days: 31,4%
Source: European Environment Agency, 2013 (data for Greece, Malta and Cyprus not included); target based on Directive 2008/50/EC on
ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe
Indicator 3: Percentage of surface water bodies in good ecological status or with good ecological potential (as
defined by the Water Framework Directive)
Description: The good ecological status (GES) is defined in Annex 5 of the Water Framework Directive. It is based on
the assessment of biological, hydromorphological and physico-chemical elements expressed in numerical values.
GES also requires respecting the environmental flow necessary for ecosystems to be healthy. It expresses both
qualitative and quantitative aspects of water status in surface water bodies. Therefore, this indicator is also relevant
to specific objectives 1 and 2 above on preserving natural capital and the efficient use of resources.
Baseline (2009, EU 21) Milestone Target (2015)
100% of water bodies to which justified
43% n/a
exemptions do not apply
Source: Commission report on the Implementation of the Water Framework Directive - River Basin Management Plans COM(2012) 670;
countries that have not reported RBMP, or not reported exemptions or have high unknown status, are not included; target based on
Directive 2000/60/EC, Water Framework Directive.
Indicator 4: Nitrate concentrations in ground- and surface waters: percentage of sampling points with
concentration greater than 50 mg nitrate/ L
Description: Nitrate concentrations in groundwater and surface waters are among the criteria for identifying waters
polluted or at risk of pollution according to the Nitrates Directive. Nitrate pollution has consequences on human
health and ecosystems (eutrophication). In particular, the limit of 50 mg nitrate/L is the limit for waters intended for
human consumption. The percentage of monitoring stations exceeding that limit provides an indication of the extent
of nitrate water pollution in Europe.
Baseline (2004-2007, EU 27) Milestone Target37
Ground waters: 15% Reduction of nitrate concentrations in
n/a waters; no sampling points above 50 mg
Surface waters: 3%
36
Full details on how the index is calculated can be found at: http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/exceedance-of-air-
quality-limit-1/
37
Compliance with the threshold of 50 mg/l nitrates does not imply necessarily compliance with the Water Framework Directive, for which
'good status' of water bodies must be achieved. In many river basins, the nutrient conditions consistent with good status require
nitrate concentrations much lower than 50 mg/l.
15nitrates per L
Source: Report on implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by
nitrates from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2004-2007, SEC (2011) 909; target based on Directive
91/676/EEC on the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources
Indicator 5: Environmentally harmful chemicals by toxicity class (from most to least dangerous) as a percentage of
38
total production (mln t/y)
Description: The Index provides an overview of the distribution of the EU's chemical production over chemical
hazard classes.
Baseline (2002, EU 27) Milestones Target
Total production: 330 mln t of
which:
All toxic chemicals: 62% A shift away from the two most
CMR39: 11% dangerous classes of toxic chemicals
n/a
Chronic toxic: 2% towards less harmful chemicals
Very toxic: 12%
Toxic: 22%
Harmful: 15%
Source: Eurostat, 2013; target based on the review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy - European Council conclusions of June
2006 and Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH),
establishing a European Chemicals Agency
Indicator 6: Exposure to noise: percentage of population in urban areas exposed to more than 55 dB Lden and 50
dB Lnight
Description: Lden (day-evening-night indicator) and Lnight (night-time noise indicator) are indicators that reflect the
long-term average sound levels from various sources of noise causing health effects and premature deaths. Lden
reflects the exposure for the entire 24H, while Lnight for the night time only (usually 8 hours).
Baseline (2007, EU 27) Milestones Target
65% n/a Reduce and approach WHO values
Source: European Environment Agency – EIONET; target based on the General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020
Main outputs and planned evaluations:
Indicator
(Progress unless
Description Target
indicated
otherwise)
Review of the Shale Gas Recommendation*
2015
Chemicals
Implementing acts under the REACH legislation to improve implementation of Adoption 2015
authorization and the functioning of the Substance Information Exchange Forums**
Endocrine disruptors: implementing the 1999 strategy, including test method 2015
development + on-going related work at OECD, and REACH related work *
Follow-up to the Communication on Chemical Mixtures, including an assessment Publication 2015
report*
Commission Regulations amending the Annexes to REACH for registration of nano- Adoption 2015
materials*
Water
Implementation of the Water Framework Directive, including the development of 2015
tools under the Common Implementation Strategy**
38
Includes chemicals covered by biocides and REACH legislation
39
CMR - carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic
16Reports on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Publication 2015
Directive*
Preparation of measures for water reuse* 2015
Commission / EEA Report on Bathing Water** Publication 2015
Commission Report on Urban Wastewater Directive** Publication 2015
Implementation of the Nitrates Directive** 2015
Air
Implementation of the air quality legislation and further evolution of air quality 2015
policy**
Inter-institutional discussions on the Air package** 2015
Industrial emissions
Implementation of the Industrial Emissions Directive and development of Best 2015
Available Techniques conclusions for selected industrial sectors**
Minamata Convention ratification on mercury* Adoption 2015
40 2015
LIFE (estimated amount and number of outputs) :
Integrated project (€30 million, 3)
Traditional projects (€76 million, 54)
Public procurement (14.6 million, 49)
Planned evaluations:
REFIT evaluation of the Drinking Water Directive, end date: 2016
First phase of the REFIT evaluation of the Volatile Organic Compounds Directives (VOC I - 1994/63/EC, VOC II -
2009/126/EC), end date: 2016
REFIT evaluation of the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) Regulation, end date: 2016
REFIT evaluation of the Environmental Noise Directive, end date: 2016
REFIT evaluation of all chemicals legislation except REACH, end date: 2016
Evaluation of the Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (start date: 2016, end date: 2017)
Evaluation of the Floods Directive (start date: 2017, end date: 2018)
Evaluation of the Bathing Water Directive (start date: 2019, end date: 2020)
Evaluation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (start date: 2019, end date: 2023)
* Commission output (fully under Commission control)
** final output (could be/is influenced by other actors, such as Member States)
Specific objective 4: To create and maintain the enabling framework Programme-based (LIFE)
for environmental policy based on smart implementation, a strong Non programme-based
knowledge and evidence base, investment, and improved
environmental integration and policy coherence
This objective is in particular supported by Specific Objective 3 of the LIFE Programme: Support better environmental governance
and information at all levels (see footnote 22).
Timely and even implementation of environmental policies and legislation maintains progress
and ensures that the intended health, environmental and economic benefits actually materialise
and that there is a level playing field both between Member States and between operators for
the efficient functioning of the single market. The Commission can play a key role through
compliance promotion (e.g. developing guidance and ensuring cooperation with professional
networks and networks of national experts dealing with the implementation of EU legislation)
and the use of its own monitoring and enforcement capacities (e.g. EU pilot, infringements).
However, sound implementation ultimately depends on effective decentralised tools such as
40
Together with Specific Objective 2 (Resource Efficiency)
17good national systems for inspections and compliance assurance, good national information
systems and effective access to justice, all of which would benefit from improvement and are
under consideration. Moreover, environment policy alone does not suffice to achieve the
transformation needed. Mainstreaming environmental considerations into other policies, such
as energy and climate, transport, agriculture, fisheries, industry and regional policy is therefore
crucial. Improving and refining the knowledge base, including better awareness of the potential
risks posed by new and emerging technologies, is essential to ensure confidence of policy-makers
and the public in the evidence that underpins environmental policy and help target
environmental problems as efficiently and effectively as possible.
External factors: The extent to which Member States improve their implementation of EU
environment legislation and respect environmental conditionality (for water, waste and EIA-SEA
legislation), in the instruments under the new multiannual financial framework will have an
influence. The Commission's efforts to assist Member States through promoting better
compliance and considering how to improve access to justice in environmental matters will also
be relevant.
Implementation
Indicator 1: Effectiveness of application of EU environment legislation
Description: This indicator consists of infringements (formal legal step) and EU Pilot files (bilateral contacts with MS
aiming at clarifying implementation issues). There are three types of infringements: non-communication, non-
conformity and bad application cases.
Baseline (October 2013) Milestone Target
Infringements (353): For infringements: effective and
-Non-communication cases: 94 uniform implementation of EU
-Non-conformity cases: 68 environmental legislation as
-Bad application cases: 191 translated into a decrease in the
n/a number of open infringement cases
EU Pilots: 432 For EU Pilots: Effective and uniform
implementation of EU environmental
legislation via this resolution
mechanism
Source: DG Environment, October 2013
Information
Indicator 2: Media outreach
Description: Audience reached by awareness campaigns (Internet, social media, other media. viral videos, events),
DG Environment website visits, viewers of audio-visual products
Baseline (2010, EU 27) Milestone Target
Awareness campaigns audience: 17.3 millions
DG Environment website visits: 7.7 millions n/a increase
Viewers of Audio-visual products: 17.0 millions
Source: DG Environment 2014; target set by DG Environment
18Investment
Indicator 3: Structural funds interventions
Description:
41
Indicators :
Solid waste: Annual capacity of newly built waste sorting and recycling facilities. It also includes extension of existing
facilities.
Water supply: Number of persons provided with drinking water through drinking water supply network as a
consequence of increased drinking water production/transportation capacity built by the project, and who were
previously not connected or were served by sub-standard water supply.
Waste water treatment: Number of persons whose wastewater is transported to wastewater treatment plants
through sewerage in networks as a result of increased wastewater treatment/transportation capacity built by the
project, and who were previously not connected or were served by sub-standard wastewater treatment. It includes
improving wastewater treatment level.
Land rehabilitation: Surface of remediated or regenerated contaminated or derelict land made available for
economic (except non-eligible, e.g. agriculture or forestry) or community activities.
Nature and biodiversity: Surface of restored or created areas aimed at improving the conservation status of
threatened species. The operations can be carried out both in or outside of Natura 2000 areas, capable of improving
the conservation status of targeted species, habitats or ecosystems for biodiversity and the provisioning of
ecosystem-services.
Risk prevention and management: Population benefiting from flood protection measures.
Baseline Target Target
2007-2015 (cumulative) 2014-2020 (cumulative)
Additional waste sorting and
n/a n/a** **
recycling capacity**
Additional population served
by improved water supply*
**
n/a 15 million*
Additional population served
by improved wastewater
**
treatment* n/a 19,7 million*
Total surface area of
n/a n/a** **
rehabilitated land**
Surface area of habitats
supported to attain a better n/a n/a** **
conservation status**
Risk prevention and
management. Population
n/a n/a** **
benefiting from flood
protection measures**
Source: DG REGIO, 2014
* Targets result from 2007-2013 Operational Programmes (OPs);
** Specific to 2014-2020 framework only; information concerning targets for 2014-2020 will be added after approval of OPs
41
The common output indicators regarding solid waste, water supply, wastewater treatment, risk prevention and management, land
rehabilitation and nature and biodiversity are set out and defined in Regulations 1299/2013 on specific provisions for the support from the
European Regional Development Fund to the European territorial cooperation goal) and 1301/2013 on the European Regional
Development Fund and on specific provisions concerning the Investment for growth and jobs goal) and will be followed by DG REGIO on
the basis of the annual implementation reports to be submitted by the Member States as of 2016.
19You can also read
