Some background knowledge to how the European Union came to it's current attitudes and policies on environmental and sustainability issues can be helpful. The description of some of the important developments in EU strategy given on this page is by no means a comprehensive account of the subject.
It is merely an attempt to give a quick and easy reference point from which to gain further knowledge.
The web sites available at the EU , the European Parliament and the European Council are most informative.
| The Amsterdam Treaty | Signed on 2 Oct 1997 by political leaders throughout the EU. |
| This Treaty tried to make EU policy toward the environment and sustainability issues more clear. It also attempted to integrate environmental considerations into the policies of other departments across the EU. | |
| website | http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/a15000.htm |
| Fifth European Community Action Programme: Towards Sustainability. | EU plans for sustainable development 1992-2000. |
| A strategy for voluntary action was eatablished by this programme for the period 1992-2000.Again efforts were made to integrate environmental considerations across a number of sectors which had all been identified as causing pollution problems. | |
| website | http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/128062.htm |
| A Sustainable Europe for a Better World: | Published in May 2001 - a European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development. |
| The strategy provides a framework to deliver sustainable development.It makes clear the risks of irreversible deterioration in 6 areas:1. Climate change. 2. Poverty and social exclusion. 3. Implications of ageing population. 4. Traffic congestion and regional development. 5.Reduction of natural resources and biodiversity.6. Threats to public health. The report goes on to explain EU policy in each area. | |
| website | http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2001/com2001_0264en01.pdf |
| Sixth Environment Action Programme. Environment 2010 Our Future, Our Choice. | Lays out EU plans on the enviroment up to 2010. |
| This initiative lays out the priorities and objectives of community environmental policy up to 2010 and beyond and describes the measures to be taken to help implement the European Union's sustainable development strategy.It identifies 4 environmental areas of concern to be given special attention; Climata Change, Nature & Biodiversity, Environment & Health, Natural Resources and Waste. | |
| website | http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/newprg/pdf/6eapbooklet_en.pdf |
| SIMAP | Seeking the best use of IT in public procurement throughout Europe. |
| SIMAP is a project launched by the European Commission to develop the use of modern information technology systems to ensure best practice in public procurement throughout the member countries.Eventually it will seek to address the whole procurement process, including bids, award of contracts, delivery, invoicing and payment." | |
| website | http://simap.eu.int/about/what_is_simap_en.html |
| PPN | European Public Procurement Network |
| Tries to promote cross border problem solving. | The European Public Procurement Network is an international co-operation network of public procurement officers. By bringing public procurement officials together to share their views and experiences the PPN attempts to strengthen the application of EU procurement rules. |
| website | http://www.minefi.gouv.fr/daj/marches_publics/ppn/ppn-anglais/ppn-anglais-summary.htm |