Assessment of the effects of projects on the environment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment Known as the EIA Directive, the directive aims to ensure: a high level of environmental protection; environmental considerations are integrated into the preparation and authorisation of projects. This objective is achieved by ensuring that environmental assessment of certain […]
The EU’s infrastructure for spatial information (Inspire) Directive 2007/2/EC establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in the European Community (Inspire) It lays down general rules setting up an infrastructure for spatial information* in Europe for the purposes of European Union (EU) environmental policies and for policies or activities which may have an impact on the environment. The European infrastructure builds on that of spatial information […]
Governance of the Energy Union Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 on the Governance of the Energy Union It aims to ensure that the EU’s Energy Union Strategy is implemented in a coordinated and coherent manner across its 5 dimensions. More broadly, it also aims to ensure that the Energy Union achieves its objectives, in particular the targets of the 2030 policy framework for climate and energy and […]
Public access to environmental information Directive 2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information It fully adapts European Union (EU) countries’ national laws to the 1998 Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters. It guarantees the public access to environmental information* held by, or for, public authorities*, both upon request and through active dissemination. It sets out the […]
Mechanism for monitoring greenhouse gases Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 — mechanism for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and other information relevant to climate change This regulation, the Monitoring Mechanism Regulation (MMR), significantly expands and strengthens the previous mechanism for monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU. It aims to enhance the monitoring and reporting procedures and rules for GHG emissions. Incorporating new reporting […]
Regulatory agencies The European regulatory agencies lack a common framework for governance, and clarity about their role and accountability. With this Communication, the Commission is aiming to re-launch an inter-institutional discussion on the role and place of regulatory agencies in the governance of the EU. This discussion should then result in a common vision on the functions of the regulatory agencies. The present Communication concerns […]
Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) EMAS aims at encouraging European organisations, be they private companies or public bodies, to improve their environmental performance. The aim of this new Regulation is to develop the existing scheme and to encourage a larger number of organisations to participate. It represents a considerable asset, bringing them added value in terms of regulatory control, cost savings and public image […]
Assessment of the environmental impact of projects The European Union requires an environmental impact assessment to be carried out before approval can be granted for certain public and private projects. The Directive lists the projects concerned, the information to be provided and the third parties to be consulted in connection with approving such a project. Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment […]
Arhus Convention The European Union wishes to keep citizens informed about and involved in environmental matters and to improve the application of environmental legislation by approving the Convention on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters (Århus Convention). Council Decision 2005/370/EC of 17 February 2005 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Convention on access to […]
Environmental liability – Directive The first EC legislation whose main objectives include the application of the “polluter pays” principle, this Directive establishes a common framework for liability with a view to preventing and remedying damage to animals, plants, natural habitats and water resources, and damage affecting the land. The liability scheme applies to certain specified occupational activities and to other activities in cases where the […]
Assessment of the effects of plans and programmes on the environment This Directive requires certain plans and programmes, which are likely to have significant effects on the environment, to be subject to an environmental assessment. This assessment specifically enables environmental considerations to be integrated in the preparation and adoption of these plans and programmes. It also contributes to sustainable development. Directive 2001/42/EC of the European […]
IPPC Directive The European Union (EU) defines the obligations with which industrial and agricultural activities with a high pollution potential must comply. It establishes a procedure for authorising these activities and sets minimum requirements to be included in all permits, particularly in terms of pollutants released. The aim is to prevent or reduce pollution of the atmosphere, water and soil, as well as the quantities […]
Information on the Environment The European Union has approved the Convention designed to facilitate access by the public to environmental information, participation in the decision-making process, and access to justice in environmental matters. Parties to the convention must take the necessary legal and regulatory steps to enable public officials and authorities to help and advise the public to have access to information, participation in decision […]