The 7th Environment Action Programme. A true agenda for a green economy, Brussel

Public Hearing - Brussels, EESC, Jacques Delors building, Belgium

A 7th Environment Action Programme (7EAP) is currently under discussion, as a follow up to the 6th Environmental Action Programme that will expire in June this year. The Commission has indicated its ambition to table a proposal for a 7EAP in late 2012. This follows the adoption of conclusions at the December 2010 and October 2011 Environment Council meetings calling for action in this regard. The Programme is expected to define priority objectives of environmental policy, set out strategic orientations for the short to medium-term as well as a longer-term vision, and focus on better implementation. The 7EAP should contribute to the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The Danish Presidency of the EU has asked the EESC for an exploratory opinion on the 7th EAP (NAT/538). The following issues will be addressed in this opinion by the EESC: - the need for and added value of a 7EAP in view of shaping future environmental policy; - the most important challenges to be tackled through EU environmental policy; - relationship to the Europe 2020 strategy and existing environmental policy strategies; - possible elements/indicators/milestones of a future 7thEAP; - Governance: implementation and monitoring.

At the same time, the EESC is preparing an exploratory opinion on the issue of sustainable consumption and production, which is intrinsically linked to the debate on the 7th EAP (NAT/537).

In the context of these two opinions, the 7th of March, a Public Hearing will be organised by the EESC on the 7th EAP, with participation from the European Commission, the European Environment Agency as well as the main stakeholder organizations. Link to the draft programme here.

For more information please contact Anna Bobo Remijn or Andreas Versmann .