State of the Union: The Environment Frieder Otto Wolf Freie Universität Berlin

Presentation An extended understanding of the real economy: A radical view An extended understanding of the real economy: A radical view Understandig the environmental dimension as a key determinant of the real economy Understandig the environmental dimension as a key determinant of the real economy Understanding the EU as a macro-regional and a global actor Understanding the EU as a macro-regional and a global actor I am teaching philosophy; and I have been a MEP and a coordinator of a Thematic Network on the EU Strategy of Sustainable Development I am teaching philosophy; and I have been a MEP and a coordinator of a Thematic Network on the EU Strategy of Sustainable Development

Main issues The state of the environment: European realities of a global constellation of crises The state of the environment: European realities of a global constellation of crises The problem perception in the EU and EU capabilities for action The problem perception in the EU and EU capabilities for action Environmental legislation and policies Environmental legislation and policies Monitoring instruments and processes Monitoring instruments and processes The EU before Copenhagen The EU before Copenhagen Other urgent challenges Other urgent challenges

1: The state of the environment: European realities of a global constellation of crises A global constellation of ecological crises: climate, biodiversity, energy and material resources, hunger and water scarcity, human health problems A global constellation of ecological crises: climate, biodiversity, energy and material resources, hunger and water scarcity, human health problems Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005): Two thirds of the planet‘s ecosystems are in decline Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005): Two thirds of the planet‘s ecosystems are in decline MDG 7: environmental sustainability MDG 7: environmental sustainability Unlimited exponential growth? Unlimited exponential growth? Global North vs. Global South: the issue of development models and of biocolonialism Global North vs. Global South: the issue of development models and of biocolonialism European realities: CAP, Energy Policy, Nature Protection, Public Health, Transport, Urbanism European realities: CAP, Energy Policy, Nature Protection, Public Health, Transport, Urbanism

2: The main challenges Climate change and clean energy Climate change and clean energy Public health Public health Natural resource use and management Natural resource use and management Biodiversity Biodiversity Sustainable transport Sustainable transport Global poverty and development Global poverty and development

2: Problem perception and capabilities for action in the EU EU treaty: „Environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation of the Community policies and activities […] in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development“ (Art. 6) EU treaty: „Environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation of the Community policies and activities […] in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development“ (Art. 6) Eurobarometer, March 2008: a quarter of EU citizens listed ‚depletion of natural resources‘ as a main environmental concern Eurobarometer, March 2008: a quarter of EU citizens listed ‚depletion of natural resources‘ as a main environmental concern Policy coherence and primacy of aims: competitiveness vs. sustainability Policy coherence and primacy of aims: competitiveness vs. sustainability Environmental objectives defined: halting the loss of biodiversity in Europe by 2010 Environmental objectives defined: halting the loss of biodiversity in Europe by 2010 The Global Europe Agenda The Global Europe Agenda The EU Commission: Climate and Energy Package, Action Plan on Sustainable Production and Consumption The EU Commission: Climate and Energy Package, Action Plan on Sustainable Production and Consumption The Council and the EP review of the EU SDS: The Council and the EP review of the EU SDS: aims of „safeguarding the Earth‘s capacity to support life in all its diversity“ and „solidarity within and between regions“ aims of „safeguarding the Earth‘s capacity to support life in all its diversity“ and „solidarity within and between regions“ Focus on Market Instruments [„getting the prices right“] Focus on Market Instruments [„getting the prices right“] Focus on Eco-Efficiency [‚win-win-situations‘] Focus on Eco-Efficiency [‚win-win-situations‘] Focus on securing access to resources Focus on securing access to resources Rebound effect/commodification/biocolonialism Rebound effect/commodification/biocolonialism Could the EU act otherwise? Could the EU act otherwise?

3: Environmental legislation and policies EU action plans: Cardiff 1998 commitment (integration of environmental policy); Environment Action Plan ; Action on Environment and Health ; Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade; Raw Materials Initiative; Sustainable Industrial Policy Action Plan; European Transparency Initiative EU action plans: Cardiff 1998 commitment (integration of environmental policy); Environment Action Plan ; Action on Environment and Health ; Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade; Raw Materials Initiative; Sustainable Industrial Policy Action Plan; European Transparency Initiative Legislation: Birds and Habitats Directives, Water Framework and Marine Strategy Directives, Renewable Energy Directive, Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Energy Using Products Directives, REACH, National Emission Ceilings Directive, Air Quality Directive, Environmental Noise Directive, European Eco-Label Regulation, Waste Framework Directive, Directive on ‚Nuclear Safety‘, Directive on Environmental Crime, Maritime Strategy Framework Directive, Directive on Environmental Liability, Pesticides Directive Legislation: Birds and Habitats Directives, Water Framework and Marine Strategy Directives, Renewable Energy Directive, Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Energy Using Products Directives, REACH, National Emission Ceilings Directive, Air Quality Directive, Environmental Noise Directive, European Eco-Label Regulation, Waste Framework Directive, Directive on ‚Nuclear Safety‘, Directive on Environmental Crime, Maritime Strategy Framework Directive, Directive on Environmental Liability, Pesticides Directive Policies and Programmes: TEN-T, Natura 2000, Thematic Strategy on Waste Preparation and Recycling, EU Strategy on Non-Energy Raw Materials, Thematic Strategy on Sustainable Use of Natural Resources Strategy, Strategy on the Integration of Environment into Development Cooperation Policies and Programmes: TEN-T, Natura 2000, Thematic Strategy on Waste Preparation and Recycling, EU Strategy on Non-Energy Raw Materials, Thematic Strategy on Sustainable Use of Natural Resources Strategy, Strategy on the Integration of Environment into Development Cooperation Implementation and Enforcement: tax reform, use of public procurement, harmful subsidies, EU‘s financing policies (CAP, structural funds) Implementation and Enforcement: tax reform, use of public procurement, harmful subsidies, EU‘s financing policies (CAP, structural funds)

4: Monitoring instruments and processes Existing instruments: Existing instruments: Sustainable Development Indicators (to be consulted in all policy areas) Sustainable Development Indicators (to be consulted in all policy areas) Environmental Impact Assessment (to be strengthened and to be extended, e.g. to all projects funded by the EU or the EIB Environmental Impact Assessment (to be strengthened and to be extended, e.g. to all projects funded by the EU or the EIB INSPIRE: providing geodata INSPIRE: providing geodata Access to Documents Regulation Access to Documents Regulation Regular processes: EU Commission environment policy review: Regular processes: EU Commission environment policy review: Ad hoc processes: CAP health check Ad hoc processes: CAP health check Needed: Needed: Human Biomonitoring Surveillance System Human Biomonitoring Surveillance System Draft Directive on Minimum Requirements for Environmental Inspections Draft Directive on Minimum Requirements for Environmental Inspections Draft Directive on Access to Justice Draft Directive on Access to Justice

5: The EU before Copenhagen IPCC: global emissions will need to peak before 2015 and decline thereafter IPCC: global emissions will need to peak before 2015 and decline thereafter Critical role of the EU Critical role of the EU Need for an at least 30% cut in the EU‘s domestic emissions Need for an at least 30% cut in the EU‘s domestic emissions Binding renewables and energy efficiency legislation Binding renewables and energy efficiency legislation Effective and consistent climate change adaptation policies Effective and consistent climate change adaptation policies Decisive strengthening the EU‘s Emission Trading System (full auctioning, in-built devaluation) Decisive strengthening the EU‘s Emission Trading System (full auctioning, in-built devaluation) Support developing countries following a low carbon path Support developing countries following a low carbon path Invest in greenhouse gas emissions mitigation in developing countries on top of domestic emission reduction obligations Invest in greenhouse gas emissions mitigation in developing countries on top of domestic emission reduction obligations Explore synergies with other policies, namely on biodiversity, poverty reduction, public helath and energy security Explore synergies with other policies, namely on biodiversity, poverty reduction, public helath and energy security Cooperative leadership with other international partners: towards a multipolar and flexible global climate policy regime Cooperative leadership with other international partners: towards a multipolar and flexible global climate policy regime

6: Other urgent challenges Agriculture: CAP Agriculture: CAP Fishing: CFP Fishing: CFP Health and environment: Indoor air quality, biocides, nanotechnology, electromagnetic fields, noise Health and environment: Indoor air quality, biocides, nanotechnology, electromagnetic fields, noise Soil protection and rehabilitation Soil protection and rehabilitation Greening of structural funds Greening of structural funds Development cooperation Development cooperation Reforestation / illegal logging Reforestation / illegal logging GMO control GMO control Political framework for biodiversity protection Political framework for biodiversity protection

Conclusions for an alternative economical strategy Broadening the scope: Reproduction, ecological coexistence, democracy – developing sustainable economic policies Broadening the scope: Reproduction, ecological coexistence, democracy – developing sustainable economic policies Beyond GDP Beyond GDP The issue of economic growth: selectivity, decoupling, compatibility The issue of economic growth: selectivity, decoupling, compatibility Market processes, institutional decision making and framework planning Market processes, institutional decision making and framework planning The issue of the EU: Multi-level-governance as a trap or as an opportunity? The issue of the EU: Multi-level-governance as a trap or as an opportunity?

Urgent first steps Re-open a window of opportunity at Copenhagen by European initiatives Re-open a window of opportunity at Copenhagen by European initiatives Re-balance financial stabilization, economic depression prevention, and developing environmental sustainability Re-balance financial stabilization, economic depression prevention, and developing environmental sustainability Reclaim the initiative in the EU multi-level system on all levels and fields by specific demands and proposals Reclaim the initiative in the EU multi-level system on all levels and fields by specific demands and proposals Develop the expertise required for each field and level Develop the expertise required for each field and level