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PRESS RELEASE [Brussels, 1 July, 2008] - EEB [1] today issued its 'Ten Green Tests' for France's six-month Presidency of the European Union, which begins today. EEB has set these benchmark tests for each Presidency since 1998, following them up with an end-of-term performance assessment at the Presidency's conclusion. EEB's Ten Green Tests form part of an extended memorandum to the French Presidency, drawn up by EEB's staff and French NGO members, presenting their principal ideas and most urgent demands. The Ten Green Tests for the French presidency are attached. "France will have to show leadership in turning the EU's promises to its citizens and the world concerning climate change and biodiversity protection into reality. In addition, it can help raise the debate about biofuels with the hope of dropping targets altogether until more sustainability criteria are established," said John Hontelez, EEB's Secretary General. "Most significantly, France has pledged to renew the discussion on a Soil Framework Directive, in which it participated in blocking at December's Environment Council. Their task will be to find a compromise between Member States to keep the work that has already been done on this Directive afloat. EEB is ready to assist." Georges Cingal, EEB Vice-President and representative of its French members, pledged French support as well. "EEB's 14 French member organisations will, in co-operation with other environmental NGOs, closely watch progress on the Tests," he said. "However, we are there, as always, not only to criticise, but also to continue offering support for successful implementation of the agenda." Climate and energy issues are again high on the EU's agenda. EEB is urging EU Member States to agree on effort-sharing agreements on greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy promotion that will deliver a 30% reduction for the EU by 2020 and a 20% environmentally sound renewables contribution by that date, abandoning any minimum biofuels requirements. EEB calls for a set of technical measures to reduce environmental impacts from road transport. EEB is also keen to see an active and innovative role of the Presidency in the debate on the future of EU agriculture policy, a continuation of the debate on the revision of the industrial pollution prevention and control (IPPC) directive and phasing-out mercury globally. France should also organise a debate on how the EU can achieve sustainable consumption and production patterns by identifying the role of public authorities (through legislation, financial instruments, green procurement), businesses and consumers, stepping away from the limitations of the Commission's proposal for a Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) action plan, due to be released the second week of France's Presidency. The countdown to reaching Europe's goal of halting biodiversity loss by 2010 is quickly approaching, giving France the responsibility of seeking ways to improve and accelerate EU's internal and external nature protection policies. Finally, EEB calls on the Presidency to take measures to systematically improve the enforcement of EU legislation by relaunching the Access to Justice Directive. The Ten Tests, as well as the extended Memorandum to the French Presidency, which gives a fuller account of EEB's position on these issues, are both available on EEB's website. For further information please contact:- John Hontelez, EEB Secretary General, hontelez@eeb.org;Tel:+32 2 289 1091, Mob: +32 486 51 21 27 Editors Notes:- [1] The EEB is a federation of over 145 environmental citizens' organisations based in EU Member States and most accession countries with the intent of protecting and improving the environment of Europe and to promoting knowledge and understanding of EU environmental and sustainable development policies. |
