Sharing initiatives for a green and connected city 27 May 2008 – Committee of the Regions Nicholas Hanley DG Environment, European Commission

ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

ONLY ONE EARTH EU = 2.5 Earths US = 5 Earths

ONLY ONE EARTH

No policies: Temperatures will rise far beyond the EU’s 2 °C objective EU’s2 °C

Environmental Impacts of Consumption 70-80% of impacts are caused by: food & drink housing (buildings, occupancy, appliances) (private) transport

70-80% of impacts are caused by:

food & drink

housing (buildings, occupancy, appliances)

(private) transport

EU POLICY RESPONSES

EU POLICY RESPONSES

EU Climate Change Package Objectives for 2020 20% GHG Reduction (Compared to 1990) (30% in context of international agreement) 20% Renewables 10% Biofuels in transport

20% GHG Reduction (Compared to 1990) (30% in context of international agreement)

20% Renewables

10% Biofuels in transport

Other Actions… Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plan (2008) Biodiversity Action Plan Energy Performance of Buildings…

Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plan (2008)

Biodiversity Action Plan

Energy Performance of Buildings…

STRATEGIES FOR CITIES

STRATEGIES FOR CITIES

EU Urban Society 4 out of 5 live in towns/cities Cities: Cause Environmental Impacts Also Offer Solutions

4 out of 5 live in towns/cities

Cities:

Cause Environmental Impacts

Also Offer Solutions

Policy Orientations Transport Sustainable Construction Sustainable Urban Design…

Transport

Sustainable Construction

Sustainable Urban Design…

What is SEIS? A collaborative initiative of the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) Establish together with the MS an integrated and shared EU-wide environmental information system. Tie in better all existing data gathering and information flows related to EU environmental policies and legislation using modern tools such as the internet, GIS and satellite technology. Move away from paper-based reporting to a modern e-Reporting system based on a SEIS Put into practice the principle 'monitor once for timely and multi-purpose uses ' Make environmental information more readily available and easier to understand to policy makers and the public

A collaborative initiative of the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA)

Establish together with the MS an integrated and shared EU-wide environmental information system.

Tie in better all existing data gathering and information flows related to EU environmental policies and legislation using modern tools such as the internet, GIS and satellite technology.

Move away from paper-based reporting to a modern e-Reporting system based on a SEIS

Put into practice the principle 'monitor once for timely and multi-purpose uses '

Make environmental information more readily available and easier to understand to policy makers and the public

Green Cities – Fit for Life European Green Capital Award 2008 call for entries: e-process www.europeangreencapital.eu Consistent and high environmental standards Ambitious goals for further improvement Role model to inspire other cities

European Green Capital Award

2008 call for entries: e-process www.europeangreencapital.eu

Consistent and high environmental standards

Ambitious goals for further improvement

Role model to inspire other cities

Thank you Thank you for your attention !