Activites

• 1997/04/25 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Regulation 1997/722
  • OJ L 108 25.04.1997, p. 0001
• #2000
• 1997/04/22 Council Meeting
• 1997/04/22 End of procedure in Parliament
• 1997/04/22 Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
• 1997/01/17 Modified legislative proposal published
  • COM(1997)0003 summary

    In its amended proposal, the Commission took over, in full or in part, 31 of the 43 amendments approved by Parliament at second reading. These included amendments aimed at clarifying or extending the scope of the regulation and amendments underlining the importance of the actions to be implemented in the field of the environment and sustainable development. Finally, several amendments aimed to reassert the Commission's initial position concerning certain horizontal questions with regard to the unlimited duration of the regulation and the financial reference amount. The Commission accepted, in particular, the amendments relating to: - budgetary amendments, - pilot initiatives combining information campaigns and an improvement in environmental management, - aid for local initiatives, - the additional objectives of regional planning and projects on transport and drinking water, - information campaigns on hazardous substances. However, the Commission rejected the amendments relating to: - the increase in appropriations to ECU 50 million until 2000, - the plan to do away with the possibility of financing impact and evaluation studies, - the exclusion of cofinancing, - the 'participation of indigenous peoples', - the introduction of an 'eco-watch unit'. �

• 1996/11/12 Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading
  • T4-0576/1996 summary

    In adopting the recommendation for second reading by Mrs Christiane TAUBIRA-DELANNON (ARE, F), Parliament adopted again the amendments not incorporated by the Council in its common position. It proposed that the financial reference amount (ECU 15 million) should be deleted for a period of three years, and called for priority to be given to: - pilot initiatives at local, regional and national level in the field of environmental protection and conservation of resources; - improving the environment and regional planning through town and traffic planning and by supporting local regional planners and town administrators; - promoting local initiatives aimed at preserving coastal areas by avoiding pollution and reducing sources of pollution; - initiatives to apply and transfer technologies, particularly in the field of energy and renewable sources of energy; - measures aimed at avoiding pollution which contributes to climatic change; - soil conservation and grazing management and pastoral farming, improvement of livestock farming methods, optimization of rearing techniques for wild animals, arable farming, tourism and the fight against desertification; - local initiatives to encourage compliance with environmental standards, such as labels and certification; - providing information on and making local people aware of problems associated with population growth, non-viable production methods, use of hazardous chemical products and the dispersal of toxic waste in the environment; - information campaigns on hazardous substances such as toxic waste and pesticides; - the protection of ecosystems and habitats, and the conservation of species diversity; - development cooperation projects containing an environmental component which distinguishes, identifies and assesses the sustainable dimensions in these projects; - the establishment of national green accounting systems. The EP also called for particular reference to be made: - to building up the institutional and operational capacities of developing countries; - measures relating to climate protection objectives; - the provision of information to the local people and their involvement in projects; - regional projects. Finally, the EP called for pilot schemes in the field to be the subject of prior reports on the environmental, social, economic and cultural impact. �

• 1996/11/11 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament summary

    Standing-in for the rapporteur, the chairman of the Committee on Development, Mr Kouchner, stated that the Regulation that had been submitted for approval by Parliament was aimed at implementing sustainable development and at promoting an awareness of environmental issues. He then provided various data to support his argument: water supplies in developing countries had declined by two-thirds since 1970; 1.7 billion people had no access to a sewage system, desertification cost 9 billion in Africa, 20 million hectares of tropical forest had been destroyed. Noting that the Community was not only the main donor but also a major polluter, the rapporteur pointed out that the regulation in question sought to give a stronger regional dimension to the programmes. This was why it was in need of an appropriate level of funding and effective coordination between the different programmes. Mr Kouchner then went on to refer to the 43 amendments that had been tabled again in spite of the Council’s refusal to extend the scope of the regulation. For example, the Committee on Development supported an unspecified period for the application of the regulation, whereas the Council had set a three-year deadline; the committee also wanted to see the withdrawal of the financial reference amount that the Council had set at a maximum limit of ECU 15 million for a period of three years. Finally, it proposed a type I committee instead of a type IIIa committee, as preferred by the Council. Commissioner Papoutsis said that the work of the Commission was inspired by the principles of the Rio Conference and by Article 130u of the Treaty. He also declared that the Commission was prepared to incorporate issues such as health, dangerous waste and environmental impact into the scope of the regulation.

• 1996/10/29 Vote in committee, 2nd reading
  • A4-0340/1996
• 1996/07/18 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 2nd reading
• #1941
• 1996/06/27 Council Meeting
  • 07283/2/1996 summary

    In its common position the Council made certain changes to the Commission's proposal, in particular: - the scope of the regulation: the Council underlined the complementary nature of assistance granted under the regulation and that provided through other cooperation instruments. It also widened the scope of environmental activities. - the nature of the committee required to give an opinion on proposed measures: the Council agreed that the committee would be the relevant geographical committee (MED, ALA and EDF committees) acting in accordance with the type-III(a) procedure (regulatory committee). In addition, once a year there will be an exchange of views in a joint meeting of geographical committees; - duration and reference amount: owing to the nature of eligible measures (pilot projects, preparation of guidelines, environmental impact assessments, compilation and statistical work), the Council believes that it would be preferable in future to implement such measures within the framework of geographical development programmes. It has therefore laid down a limited duration for the regulation (1997-1999) and a financial reference amount for that period (ECU 45 million); - the Council has also added several provisions on the evaluation of operations financed (to be forwarded to the Member States on request) and keeping the committee informed about projects at different stages of financing (Articles 7 and 10). The Council incorporated a very small number of Parliament amendments (3 out of 44 adopted at first reading). These concerned the provision of information and the role of women in implementing projects and clarifications concerning recipient countries (the addition of base communities, etc.). No other Parliament amendments were adopted. �

• #1928
• 1996/05/28 Council Meeting
• 1996/05/09 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T4-0219/1996 summary

    Adopting the report by Mrs Christine TAUBIRA-DELANNON (ARE, F), the European Parliament approved the proposal for a Council regulation seeking to provide a legal basis for budget heading B7-5040 (Environmental measures in the developing countries), which contains a total of ECU 15 million in commitment appropriations and ECU 13 million in payment appropriations for the 1996 budget. This budget heading was created in 1982, at Parliament's initiative, following the widespread damage caused by desertification in Africa. Parliament called for priority to be given to: - pilot initiatives at local, regional and national level in the field of environmental protection and conservation of resources; - improving the environment and regional planning through building and traffic planning and by supporting local regional planners and town administrators; - promoting local initiatives aimed at preserving coastal areas by preventing pollution and reducing sources of pollution; - promoting local initiatives aimed at applying and transferring technologies, particularly in respect of energy and renewable energy sources; - measures aimed at avoiding pollution which contributes to climate changes; - soil conservation and grazing management and pastural farming, the optimization of rearing techniques for wild animals, arable farming, tourism and the fight against desertification; - local initiatives to encourage compliance with specific environmental standards (e.g. labels, certification); - providing information on and making local people aware of the problems associated with population increase, non-viable production methods, the use of hazardous chemical products and the dispersal of toxic waste in the environment; - information campaigns on hazardous substances such as toxic waste and pesticides; - the protection of ecosystems and habitats, and the conservation of species diversity; - the inclusion in development cooperation projects of an environmental component which distinguishes, identifies and assesses the sustainable dimension in these projects; - the development of national green accounting systems. Parliament also called for special attention to be paid to: - building up the institutional capacities of developing countries and measures relating to climate protection (promotion of renewable energy sources, increased energy efficiency and energy savings); - the provision of information to local people and their involvement in operations, with due account being taken of the special role and situation of women; - regional projects. Lastly, Parliament called for pilot schemes in the field to be the subject of reports on the environmental, social, economic and cultural impact. Furthermore, where such schemes have an impact on the traditional territories and ways of life of indigenous peoples, their informed consent is essential. The guidelines to and criteria for project selection should be published in the Official Journal and distributed among interested parties by the Commission offices in the countries authorized to submit applications.�

• 1996/05/08 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament summary

    Underlining the fact that by the year 2000 fifteen of the world’s cities would have a population of more than 11 million, and that 13 of these would be in developing countries, the rapporteur referred to the heavy responsibility weighing on Europe when it came to sources of global pollution. As indicators of this phenomenon, Mrs Taubira-Delannon mentioned the decline in forest areas, the fragility of inshore ecosystems, the threat to biodiversity and the over-exploitation of the urban environment. In view of this, she called for the budget heading for sustainable development in emerging countries to be increased over the period to the year 2000 on the basis of the criteria and priorities outlined in the report. Commissioner Pinheiro declared that he could take over more than two-thirds of the amendments tabled (33 out of 39): he accepted Nos 1, 2, 4 to 6, 8 to 18, 21 to 23, 25, 26, 31, 32, 34, 37 and 43 in full, and Nos 7, 19, 30, 41, 42, 44 and 48 in part. However, he could not accept a further 16 amendments, rejecting No 3 for strictly formal and technical reasons, along with Nos 20, 24, 27 to 29, 33, 35, 36, 38 to 40, 45 to 47 and 49. Amendments Nos 20 and 27 were particularly unacceptable because they would have introduced a certain rigidity that was incompatible with the pilot actions being proposed on the environment. Amendments Nos 29, 41, 42 and 44 were rejected for procedural reasons to do with the transfer of information between the institutions. Finally, Amendments Nos 38, 39 and 40 were being rejected because they did not comply with the modus vivendi in respect of comitology or were incompatible (as was the case with Amendment No 36) with the very organisation of the Commission.

• 1996/04/15 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A4-0112/1996
• 1995/09/18 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 1995/06/27 Legislative proposal published
  • COM(1995)0294 summary

    OBJECTIVE: to establish administration procedures and rules applicable to cooperation projects to facilitate the integration of the environmental dimension into the sustainable development process of developing countries. CONTENT: the purpose of the operations covered by this regulation is to: . preserve biological diversity by conserving ecosystems and the natural habitats of species in danger of extinction, . improve the environment (especially the urban environment): refuse and waste water management, air pollution, . preserve coastal zones, . transfer clean energy technologies, . improve soil conservation and management in livestock farming, forestry and the fight against desertification, . adapt production processes in developing countries and increase the awareness of all economic agents of environmental constraints. - Recipients and cooperation partners: states, regions, decentralized departments, regional bodies, public agencies, traditional and local communities, private operators, including cooperatives, and NGOs representing the local people. - Operations to be implemented: within the framework of the general objectives of this programme, Community funding may cover investment expenditure (except for real estate) and operational expenditure in foreign or local currency, but only during the launch stage. They include studies, technical assistance, training and other services. Particular attention will be paid to operations to develop the institutional capacities of developing countries and involve the local people when operations are being planned. Joint funding will be actively sought from Member States, multilateral or regional organizations and local partners. Provision is made for coordination and complementarity with similar Community operations in this sector. - Form of aid: grants. - Decision-making procedure: the Commission will administer operations covered by the regulation. It will be assisted by three advisory committees (EDF, ALA and MED committees). Participation in invitations to tender and the award of contracts is open to the recipient country and the Member States and other third developing countries. In exceptional cases supplies may originate elsewhere. - Exchanges of view: the Commission will hold an exchange of views once a year with the three committees concerned on future operations to be conducted within the framework of this cooperation. - Information: an annual report will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council summarizing and evaluating the operations financed in the course of the financial year (any contracts concluded, independent evaluations etc.). - Budget: the financial statement makes provision for the sum of ECU 15 million in 1996 (this cooperation does not include any provision as to its duration and it is therefore renewable annually).�

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(1995)0294
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A4-0112/1996
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T4-0219/1996
• Council position published: 07283/2/1996
• Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A4-0340/1996
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading: T4-0576/1996
• Modified legislative proposal published: COM(1997)0003
• : Regulation 1997/722
• : OJ L 108 25.04.1997, p. 0001

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)