Doc. 9803

12 May 2003

Protection of the Environment at the Council of Europe after the Johannesburg Summit and the Kyiv Conference

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Meale and others

1.       European co-operation to protect the environment and promote sustainable development has expanded enormously on our continent since the political changes in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the subsequent opening of new opportunities for joint action which led to the establishment of the “Environment for Europe” (EFE) process in 1991.

2.       Seen as an overarching political framework providing leadership and setting the policy agenda for a long-term pan-European environment programme by its founders, the EFE process works through ministerial conferences and promotes environmental improvement in countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States, which is based on an environmental Action Programme agreed in 1993 and endorsed by successive ministerial conferences.

3.       Whilst recognising that the process has fallen short of its original aspirations, the Assembly - which has always taken a close interest in the EFE process -, is pleased that these pan-European ministerial conferences on environment have concentrated much of their efforts on tackling the serious environmental problems that face in particular the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and linking the many different actors and initiatives. They have played a useful role as a platform for sharing information, networking and strengthening co-operation among activities and processes in wider Europe.

4.       Twelve years after the launching of the process, the forthcoming 5^th pan-European conference to be held in Kyiv on 21 to 23 May 2003 will again take place against the background of profound changes in Europe and emerging new challenges, manifested by the enlargement of the EU and the rapid development of partnerships with the countries of south eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States. Hence the structures for co-operation developed in the early 1990s must evolve to take account of the new opportunities that this will open for environmental advances.

5.       While progress has been made in many countries to strengthen national capacities for the development and implementation of effective environmental policies and for integration of environmental considerations into other policies, the numerous concerns and problems that have evolved in the decade between the World Summits on Sustainable Development in Rio in 1992 and Johannesburg in 2002 require a firmer political action by the European states to tackle environmental issues and to create more sustainable societies, following the guidance and commitments of the recent Johannesburg Summit.

6.       In this context, the Assembly finds it regrettable, however, that the Johannesburg Declaration and its accompanying plan of implementation adopted at the recent WSSD paid very little attention to the problems of environmental protection, setting no specific targets other than in relation to water. We consider that a more balanced progress on both development and environmental and social objectives, establishing a clear link between the environment and development and fully respecting human and social rights, is necessary. Further, we reiterate our concern on the fact that the failure to establish a wider range of specific targets and timetables will make it more difficult to monitor progress towards meeting the general objectives of sustainable development.

7.       The Assembly is convinced that Europe must keep up the momentum to reinforce, and win back, its role as an initiator and leader. The political will that was lacking in Johannesburg must be displayed in Europe. Europe needs a truly pan-European policy which is aimed at harmonising environmental quality and policies on the continent, and to secure its peace, stability and sustainable development.

8.       The Council of Europe has been fighting for over 35 years for the environment to be included on the political agenda. The continuing implementation of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape diversity Strategy, the Bern Convention and the European Landscape Convention must therefore remain high priorities. This means including biological and landscape diversity issues in sectoral policies, developing ecological networks, supporting environment protection initiatives in Central and East European countries and improving access to information and communication at every level.

9.       Thus the Assembly affirms its commitment to the EFE process and underlines the role national parliaments and parliamentary assemblies can play in providing for better environmental protection and management, especially in promoting the necessary mechanisms as well as co-operation with civil society organisations.

10.       Against this background the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       call upon the governments of member states to follow up on the implementation of the decisions taken at the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable development and at the Kyiv Ministerial Conference to strengthen the environmental pillar of sustainable development at the global, regional and sub-regional levels and to promote partnerships in support of the goals of the Johannesburg declaration and the Plan of Implementation;

ii.       promote activities in all sectors of the organisation related to the objectives of the Johannesburg plan of implementation with regard to establishing appropriate monitoring and implementation mechanisms.

iii.       organise and support financially the Council of Europe intergovernmental sector on the environment in such a way as to enable the organisation to continue to play its full part in implementing the Pan-European Strategy on Biological and Landscape Diversity.

Signed ¹:

Meale, United Kingdom, SOC

Açikgöz, Turkey, SOC

Agudo, Spain, SOC

Ateş, Turkey, SOC

Chapman, United Kingdom, EDG

Crema, Italy, SOC

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Flynn, United Kingdom, SOC

Grissemann, Austria, NR

Mocioi, Romania, NR

Nazaré Pereira, Portugal, EPP/CD

Nessa, Italy, EPP/CD

O’Hara, United Kingdom, SOC

Schmied, Switzerland, LDR

Tiuri, Finland, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group