1 October 1997       Doc. 7932

ADOC7932

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on the potential contribution to employment

of more effective protection of the environment

presented by Mr Gonzalez Laxe and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       In view of the threat - in economic and human terms - posed by environmental damage, European governments have recently acknowledged that industrial development must go hand in hand with protection of the environment. Steps must therefore be taken to promote sustainable economic development, so as to preserve and make the most of resources, be they natural, cultural or economic, territorial or urban, or human.

2.       Recent studies have moreover shown that sustainable economic development is also a boon to employment. Refocusing budgets on environment-protection-related fields brings advantages in so far as these spheres of activity can generate new jobs. Job opportunities exist, for instance, in encouraging road users to switch to means of transport causing less, or even no, pollution, in rehabilitating housing, in various forms of environmental work, such as the upkeep of rivers and forests, in research and development concerning renewable energy sources, in preserving clean air, in water or waste management, and so on.

3.       Furthermore, the jobs thus created necessitate a skilled labour force, which will pave the way for Europe's future competitiveness. They are also a driving force for local development as they foster local employment, thereby strengthening social cohesion and turning to advantage each region's specific resources.

4.       The Assembly therefore believes it is of vital importance to the whole of Europe that the principle of sustainable development should be made part and parcel of European economic policies, so that the continent can benefit from an improvement in living conditions, together with energy savings and new employment opportunities.

      signed: ¹

      Gonzalez Laxe, Spain, SOC

Alis Font, Andorra, NI

Bartumeu Cassany, Andorra, SOC

Figel, Slovakia, EPP

Grenfell, United Kingdom, SOC

Gross, Switzerland. SOC

Guirado, Spain, SOC

Kirilov, Bulgaria, SOC

Martinez, Spain, SOC

Pozza Tasca, Italy, LDR

Squarcialupi, Italy, SOC

Telgmaa, Estonia, EDG

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: 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 any political group