did you know - european commission...did you know … enforcing eu policy brings direct benefits one...
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Environment
Did you know …
ENFORCING EU POLICY BRINGS DIRECT BENEFITS
One in six jobs in the EU depend on
nature and biodiversity
The Landfi ll Directive and the Waste
Framework Directive help to increase
recycling and reduce landfi ll
The Birds and Habitats Directives
help to restore depleted habitats and
protect endangered species
The Urban Waste Water Treatment
Directive and the Nitrates Directive
are critical to reduce water pollution
and ensure safe drinking water for all
Threats to the environment don’t
stop at our borders
This is why EU Member States have
agreed to put in place measures
that protect citizens’ health and the
environment
European environment law also
ensures that the same rules apply
to businesses, and that citizens are
equally protected
When these laws aren’t respected,
the Commission is on your side and
can even take legal action
The benefi ts of improved bathing
water quality have been estimated
at EUR 97 million
per case per year
Enforcing better management of
protected nature sites can save
EUR 1.2 billion
a year per site
Almost all Europeans say that
protecting the environment is important
to them – nearly 8 out of 10
want the EU to check that environmental
laws are applied correctly in their country
EEnnviirronnmenttaaall lawwss are vvviiital for EEuurroppee’s lonnggg-termm healllttthh and pproossppeerrity. BBuuut fi rsstt theyy
mmmuust bee pprroopeerrly immppplemeennted aanndd rressppecteddd!!!
Th e EEEUU andd ittss MMeemberr SStateess havee aadoptteedd aa wwiide rannnggge
off ambbiittious eennvviironnmenttaaall lawws to pprrotect ccitiizzennss andd
tthhe envvironnmmment. AA kkeeyy rroole off thhe Eurroopeaannn Commmissssionn is
to eennsure tthat MMMembeerr SSttatteess’ auuthoriitties immpplemmeennt theesse rrullees. Preeventtaative mmeasuurrees are mmoore
eeffff ecttiivve anndd conssiideraabbllyy cheeaapeer thhaan hhaavingg tto unddo thhee ddamaagge
causeed byy unsuusstainaable pprraacticess.. Th e CCommmmissiioon alsoo wannttss to creattee a leevvel pllaayying fifi eldd ssoo
nobody bennefi tss frfr omm not coompllyyiinng with enviroonmeentall llegislaattion.
© European U
nion, 2016
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EUEnvironment
EU_ENV
ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT What’s in it for you?
ISBN 978-92-79-63244-0doi:10.2779/93734
KH-04-16-993-EN
-C
ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 1-4 14-12-16 14:26:35
Environment
Did you know …
ENFORCING EU POLICY BRINGS DIRECT BENEFITS
One in six jobs in the EU depend on
nature and biodiversity
The Landfi ll Directive and the Waste
Framework Directive help to increase
recycling and reduce landfi ll
The Birds and Habitats Directives
help to restore depleted habitats and
protect endangered species
The Urban Waste Water Treatment
Directive and the Nitrates Directive
are critical to reduce water pollution
and ensure safe drinking water for all
Threats to the environment don’t
stop at our borders
This is why EU Member States have
agreed to put in place measures
that protect citizens’ health and the
environment
European environment law also
ensures that the same rules apply
to businesses, and that citizens are
equally protected
When these laws aren’t respected,
the Commission is on your side and
can even take legal action
The benefi ts of improved bathing
water quality have been estimated
at EUR 97 million
per case per year
Enforcing better management of
protected nature sites can save
EUR 1.2 billion
a year per site
Almost all Europeans say that
protecting the environment is important
to them – nearly 8 out of 10
want the EU to check that environmental
laws are applied correctly in their country
EEnnviirronnmenttaaall lawwss are vvviiital for EEuurroppee’s lonnggg-termm healllttthh and pproossppeerrity. BBuuut fi rsstt theyy
mmmuust bee pprroopeerrly immppplemeennted aanndd rressppecteddd!!!
Th e EEEUU andd ittss MMeemberr SStateess havee aadoptteedd aa wwiide rannnggge
off ambbiittious eennvviironnmenttaaall lawws to pprrotect ccitiizzennss andd
tthhe envvironnmmment. AA kkeeyy rroole off thhe Eurroopeaannn Commmissssionn is
to eennsure tthat MMMembeerr SSttatteess’ auuthoriitties immpplemmeennt theesse rrullees. Preeventtaative mmeasuurrees are mmoore
eeffff ecttiivve anndd conssiideraabbllyy cheeaapeer thhaan hhaavingg tto unddo thhee ddamaagge
causeed byy unsuusstainaable pprraacticess.. Th e CCommmmissiioon alsoo wannttss to creattee a leevvel pllaayying fifi eldd ssoo
nobody bennefi tss frfr omm not coompllyyiinng with enviroonmeentall llegislaattion.
© European U
nion, 2016
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EUEnvironment
EU_ENV
ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT What’s in it for you?
ISBN 978-92-79-63244-0doi:10.2779/93734
KH-04-16-993-EN
-C
ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 1-4 14-12-16 14:26:35
ENFORCEMENT … A FORCE FOR GOOD!
On your side Environmental laws are about protecting
citizens as well as nature. For example,
binding quality standards for water
and air – as well as limits on industrial
emissions – reduce health risks and save
lives. Measures that protect biodiversity
and tackle climate change also make
good economic sense; repairing
mistakes is much more expensive
than preventing them in the fi rst place.
This is why enforcement is a force
for good!
The Commission will take action if
national systems consistently fail to
address breaches of EU environment law.
Other matters, such as compensation
requests, are best handled at the
national level.
Complaint fi led about illegal disposal of hazardous waste
Commission investigates through informal cooperation with the Member State
Warnings follow if no satisfactory reaction
Continued inaction by Member State results in legal action (EU Court of Justice)
Illegal hazardous waste is removed – citizens and environment benefi t
If Member State fails to comply with a judgement by the Court of Justice –
Commission can take further legal action
… Leading to fi nes
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
You can take action if you think that environmental law is being violated.
A good place to start is to report the matter to the local or national
authority who is responsible for applying EU environmental law at the local level.
GREEN PROJECT PLANNING
EU law requires that the environmental implications of certain projects are taken
into account before they are approved, to ensure they are carried out in a
sustainable manner. Th is leads to more transparent decision-making and greater
public involvement.
How the European Commission can can help ... the hazardous waste case!
SAFER DRINKING WATER
Th e Commission brought a case against a Member State region aft er drinking water
was found to be unsafe. Th is led to the construction of new sanitation units and
a water treatment plant, protecting the health of some 49 000 households.
RESPECTING NATURAL HABITATS
Th e European Commission approved a major dam project in southern Europe on the condition that measures to boost Lynx – wild cat species – populations were put in place. Th e results have
been impressive – the fi rst Lynx born in the wild was observed in 2015, aft er being nearly extinct.
200
2050 100
ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 5-8 14-12-16 14:26:36
ENFORCEMENT … A FORCE FOR GOOD!
On your side Environmental laws are about protecting
citizens as well as nature. For example,
binding quality standards for water
and air – as well as limits on industrial
emissions – reduce health risks and save
lives. Measures that protect biodiversity
and tackle climate change also make
good economic sense; repairing
mistakes is much more expensive
than preventing them in the fi rst place.
This is why enforcement is a force
for good!
The Commission will take action if
national systems consistently fail to
address breaches of EU environment law.
Other matters, such as compensation
requests, are best handled at the
national level.
Complaint fi led about illegal disposal of hazardous waste
Commission investigates through informal cooperation with the Member State
Warnings follow if no satisfactory reaction
Continued inaction by Member State results in legal action (EU Court of Justice)
Illegal hazardous waste is removed – citizens and environment benefi t
If Member State fails to comply with a judgement by the Court of Justice –
Commission can take further legal action
… Leading to fi nes
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
You can take action if you think that environmental law is being violated.
A good place to start is to report the matter to the local or national
authority who is responsible for applying EU environmental law at the local level.
GREEN PROJECT PLANNING
EU law requires that the environmental implications of certain projects are taken
into account before they are approved, to ensure they are carried out in a
sustainable manner. Th is leads to more transparent decision-making and greater
public involvement.
How the European Commission can can help ... the hazardous waste case!
SAFER DRINKING WATER
Th e Commission brought a case against a Member State region aft er drinking water
was found to be unsafe. Th is led to the construction of new sanitation units and
a water treatment plant, protecting the health of some 49 000 households.
RESPECTING NATURAL HABITATS
Th e European Commission approved a major dam project in southern Europe on the condition that measures to boost Lynx – wild cat species – populations were put in place. Th e results have
been impressive – the fi rst Lynx born in the wild was observed in 2015, aft er being nearly extinct.
200
2050 100
ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 5-8 14-12-16 14:26:36
ENFORCEMENT … A FORCE FOR GOOD!
On your side Environmental laws are about protecting
citizens as well as nature. For example,
binding quality standards for water
and air – as well as limits on industrial
emissions – reduce health risks and save
lives. Measures that protect biodiversity
and tackle climate change also make
good economic sense; repairing
mistakes is much more expensive
than preventing them in the fi rst place.
This is why enforcement is a force
for good!
The Commission will take action if
national systems consistently fail to
address breaches of EU environment law.
Other matters, such as compensation
requests, are best handled at the
national level.
Complaint fi led about illegal disposal of hazardous waste
Commission investigates through informal cooperation with the Member State
Warnings follow if no satisfactory reaction
Continued inaction by Member State results in legal action (EU Court of Justice)
Illegal hazardous waste is removed – citizens and environment benefi t
If Member State fails to comply with a judgement by the Court of Justice –
Commission can take further legal action
… Leading to fi nes
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
You can take action if you think that environmental law is being violated.
A good place to start is to report the matter to the local or national
authority who is responsible for applying EU environmental law at the local level.
GREEN PROJECT PLANNING
EU law requires that the environmental implications of certain projects are taken
into account before they are approved, to ensure they are carried out in a
sustainable manner. Th is leads to more transparent decision-making and greater
public involvement.
How the European Commission can can help ... the hazardous waste case!
SAFER DRINKING WATER
Th e Commission brought a case against a Member State region aft er drinking water
was found to be unsafe. Th is led to the construction of new sanitation units and
a water treatment plant, protecting the health of some 49 000 households.
RESPECTING NATURAL HABITATS
Th e European Commission approved a major dam project in southern Europe on the condition that measures to boost Lynx – wild cat species – populations were put in place. Th e results have
been impressive – the fi rst Lynx born in the wild was observed in 2015, aft er being nearly extinct.
200
2050 100
ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 5-8 14-12-16 14:26:36
Environment
Did you know …
ENFORCING EU POLICY BRINGS DIRECT BENEFITS
One in six jobs in the EU depend on
nature and biodiversity
The Landfi ll Directive and the Waste
Framework Directive help to increase
recycling and reduce landfi ll
The Birds and Habitats Directives
help to restore depleted habitats and
protect endangered species
The Urban Waste Water Treatment
Directive and the Nitrates Directive
are critical to reduce water pollution
and ensure safe drinking water for all
Threats to the environment don’t
stop at our borders
This is why EU Member States have
agreed to put in place measures
that protect citizens’ health and the
environment
European environment law also
ensures that the same rules apply
to businesses, and that citizens are
equally protected
When these laws aren’t respected,
the Commission is on your side and
can even take legal action
The benefi ts of improved bathing
water quality have been estimated
at EUR 97 million
per case per year
Enforcing better management of
protected nature sites can save
EUR 1.2 billion
a year per site
Almost all Europeans say that
protecting the environment is important
to them – nearly 8 out of 10
want the EU to check that environmental
laws are applied correctly in their country
EEnnviirronnmenttaaall lawwss are vvviiital for EEuurroppee’s lonnggg-termm healllttthh and pproossppeerrity. BBuuut fi rsstt theyy
mmmuust bee pprroopeerrly immppplemeennted aanndd rressppecteddd!!!
Th e EEEUU andd ittss MMeemberr SStateess havee aadoptteedd aa wwiide rannnggge
off ambbiittious eennvviironnmenttaaall lawws to pprrotect ccitiizzennss andd
tthhe envvironnmmment. AA kkeeyy rroole off thhe Eurroopeaannn Commmissssionn is
to eennsure tthat MMMembeerr SSttatteess’ auuthoriitties immpplemmeennt theesse rrullees. Preeventtaative mmeasuurrees are mmoore
eeffff ecttiivve anndd conssiideraabbllyy cheeaapeer thhaan hhaavingg tto unddo thhee ddamaagge
causeed byy unsuusstainaable pprraacticess.. Th e CCommmmissiioon alsoo wannttss to creattee a leevvel pllaayying fifi eldd ssoo
nobody bennefi tss frfr omm not coompllyyiinng with enviroonmeentall llegislaattion.
© European U
nion, 2016
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EUEnvironment
EU_ENV
ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT What’s in it for you?
ISBN 978-92-79-63244-0doi:10.2779/93734
KH-04-16-993-EN
-C
ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 1-4 14-12-16 14:26:35
Environment
Did you know …
ENFORCING EU POLICY BRINGS DIRECT BENEFITS
One in six jobs in the EU depend on
nature and biodiversity
The Landfi ll Directive and the Waste
Framework Directive help to increase
recycling and reduce landfi ll
The Birds and Habitats Directives
help to restore depleted habitats and
protect endangered species
The Urban Waste Water Treatment
Directive and the Nitrates Directive
are critical to reduce water pollution
and ensure safe drinking water for all
Threats to the environment don’t
stop at our borders
This is why EU Member States have
agreed to put in place measures
that protect citizens’ health and the
environment
European environment law also
ensures that the same rules apply
to businesses, and that citizens are
equally protected
When these laws aren’t respected,
the Commission is on your side and
can even take legal action
The benefi ts of improved bathing
water quality have been estimated
at EUR 97 million
per case per year
Enforcing better management of
protected nature sites can save
EUR 1.2 billion
a year per site
Almost all Europeans say that
protecting the environment is important
to them – nearly 8 out of 10
want the EU to check that environmental
laws are applied correctly in their country
EEnnviirronnmenttaaall lawwss are vvviiital for EEuurroppee’s lonnggg-termm healllttthh and pproossppeerrity. BBuuut fi rsstt theyy
mmmuust bee pprroopeerrly immppplemeennted aanndd rressppecteddd!!!
Th e EEEUU andd ittss MMeemberr SStateess havee aadoptteedd aa wwiide rannnggge
off ambbiittious eennvviironnmenttaaall lawws to pprrotect ccitiizzennss andd
tthhe envvironnmmment. AA kkeeyy rroole off thhe Eurroopeaannn Commmissssionn is
to eennsure tthat MMMembeerr SSttatteess’ auuthoriitties immpplemmeennt theesse rrullees. Preeventtaative mmeasuurrees are mmoore
eeffff ecttiivve anndd conssiideraabbllyy cheeaapeer thhaan hhaavingg tto unddo thhee ddamaagge
causeed byy unsuusstainaable pprraacticess.. Th e CCommmmissiioon alsoo wannttss to creattee a leevvel pllaayying fifi eldd ssoo
nobody bennefi tss frfr omm not coompllyyiinng with enviroonmeentall llegislaattion.
© European U
nion, 2016
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EUEnvironment
EU_ENV
ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT What’s in it for you?
ISBN 978-92-79-63244-0doi:10.2779/93734
KH-04-16-993-EN
-C
ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 1-4 14-12-16 14:26:35