Following a systematic assessment based on the ‘Ten Green Tests’ laid out at the start of its Presidency, Estonia has performed well in relation to chemicals and environmental democracy, but badly when it comes to measures to tackle climate change and ensure sustainable fisheries.
The EEB is the largest network of environmental citizens’ organisations in Europe with more than 140 members in over 30 countries.
Every six months at the rotation of the EU Presidency, the EEB publishes an assessment of the outgoing presidency and Ten Green Tests for the incoming presidency, prepared in cooperation with BirdLife Europe and Seas at Risk. The assessment distinguishes between effort and outcome, and also takes account of what is within the power of a Presidency to achieve.
The key findings of the assessment are:
Commenting on the assessment, EEB Secretary General Jeremy Wates said:
“Despite the Estonian Presidency’s efforts to give priority to sustainable development and eco-innovation, these objectives remain largely neglected in the high-level political discourse on the future of Europe. The Presidency worked hard to complete the negotiations on the crucial waste and climate/energy files and mainly succeeded but at the expense of content, as several of the outcomes were disappointing.”
The EEB also released today its Ten Green Tests for the upcoming Bulgarian Presidency. The Tests include seeking to ensure that the plans for the EU budget post-2020 take account of the Paris Agreement on Climate and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and that as Phase 2 of the Brexit negotiations gets under way. The document states:
Click here to view the EEB's Environmental Assessment of the Estonian Presidency Click here to view the EEB's Ten Green Tests for the Bulgarian Presidency“The Brexit process should not be allowed to undermine the EU’s environmental acquis and principles and that access to the EU market must be linked with UK’s adherence to the principles and regulatory alignment with the environmental acquis”.
Ian Carey
Communications Manager
European Environmental Bureau (EEB)