EU ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

EU environmental policies and legislation protect natural habitats, keep air and water clean, ensure proper waste disposal, improve knowledge about toxic chemicals and help businesses move toward a sustainable economy.

The following is a list of EU Environment and Climate Change related legislation documents and weblinks that are currently available on Lean Business Ireland.

Environmental quality standards applicable to surface water
Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC, 86/280/EEC and amending Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council

This Directive sets out environmental quality standards (EQS) concerning the presence in surface water of certain substances or groups of substances identified as priority pollutants on account of the substantial risk they pose to or via the aquatic environment.

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EU environmental impact assessment rules
Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment

It updates rules requiring developers of certain public and private projects to carry out a thorough assessment of the impact their projects might have on the environment before it receives consent.

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EU law against environmental crime
Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on the protection of the environment through criminal law
  • It defines a number of serious offences that harm the environment.
  • It requires EU countries to introduce effective and proportionate penalties constituting a deterrent for such offences, regardless of whether they are committed intentionally or through serious negligence.
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EU policy framework for climate and energy (2020 to 2030)
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS A policy framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030

This communication highlights the need for the EU to transition towards a low-carbon economy building on the substantial progress already made to achieve the Union’s 2020 targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, renewable energy and energy savings.

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EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions concerning the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

The communication aims to propose an overall EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). This strategy looks to strengthen cooperation in this region so as to respond to the common challenges it faces and to promote ecologically-responsible economic development.

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EU waste management law
Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives

It establishes a legal framework for treating waste in the EU. This is designed to protect the environment and human health by emphasising the importance of proper waste management, recovery and recycling techniques to reduce pressure on resources and improve their use.

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EU water resources protection plan
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS A Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources

The European Commission presented a Blueprint to safeguard Europe's Water Resources on 15 November 2012. This sets out a three-pronged strategy to guarantee the quality and sustainability of this key resource across the Union by 2015.

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Europe-Asia cooperation strategy
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee on a Europe-Asia co-operation strategy in the field of environment

The Commission intends to enhance the efficiency of cooperation between Europe and Asia regarding environmental matters by promoting a proactive regional strategy.

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