Update on EU Environmental Policies and Regulations EU Environment Policy: Impact on Thai Business - 29.05.08

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Update on EU Environmental Policies and
Regulations EU Environment Policy Impact on
Thai Business - 29.05.08 Bangkok (Thailand)?

• Timo MAKELA
• European Commission
• Environment Directorate-General
• Sustainable Development and Integration

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Environmental Challenges

• Green House Gas emissions
• ? 2.5 to 3-fold increase by 2050
• Ecological footprint
• ? EU 2,5 earths USA 4.5 earths
• Metals and minerals consumption
• ? 35-40 growth in 10 years
• Metal consumption in China
• ? 200-300 growth in 10 years
• ? Unsustainable trends

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Climate Change and EnergyPolicy response

• Climate Change and Renewable Energy Package
  January 2008 targets for 2020 of a
• - 20-30 GHG reduction
• - 20 energy efficiency improvement
• - 20 renewable energy including 10 biofuels
• Climate Change Adaptation White Paper. Second
  semester 2008
• Post-2012 negotiations ?Global climate agreement
  by the end of 2009
• ? We know what needs to be done but how?

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Biodiversity and Ecosystem servicesPolicy
approach

• Full implementation of the NATURA 2000 network is
  a major milestone for nature conservation.
• The implementation of the Biodiversity Action
  Plan is essential for our efforts to reach the
  2010 target to halting biodiversity loss.
• "Review on the economics of biodiversity loss and
  ecosystem services"
• EU Framework on Invasive Alien Species
• ? 90 of Europeans believe biodiversity loss is a
  problem.

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Resources, Practices, WastePolicy approach

• The larger context

TS on Natural Resources
SCP Action Plan
Disposal
IntegratedProduct Policy
TS on Waste Prevention Recycling
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Key developments in specific policiesShort term

• Adoption of WFD (end 2008)
• Revision of WEEE / RoHS (start 2008)
• New EU waste shipment regulation (12 July 2007)
  focus on implementation
• Action Plan on sustainable consumption and
  production (SCP) for 2008
• International Panel on the Sustainable Use of
  Natural Resources (launched 9-10 Nov. in Budapest)

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Waste Framework DirectiveMain objectives of the
revision

• Modernise and simplify waste policy
• Introduce an impact-based approach
• Introduce end-of-waste criteria
• Establish minimum treatment standards
• Waste prevention
• Repeal waste oils and hazardous waste directives

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WEEE and RoHS DirectivesMain objectives of the
revision

• Simplification, development and improvement
• Increase efficiency and effectiveness
• Eliminate unnecessary costs
• Not lowering environmental goals

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WEEE and RoHS DirectivesTopics of the review
WEEE RoHS
Scope Scope
Targets for Collection Definitions
Targets for Recycling/recovery Other hazardous substances
Targets for Reuse Exemption mechanism
Treatment requirements Enforcement
Producer responsibility principle
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More information

• Webpage DG Environment http//ec.europa.eu/enviro
  nment/index_en.htm
• Webpage public consultationshttp//ec.europa.eu/y
  ourvoice/consultations/index_en.htm