Governance and Lobbying in the European Union

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB):

- Aims, structure, activities

- How we work to make a differenceRegina Schneider

EEB, Head of Communications

EEB - EUROPEANENVIRONMENTAL BUREAU

European Environmental Bureau Bureau Européen de l’Environnement

• EEB was created in 1974 to represent ENGOs’ interests vis-à-vis the EU Institutions

• It is a federation of more than 140 environmental citizens organisations based in almost all EU Member States, potential new Member States and a few neighbouring countries.

EEB is the environmental voice of European citizens, standing for

environmental justice, sustainable development and participatory

democracy. We want the EU to ensure all people a healthy environment and

rich biodiversity.

European Environmental Bureau

EEB’s Mission statement

EEB work is a combination of reactive and proactive activities

These are some of EEB’s policy aims for the next five years:

• Sustainable development strategy within EU policy • People and planet focused EU-2020 strategy • EU financial perspective which supports environmentally sustainable

development and social cohesion • A 7th environmental action programme • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% reduction target by 2020 • Halt biodiversity decline and increase ecosystem resilience by 2020 • Set absolute limits on resource use and reduce ecofootprint by 50% by

2020 • Strengthen public health protection (REACH, IPPC, nanotech; etc) • Fully integrate sustainability and environmental concerns into EU's external

trade policies

European Environmental Bureau

EEB’s Long term strategy

European Environmental Bureau

Bureau Européen de l’Environnement

Networking on EU Environmental Policies

Main bodies: - AGM (Annual General Meeting), - Board, 1 Board Member per country where

EEB has a full member

To be effective, close cooperation and information exchange with EEB member organisations and their experts is crucial. For this purpose EEB has created working groups:

■ Agriculture ■ Air Pollution ■ Biodiversity ■ Chemicals ■ Ecolabel ■ Ecological Product Policy ■ Energy Efficiency■ Environmental Fiscal reform ■ Industry-IPPC ■ Nanotechnology ■ Natural Resources ■ Noise ■ Soil ■ Waste ■ Water■ Zero mercury working group1 global project: Zero Mercury Campaign an its WG

Double purpose of all WGs: repare + formulate EEB positions; capacity building and training

European Environmental Bureau

Bureau Européen de l’Environnement

The Horizontal Issues1. Environmental Policy Integration2. Sustainable Development3. Aarhus Convention (UN Convention)

Incl. Access to the Court4. Access to Information

Transparency5. Good Governance

Participatory Democracy6. Enforcement, eg Environmental Impact

Assessment7. Environmental Fiscal Reform

The Brussels Scene

European Environmental Bureau

Bureau Européen de l’Environnement

• Around 18,000 lobbyists• Around 97% industry and political lobby• Remaining 3% environment, consumer, social,

animal welfare

Everybody trying to influence EU decision making processes, thus lobby Commission, EP, Council

The EEB in the EU web

EEB

Members

NationalGovernments &

Parliaments

The Public

Media

E.U. InstitutionsCommission, EP,

Council

Other Organisations:Social, Consumer,Trade Unions, …

Industry

European Environmental Bureau

Bureau Européen de l’Environnement

How can we lobby – make a difference? … always in close cooperation with our members!

• We have to know the system– Competences of EU Institutions, decision-making procedures, voting

systems, the most important Treaty articles• Be aware of the work programme, important deadlines, people in

charge, road map etc• Get information and draft texts as early as possible• Collect background information, reports, eg WHO, EEA, OECD• Establish personal contacts with the officials in the different

institutions (to know the ‘right’ people is crucial)… stakeholder meetings, seminars, elaboration of positions papers,

letters, press releases, voting recommendations …at national and EU level

Key words for our work: CREDIBILITY, transparency, fact-based information, timely input

EEB has managed to become a respected partner and a valuable source of information

European Environmental Bureau

Bureau Européen de l’Environnement

COALITION BUILDING

Depending on the issue and often only during special Campaigns EEB co-operates with:

■ Other environmental organisations, eg the Green 10 (G10)■ Consumer organisations■ Health organisations■ Social organisations – Social Platform■ Transport organisations■ Trade unions■ Specific companies■ Women’s organisations■ Animal welfare groups…

AIR 1. (Hopefully) Revision of National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive. The

revision is expected to set tighter limits on emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia and first-ever national caps on emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

2. Revision of Deco Paint directive with the aim of further reducing VOCs emissions from paints and varnishes and extending the scope of the directive.

3. (coming soon) Revision of Sulphur in Fuels directive. This is mainly about air pollution from ships, so this might be interesting for Poland (pollution in the Baltic Sea).

4. Strict enforcement of the Air Quality Directive, and participation in the preparation for its revision in 2013. The AQD is something that usually interests members, especially the PM10 limit values which are set for all cities in Europe but which are infringed by most Member States.

• We are also working with some of our members (in Hungary and Germany) on a “city ranking project” aiming at highlighting best practices to reduce urban air pollution.

• Very dynamic and active Clean Air Working Group supporting EEB’s lobbying activities. Strong link environment – health.

European Environmental Bureau

For further information on the issue, please contact Louise Duprez:louise.duprez@eeb.org T +32 2 289 13 07

NANOTECHNOLOGY

1. Our goal: ensure the safe development and use of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials in consumer products or in processes.

2. Lobbying activities on many EU regulations currently in co-decision: Novel foods, RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (waste of electric and electronic equipment), Biocides (nano silver contained in socks), information to consumers.

3. Active involvement on inclusion of nano in the REACH[1] framework (participation in so called “REACH implementation projects” set up by DG ENV)

4. Active participation in any public consultations, dialogues or hearings organised by the European Commission.

5. (international) Ensure NGO participation on OECD working parties on nanotechnologies and nanomaterials.

6. Inform EEB members on the latest developments of science, with a focus on potential toxicity and ecotoxicity of engineered nanomaterials.

7. One or two full days working group meetings with EEB members every year…

For further information on these issues, please contact Louise Duprez:louise.duprez@eeb.org T +32 2 289 13 07

[1] Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances (REACH)

European Environmental Bureau

European Environmental Bureau

International Negotiations on Mercury:

• UNEP Governing Council in Feb 2009 decided that we need a global treaty on mercury

• 1st meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC1) is in June 2010 – In preparation for this ZMWG has already developed partial concept text, presented in March this year

• INC2 is in January 2011 (Tokyo) and then INC3 will be in October 2011- THIS INC3 is under the Polish presidency!!!

International Negotiations on Mercury:

• Active participation and leadership role of EU at the global negotiations is imperative!!!

• EU is reviewing its Mercury Strategy, ZMWG sent letter to Environment Council

• As EEB we have been requesting measures to control mercury emissions from LCPs (large combustion plants) are taken

• Relevance for Poland is that it is using energy from coal-fired power plants – which are contributing massively to mercury emissions - but obviously it is also a problem in other countries

• Overlapping environment and health, mercury, industry and waste policy

European Environmental Bureau

European Environmental Bureau

EEB started discussions on its 2011 work programme:

To do already in 2010:- Letter with EEB’s political priorities for 2011 [adopted in June

Board meeting]- Contacts with new Hungarian Minister after elections (so after

April)- Seek stronger involvement of Polish NGOs- Work with Denmark in 2010 to have influence on the troika

agenda!- In Hungary: capacity building workshop in September- In Poland: propose and plan workshop for early 2011- Special attention for building up relations with officials of the

two governments

Thank you for your attentionIn the field of the environment around 85% of

your national law depends on or is influenced by EU law – it is worth getting involved at EU level

So there are good reasons to get interested in what is happening at EU level and EEB hopes that this meeting will lead to stronger co-operation between the EEB and the Polish NGOs – there are plenty of opportunities to change things for the better and we need your help

EEB’S WEBSITESIf you wish to find out more about the EEB and its

work

Take a look at the new & improved EEB web site www.eeb.org

It gives information about the EEB, its activities, EEB publications, press releases, position papers.

And you also find links toEuropean ECO forum www.eco-forum.org

Public Participation Campaign www.participate.org

Zero Mercury Global Campaign www.zeromercury.org

and others – go and have a look

European Environmental Bureau