Environment: 6th Community action programme 2001-2010

The Conciliation Committee reached agreement on a joint text for the 6th Community environment action programme (2001-2010). The main points of the agreement may be summarised as follows: At Parliament·s request the programme contains provisions for the listing and phasing-out of environmentally-harmful subsidies, for environmental taxes at appropriate national or Community level, for Kyoto Protocol emission targets and for thematic strategies for tackling environmental priorities. All legislation arising from the thematic strategies will be adopted under codecision. Additional targets will be sought under the programme for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, linked to an assessment by the International Panel on Climate Change. The programme will promote the development of alternative fuels and fuel-efficient vehicles. Under the agreement, the rising volumes of urban traffic will also be tackled and efforts made to improve the quality of the urban environment. Furthermore, mainstreaming environmental concerns will be better included into Community policy-making, and special attention will be devoted to increasing the environmental awareness of the general public and of local authorities. Lastly, the programme will seek to improve the management and use of natural resources as well as waste management, with the aim of adopting more sustainable production methods and patterns of consumption.�