Press Release: Environment: Commission reviews recent achievements, current priorities and future plans

The European Commission has adopted its mid-term review of the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme (6EAP), which looks at progress made since the 6EAP started in 2002 and the challenges ahead until it finishes in 2012. The mid-term review concludes that the EU is on track with adopting the policy measures outlined in the Programme. It makes clear that the Commission will continue to focus on addressing the 6EAP's four priority areas, namely combating climate change, halting biodiversity loss and protecting nature, reducing environmental impacts on health and reversing the unsustainable management of natural resources and waste. The Commission has also adopted its Annual Environment Policy Review for 2006, which reports on EU policy developments last year and looks in some detail at Member States' policy performance. It shows that climate change is higher on the political agenda than ever before and that policy has progressed on issues such as the revised sustainable development strategy, the REACH chemicals regulation and the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources.

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/07/162 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/162&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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