Living well, within the limits of our planet: the 7th EAP (2014-20)

The 7th Environment Action Programme (EAP) will guide European environment policy until 2020. The new Plan identifies nine priority objectives and sets out a long-term vision of where it wants the EU to be by 2050.

ACT

Decision No 1386/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020 ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet’.

SUMMARY

Guided by the long-term vision of ‘In 2050, we live well, within the planet's ecological limits’, the 7th Environment Action Programme (EAP) identifies 3 priority action areas for the EU:

1.	Natural capital

Here, the focus is on protecting, conserving and enhancing fertile soil, productive land and seas, fresh water and clean air, as well as the biodiversity that supports this natural capital. The EAP commits the EU and Member States to speed up delivery of the 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources.

2.	Resource-efficient economy

To transform the EU into a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy, the EAP requires:

—	full delivery of the climate and energy package to achieve the 20-20-20 targets and agreement on the next steps for climate policy beyond 2020;

—	significant improvements to the environmental performance of products over their life cycle;

—	reductions in the environmental impact of consumption, including issues such as cutting food waste and using biomass sustainably.

There is also a special focus on turning waste into a resource and on moving towards more efficient use of our water resources.

3.	Healthy environment for healthy people

This priority covers challenges to human health and wellbeing, such as air and water pollution, excessive noise, and chemicals. In the EAP, all parties agree to:

—	update air quality and noise legislation;

—	improve implementation of legislation on drinking and bathing water;

—	tackle hazardous chemicals, including nanomaterials, chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system and chemicals in combination, as part of a broader, strategic approach for a non-toxic environment.

ENABLING FRAMEWORK

The EAP's priority objectives 4 to 7 (the four ‘I’s) aim to help Europe deliver on the first three goals through:

—	better implementation of legislation;

—	better information by improving the knowledge base;

—	more and wiser investment for environment and climate policy;

—	full integration of environmental requirements and considerations into other policies.

The programme's final two priority objectives are:

—	sustainable cities;

—	tackling international challenges (environmental and climate).

The 7th EAP entered into force in January 2014. It is now up to the EU institutions and the Member States to ensure that it is implemented, and that the priority objectives set out are met by 2020.

last update 04.07.2014