WRITTEN QUESTION E-0301/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 February 2002)

Subject: Urban environment policy in Greece

According to a survey by the National Environment and Sustainable Development Centre, the level of atmospheric emissions per unit of gross national product in Greece exceeds the EU average while according to the report, carbon dioxide emissions have tripled.

1. Does the Commission have information concerning the level of atmospheric emissions for each Member State of the EU?

2. Is it satisfied by urban environment policy in Greece and if not what are the problems?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2002)

The Commission has a number of ways of accessing emission data from Member States, both of conventional air pollutants (such as sulphur and nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) and greenhouse gases. Both the Community and Member States are parties to international conventions such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which oblige countries to report their emissions data. The European Environment Agency plays an important role in collecting and processing the data for the Community.

Recently adopted instruments at Community level such as Directive 2001/81/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants(1) and the Polluting Emissions Register under Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control(2) will provide further mechanisms for obtaining emissions data.

As far as the urban environment is concerned, the Commission has a number of measures in place that address the quality of the urban environment. These include programmes and legislation in areas, such as air, water, waste, transport and spatial development. In this respect, progress with regard to the quality of the urban environment is frequently assessed in all Member States and where legislation is not satisfactorily complied with, appropriate action is taken. In addition, as required by the 6th Environment Action Programme, the Commission will be producing a thematic strategy on the urban environment. This will further serve to support action to monitor, manage and improve urban environments in all Member States, including Greece.

Greece faces particular problems in relation to the quality of the urban environment in areas such as water treatment, air pollution, traffic control and waste management. The Commission is keen to see that these are addressed and will ensure that current obligations are met and that, where appropriate, future measures address specific problems and circumstances.

(1) OJ L 309, 27.11.2001.

(2) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.