Environmental Policy in the European Union
1. INTRODUCTION
In last decade we can notice a trend of constant growth of environmental pollution in Europe and also elsewhere in the world. Every year European Union produces around 2 billion tone of waste materials and the number is getting 10% bigger every year. There is also a constant increase of carbon dioxide emissions that are a result of increasing consumption of energy and cars. Majority of European Union members is fighting with utmost and more and more frequent weather conditions, heat waves and floods, that have disastrous outcomes - economic and also for people. Climate changes have influence on the environment and our everyday lives. Nineties were the most warm decade of century across the globe.
Because of all listed reasons the protection of environment is one of the most important and most demanding challenges placed in front of European Union to deal with. There have been many criticisms made that European Union is placing trade and economic development before care for environment. That is also one of the reasons why European Union decided to defend ratification of Kyoto protocol. This protocol places obligatory boundary values for emissions of greenhouse gases in industrialized states and is appointing new implementing mechanisms, founded on market laws, such as trading with emission coupons, common implementation and “mechanism of clean development”. Consequences of polluted environment are visibly reflected on health of all citizens of European Union. Especially in urban environment where noise, stress, air and water pollution are cause of many health conditions and allergies. Also on field of saving energy and dealing with waist a lot has been done already, however it is still necessary to look in to other numerous possibility 's for reducing to health harmful effects of wast materials.
Environmental legislation of European Union is incredibly extensive. It is made of numerous directives, regulations and decrees.
In last decade we can notice a trend of constant growth of environmental pollution in Europe and also elsewhere in the world. Every year European Union produces around 2 billion tone of waste materials and the number is getting 10% bigger every year. There is also a constant increase of carbon dioxide emissions that are a result of increasing consumption of energy and cars. Majority of European Union members is fighting with utmost and more and more frequent weather conditions, heat waves and floods, that have disastrous outcomes - economic and also for people. Climate changes have influence on the environment and our everyday lives. Nineties were the most warm decade of century across the globe.
Because of all listed reasons the protection of environment is one of the most important and most demanding challenges placed in front of European Union to deal with. There have been many criticisms made that European Union is placing trade and economic development before care for environment. That is also one of the reasons why European Union decided to defend ratification of Kyoto protocol. This protocol places obligatory boundary values for emissions of greenhouse gases in industrialized states and is appointing new implementing mechanisms, founded on market laws, such as trading with emission coupons, common implementation and “mechanism of clean development”. Consequences of polluted environment are visibly reflected on health of all citizens of European Union. Especially in urban environment where noise, stress, air and water pollution are cause of many health conditions and allergies. Also on field of saving energy and dealing with waist a lot has been done already, however it is still necessary to look in to other numerous possibility 's for reducing to health harmful effects of wast materials.
Environmental legislation of European Union is incredibly extensive. It is made of numerous directives, regulations and decrees.
References: 1. Artis Michael J., Nixson, F. I.: The economics of the European Union: policy and analysis, 3rd ed., 2001, page 426 2 9. Moussis Nicolas: Guide to European Policies 2003 - 9th Revised edition. Rixensart: European Study Service, 2003, pages 265-284. 10