Exploring the EU's Environmental Policies

The European Union's environmental policy journey began in earnest with the Paris Summit in 1972. It marked the EU's commitment to environmental protection as a core objective, preceding the first Environmental Action Programme.

Natura 2000 is a vast network of protected areas, established under the EU's Birds and Habitats Directives. Covering over 18% of the EU's land area and around 8% of its marine territory, it is the cornerstone of EU's nature conservation policy.

Launched in 2005, the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) was the first large greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme. It's a central tool in reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively and is a model for similar schemes globally.

The EU's Circular Economy Package, adopted in 2018, sets ambitious recycling targets. It aims to reduce landfill, transform waste management, and promote product lifecycle thinking, influencing global supply chains towards sustainability.

Part of the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy seeks to make food systems fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly. This policy addresses everything from production to consumption, aiming to reduce the food system's environmental footprint.

The EU's Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 is a comprehensive, ambitious plan to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems. It includes commitments to protect 30% of the EU's land and seas and restore degraded ecosystems across the continent.

The EU's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability towards a Toxic-Free Environment is part of the European Green Deal. It envisions a pollution-free environment by 2050 and proposes actions to minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals and protect vulnerable populations.