Green 10

50 years of the European Union

As the EU prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Green 10 group of environmental NGOs are calling for environmental concerns to be put at the heart of the debate over the future of Europe.

Download the letter to heads of state.

Ten environmental principles for the EU budget review

A root-and-branch review of the EU Budget will take place in 2008/2009. In preparation for this review, the Commission will launch a public consultation in 2007, accompanied by an “issues paper”.

The Green 10 coalition of environmental NGOs calls on the EU Institutions to ensure that the following principles guide future discussions on the EU Budget:

1. Public funds must deliver public goods, creating environmental and social benefit.
2. EU funds must be targeted at improving people’s health and wellbeing.
3. EU funds must aim to make the EU the most energy and resource efficient economy in the world.
4. EU funds must contribute directly to the achievement of the EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy and environmental commitments.
5. The EU Budget must make a positive contribution to sustainable development globally and enhance environmental protection outside the EU.
6. EU-funded projects and programmes in the EU must be fully consistent with the environmental acquis, and EU funds must not be released to EU recipients unless they comply with all relevant environmental legislation.
7. There must be an immediate end to all environmentally harmful subsidies.
8. Use of funds must be based on principles of transparency, accountability and partnership.
9. Funds must be audited to ensure that positive environmental benefits are generated and negative impacts are avoided.
10. The commitment to integrate environmental protection and improvement into all EU programmes must be assessed and strengthened to ensure that the above environmental requirements are met.

For further information, please contact:
Clairie Papazoglou, BirdLife International
Clairie.Papazoglou@birdlife.org