EU documents
EU documents related to forests
European Economic and Social Committee
European Council
- COUNCIL DECISION of 20 February 2006 on Community strategic guidelines for rural development (programming period 2007 to 2013)
Adopted: 20.02.2006
Abstract: In the framework of the objectives set by Regulation (EC) No. 1698/2005, the following strategic guidelines identify priorities of the Community. The aim of the guidelines is to integrate the major political priorities agreed upon in the conclusions of the Lisbon and Gothenburg Meetings. Based on these strategic guidelines, Member States must prepare national plans for rural development, which will be used as reference framework for the preparation of rural development programs.
Improving competitiveness of agricultural and forestry sectors
Improving the natural environment
Improving quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of the rural economy
Developing local capacity to create employment and diversify
Ensuring consistency in programming
Complementarities between Community instrument
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
Adopted: 20.09.2005
Summary: The present Regulation lays down general rules governing Community support to rural development, financed by FEADER, established by Regulation (CE) No. 1290/2005 and whose mission is: to contribute to promotion of sustainable rural development in the Community to complement market and income support policies implemented in the framework of the common agricultural policy, the cohesion policy and the common fisheries policy. It defines the objectives that rural development policy should contribute towards and the strategic context for rural development policy, including the method for fixing the Community’s strategic guidelines for rural development policy (hereinafter referred to as “strategic community guidelines”) and national strategic plans. It also defines rural development priorities and measures. It lays down rules on cooperation, programming, valuation, financial management, monitoring and control, based on shared responsibilities of Member States and the Commission.
- REGULATION (EC) No 2152/2003 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 17 November 2003 concerning monitoring of forests and environmental interactions in the Community (Forest Focus)
Adopted: 17.11.2003
The Community forest monitoring program Forest Focus has the aim of monitoring European forest ecosystems in a harmonized, wide, global and long term manner, focusing mainly on protection against atmospheric pollution and prevention of fires. It also covers areas such as biodiversity, climate change, carbon storage, soils and protective functions of forests.
In order to achieve the objectives, Member States have to establish national programmes which are submitted to the Commission for an appraisal. In addition, Member States must submit mid-term and post-programme evaluations.
Member States will forward annual data collected as part of Forest Focus to the Commission, together with a report, and will make these data available to the public. Member States are required to submit regular reports on the status of their forest ecosystems to the Commission.
- Proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL REGULATION concerning monitoring of forests and environmental interactions in the Community (Forest Focus)
Brussels, 15.7.2002 COM (2002) 404 final 2002/0164 (COD)
Adopted 15.07.2002
The main objective of the proposal is to establish a community system that contributes to the protection of EU forest ecosystems by monitoring their condition. It would not be possible to achieve such objective should Member States act separately. It is therefore imperative a Community action that, in addition to ensuring harmonized data collection and availability of information at EU level, contributes to the assessment of Community measures to promote conservation and sustainable management of forest ecosystems.
The proposed Community system is based on four pillars:
1.Monitoring the effects of air pollution on forests
2.Monitoring forest fires
3.Continuous assessment of the efficiency of monitoring systems to determine the condition of forest ecosystems, and development and improvement of these systems
4.Once proper monitoring systems have been developed, and as long as there are available financial resources in the budgets, introduction of new monitoring activities for forest biodiversity, soils, climate change and carbon retention.
- DIRECTIVE 2001/77/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 September 2001 on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market
Adopted 27.10.2001
The present guideline aims at increasing the contribution of renewable energy sources to energy generation in the internal electricity market and laying the groundwork for a future Community framework for it. It aims at 21% of the energy being generated from renewable sources. To achieve this aim, national and Community evaluation measures have been devised. To prevent fraud the guideline provides a system to guarantee the origin of energy from renewable sources, to facilitate trade of energy from renewable sources and offer greater transparency to consumers. The Commission will submit an official report on implementation of this guideline every 5 years.
- Council Resolution of 15 December 1998 on a forestry strategy for the European Union (1999/C 56/01)
Adopted: 26.2.1999
In this Communication the Commission reviews progress made since the launch of the European Union forestry strategy in 1998 and the new challenges currently facing the sector. The general principles stated in the 1998 forestry strategy are kept, but the Commission proposes new actions, given that the context has changed significantly since then.
It finally invites the Commission to report to the Council on the implementation of this forestry strategy within five years.
- Directiva 92/43/CEE del Consejo, de 21 de mayo de 1992, relativa a la conservación de los hábitats naturales y de la fauna y flora silvestres
Adopted: 22.07.1992
- Directiva 79/409/CEE del Consejo, de 2 de abril de 1979, relativa a la conservación de las aves silvestres
Adopted: 25.04.1979
European Commission
DG AGRICULTURE
- Propuesta de REGLAMENTO DEL CONSEJO por el que se establecen disposiciones comunes aplicables a los regímenes de ayuda directa a los agricultores en el marco de la Política Agrícola Común y se instauran determinados regímenes de ayuda a los agricultores
Adopted: 20.05.2008
The main objectives outlined in the Commission Communication are, on one hand, to evaluate the implementation of the of the 2003 amendments to the CAP and, on the other hand, to apply the necessary adjustments to the reform process to simplify this policy, in such way that it takes advantage of new market opportunities and faces new challenges such as climate change, water management and bioenergy.
The Communication states that for the CAP to remain as a policy for the present and future it has to be able to evaluate its tools, determine its proper functioning, define necessary adaptations to meet its objectives and adapt to new challenges.
The Commission has developed policy proposals that complement an evaluation of the impact of the “health check” on the CAP, they refer to three Regulations:
-Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003 of the Council of September 29, 2003, establishing common rules for financing schemes in the CAP framework and support schemes for farmers.
-Regulation (EC) No. 1234/2007 of the Council of October 22, 2007, establishing a common organization of agricultural markets and specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Regulation applying to CMOs only).
-Regulation (EC) No. 1698/2005 of the Council of September 20, 2005, referring to support to rural development through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER).
- ESTUDIO de los efectos de la globalización sobre la viabilidad económica de la selvicultura de la UE
December 2007
The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of globalization (defined as the integration of economic activities, primarily via market) on the economic viability and global competitiveness of the EU forest sector, in particular forestry. It covers the entire EU, including the accession and the Western Balkan countries, from the present to 2030. It also includes a (limited) review of cultural, social and political globalization.
The study consists of a literature review and an assessment of globalization factors and related indicators; analysis was done using computer models developed by IIASA.
The main conclusions were:
-Globalization has favoured forestry development in the European Union.
-Not only impact factors (timber costs, energy costs), but also technical knowledge, quality, logistics, institutions, etc. affect the competitiveness in a global world.
Download PDF: EN
- COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN Estrategia de la UE para los biocarburantes
Adopted 08.02.2006
This Communication looks at the role biofuels can play to reduce green house gases due to the EU transport sector. Processed from biomass, a renewable resource, they can act as a replacement of fossil fuels and can be easily integrated into fuel supply systems. Their production can generate economic and environmental benefits in many developing countries, create employment, reduce energy import bills and open potential export markets. Bioethanol production in particular can represent an alternative for sugar producing countries affected by the EU reform in this sector.
This communication complements the biomass Action Plan and is accompanied by an impact assessment which sets out different political options.
The recent biomass Action Plan describes several measures to be taken to encourage the use of all types of biomass in the production of renewable energy. The present communication sets out the EU strategy for biofuels with three aims:
-To promote grater use of biofuels
-To prepare for large-scale use of biofuels improving their energy efficiency
-To study opportunities for developing countries
The measures to encourage biofuel production and utilization that will be adopted by the Community are grouped around the following political basis:
-Stimulate demand for biofuels
-Act favouring the environment
-Develop biofuel production and distribution
-Extend the supply of raw materials
-Encourage business opportunities
-Support developing countries
-Support research and development
- Propuesta de DECISIÓN DEL CONSEJO sobre las directrices estratégicas comunitarias de desarrollo rural (Período de programación de 2007–2013)
Adopted 05.07.2005
In order for rural development policy to be consistent with Community priorities, the Council Regulation referring to support for rural development through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER) provides, in Article 9, the adoption at community level of strategic guidelines for rural development for the period between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2013. These guidelines are attached to the present record of Decision.
The deadline for adopting the Community strategic guidelines is autumn 2005. The common framework for monitoring and evaluation should be completed by the end of 2005.
Once these elements have been adopted, Member States will be able to design their national strategic plans by late 2005 or early 2006, and prepare a detailed plan in the first half of 2006, once the main priorities have been agreed upon. The approval process will take place in the second half of 2006.
Community strategic guidelines for rural development:
-will contribute to identify and agree upon areas where community support to rural development provides the greatest added value at EU level;
-will act as link with the main EU priorities (Lisbon, Gothenburg) and will translate them into rural development policy;
-will ensure consistency with other EU policies, especially with environment and cohesion policies;
-will accompany the implementation of the new, market oriented, common agricultural policy, and the necessary restructuring it will entail in old and new Member States.
Guidelines
-Improving competitiveness of agricultural and forestry sectors
-Improving environment and natural environment
-Improving quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification
-Developing local capacity to create employment and diversify
-Translating priorities into programmes
-Complementarity between Community instruments
- COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN AL CONSEJO Y AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Informe sobre la ejecución de la estrategia forestal de la UE
Adopted: 10.3.2005
This Communication reviews the implementation of the EU forestry strategy, the Commission proposes the European Council to:
1.Prepare an EU action plan for sustainable forest management that provides a coherent framework for implementation of forest-related initiatives and serves as a coordinating tool between community actions and forest policies of Member States. The non-exhaustive list of community and national level actions to be taken includes the following aspects: socio-economic issues (competitiveness of forestry, evaluation of social and environmental goods and services); environmental issues (climate change, forest fires, water, biodiversity protection); use of wood as an energy source; information on wood as renewable and environmentally friendly resource; governance issues; horizontal activities (research, training, forest statistics, supervision) and coordination, communication and cooperation. The international dimension of these issues should also be clarified.
2.Review community means and practices used to facilitate coordination, communication and cooperation between different political sectors with influence on forestry, due to increasing complexity of forestry policy and decision making processes. This review will also include the Council Decision of May 29, 1989, which establishes a Standing Forestry Committee and determines its role in the implementation of the action plan.
The Commission proposes to present the action plan in 2006.
- Propuesta de REGLAMENTO DEL CONSEJO relativo a la ayuda al desarrollo rural a través del Fondo Europeo Agrícola de Desarrollo Rural (FEADER)
Adopted: 14.7.2004
The draft Regulation sets out general rules that regulate Community support to rural development; financed by FEADER, established by Regulation (EC) No. 1290/2005 with the mission of contributing to sustainable rural development throughout the Community to complement market and income support policies implemented within the framework of the common agricultural policy, cohesion policy and common fisheries policy. It defines the objectives the rural development policy should contribute to, as well as the strategic context of the rural development policy, including the method to set community strategic guidelines for rural development policy and national strategic plans. It also defines rural development priorities and measures. It lays down rules on cooperation, planning, evaluation, financial management, monitoring and control, based on shared responsibilities of Member States and the Commission.
DG ENERGY AND TRANSPORT
- Propuesta de DIRECTIVA DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Y DEL CONSEJO relativa al fomento del uso de energía procedente de fuentes renovables
Adopted: 23.1.2008
The proposed Guideline sets out the principles under which Member States must ensure that the proportion of renewable energies in the final energy consumption of the EU is at least 20% by 2020, and sets overall national targets for each Member State.
Three sectors are affected by renewable energies: electricity, heating and cooling and transport.
It is proposed that each Member State reaches at least 10% of renewable energies in the transport sector by 2020.
The proposed Guideline lays a common framework for the promotion of energy from renewable sources. It sets mandatory targets for the total energy consumption and the energy for transport from renewable sources. It lays down rules, related to guarantee of origin, administrative processes and connexions of electrical grid, applicable to energy from renewable sources. It defines environmental sustainability criteria for biofuels and other bioliquids.
- COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN Plan de acción sobre la biomasa
Adopted: 07.12.2005
Due to the fact that Europe has to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, biomass is considered one of the main alternatives. It is necessary to develop cost effective measures in favour of biomass at European level in order to:
-Get the most out of national and local innovation;
-Provide a clear path to major industries, organized at European level;
-Share costs equitably.
This Communication sets out a coordinated community action programme including measures to improve biomass demand, improve supply, overcome technical problems and develop research.
Before drawing up the action plan extensive consultation was done with all stakeholders. Their response to the idea of a Community robust approach in this area has been largely positive. The next step is to implement the programme.
DG ENVIRONMENT
- COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO, AL CONSEJO, AL COMITÉ ECONÓMICO Y SOCIAL Y AL COMITÉ DE LAS REGIONES. Opciones para una meta y visión de la UE en materia de biodiversidad más allá de 2010
Adpted:19.01.2010
The Commission has established possible future options for EU biodiversity policy after 2010.
The Communication proposes a long term (2050) vision of biodiversity with four medium term (2020) objectives. In this vision, biodiversity and free ecosystem services from nature are preserved, valued and as far as possible restored, due to their intrinsic value. This way they will support economic prosperity and human welfare, and possible catastrophic changes related to biodiversity loss will be avoided. The objective is to initiate and facilitate a debate between Member States in order to develop a post-2010 biodiversity policy within the EU framework before the end of the year.
Download PDF: EN
- Propuesta de REGLAMENTO DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Y DEL CONSEJO por el que se establecen las obligaciones de los agentes que comercializan madera y productos derivados
Adopted: 17.10.2008
The main objective of the present proposal is to complete and strengthen the present EU policy framework and support international fight against illegal logging and associated trade.
Consistency with other policies. Illegal logging is largely for deforestation, secondarily responsible for loss of carbon pool and associated damage to global warming. Moreover, this “free” extraction undermines job creation and indirectly decreases the income of forest owners.
Between December 2006 and June 2008 a wide public consultation process took place through internet and stakeholder meetings. The Commission also conducted an impact assessment of the proposed strategic options, and the results were published in a report.
Initially five options were considered:
Option 1: Extend the scope of the bilateral strategy through FLEGT voluntary partnership agreements
Option 2: Intensify voluntary measures of the private sector
Option 3: Customs measures to prevent importation of timber from illegal logging
Option 4: Prohibition of trade in the EU of timber from illegal logging
Option 4A: Legislation to prohibit trade and possession of timber and timber products obtained breaching the laws of the country of origin
Option 4B: Legislation to allow only trade of timber and timber products legally harvested
Option 5: Legislation to demand due diligence to all operators that trade with timber and timber products in the EU market
Download PDF: EN ES- COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO, AL CONSEJO, AL COMITÉ ECONÓMICO Y SOCIAL EUROPEO Y AL COMITÉ DE LAS REGIONES. Afrontar los desafíos de la deforestación y la degradación forestal para luchar contra el cambio climático y la pérdida de biodiversidad
Adopted: 17.10.2008
The present Communication does not intend to provide definitive answers to the many questions posed by deforestation. It rather aims at establishing the main lines of the EU response, inviting all stakeholders to present their views and implementing a series of initial steps to lay the foundations of a global and viable response to deforestation.
Forests are threatened by deforestation and degradation. Reducing emissions from deforestation is key to achieving the aim of limiting global warming to 20C and will also provide extra benefits to biodiversity.
The EU proposal focuses on halting global forest cover loss from now to 2030, and reducing gross tropical deforestation by at least 50% by 2020 compared to current levels.
A number of EU policies should be strengthened to combat deforestation. Furthermore, in the context of ongoing negotiations on climate, two specific and ambitious proposals have been suggested:
i) establishment of a new tool to generate significant funds to face deforestation and forest degradation,
ii) experimental inclusion of deforestation in carbon markets.
- PROYECTO DE COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO, AL CONSEJO, AL COMITÉ ECONÓMICO Y SOCIAL EUROPEO Y AL COMITÉ DE LAS REGIONES Compras públicas sostenibles (GPP)
Adopted: 16.07.2008
The overall objective of this communication is to provide guidance on how to reduce the environmental impact caused by public sector consumption and utilize GPP to stimulate innovation in environmental technologies, goods and services.
The specific objectives of this Communication are:
-a process to set common GPP criteria;
-information on the calculation of the cost of life cycles of products;
-legal and operational guidance;
-political support through a political aim, linked to indicators and future monitoring.
The Commission has conducted a study on sustainable public procurement taking into account crucial factors such as: potential benefits of GPP, legislation, actions at European level, obstacles, objectives, priority action areas, GPP objective in the Sustainable Development Strategy, GPP and sustainable development, GPP indicators and monitoring.
Download PDF: EN
- Propuesta para la DIRECTIVA DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Y DEL CONSEJO de enmendar la Directiva 2003/87/EC para mejorar y ampliar el sistema de comercio del permiso de la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero de la Comunidad
Adopted: 23.01.2008
Download PDF: EN
- Propuesta de DECISIÓN DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Y DEL CONSEJO sobre el esfuerzo que habrán de desplegar los Estados miembros para reducir sus emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero a fin de cumplir los compromisos adquiridos por la Comunidad hasta 2020
Adopted: 23.01.2008
- Propuesta para una DIRECTIVA DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Y DEL CONSEJO que establezca el marco para la protección del suelo y enmienda a la Directiva 2004/35/EC
Adopted: 22.09.2006
Download PDF: EN
- COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN AL CONSEJO, AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Y AL COMITÉ ECONÓMICO Y SOCIAL EUROPEO Y AL COMITÉ DE LAS REGIONES Estrategia temática sobre el uso sostenible de los recursos naturales
Adopted: 21.12.2005
- COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN AL CONSEJO Y AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Financiación de Natura 2000
Adopted:15.07.2004
- INFORME DE LA COMISIÓN sobre la aplicación de la Directiva 92/43/CEE relativa a la protección de los hábitats naturales y de la fauna y flora silvestres
Adopted: 05.01.2004
- Propuesta de REGLAMENTO DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Y DEL CONSEJO sobre el seguimiento de la interacción de los bosques y del medio ambiente en la Comunidad (Eje Bosques)
Adopted: 15.07.2002
DG ENTERPRISE
- COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN AL CONSEJO Y AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO sobre industrias madereras innovadoras y sostenibles en la UE. Una contribución al crecimiento de la UE y a la Estrategia Trabajos
Adopted: 27.02.2008
Download PDF: EN
- Estudio cualitativo sobre la percepción de la imagen de las industrias madereras entre la población de los Estados Miembros de la Unión Europea
Adopted: 2002
Download PDF: EN
- EL ESTADO DE LA COMPETITIVIDAD DE LAS INDUSTRIAS FORESTALES DE LA UE. Proyecto de comunicación al Consejo, al Parlamento Europeo, al Comité Económico y Social y al Comité de las Regiones
Adopted: 04.10.1999
Download PDF: EN
DG DEVELOPMENT
- COMUNICACIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN AL CONSEJO Y AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO. APLICACIÓN DE LEY FORESTAL, GOBERNANZA Y COMERCIO (FLEGT)OFERTA PARA UN PLAN DE ACTUACIÓN DE LA UE
Adoptado: 21.05.2003
Descargar PDF: EN
European Parliament
- Resolución del Parlamento Europeo sobre los desiertos en Europa
Adopted: 03.02.2009
Download PDF: EN
- Resolución del Parlamento Europeo sobre la ejecución de una estrategia forestal para la Unión Europea
Adopted: 16.02.2006
- INFORME sobre la propuesta de Decisión del Consejo sobre las directrices estratégicas comunitarias de desarrollo rural (Período de programación de 2007–2013)
Adopted: 01.02.2006
- INFORME sobre la ejecución de una estrategia forestal para la Unión Europea
Adopted: 31.01.2006
- INFORME sobre la propuesta de Reglamento del Consejo relativo a la ayuda al desarrollo rural a través del Fondo Europeo Agrícola de Desarrollo Rural (FEADER)
Adopted: 12.05.2005
- INFORME sobre la propuesta de Reglamento del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo sobre el seguimiento de la interacción de los bosques y del medio ambiente en la Comunidad (Eje Bosques)
Adopted: 29.01.2003
- RECOMENDACIÓN PARA LA SEGUNDA LECTURA respecto de la posición común del Consejo con vistas a la adopción de la directiva del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo relativa a la promoción de la electricidad generada a partir de fuentes de energía renovables en el mercado interior de la electricidad
Adopted: 22.06.2001
- INFORME sobre una estrategia comunitaria general para el sector forestal
Adopted: 18.11.1996
European Economic and Social Committee
- DICTAMEN del Comité Económico y Social Europeo sobre el tema "El desarrollo sostenible en la agricultura, la silvicultura y la pesca y los retos del cambio climático" (Dictamen de iniciativa)
Adopted: 18.01.2006
- DICTAMEN del Comité Económico y Social Europeo sobre la Comunicación de la Comisión al Consejo y al Parlamento Europeo – Informe sobre la ejecución de la estrategia forestal de la UE"
Adopted: 26.10.2005
- DICTAMEN del Comité Económico y Social Europeo sobre la "Propuesta de Reglamento del Consejo relativo a la ayuda al desarrollo rural a través del Fondo Europeo Agrícola de Desarrollo Rural (FEADER)"
Adoptado: 09.03.2005
- DICTAMEN del Comité Económico y Social Europeo sobre la "Propuesta de Reglamento del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo sobre el seguimiento de la interacción de los bosques y del medio ambiente en la Comunidad (Eje Bosques)"
Adopted: 12.12.2002
- DICTAMEN del Comité Económico y Social sobre el tema "La ampliación de la UE hacia el Este y el sector forestal"
Adopted: 24.04.2002
- DICTAMEN del Comité Económico y Social sobre la "Propuesta de Reglamento del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo por el que se modifica el Reglamento (CEE) nº 3528/86 del Consejo relativo a la protección de los bosques en la Comunidad contra la contaminación atmosférica" y la "Propuesta de Reglamento del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo por el que se modifica el Reglamento (CEE) nº 2158/92 del Consejo relativo a la protección de los bosques comunitarios contra los incendios"
Adopted: 16.01.2002
- DICTAMEN del Comité Económico y Social sobre la "Propuesta de Directiva del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo relativa a la promoción de la electricidad generada a partir de fuentes de energía renovables en el mercado interior de la electricidad"
Adopted: 20.09.2000
- DICTAMEN del Comité Económico y Social sobre "Una estrategia de la UE para el sector forestal"
Adopted: 09.12.1999
.
