LONDON'S Green MEP Jean Lambert is to host a major conference to discuss the environmental implications of the proposed EU constitution tomorrow (Friday, April 25).
The proposed constitution, which aims to streamline decision-making and prevent existing European institutions from becoming deadlocked following the expected accession of ten new member states next year, is being drawn up by the Convention on the Future of Europe.
The Convention has focused on the relative power of the Parliament, Commission and Council of Ministers, with media coverage dominated by discussions of whether the EU should have a president and whether an enlarged union should take on a more federal structure.
Mrs Lambert, who will co-host the conference with Friends of the Earth Policy Director Duncan McLaren, said: "Environmental principles are being overlooked by the Convention with potentially disastrous effects. Current treaties enshrine sustainable development and environmental protection at the heart of the EU's raison d'etre, but early drafts of the Convention proposals represent a serious step backwards.
"The requirement to integrate environmental protection into all EU policies has been scrapped and, unless this is remedied, the environment risks becoming a mere 'add-on' policy."
She added: "Environmental legislation is one of the key areas where people can see the direct impact of the EU and understand its benefits. This conference brings together environmental organisations and practitioners to present a unified message to the Convention that it must seize this opportunity to deepen - not weaken - the EU's commitment to protecting the environment.
"If it does not it risks not only harming the environment but taking the EU further away from the wishes of its citizens."
The conference will consider a number of ways in which a future European constitution could enhance environmental guarantees, including eliminating the national veto on environmental decision-making, including environmental rights in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights and strengthening the role of the Commission in implementing regulations.
Organisations represented will include the Association of London Government, CPRE, the Environment Agency, Environmental Law Foundation, Greenpeace and WWF-UK.
Duncan McLaren, said: "The new European Constitution threatens some of the most important environmental principles in the Treaty of Europe, and worse, might throw a lifeline to the nuclear industry by incorporating the Euratom treaty wholesale - providing legitimacy and funding to nuclear power.
"But if the Praesidium and the conventioneers listen to public concern,Friends of the Earth also sees opportunities to modernise European policy on agriculture and to give life to citizen rights of participation, access to justice and access to information."
ENDS
For more information please contact Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280 or 0776 997 0691
Read
Special
Report with EU Forest Watch issue 73: The
European Convention and the environment
By Ioli Christopoulou of the WWF
European Policy Office