The scope of the project covers the evaluation of three requests for new exemptions. An overview of the exemption requests is given in Figure E. 1 in the Executive Summary. In the course of the project, a stakeholder consultation was conducted. In agreement with the European Commission, the...

Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment ('Strategic Environmental Assessment' - 'SEA Directive') requires certain public plans and programmes (PPs) to undergo an environmental assessment before they are adopted. The aim of this...

The Guidance on Integrating Climate Change and Biodiversity into Environmental Impact Assessment aims to help Member States improve the way in which climate change and biodiversity are integrated in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) carried out across the EU. This summary gives a brief...

The 7th Environment Action Programme (7th EAP), adopted in 2013 by the European Parliament and the Council, mandates the European Commission, inter alia, to develop by 2018 "a Union strategy for a non-toxic environment that is conducive to innovation and the development of sustainable...

This study aims at understanding the effects of the enforcement action pursued by the European Com-mission on the implementation of EU Environmental law in the Member States. To that end, it provides an assessment of impacts of the enforcement policy of the Commission, in qualitative and, as far...

This Executive Summary presents the key findings of the study on the regulatory provisions governing key aspects of unconventional gas development in Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Spain and United Kingdom conducted on the basis of information collected between October...

As part of its Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT), the Commission is undertaking a Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats Directives. This comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of the current regulatory framework determines if it is 'fit for purpose' and delivering against...

In January 2014, the Commission adopted a Recommendation setting out minimum principles for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons (such as shale gas) using high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF). The effectiveness of the Recommendation is to be reviewed by the Commission 18 months...

Environment is receiving increased attention in the EU cooperation agenda, also in light of the EU's objective of reducing its global environmental footprint. In this context, the main purpose of this study is to ascertain the economic and environmental benefits which could accrue to the EU from...