In late 2006, two major advances in the field of environmental sustainability were held. On 13 December last year, the REACH proposal on the regulation of the chemical industry was passed by the European Parliament, while the European Commission adopted on 20 December last year, a proposal for a directive aimed at limiting emissions of gas greenhouse effect generated by the air force, thus introducing this sector in the Kyoto Protocol. If we can welcome these measures, the success of these standards has led to tremendous battles of influence and lobbying between supporters and foes of these projects. Decryption.
The battle REACH:
The chemical industry in Europe is the leading world, weighs 613 billion euros and employs 1.7 million employees as Cefic (Council of the European chemical industry). It would have invested ten million dollars in lobbying since the project began in 2001. The German groups such as BASF and Henkel, among others, took part in an active campaign that has influence. The Union of French chemical industry said that the project will cost up to 54 billion euros and 36000 jobs to France over ten years is not lagging behind. Then the involvement of political end of 2003, Gerhard Schroeder, Jacques Chirac and Tony Blair wrote to Romano Prodi, President of the Commission, they asked him "not to affect the international competitiveness of the European chemical." Finally in 2003, after the drafting of the text "lighter", a fight for influence has pulled MEPs. The leaders of the PPE (Conservative) despite the presence of a minority of parliamentary favour of the parliament, defended the amendments weakening the REACH project.
De l'autre coté les organisations écologistes ont multiplié en 6 ans les campagnes et les études chocs : en 2005 le WWF a contrôlé le sang de députés et de ministres de l'environnement européens, dénombrant près de 55 agents chimiques dans leurs organismes. Consumer associations address the indoor air fresheners: proving that they contain carcinogenic substances. On the other hand Greenpeace has increased reports alleging abuses and the failure of the draft REACH. A US federal agency, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) shows that 5% of adults living in the United States are in their urine, many toxic chemicals.
The result: The first draft was much more binding for the chemical industry, the text is presented as streamlined. The general principle alternative has been abandoned, and many thresholds lowered.
Kyoto and civil aviation: a clash underway
A new front has opened in the European Commission concerning the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol to the entire civil aviation sector. In view of the reactions almost benign transportation companies it seems that the latter has already won a big battle: the establishment of the quota system in place of a tax on fuel. But the war is not yet won, associations environmentalists have not said their last word. In addition, the requirement for international companies, including American, as a bow to the will of Brussels from 2012 might be difficult to apply. Indeed some countries do not be dictated their environmental policy by Europe and the field of confrontation could then migrate to a legal battle before the Court of Justice of the European Communities (ECJ) on the grounds of distortion of competition. By voting for the final directive games are open.
The battle REACH:
The chemical industry in Europe is the leading world, weighs 613 billion euros and employs 1.7 million employees as Cefic (Council of the European chemical industry). It would have invested ten million dollars in lobbying since the project began in 2001. The German groups such as BASF and Henkel, among others, took part in an active campaign that has influence. The Union of French chemical industry said that the project will cost up to 54 billion euros and 36000 jobs to France over ten years is not lagging behind. Then the involvement of political end of 2003, Gerhard Schroeder, Jacques Chirac and Tony Blair wrote to Romano Prodi, President of the Commission, they asked him "not to affect the international competitiveness of the European chemical." Finally in 2003, after the drafting of the text "lighter", a fight for influence has pulled MEPs. The leaders of the PPE (Conservative) despite the presence of a minority of parliamentary favour of the parliament, defended the amendments weakening the REACH project.
De l'autre coté les organisations écologistes ont multiplié en 6 ans les campagnes et les études chocs : en 2005 le WWF a contrôlé le sang de députés et de ministres de l'environnement européens, dénombrant près de 55 agents chimiques dans leurs organismes. Consumer associations address the indoor air fresheners: proving that they contain carcinogenic substances. On the other hand Greenpeace has increased reports alleging abuses and the failure of the draft REACH. A US federal agency, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) shows that 5% of adults living in the United States are in their urine, many toxic chemicals.
The result: The first draft was much more binding for the chemical industry, the text is presented as streamlined. The general principle alternative has been abandoned, and many thresholds lowered.
Kyoto and civil aviation: a clash underway
A new front has opened in the European Commission concerning the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol to the entire civil aviation sector. In view of the reactions almost benign transportation companies it seems that the latter has already won a big battle: the establishment of the quota system in place of a tax on fuel. But the war is not yet won, associations environmentalists have not said their last word. In addition, the requirement for international companies, including American, as a bow to the will of Brussels from 2012 might be difficult to apply. Indeed some countries do not be dictated their environmental policy by Europe and the field of confrontation could then migrate to a legal battle before the Court of Justice of the European Communities (ECJ) on the grounds of distortion of competition. By voting for the final directive games are open.
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