Outstanding environmental issues. A review of the EU's environmental agenda

Appropriate implementation and enforcement of existing EU policies will further benefit the environment. To achieve the EU’s long-term strategic environmental goals, new policies should focus on clean, low-CO₂ technology (in energy generation, industry and transport) and a better balance between EU financing of agricultural production and nature conservation. Exerting pressure for giving an appropriate economic value to the sustainable use of natural resources remains the main challenge for EU environmental policy in the years ahead.

These are the main conclusions of the report ‘Outstanding Environmental Issues’ carried out by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (at the RIVM) in co-operation with the European Environment Agency. The report, whose purpose it is to inform the new European Commission and Parliament, evaluates the EU’s environmental and policy track record and outlines future challenges. It was produced on request of the Dutch presidency of the EU.