December 12, 2019
The European Commission’s “European Green Deal” includes a Roadmap of policy initiatives on everything from reducing emissions, to implementing a circular economy, to protecting health and well-being. Its climate chapter provides a comprehensive set of measures across key policy areas, yet the ambition and timeline for enhanced mitigation action remains below what would be needed to deliver on the Paris objectives and inspire other countries in time for COP26 in Glasgow. Less reported is its “Zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment” and an “Industrial strategy for a clean and circular economy.” These comprise a commitment to present a “Circular Economy Action Plan” with a sustainable products initiative and a focus on sectors such as plastics by March 2020, a “chemicals strategy for sustainability” by June 2020, and a “Farm to Fork” strategy with measures “to significantly reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides, as well as the use of fertilizers and antibiotics” by 2021. The Commission also promises to follow up on its plastics strategy addressing intentionally added microplastics, to develop requirements to ensure all packaging is reusable or recyclable by 2030, and to amend its waste shipments rules.
David Azoulay, Managing Attorney of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)’s Geneva office and the Director of its Environmental Health Program, issued the following statement in response to the chemical and waste-related elements of the Green Deal:
“Through the European Green Deal, the EU labels itself as a ‘Global Leader’ on environmental measures and a model for countries outside Europe. For this to be true, it requires an integrated approach to understanding and addressing the impact of our production and consumption patterns, with particular consideration for people who are most impacted by them. The transition towards a toxic-free, healthy, and sustainable environment requires a human rights-based and gender-responsive approach. Transforming our economy requires that the EU end business as usual, and guarantees that it will not simply export its impact on people and the environment abroad. Nor should it substitute one form of pollution for another, for example by increasing incineration of plastic waste or compromising people’s health by accepting toxic recycling practices. CIEL will be closely watching the EU’s implementation of its commitments to a toxic-free environment and continue working with the EU towards its achievement. We count on the EU’s strong political will to deliver on the chemicals and waste agenda in 2020 and protect our children’s health and our planet.”