European Commission

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION (EC) is a part of the European Union (EU) that functions to manage issues related to the environment, natural resources, sustainable development, and grants for research and development in matters of importance to the EU, such as the environment.

The EC holds numerous events throughout the year as well as throughout the EU in order to raise awareness of the environment and its protection, as well to honor people and organizations that are exemplary in their stewardship. One such occasion is European Mobility Week (EMW), an annual event taking place since 2002 in the European Union. During this week, the latest ideas and technologies for sustainable travel [Page 396]are showcased for the public and investors alike, taking place in each participating city.

Each local government participating in EMW is required to make one permanent change annually. Between EMW 2006 and EMW 2007, the average number of permanent changes per participant was actually 2.4. There is an annual contest comparing these permanent changes. In the year 2006, Copenhagen, Denmark won this contest by thinking of and testing fifteen new traffic changes, including novel parking strategies. In the year 2007, Leon, Spain won the contest by opening a new bus route as well as new city bicycle routes for noncar modes of transportation. EMW also includes a car-free day, which often has non-EU countries participating. In the year 2007, a Chinese city participated for the first time. Other returning countries included Brazil, Canada, and Thailand.

On June 15,2006, the EU via the EC established EU Forest Action Plan. Trees and forests play a crucial role in global warming prevention, because they act as important carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The EU Forest Action Plan is targeted for the years 2007–11, and has four key foci: long-term improvement in economic competitiveness, namely using sustainable harvesting; environmental stewardship; quality of life enhancement; and improved coordination and communication. The EC stresses in this plan that protected forests are a necessity, and that to ensure their status, it is imperative to have international cooperation. Additionally, the plan states that forestland will contribute to the goals of the Lisbon Strategy, including the Gothenburg Objectives, for Economic, Social, and Environmental Renewal.

In addition to drafting its own plans and goals for carbon emissions reductions and limiting use of fossil fuels, the EC also respects international accords regarding the environment and its protection.

The EC is also investigating numerous alternative energy sources so as to reduce carbon emissions, such as Bio-energy Concentrating Solar Power, Geo-thermal Energy, Ocean Energy, Photovoltaics, Small Hydro Energy, and Wind Energy. The EC recognizes that much advancement has been made already, but that further advancement will depend on public and international policies and their support for the above-mentioned alternative means of energy. In 2005, a report from the European Commission (EC) entitled the Biomass Action Plan stated that at that time, the EU was obtaining four percent of its energy from bio-mass utilization, and that it had the potential to use up to eight percent by 2010, if policies were supportive.

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