Ringing the Changes

Issue 1 – 2 June 2004 daily

Latest Signals Ringing the changes report sets off alarm bells European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström opened Green Week 2004 by sounding the bell at the conference’s virtual stock market. The theme of the fourth Green Week is “Changing our behaviour” and during the event some 4,000 delegates will learn how they can help achieve sustainable development.

ommissioner Wallström A wide-ranging and disturbing emphasised that sustainable report on the state of Europe’s Contents C development is not just an environment shows that more environmental and economic issue needs to be done to halt the but represents a balance between damage that human activities environmental, social and economic are still causing. EU heralds environmental needs. Achieving true sustainable The European Environment champions – prizewinners development is a shared responsibility take centre stage 2 Agency’s latest study on trends in its and everyone can now monitor his or 31 member countries, entitled EEA her own environmental behaviour Signals 2004,was unveiled at Green To p companies line up for using the toolkit launched during Week yesterday. European Business Awards 2 Green Week (see tomorrow’s paper). It revealed growing evidence of the impact of climate change air pollu- Workshops promote Getting the right balance between tion above safe levels in many Euro- information and pean cities, and quantities of waste communication 3 “People, Planet and Prosperity” was the subject of the first conference ses- reaching unmanageable proportions. “As we look ahead to World Envir- sion examining the vision, prospects Commissioner Wallström takes time out to get Green Week off to a Balancing environmental onment Day on 5 June,the key mes- and obstacles to further environmen- resounding start. and economic needs 4 sages in this year’s report highlight tal progress. Commissioner Wallström working with the Lisbon agenda to ership role in Europe to encourage the need to make further progress Investing in social opened the debate by looking at the enable competitive growth that is consensus and keep a focus on long- in managing the environmental responsibility 4 progress towards sustainable develop- both dynamic and eco-efficient. term environmental issues; in particu- impacts of agriculture, transport ment in Europe over the past five lar,its enforcement procedures are too and energy, in particular, as well as Sale of the century – try years, highlighting enlargement as a The Dutch presidency will also place slow and cumbersome. Member influencing changes in consumer your skills on the virtual major step. The new Member States emphasis on the REACH proposals, States must be told that if they want to behaviour,” said Professor Jacque- stock market 4 had all adopted EU standards and climate change and sustainable mobil- benefit from Structural Funding they line McGlade, Executive Director of were being helped to upgrade their ity.Traffic emissions, both in terms of have to deliver on environmental com- the Copenhagen-based agency. environmental infrastructures. pollution and noise, will need to be mitments.It will take some time for the She called for market-based instru- ments to reflect the true cost of tackled, and Van Geel outlined pro- new Parliament to settle in but Davies exploiting the environment, and Driving on posals on diesel exhaust emissions, hopes it will be a force for progress. innovation in sustainable technolo- Pieter van Geel, Secretary of State for energy labelling for vehicles and eco- Published by the gies and renewable energy. Directorate-General the Environment, spelt out the envir- driving that could enable all drivers to Green MEP Alexander De Roo The number of climate-related disas- for Environment onmental agenda for the upcoming make a contribution. explained that “much has been ters in Europe doubled in the 1990s, Dutch Presidency.With new Member achieved but we are only halfway with the estimated cost of €10 bil- States, a new Parliament and a new “The EU shines like a beacon of hope” there”. Reform of the Common Agri- lion per year still rising – money that Commission there was danger of an in the world of environmental policy- cultural Policy is needed and noise could otherwise be spent on pro- impasse but the Dutch hope to take making, according to Chris Davies Lib- pollution, legislation on chemicals – moting economic growth and advantage of the ‘clean sheet’ to make eral Democrat MEP,“but words must particularly pesticides – and climate improving standards of living. European Commission progress. A main theme will be the be matched by action”.The European change should all be priorities. The full report is available at: http:// concept of sustainable innovation Commission needs to take on a lead- reports.eea.eu.int/signals-2004/en

Green Week welcomes new Member States In the four years since its launch, the European The art gallery has a display of the 50 This year, the organisers in the Com- Commission’s Green Week has expanded to become top entries from the children’s paint- mission’s Environment Directorate- one of Europe’s leading fora for environmental debate, ing and photographic competition, General are showing that “voting consultation, networking and exchange of ideas. sent in from around the world by with money” is not just a slogan, by n 2004, Green Week takes place the environment is an issue that con- youngsters aged between six and 16. using green criteria to select suppli- for the first time in an enlarged cerns us all. They include national, Involving business is a major theme in ers and contractors.The hotels cho- I European Union of 25 nations, and regional and local government deci- 2004, with the innovative Green sen have been selected on the basis the focus is very much on integrating sion-makers, businesses large and Stock Market attracting plenty of of their environmental performance; the new Member States into EU envir- small, educators, academics and attention. Some 10% of Green Week materials are printed on chlorine- onmental thinking and policy-making. researchers, media, non-governmental participants come from the business free paper; sustainable travel has The week attracts 4,000 participants organisations and lobby groups. This sector, and this year there are also been organised wherever possible; and more than 60 exhibitors to Brus- year, Green Week offers 27 different more speakers, an indication of the and catering and other services are sels, representing a huge cross-section conference sessions, plus evening prize-giving ceremony for the presti- growing importance of green issues all pledged to maintaining high envi- of interests and demonstrating how debates and films, as well as last night’s gious European Environment Awards. for industry and commerce. ronmental standards. Red carpet for Europe’s environmental champions Last night’s environmental award ceremony brought a touch of Hollywood to Brussels as the winners of the coveted prizes, in four categories, took centre stage in recognition of their outstanding work in safeguarding Europe’s environment and promoting green awareness.

he theatre at College Saint- contenders from the new Member ing problem worldwide. A recent Michel in Brussels was crowd- States were duly rewarded for their European Commission study esti- T ed for the lively European environmental efforts. mated that by 2010, sulphur dioxide Environment Awards 2004 ceremo- from ships in EU waters could be ny. Leading the show, Commissioner “This is a great opportunity to recog- equivalent to 75% of the combined Margot Wallström, and Jan Leyers, a nise and reward those who have output from land-based sources Belgian star of the music scene and made efforts to implement sustain- including cars, trucks and industrial TV presenter, performed very well, able approaches in their sectors,” plants. linked by irony and a humour-based declared Margot Wallström. chemistry.The pair looked like long- In 2002, a Commission Communica- standing entertainers coming straight The Clean Marine Award is a brand tion announced a new strategy to from the Oscars! They were sup- new EU initiative, designed to reduce airborne emissions from ship- ported by eight singers and dancers encourage shipping owners and ping, with the Clean Marine Award as from the “Green” musical (a green- operators to reduce the harmful an important incentive to ship and coloured remake of the famous emissions that damage air quality and port operators and users. It offers “Grease”), that gave rhythm to the contribute to acid rain and smog. recognition and positive publicity to whole evening during which many Emissions from shipping are a grow- the prizewinning pioneers that have Investing in the environment brings acclaim for businesses Four outstanding European companies last night claimed their place as unrivalled pioneers in protecting the environment. They were the winners of the prestigious made low-emission initiatives a prior- out my car, using environmentally European Business Awards for the Environment, presented by EU Environment ity, and helps to spread their exam- friendly methods of transport. Commissioner Margot Wallström. ples of good practice across the EU. many people in the developing A five-strong jury chaired by Rolf The winners: Clean Marine world,” said Tonnie Telgenhof. Saether, former President of the Awards Norwegian Shipowners’ Association EU ship operator with low-emission The companies that came top in the and founder of the Thor Heyerdahl operation beyond regulatory four award sections were selected International Maritime Environmen- requirements: from among 12 final nominees which tal Award, selected the winners from Reederei Rord Braren, Germany. all achieved outstandingly high envi- two shortlisted nominees in each EU shipper which uses low-emis- ronmental performances. All of them category. The winner of the opera- sion ships to transport its goods: earned their place in the European tor’s award, Reederei Rord Braren, SCA Transforest, Sweden. The winner, Matussière & Forest, and the nominee, Elpa, in the “products” competition through entering and from Germany, has led the way in EU authority which facilitates low- category of the European Business Awards for the Environment. winning their national business award developing criteria for environmen- emission shipping or shore-side he award-winning firms come minimises waste and use of raw mate- for the environment schemes. tally friendly shipping, while the two activity in port: from Hungary, France, the UK rials. Dr David Evans, the Environment Swedish winners have pioneered Port of Gothenburg, Sweden. T and the Netherlands. They Director, said the company was thrilled green technologies and operations. range from the European subsidiary to be among the winners.“This justifies The winners: European The winner: European Mobil- of a giant Japanese motor-parts sup- the confidence we had and the risks we Business Awards for the The European Mobility Week Award ity Week Award plier, to a firm working with manufac- took in developing the plant,” he Environment rewards local authorities that make Ljubljana, Slovenia – Launch of per- turers in India to transfer potentially explained. “We hope the new design Management Award: Denso outstanding efforts to promote sus- manent mobility measures. life-saving water purification technol- will influence other cement producers Manufacturing Hungary Ltd – A tainable methods of transport in the ogy.What they all have in common is when they come to renew their plants.” pioneer of sustainable develop- context of European Mobility Week, The Winners: Green Week their readiness to develop and try ment in the automotive sector. which takes place every September Competition for Schools out groundbreaking solutions to French paper company Matussière & Product Award: Matussière & across the EU. In 2003, 723 towns Drawings/Paintings 6-10 years: environmental problems. Forest has been committed to Forest, France – 100% recycled and cities participated in this fast- Zlata Zarova, 10, Klaipeda students advancing recycling technology since coated paper ‘V Green’. growing scheme. Three final nomi- self-expression centre, Lithuania. Denso Manufacturing, for example, the 1960s.“We shall continue imple- Process Award: Rugby Ltd, nees were selected from the 40 Photographs 11-16 years: spent €50,980 last year on environ- menting our sustainable develop- RMC Group plc, UK – A novel entries for this year’s competition: Madis Tuul, 15, Viimsi Keskkool, technique for reducing sulphur mentally friendly measures. But it esti- ment policy,” promised spokes- Almada (Portugal), Las Palmas de Estonia. dioxide emissions in the cement- mates that this far-sighted investment woman Christine Guillemin. And Gran Canaria (Spain), and Ljubljana making process. saved it over €139,000. Dutch company Nedap was equally (Slovenia).The final winner, Ljubljana, More information: http://www.europa. International Cooperation delighted to win Europe-wide Award: Nedap N.V., Nether- made environment one of the key eu.int/comm/environment/greenweek/ Securing a European Award brings acclaim for its simple, cheap, solar- lands – UV solar system ‘Naïade’. themes of the week’s activities in award_en.htm companies international recognition powered water purification unit. “It’s 2003. On 22 September – a working that can boost sales and open up great to be involved with something Monday – it closed the city centre export markets. Rugby Ltd, in the UK, that is environmentally friendly and More information: http://www. from 5h00 to midnight and encour- developed a new cement plant that also has the potential to help so eu-environment-awards.org/ aged people to travel In town, with- Information is key

Green Week workshops yesterday afternoon focused on the key France, people were fined and impris- turers to keep their commercial question of involving European citizens in forming policy and taking oned for destroying GMO crops and processes secret. decisions about their environment. seedbanks.“But it was this civil disobe- dience that led to a rethink about the At the end of the day, all speakers use of GMOs,” he added. urged individuals to stay vigilant, questioning and challenging the authorities that have been entrusted A question of rights with looking after the environment.

“The law should recognise every individual’s right to a clean and Effective communication healthy environment,” insisted Ms speaks volumes Maguelonne Dejeant-Pons, from the Council of Europe, who opened the While sound environmental strate- workshop on environmental rights. gies and legislation are clearly essen- She went on to explain that for over tial, motivating public opinion is often 34 years, individuals and organisations the most immediate means of turn- have relied on the European Conven- ing ideas into actions. tion on Human rights to enforce environmental rights through the Because local authorities and organi- courts. Yet this Convention, which sations are closest to individual citi- dates back to the Second World War, zens, it is they who must bear most of does not mention environmental the responsibility for educating the rights, an omission which should now public in matters relevant to them – as nvolve to Evolve” examined likely to adopt the Charter of Funda- tion, are among the priorities for giv- be remedied. well as proposing relevant solutions, “ recent progress towards giving mental Rights as part of its Constitu- ing EU citizens more responsibility for providing the tools to implement Ipeople more information tion, where do the individual’s envir- and control over their environment. Individuals have used the Conven- them, and promoting interaction about the environment around onmental rights fit into the picture? tion’s right to privacy, family life and between the various stakeholders. them, and the obstacles that still Do we need a new Charter of Envir- Workshop moderator Willem Kake- the home, as well as the right to life, stand in the way of transparent deci- onmental Rights? beeke, from the Netherlands, who to take up cases that affect their At the same time, feedback on best sion-making at both national and chaired negotiations on the 1998 environment. And there have been practices developed at the local level European level. Aarhus Convention on access to success stories. Emissions from a can be extremely valuable in identify- Step in the right information and justice on environ- waste disposal plant in Spain and the ing potential barriers and shaping the What are the essential characteristics mental matters, outlined not only its noise from night flights at Heathrow further development of policies at of a good communications strategy? direction achievements but also the issues left airport are two such examples cited EU level.And all of this depends upon That was the theme of the workshop unresolved. The Convention, signed by Ms Eva Brems, a professor at Bel- effective communications. on “Learning from the Local Level”, The European Union has come a by all the EU-15 Member States, has gium’s University of Ghent. However, which gave representatives from local long way down the road towards been ratified by only five of them. she said that these cases also show In a keynote address to this workshop, and regional authorities,as well as non- involving people in vital decisions the limits of trying to enforce envir- Prudencio Perera, Director, DG Envi- governmental organisations, an oppor- about their environment, but there is “Even those are not applying it prop- onmental rights using the European ronment, noted that in the public’s tunity to share ideas and good practice still plenty of room for improvement. erly,” claimed Maria Sanchez Miguel, a Convention. mind environmental concerns cur- on strategies to reach the public. member of the European Economic rently rank below those relating to Yesterday afternoon’s “Involve to and Social Committee, from Spain. Community rules physical threat, health, unemployment, The “Your Environmental Rights” ses- Evolve” workshop concluded that She suggested the measure should be Mr Valerio Onida, a judge at the Ital- poverty and drugs.Yet, he pointed out, sion went straight to the heart of opening decision-making to more widened to give access not only to ian Constitutional Court, took a dif- catastrophes such as food safety current debate on the new European scrutiny and accountability, and better organisations active on green issues, ferent line, arguing that it is the envi- scares and conditions such as allergy Constitutional Treaty. With the EU implementation of European legisla- but also those working to promote ronment that has rights vis-à-vis the and asthma originate mainly from sustainable development in a broader individual, not the other way round. environmental causes. Citizens must A youthful perspective on context, such as trade unions. For example, environmental protec- be aware, he said, that taking no envi- tion limits how we use our land.The ronmental action can have huge costs. Europe’s birds Expert advice right to environmental protection, he Vassilis Dorovinis, an environmental concluded, belongs to the commu- Sending the message lawyer from Greece, drew attention nity as a whole rather than to individ- TV, radio and the press were the key to the cost of getting the expert uals. The best way to protect it is media in the 20th century, while the advice needed to mount a successful though stronger environmental laws. internet will become increasingly legal challenge. Without an institu- important in the 21st century. Public tional framework for consultation, is But all the speakers agreed that the bodies must become well versed in only too easy for environmental con- right to know and be consulted about their use to create platforms at a local siderations to get swept aside in the what is happening to the environment level that will persuade citizens to alter rush to complete major public infra- is crucial – which chemicals are being their habits. This requires creativity in structure projects, he said, picking out used, who is using them and in what promoting the positive benefits of, for the topical example of building for the products or processes … example, disease reduction and per- forthcoming Olympic Games in sonal security, rather than focusing on Athens. The European Union itself Mr Ludwig Kramer, from the Euro- the negative aspects of environmental does not always set a good example, pean Commission, said this right is threat. Panel contributors also argued Jos Dings,Director of an NGO recognised in European law but in described several imaginative cam- Zlata Zarova, 10, Lithuania. Winner of the Drawings/Paintings category of the for sustainable transport. “The way it practice it is often bypassed, with paigns whereby approaching individu- Green Week Competition for Schools. took the decision to extend Trans- only lip-service being paid to it. For als and commercial organisations on a European Transport Networks does example, it does not apply to nuclear personal basis has proved an excellent The children’s awards are by now a well-established and appreciated part not deserve any prizes for trans- issues or GMO crops. way of triggering behavioural change. of Green Week.This time, the competition focused on birds, to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Birds Directive, inviting children and parency.” And he warned of the dan- young people to send in paintings, drawings and photographs of the gers of delegating crucial decisions to There is only sufficient information The Commission is now in the birdlife around them. high-level technical working groups on 3% of the chemicals being used, course of preparing thematic strate- operating behind closed doors. warned another speaker from the gies on sustainable resource manage- Winners were invited to Brussels to receive their awards in person from Commission, Ms Yvon Slingenberg, ment, and waste and recycling. By Margot Wallström who describes children as “ambassadors for the envi- Without opportunities to influence who admitted that public authorities communicating their challenges, ronment” – especially sensitive to the natural world around them. The European Commission received over 5,700 entries this year. Both the decisions, citizens would take direct often lack the information they need methods and results, the local prizewinners are from new Member States in the Baltics: an optimistic action, warned Jacques Pasquier, a to monitor the environment. It is a authorities can have a powerful influ- reminder of how enlargement has increased the EU’s natural resources member of globalisation activist José matter of balancing the interests of ence on the environmental future of and wildlife habitats. Bové’s Confédération Paysanne. In the public to know and of manufac- the EU as a whole. Striking the right balance Today, the focus at Green Week will be on the economic effects of environmental policy, under the main title “From an economic environment to an environmental economy”.

t is often widely assumed that opportunities for firms and sectors to to realise that the performance of environmental policy has a detri- develop, new employment possibili- companies can be drastically affected I mental effect on companies’ eco- ties and boosts overall economic per- by their effect on the environment. nomic performance and therefore formance rather than reducing com- They prefer to invest in firms with acts as a ‘burden’ on the economy as petitiveness, as is often feared. good track records, knowing that a whole.While some firms have been public reaction to incidents of pollu- very far-sighted in their application of Business rewards tion or the plundering of natural the philosophy of sustainable devel- sustainability resources is just as high a risk factor opment to their businesses, the prej- In addition, sustainably managed as bad financial management. There udice persists among many company companies are less wasteful, more has been a massive growth in so- bosses that worrying about the envir- innovative and attract skilled staff called ethical funds which only invest onmental impact of their activities is more readily.“Investments in sustain- in firms with a verifiable commitment an additional cost to be avoided. able development are as beneficial to to high social and environmental the companies themselves as to soci- standards in their businesses (see However, recent analysis of the ety as a whole,” says Professor below).Some estimates put the value effects of environmental awareness Yvonne Scannell of the EU’s Euro- of this market at over €3,000 billion. have highlighted the benefits of this pean Business Awards for the Envir- approach and put the disadvantages onment. The winners of these Moreover, improving a company’s into a clearer perspective. For exam- awards, which recognise special ‘green’ image can significantly boost its ple, there are cases where companies achievement in terms of sustainable reputation among the general public, have re-examined their production development in management, prod- making it easier to attract investment processes to assess the impact of pol- ucts, processes as well as for interna- and recruit and retain skilled staff. environmental awareness by busi- important market opportunities. lution and have found ways to reduce tional cooperation, were announced Research confirms that in the modern nesses is good for the economy. In “Vote with money” will analyse their emissions and cut costs at the at a special ceremony yesterday. market place a firm’s value is deter- the morning, there will be a debate whether ‘green branding’ has an influ- same time. Companies which mined just as much by intangible entitled “Two sides of the coin”, ence on private and public purchas- develop new solutions to environ- But it is not simply a case of incen- assets, such as brand recognition and focusing on integrating environmen- ing, and will include a look at the dif- mental problems stemming from tives to encourage companies to take reputations, as it is by fixed property, tal concerns into economic policies ferent eco-labelling schemes. Other manufacturing processes often gain a the environment more seriously. like plant and equipment. and vice versa, with the Commis- sessions will focus on the growing market advantage over their com- Often firms cannot afford to ignore sion’s Director-General for Environ- importance of sustainability criteria in petitors.The development of innova- the environmental impact of their Topping the agenda ment, Catherine Day, and Bjorn Stig- investment decision-making, the use tive technologies to deal with envir- business practices. Financial institu- Green Week will look at all these son of the World Business Council of natural resources, and green onmental problems also creates new tions and fund managers have come issues today and see how greater for Sustainable Development, among advertising. In the evening, there will others. be a special “Green Talk” event where a journalist will put tough questions At the same time, there will be a ses- to Steve Howard, the head of the UK Money well spent on sion called “Eco business: a billion Climate Group which represents euro market” which will demonstrate those businesses taking the lead in social responsibility how the environment can open up tackling climate change. Putting money into socially responsible investment (SRI) funds – i.e. funds which Virtual success – have specific social or environmental criteria – has become enormously popular over the last decade. your chance to ‘invest’

ccording to research by the concerns among financial institutions Well worth the risk Lessius Hogeschool in and other investors that such invest- Likewise, a study carried out in 2002 A Antwerp, the value of ‘ethi- ments offer lower returns than gen- by Avanzi SRI research, a research cal’ funds worldwide stood at over eral funds, or represent a higher risk. and consultancy centre set up for the €3,000 billion in 2001.The US is still Investors tend to think that by limit- design of innovative tools for envi- the world’s market leader in socially ing the range of firms a fund can buy ronmental, economic and social sus- responsible funds, accounting for shares in reduces the number of tainability, found similar results. The over €2,500 billion, while European opportunities, thereby lowering the centre looked at existing academic funds make up €390 billion. While return and increasing the risk. research into the performance of these funds have grown in popular- socially responsible funds which ity and importance, there are still But academic research has shown “demonstrated the absence of signif- that these funds tend to offer the icant differences in the long-term Editorial information same or even slightly better levels of performance/risk features of SRI Green Week Daily is published by the return than those schemes without products”. It concluded that “histori- Communications and Civil Society ethical or social objectives. For exam- cally, performances have been very Unit of the Environment DG. ple, between 1999 and 2001, the close and often higher than the com- Notice Lessius Hogeschool studied the rela- parative financial benchmarks”. The Neither the European Commission tionship between risk and return in research also highlighted the fact that nor any person acting on its behalf ethical investment funds on behalf of the range of socially responsible During Green Week, visitors will have a chance to share the trials and may be held responsible for the use four major Belgian financial institu- funds currently available in Europe tribulations of investing in sustainable companies. Located on the ground to which information contained in tions (Fortis, KBC, Mercator Bank should be able to satisfy each poten- floor of the Commission’s Charlemagne Building, the green stock market this publication may be put, or for any errors which, despite careful prepar- and Dexia). The research revealed tial investor’s personal risk/return is a virtual market which will allow participants to buy and sell shares in ation and checking, may appear. that there was no sustainable differ- preferences. sustainable and non-sustainable companies.Although the money is virtual ence in the returns or the downside and the companies are fictitious the market will also respond realistically Luxembourg: Office for Official risk between sustainable and non- One theory for the strong perform- to fictitious news messages released during the week. Stocks can be Publications of the European sustainable investment funds. The ance of ethical funds is that by focus- bought and sold throughout Green Week during coffee and lunch breaks. Communities, 2004 The objective of the virtual stock market will be to demonstrate that Hogeschool uses a stock market sim- ing on the gathering of ethical, social ISSN 1563-4183 stocks of sustainable companies can provide the same or even better ulation system which has been set up and environmental information © European Communities, 2004 returns than investments in non-sustainable stocks. at Green Week so that participants about a company, the investor has an Reproduction is authorised provided can try their hands at playing the advantage over other investors and is The market uses the Xycoon exchange, a stock market simulation system the source is acknowledged. market ‘virtually’. therefore able to beat the market. developed by Patrick Wessa of the Lessius Hogeschool in Antwerp to train PRINTED IN BELGIUM stock market traders to use modern statistical simulation techniques.