1986
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Single European Act
(Came into force
July 1987)
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Objective of integrating environment into other policies at all levels first introduced within the Environmental Title.
Article 130R stated that environmental protection requirements should be a component of the Community's other policies.
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1992 |
UN Rio Earth Summit
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Gave rise to Agenda 21 and led to the integration focus of the 5th Environmental Action Programme (5th EAP).
The 5th EAP attempted to promote integration in five economic sectors: agriculture, energy, industry, tourism and transport.
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1992 |
Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty)
Came into force 1 November 1993
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Article G inserted a new Article 2 into the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community. This stated: The Community shall have as its task...to promote throughout the Community a harmonious and balanced development of economic activities, sustainable and non-inflationary growth respecting the environment...
Article 130R (s) of the Single European Act was strengthened by the Maastricht Treaty. Article 130R (2) required that Environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation of other Community policies.
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June 1997 |
Treaty of Amsterdam
(Came into force 1 May 1999)
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Signed at Amsterdam European Council. Established sustainable development as one of the objectives of the EU and an overarching task of the Community. Article 6 requires that environmental considerations should be integrated into other policies in order to deliver sustainable development.
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Dec 1997 |
Luxembourg Summit
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Work on the current process of EU environmental policy integration launched.
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June 1998 |
Cardiff Summit
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Agreed conclusions on integrating the environment throughout the work of the EU.
European Council invited all relevant sectoral Councils to establish their own strategies for integrating the environment and sustainable development within their policy areas.
Transport, Energy and Agriculture Councils were asked to start this process and provide initial reports to the Vienna Summit.
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Dec 1998 |
Vienna Summit
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Transport, Agriculture and Energy Councils produced initial reports.
(Criticised by external commentators for being bland and suggesting little more than business as usual).
Integration plans were invited from Development, Internal Market and Industry Councils for Helsinki. They were asked to put special additional emphasis on the impacts of climate change as well as employment and enlargement.
The European Council asked the Commission to produce a report on the "mainstreaming" of environmental policy.
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May 1999 |
Weimar Informal Environment Council
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No substantive conclusions but some disappointment with the pace of progress of integration was expressed and there was some discussion of methods for revitalising the process.
In advance of their Presidency, the Finnish proposed a framework to guide each Council in their integration process. This allowed for a step by step approach with milestones for measuring progress. This was intended to help clarify the action required by nominated Ministerial Councils before Helsinki.
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June 1999 |
Cologne Summit
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European Council considered resulting reports.
European Council called upon the Fisheries, General Affairs and EcoFin (Finance Ministers) Councils to report back to it on the integration of environmental issues and sustainable development in 2000.
Commission submitted its report (of 26 May 1999) on mainstreaming of environmental policy.
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Leading to:
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10-11
Dec
1999
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Helsinki Summit |
European Council will review the overall progress on integrating the environment and sustainable development in order to link the sectoral strategies developed by the various Councils.
Transport, Agriculture and Energy Councils will submit strategies. Development, Internal Market and Industry Councils also expected to make submissions.
European Council will also consider a co-ordinated report on indicators for the various sectors as well as a global assessment of the 5th Environmental Action Programme.
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