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CEPS 4th Annual European Energy Policy Conference
Securing European Energy Supplies: Making the right choices now
17th and 18th March 2009 – Brussels
Conference website: www.euenergypolicy.com (view confirmed speakers, admission rates, sponsors and practical information)
*** DISCOUNT for EEL subscribers – 10% discount off admission rates. When asked, use discount code ‘Discount10’ when registering online at www.euenergypolicy.com***
The fourth annual CEPS/Epsilon energy conference will look at how the EU and its energy sector can prepare for the challenges posed by global energy markets. It will deal with energy in the framework of general security issues but also in the light of the EU’s climate change policy. The external dimension of security of supply will feature prominently, focusing on Europe’s eastern partners, the growing role of the Mediterranean and the potential of developing countries in shaping the response of the EU to current supply risks. It will also assess the potential that new technologies and the more rapid diffusion of existing technologies has on the EU’s twin challenges energy security and combating climate change.
For more information please contact James Wilmott, jwilmott@epsilonevents.com, +44 (0) 2920 783 022.
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Added to Case Law, ECJ
C-552/07, Azelvandre
ECJ 2009-02-17, not yet reported
The ECJ delivered this preliminary ruling to the question of the French Conseil d’État, which concerned the interpretation of Article 19 of Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms. The French court asked the ECJ to define the meaning of ‘location of release’ of genetically modified organisms, more specifically, to determine whether this location means a particular registered parcel of land or a larger geographical area. The question arose in a legal dispute where Mr Azelvandre was refused access to the prefectoral correspondence and planting records relating to deliberate test releases of genetically modified organisms. Thus, the Conseil d’État also inquired whether disclosure of the registered reference number of the parcel in question can be refused on grounds of the protection of public order or of the safety of individuals or property. The ECJ d that the ‘location of release’ is to be determined by all the related information nonetheless, protection of public order or other interests protected by law under no circumstances can justify the witholding of information.
Sector: Nature
Added to Sectors, General
*Commission takes legal actions against green infringements
On 19 February 2009 the European Commission announced the latest round of legal actions it took against EU member states for violation of environmental laws. Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal were sent reasoned opinions on grounds of failing to transpose the Eurovignette Directive on taxation of heavy goods vehicles (Directive 1999/62/EC). Italyreceived a final written warning for not complying with Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste-water treatment. A final written warning was sent to Spain and Portugal for omitting to designate protected areas in the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores in line with Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. In addition, Spain received final warning for the lack of nature protection measures connected to the effect of the expansion of the Barajas airport on the nearby “Cuencas de los rios Jarama y Henares” Natura 2000 protected site.
*European Green Capital Award goes to Stockholm and Hamburg
The first winners of the European Green Capital Award are Stockholm and Hamburg. The prize was created to reward cities that systematically take the environment into account in urban planning. The two cities will hold the titles for 2010 and 2011 respectively. At the same ceremony, held on 23 February 2009, Budapest won the 2008 European Mobility Week Award.
Added to Sectors, Air
*New Directive on airport charging
At its 2924th meeting, the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council adopted a Directive on airport charges, approving all the amendments made by the European Parliament at second reading. The Directive will common principles for airport operators to for airline charging at airports with an annual traffic of over five million passengers and at airports with the highest passenger movement in each member state. The Directive will have to be transposed within two years after entering into force.
Added to Sectors, Water
*MEPs agree with criminalising serious water pollution
On 12 February 2009 the European Parliament’s Transport Committee voted on a proposal to combat pollution at sea through stricter legal penalties. The proposed Directive would regard serious, deliberate or repeated polluting acts as criminal offences, while administrative fines are sufficient for pollution that does not seriously affect water quality. The draft Directive will be voted on by the European Parliament’s plenary at first reading in April 2009.
Added to Sectors, Waste
*JRC defines end-of-waste criteria
A report published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre proposes a general methodology and principles for defining end-of-waste criteria for different waste streams at EU level. Important factors according to the JRC are among others the waste material, the process of its handling, the end product and its applications. These recommendations will serve as valuable input to ting new standards at the revision of the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2006/12/EC).
The following national pages have been updated: Iceland, Israel and Sweden
Notably, the following information was introduced:
Added to National Pages, Iceland
*Iceland ratifies the Aarhus convention
On 11 February 2009 the Icelandic government decided to ratify the 1998 Aarhus convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. Iceland was among the original signatories to the convention. This was one of the first actions of the country’s new government, which swore in on 1 February 2009.
Added to National Pages, Israel
*The new Israeli Clean Air Law
On 22 July 2008 the Knes (Israeli parliament) eventually passed the Clean Air Law after three years of discussions in the Committee of the Interior and the Environment and the submission of numerous documents by stakeholders and the public. Its main part will become effective in January 2011. The law comes to replace the provisions of the 1961 Abatement of Nuisance Law that forbid nuisances from air pollution and parts of the 1968 Business Licence Law providing for administrative measures and penalties.
Added to National Pages, Sweden
*Swedish farms aim at self-sufficiency
The Swedish environmental research council Formas had undertaken a study that examined the use of agricultural by-products to produce biogas. The study was commissioned by the Swedish government with the intention to make farms self-sufficient in energy, as part of the new Swedish energy and climate policy.
Added to Events
*FEDERE 2009 – CSR, a lever to overcome the crisis?
The way out of the crisis that is affecting the world economy involves sustainable development. What is the best way of exploiting the potentials of CSR? What management tools will be helpful? How to control an efficient sustainable development strategy? What are the most promising innovations and sectors? More than 600 leaders and managers of enterprises, NGOs, international institutions, and experts will attend the eighth FEDERE Forum to discuss these challenges.
Location: Paris, France
Date: 25-26 March 2009
*Sustainability 2012: Shaping an Environmental Legacy For World Cities
The conference goal will be to provide a worthwhile sustainability blueprint for the development of future world cities and other large scale regeneration projects, and also for cities hosting future Olympics.
Location: London, UK
Date: 25-27 March 2009
* EcoChem 2009 Chemistry & Ecodesign
Ecodesign consists to take into account and try to reduce all environmental and human impacts in the early steps of product conception. These impacts concern the whole life cycle steps, from raw materials production, to product production, delivery, use, and end-of-life. The high stakes of sustainable development lead to a new design, an eco-design of products and services.
Location: Montpellier, France
Date: 1-2 April 2009
*5-th EE & RES Congress and Exhibition
The events aim at presenting on the SE European market new technology, equipment and services, and attracting the public attention to the practical benefits from renewables and the different means to save energy.
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Date: 6-8 April 2009
Added to Vacancies
*United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Legal Officer, P-3
Under the general supervision of the Chief Legal Adviser, the Legal Officer undertakes legal
research and analyses and prepares legal opinions and briefs on issues relating to the interpretation and implementation of the Convention and the Protocol, and provides legal support to the intergovernmental process, including legal support for the conduct of election officers to Convention and Protocol bodies.
Location: Bonn, Germany
Deadline: 6 March 2009
*United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – Programme Officer, P4
Within UNEP’s Division of Regional Cooperation (DRC), the incumbent will support the Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director in the coordination of cooperation activities between UNEP and Mexico.
Location: Panama City, USA
Deadline: 4 April 2009
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Editors-in-Chief:
Wybe Th. Douma (T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague)
Jens Hamer (Court of First Instance of the European Community, Luxemburg)*
* All views expressed are entirely personal and can in no way be attributed to the CFI or ECJ
Editors:
Leonardo Massai (T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague)
Marianna Kondas (T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague)
Technical realisation:
Marco van der Harst (T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague)
e-mail: eelnewsservices@asser.nl