Sustainable Development in the Frame of the 7th Environment Action Programme

This paper presents the 7th EAP — the new general Union Environment Action Programme to 2020. Through this Programme, the EU has agreed to step up its efforts to protect our natural capital, stimulate resource-efficient, low-carbon growth and innovation, and safeguard people's health and wellbeing – while respecting the Earth's natural limits. It's a common strategy that should guide future action by the EU institutions and the Member States, who share responsibility for its implementation and the achievement of its priority objectives. It identifies three key objectives: a) to protect, conserve and enhance the Union's natural capital; b) to turn the Union into a resource-efficient, green, and competitive low-carbon economy; c) to safeguard the Union's citizens from environment-related pressures and risks to health and wellbeing.