The EU Sustainable Development Strategy – Characteristics, Monitoring and Follow up 27 June 2007 – Istanbul OECD World Forum Christoph Müller - Federal Chancellery AUSTRIA Background (1) •Sustainable development (SD) requires the simultaneous examination of economic, social and ecological developments with due consideration for natural limits. •In this regard instruments which reduce the complexity of SD are becoming increasingly important. Background (2) •SD needs concretisation for implementation. •In many cases this is done by defining objectives and targets for specific topics and policy areas which are (seem) to be important for the society and its present and future functioning. •Thus key objectives and targets with regard to different policy areas are often at the centre of SD Strategies (SDS). 1. History – Three steps to a EU Sustainable Development Strategy (EU SDS) 2. THE GÖTEBORG EUROPEAN COUNCIL EU SDS 2001 1. 1997: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INTO EU TREATY = FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE OF THE EU 3. EUROPEAN COUNCIL RENEWED EU SDS 2006 COMMISSION 2001 ‘A ‘Sustainable Europe for a better World’ COMMISSION 2005 On the review of the Sustainable Development Strategy ‘A platform for action’ Mandate by EU Heads of State and Government (European Council) •In December 2005 the European Council looked •“forward to adopting in June 2006 an ambitious and comprehensive strategy, •comprising targets, indicators and an effective monitoring procedure; •which should bring together the internal and external dimensions and be based on a positive long term vision, •bringing together the Community's sustainable development priorities and objectives in a clear, coherent strategy •that can be communicated simply and effectively to citizens.” 1.The main challenge is to In June 2006 the European Council adopted a renewed EU SDS • “…….The main challenge is to gradually change our current unsustainable consumption and production patterns and the non-integrated approach to policy-making.” (para 2) Renewed EU SDS (1) •BETTER POLICY-MAKING (para 11) •“……..all EU institutions should ensure that major policy decisions are based on proposals that have undergone high quality Impact Assessment (IA), assessing in a balanced way the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable development and taking into account the external dimension of sustainable development and the costs of inaction. “ Renewed EU SDS (2) •4 KEY OBJECTIVES •Environmental protection •Social equity and cohesion •Economic prosperity •Meeting our international responsibilities • •10 GUIDING PRINCIPLES Renewed EU SDS (3) •EU SDS key challenges •1. Climate change and clean energy •2. Sustainable transport •3. Sustainable consumption and production •4. Conservation and management of natural resources •5. Public health •6. Social inclusion, demography and migration •7. Global poverty and sustainable development challenges Renewed EU SDS (4) •EU SDS cross-cutting issues •1. Education and training •2. Research and development •3. Financing and economic instruments •4. Communication, mobilising actors and multiplying success • •Implementation, Monitoring and Follow-up • Monitoring and Reporting (1) •Para 33. •The Commission will submit every two years (starting in September 2007) a progress report on implementation of the SDS in the EU and the Member States also including future priorities, orientations and actions. Monitoring and Reporting (2) •Para 37. •With regard to the national level, the Commission progress report will build on Member States´ actions to implement the EU SDS and the results gained from completed Peer Reviews. •Each Member State will …. provide, … by June 2007 (and then at two-year intervals), the necessary input on progress at national level in accordance with National Sustainable Development Strategies (NSDSs) ... SDIs and the renewed strategy (1) •Para 33. As for the monitoring at EU level, the Commission will, in analysing the state of play with regard to the challenges described above, •draw on a comprehensive set of sustainable development indicators (SDIs), •taking into account the EUROSTAT SD Monitoring Report, to be updated every two years, •as well as on the latest scientific evidence •and on developments in relation to key EU activities (strategies, action plans, legislation). SDIs and the renewed strategy (2) •Para 34. “To ensure both a comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the complexity of sustainable development, the indicators are to be developed at the appropriate level of detail to ensure proper assessment of the situation with regard to each particular challenge.” SDIs and the renewed strategy (3) •Para 35. “The Commission, in cooperation with Member States through the working group on SDIs, will further develop and review indicators to increase their quality and comparability as well as their relevance to the renewed EU SDS, also taking into account other indicator initiatives and focusing on those indicators marked as most needed. “ EU approach on SD and SDIs (1) •The selection of indicators serves as a basis for the monitoring of progress with regard to existing targets and objectives. •Focusing on communication they help to take informed political decision and to inform the general public. One of the selection criteria: An indicator should be responsive to policy interventions but not subject to manipulation. EU approach on SD and SDIs (2) •Beyond the monitoring of achievement of targets and objectives as well as the evaluation of concrete measures, it is necessary to ensure a general assessment of sustainable development. •This can result in reviewing SDSs including the targets, and objectives, measures and indicators. SDI framework (source: EUROSTAT-Pascal Wolff) Economic Development (Lisbon) Poverty and Social Exclusion Ageing society Public Health Climate Change and Energy Management of Natural Resources Transport EU SDS (2001) Sustainable Production and Consumption Good Governance WSSD Global Partnership Ext. Dim. Pyramid of indicators (source: EUROSTAT-Pascal Wolff) Headline indicators Level 1 Lead objectives Main policy issues General policy performance indicators Level 2 SDS priority objectives Detailed level of indicators on efficiency of policy measures Level 3 Detailed monitoring explanatory variables 45 12 98 Where was the EU in 2005 ? The current 12 headline indicators used by the European Commission (source: EUROSTAT - Pascal WOLFF) •Methodological issues: –Importance of indicative targets –Improving data availability and indicators –Need for regular assessments •Is the EU on a sustainable path? • SDIs in the near future •September 2007: EUROSTAT SD Monitoring Report • •EU SDS - Para 36. “In 2007 at the latest, and at regular intervals after that, the Council will examine progress with regard to sustainable development indicators and will consider endorsement of a limited set of indicators for monitoring the SDS at EU level and for communication purposes.” EU SDS Follow up (1) •Para 38. “On the basis of the Commission progress report and the contributions of the Council, the December European Council should review progress and priorities every two years (starting in 2007) and provide general orientations on policies, strategies and instruments for sustainable development, ….” • EU SDS Follow up (2) • •Para 45. “At the latest by 2011, the European Council will decide when a comprehensive review of the EU SDS needs to be launched.” Thank you • •Christoph Müller •Federal Chancellery •Ballhausplatz 2 •A-1014 Vienna •Tel: 0043-1-53115-2918 •Fax: 0043-1-53109-2918 •Email: christoph.mueller@bka.gv.at