3 February 2017: The European Commission (EC) released a Communication on ‘The EU Environmental Implementation Review: Common challenges and how to combine efforts to deliver better results.’ The Communication identifies ineffective coordination among local, national and regional authorities and a lack of integration and policy coherence as key obstacles to implementation of environmental policies in EU member States.

The Commission launched the Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) in May 2016. The EIR is a two-year cycle of analysis and dialogue to improve implementation of existing EU environmental policy and legislation. The EIR reviews progress on nature and biodiversity, air quality, waste management, and water quality and management.

On nature and biodiversity, the EIR finds that, under the current rate of effort, “biodiversity loss would continue in the EU with potentially serious consequences for the capacity of natural ecosystems to provide for human needs in the future.” The Communication states, “the overall status of protected species and habitats has not significantly improved over the last six years,” with more than 75% of habitat assessments finding an unfavorable conservation status and 60% of non-bird species having an unfavorable status. Key implementation challenges include: the absence of management plans for Natura 2000 sites; a lack of knowledge on species, habitats and sites; a lack of adequate financial and human resources; and poor engagement of local communities and stakeholders.

On air quality, the EIR finds improvements with regards to pollutants, but cautions more needs to be done to address PM10 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The EIR identifies transport as a main source for air quality problems.

On waste management, the EIR finds that six member States have reached the municipal waste recycling target of 50% and nine countries need to accelerate their efforts to reach the target by 2020. The EIR further finds that waste prevention remains a challenge for all member States, including those with high rates of recycling, and identifies lack of coordination between different administrative levels, fragmented governance of environmental issues, lack of legal enforcement as contributing to insufficient implementation. The Communication recommends decoupling waste production from economic growth to pursue a circular economy agenda.

On water quality and management, the EIR finds mixed ecological status among member States, with one-third of countries having 50% or more of their natural surface water bodies in good or high ecological status. All member States with marine waters have gaps in implementing their Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The EIR identifies a lack of coordination between water management authorities at different local or regional levels, a lack of cooperation between water and nature governance bodies and authorities in other sectors, ineffective control measures, a lack of access to data, and inadequate water pricing policies.

Full compliance with the EU waste policy by 2020 could generate an additional 400,000 jobs and €42 billion annually in the waste management and recycling industries.

The Communication highlights the economic and social benefits of full implementation of EU environmental requirements. For example, implementation of existing EU water legislation could contribute an annual benefit of at least €2.8 billion. Full compliance with the EU waste policy by 2020 could generate an additional 400,000 jobs and €42 billion annually in the waste management and recycling industries. Full implementation of Natura 2000 would create an additional 174,000 jobs.

The Communication also address enabling tools, such as market-based instruments and investments, and showcases examples of successful practices from member States. It includes an Annex with recommendations and 28 EIR country reports that describe challenges and opportunities on environmental implementation for each EU member State. [Publication: The EU EIR: Common Challenges and How to Combine Efforts to Deliver Better Results] [Annex] [EIR Webpage]