Archived press release

Europe needs economic change

12 May 2003

Europe's environment is at risk from its economy, according to a new report from the European Environmental Agency published today [1]. Based on an assessment of 52 countries, the report highlights:

• The growing dependence on cars and air travel (key problems in the UK) - and both key contributors to climate change because of their dependency on fossil fuels.

• The failure to curb waste - causing problems with disposal and resource use.

• The continuing threat that gradual improvements in environmental efficiency will soon be swamped by increasing growth - for example, cars may get more fuel efficient but if there are more on the road driving longer distances, emissions will increase.

Commenting on the report, Friends of the Earth Director Tony Juniper said:

"It is no surprise that Europe's burgeoning consumer culture is placing mounting pressure on dwindling natural resources and the global climate. When are European politicians going to sit up and realise that policies of growth, growth and more growth cannot be continued? But instead we see European politicians rushing to handover huge areas of responsibility to big business and corporate control so as to make these problems worse not better. As this consumption-based economic model spreads to new EU members, we will see Europe's poorer communities suffering most. Politicians must act to ensure that economic policy and big business work for the environment and not against it.

"The UK Government is currently reviewing its sustainable development strategy. It must take this report on board and divorce itself from the current commitment to high economic growth."

Notes

[1] Embargoed summary copies of Europe's Environment are available at
http://reports.eea.eu.int/environmental_assessment_report_2003_10-sum
and from 1pm at
http://reports.eea.eu.int/environmental_assessment_report_2003_10

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust