Council of the European Union  [Printer-friendly version]
June 18, 2005

EUROPEAN UNION RE-ENDORSES THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE

[Rachel's introduction: "Where there is scientific uncertainty,
implement evaluation procedures and take appropriate preventive
action in order to avoid damage to human health or to the
environment."]

[RPR introduction: The Council of the European Union (the main
decision-making body of the EU) met for two days in Brussels June
16-17, 2005, and issued a 41-page document titled, "Presidency
Conclusions (10255/05)," which is available in PDF format here.
Among other decisions, the Council adopted a "Declaration of Guiding
Principles for Sustainable Development, reprinted below, which
includes an endorsement, or re-endorsement, of the precautionary
principle.]

ANNEX I

DECLARATION ON GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable development is a key objective set out in the Treaty, for
all European Community policies. It aims at the continuous improvement
of the quality of life on earth of both current and future
generations. It is about safeguarding the earth's capacity to support
life in all its diversity. It is based on the principles of democracy
and the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights including
freedom and equal opportunities for all. It brings about solidarity
within and between generations. It seeks to promote a dynamic economy
with full employment and a high level of education, health protection,
social and territorial cohesion and environmental protection in a
peaceful and secure world, respecting cultural diversity.

To achieve these aims in Europe and globally, the European Union and
its Member States are committed to pursue and respect, on their own
and with partners, the following objectives and principles:

Key objectives

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Safeguard the earth's capacity to support life in all its diversity,
respect the limits of the planet's natural resources and ensure a high
level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment.
Prevent and reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable
production and consumption to break the link between economic growth
and environmental degradation.

SOCIAL EQUITY AND COHESION

Promote a democratic, socially inclusive, cohesive, healthy, safe and
just society with respect for fundamental rights and cultural
diversity that creates equal opportunities and combats discrimination
in all its forms.

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

Promote a prosperous, innovative, knowledge-rich, competitive and
eco-efficient economy which provides high living standards and full
and high-quality employment throughout the European Union.

MEETING OUR INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Encourage the establishment and defend the stability of democratic
institutions across the world, based on peace, security and freedom.
Actively promote sustainable development worldwide and ensure that the
European Union's internal and external policies are consistent with
global sustainable development and its international commitments.

Policy guiding principles

PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Place human beings at the centre of the European Union's policies, by
promoting fundamental rights, by combating all forms of discrimination
and contributing to the reduction of poverty and the elimination of
social exclusion worldwide.

SOLIDARITY WITHIN AND BETWEEN GENERATIONS

Address the needs of current generations without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their needs in the European
Union and elsewhere.

OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY

Guarantee citizens' rights of access to information and ensure access
to justice. Develop adequate consultation and participatory channels
for all interested parties and associations.

INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS

Enhance the participation of citizens in decision-making. Promote
education and public awareness of sustainable development. Inform
citizens about their impact on the environment and their options for
making more sustainable choices.

INVOLVEMENT OF BUSINESSES AND SOCIAL PARTNERS

Enhance the social dialogue, corporate social responsibility and
private-public partnerships to foster cooperation and common
responsibilities to achieve sustainable production and consumption.

POLICY COHERENCE AND GOVERNANCE

Promote coherence between all European Union policies and coherence
between local, regional, national and global actions in order to
enhance their contribution to sustainable development.

POLICY INTEGRATION

Promote integration of economic, social and environmental
considerations so that they are coherent and mutually reinforce each
other by making full use of instruments for better regulation, such as
balanced impact assessment and stakeholder consultations.

USE BEST AVAILABLE KNOWLEDGE

Ensure that policies are developed, assessed and implemented on the
basis of the best available knowledge and that they are economically
sound and cost-effective.

PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE

Where there is scientific uncertainty, implement evaluation procedures
and take appropriate preventive action in order to avoid damage to
human health or to the environment.

MAKE POLLUTERS PAY

Ensure that prices reflect the real costs to society of production and
consumption activities and that polluters pay for the damage they
cause to human health and the environment.