Environment Action Programmes

Environment Action Programmes provide a general policy framework for the European Union’s environment policy in which the most important medium and long-term goals are defined and set out in a basic strategy, where appropriate including concrete measures.

The Environment Action Programmes date back to a conference of Heads of State and Government held in October 1972 which agreed that a common environmental policy is essential and which called on the Commission to develop a programme accordingly.

The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht created a contractual basis for the adoption of Environment Action Programmes. When the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force, this contractual basis was set out in Article 192 (3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Under this provision, Environment Action Programmes are issued on the proposal of the Commission by the European Parliament and the Council in an ordinary legislative procedure, and are thus formal legislative acts.