EEL News Service 2008/18, 2 October 2008

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38th Asser Colloquium on European Law
 
“Integrating Climate and Energy policy in the EU”

23-24 October 2008, Province of South-Holland, The Hague

The 38th Asser Colloquium on European Law is dedicated to the different legal and policy questions arising in the European and in the global context with regard to climate and energy. Among other issues, the following points will be addressed during the colloquium:

  • Legal implications of climate and energy policy
  • Relation between climate change and energy measures
  • Distribution of commitments within the EU
  • Energy security and energy supply issues
  • Common but differentiated responsibilities within and outside the EU
  • Role of market based instruments
  • Acting regionally / nationally / at the EU level – what are the hurdles?
  • Harmonisation of climate and energy policy and law within Europe
  • Aviation and climate change
  • EU position on the international debate on the future of the Kyoto Protocol
  • EU commitments and third countries.

Further details: www.eel.nl
For more information please contact:
Marianna Kondas, Phone: +31 70 3 420 822 E-mail: m.kondas@asser.nl
Leonardo Massai, Phone: +31 70 3 420 309 E-mail: l.massai@asser.nl

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Added to Case Law, ECJ
 
C-368/07 Commission vs. Italy
ECJ 25-09-2008, not yet reported
The ECJ condemned Italy for failure to fulfil its obligations under Directive 2000/59/EC on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues. Italy was found to be in breach of Article 5, paragraph 1, and Article 16, paragraph 1 of the Directive, as Italy omitted to draw up port waste reception and managing plans at certain port facilities.
Sector: Water
 
 
Added to Sectors, General
 
* 2891st Competitiveness Council Conclusions
On 25 September 2008 the Competitiveness Council agreed on a non-binding target, according to which Member States by 2010 would decide in half of the public tendering procedures on the basis of environmental criteria. The respective ministers of the 27 Member States welcomed the criteria developed by the European Commission for certain product groups,, in sectors such as construction, food, transport and energy. Nonetheless, Member States will be able to their own sectoral targets. Progress towards the target will be measured by evaluation methods that are to be established by the European Commission, as requested by the ministers in the conclusions.
 

Added to Sectors, Climate Change
 
* Three international organisations present report on adaptation
On 29 September 2008 the European Environment Agency, the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission published a joint report on adaptation to climate change. On the basis of the 2007 conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the report provides an overview of the effects of climate change on the European and calls for intensified action on adaptation measures. The organizations criticise the EU for focusing only on flood management, and urge the implementation of actions in other sectors, among others the health sector. The report furthermore shows the need for adaptation actions at EU, national and regional level and the need for enhanced monitoring, data collection and exchange and reducing uncertainties in projections.
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Added to Sectors, Energy
 
* IEA report on renewable energy
The International Energy Agency (IEA) presented a report on 29 September 2008 concerning renewable energy. The report enlists the main obstacles for the development of renewable energy sources, such as administrative complications, difficulties with access to grid, lack of information and training, and social acceptance issues. IEA gives a comparative analysis of of the performance of the various renewables promotion policies in 35 countries, including all the OECD members and other significant players in the energy market, such as China, India, Russia, Brazil and South Africa. The report warns that financial incentives do not necessarily provide for effective results, and gives recommendations on renewable energy policies, for instance by giving advice on how to attract investment or remove non-economic barriers.
 

National Pages

The following national pages have been d: Portugal and Spain

Notably, the following information was introduced:

Added to National pages, Portugal
 
* Portuguese law provides for the use of protected areas
On 22 December 2008 a new law entered into force in Portugal, which would make a reclassification of nature protection areas possible, in order to allow their use for housing or economic purposes. The law will not affect the status of areas under the Natura 2000 network.
 
 
Added to National Pages, Spain
 
* Spain contemplates tax on groundwater use
An environmental tax was proposed in the Spanish region of Andalusia on water use from aquifers for agricultural purposes, as part of the nationwide action plan to combat desertification, which severely affects certain areas in Spain. It would be the first time ever to impose tax on groundwater use.

 
News and events
 
 
Added to Events

* The Ends Report European Waste Conference 2008
Ensure full legislative compliance, green your supply chain and engage staff to cost-effectively minimise waste & maximise recycling in your business for a strong corporate image.
Location: London, UK
Date: 21 October 2008

* 3rd Annual Biofuels 2008
Leading policy makers from across Europe discuss the latest issues affecting this volatile market. Understand what they are thinking and how this will affect your business. Discover how you can profit from 2nd & 3rd generation biofuels and build your long term strategy in this uncertain market.
Location: Berlin, Germany
Date: 28-30 October 2008

* 2nd International Conference “Roads and the Environment”
This conference will examine different ways to tackle emissions and pollution of water, air, noise and materials. Concrete examples of proven best practices will show the time, research and resources invested by the road industry into eco-friendly processes and materials.
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Date: 10-11 November 2008

* Global Green Telecoms Summit 2008
In addition to analysing how to reduce the detrimental effect on the environment of the telecoms business, the conference will also look at how mobile communications drive social and economic benefits. Speakers will provide an insight into the impact of mobile communications in developing countries, with lower-cost services and devices.
Location: Berlin, Germany
Date: 11-12 November 2008

Added to Vacancies
 
* United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Programme Officer, P4
Under the direct supervision of the CDM Registration and Issuance Manager and the general guidance of the Coordinator, CDM, the incumbent takes the lead on issues relating to the promotion of CDM activities in different regions worldwide with the aim to improve the geographical distribution of CDM project activities and capacity building.
Location: Bonn, Germany
Deadline: 15 October 2008

* United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Associate Programme Officer, P2
Under the supervision of the Evaluation and Management Officer and the general guidance of the Director of SDM, the Associate Programme Management Officer provides organizational, administrative and logistical support to the programme, in particular with regard to operational functions related to the SDM, with a view to ensuring the efficient delivery of administrative services by the programme and coordination within the Administrative Services programme.
Location: Bonn, Germany
Deadline: 17 October 2008

* United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – Programme Officer, P-3
This post is located in the UNEP, Resource Mobilization Section (RMS). Under the direct supervision of the Director, RMS the incumbent will coordinate relations between UNEP and donors of programmatic funding, provide programmatic and management support to the design and implementation of donor-funded programmes, coordinate monitoring and reporting on the implementation of donor funded programmes and assist in the development and implementation of UNEP’s resource mobilization strategy.
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Deadline: 24 November 2008

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Editors-in-Chief:
Wybe Th. Douma (T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague)
Jens Hamer (Court of First Instance of the European Community, Luxemburg)*
* All views expressed are entirely personal and can in no way be attributed to the CFI or ECJ

Editors:
Leonardo Massai (T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague)
Marianna Kondas (T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague)

Technical realisation:
Marco van der Harst (T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague)
e-mail: eelnewsservices@asser.nl