Energy, Environment and Climate Change have together been identified as the current ‘defining issue’ for the European Commission. A number of landmark policy/legislative proposals and opportunities will be relevant to EMEO stakeholders during 2008/09:

• Climate Change – White Paper on Adaptation to Climate Change- development of a framework to guarantee that regional and local authorities are at the forefront of fighting against climate change;

• Energy-Climate Package – introduction of a number of far reaching targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy in order to strengthen effective regulation;

• Communications on Green Transport, Road Pricing and Procurement of Clean Vehicles - examination of road pricing mechanisms and transport usage;

• Action Plan on Sustainable Industrial Policy (SIP);

• Directive on Renewable Energy – focus on promotion of renewables at a local level with a potential review of planning rules and guidelines for local authorities;

• CAP Health Check- mid term review of CAP to check its suitability for addressing the socio economic needs of rural communities;

• Waste Framework Directive- defines which processes are required to allow public and private sector organisations to meet EU targets to reduce waste heading to landfill and increase recycling targets; and

• LIFE+ funding 2007-2013- the EU’s main fund for supporting environmental projects.