A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN OUR HANDS - To Parent Directory

Consumption & production© CorbisWhat the EU’s doingAchieving sustainable consumption and production involves changingthe way we produce, buy and throw away. The EU has identifiedkey targets to make our consumption and production patternsless harmful:• Put an end to the destructive link between economicgrowth and damage to the environment• Encourage businesses and the general public to use objectsthat have been produced responsibly• Aim to get public authorities across Europe to buy productsand services that do not damage the environment.This is already being done in some countries. By 2010, theEU wants to get all countries in the Union to match thosecountries who are best at sourcing products and serviceswhich respect the environment• Increase the market in technologies and innovations thatare environmentally-friendly• Improve the welfare of animals both within the EU andbeyondOn a European level, objectives are being achieved through avariety of measures.In January 2004 the EU put into force its Environment TechnologyAction Plan (ETAP). Examples of environmental technologiesinclude recycling systems for waste water in industrial processes,energy efficient car engines and soil improvement techniques. ETAPfocuses on creating alternative ways of production that have lessenvironmental impact.The Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of NaturalResources was proposed in December 2005 and runs for 25years. It aims to ensure that the consumption of resources and theimpact involved does not exceed the environment’s capacity toregenerate. It is designed to help break the link between economicgrowth and resource use.031