A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN OUR HANDS - To Parent Directory

Sustainable Development Implementation & follow-upImplementation& follow-upStaying on trackCHAPTER9The principles of openness, participation, accountability,effectiveness and coherence are at the heart of how theEU runs its policies. These are joined by one more vitalcomponent needed to make the sustainable developmentstrategy work: monitoring.With such a variety of programmes and legislation runningthroughout Europe and with action being taken by people inall walks of life: citizens; the business community; regionaland national governments, and by the EU itself – findingout what works and what doesn’t is more important thanever.What the EU’s doingThe issues raised within the sustainable development strategy havemoved on from being something just discussed by those responsiblefor environment policy. Now the whole subject is right at theheart of the European decision-making process with heads of stateand government monitoring the situation as it evolves to ensurethe strategy stays on track. The European Commission regularlyexamines how the policies are unfolding. Every two years, startingin the autumn of 2007, they publish a progress report showing, ina clear and concrete way, what is working, what is not, and howto keep the strategy updated and effective. This is the basis ofthe December European Council’s discussions, where the wayahead is decided.© EC079