European Environmental Bureau
Encyclopedia
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) is a federation of over 140 environmental citizens’ organisations based in all 27 European Union
(EU) Member States, potential Member States and a few neighbouring countries. These organisations range from local and national, to European and international. EEB’s aim is to protect and improve Europe’s environment and to enable Europe’s citizens to play a part in achieving that goal. A key element of this process is promoting the EU’s ‘Green Leadership’.
, the European Parliament
and the Council. It closely coordinates EU-oriented activities with members at national level, and also closely follows the EU enlargement process and some pan-European issues such as follow-up to the Aarhus Convention
(the UNECE 'Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters').
EEB has consultative status at and relations with: the Council of Europe
, the Commission of the European Union, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee
of the European Union
, the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), the United Nation Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).
It has a membership of 143 member organisations in 31 countries: non-governmental organisations, dealing with environmental issues and nature protection.
and plays an important role in the environmental Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) community in promoting implementation of the Aarhus Convention
both within and outside the EU.
, from all sources we can control, to reduce global environmental mercury levels to a minimum. An international Zero Mercury Working Group was created to follow up developments at European and global level.
Since the beginning of 2011, EEB has been coordinating the Coolproducts campaign aiming at unleashing the energy savings potential of energy-related products.
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
(EU) Member States, potential Member States and a few neighbouring countries. These organisations range from local and national, to European and international. EEB’s aim is to protect and improve Europe’s environment and to enable Europe’s citizens to play a part in achieving that goal. A key element of this process is promoting the EU’s ‘Green Leadership’.
How the EEB works
The EEB office was set up in Brussels in 1974 to provide a focal point for its members to monitor and respond to the EU’s emerging environmental policy. EEB has an information service, runs working groups with its members, produces position papers on topics that are, or EEB feels should be, on the EU agenda, and represents its members in discussions with the European CommissionEuropean Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
and the Council. It closely coordinates EU-oriented activities with members at national level, and also closely follows the EU enlargement process and some pan-European issues such as follow-up to the Aarhus Convention
Aarhus Convention
The UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, usually known as the Aarhus Convention, was signed on June 25, 1998 in the Danish city of Aarhus. It entered into force on 30 October 2001...
(the UNECE 'Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters').
EEB has consultative status at and relations with: the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, the Commission of the European Union, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee
Economic and Social Committee
The European Economic and Social Committee is a body of the European Union established in 1958. It is a consultative assembly composed of employers , employees and representatives of various other interests...
of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), the United Nation Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).
It has a membership of 143 member organisations in 31 countries: non-governmental organisations, dealing with environmental issues and nature protection.
The EEB's role in the EU
EEB has day-to-day working relationships with EU institutions including the European Commission, the European Parliament and Council of Ministers, and has routine contacts with the European Environmental Agency and other EU institutions and bodies, Member States’ Permanent Representatives and national ministries. It also has consultative status at the Council of Europe and the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and plays an important role in the environmental Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) community in promoting implementation of the Aarhus Convention
Aarhus Convention
The UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, usually known as the Aarhus Convention, was signed on June 25, 1998 in the Danish city of Aarhus. It entered into force on 30 October 2001...
both within and outside the EU.
A wide member network
Environmental organisations in candidate countries (those applying to join the EU) and, increasingly, in the Western Balkans, regard EEB as their main partner with a European focus. EEB's experience, relationships and position are of great value to these states in determining their own role in processes related to EU enlargement and the environment. Owing to EEB’s proactive involvement, its members from New Member States and those aspiring to join the EU are already numerous and are increasing.Campaigns
In November 2004, working with the Ban Mercury Working Group, EEB launched the Zero Mercury campaign, whose ultimate goal is to achieve zero emissions, demand and supply of mercuryMercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
, from all sources we can control, to reduce global environmental mercury levels to a minimum. An international Zero Mercury Working Group was created to follow up developments at European and global level.
Since the beginning of 2011, EEB has been coordinating the Coolproducts campaign aiming at unleashing the energy savings potential of energy-related products.