European Climate Change Programme

Under the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) estimates were made for the production of bio-based polymers (and other bio-based materials) until 2010. According to these estimates bio-based polymers are expected to grow in the European Union from 25 kt in 1998 to 500 kt in 2010 without supportive policies and measures (P Ms) and to 1000 kt with P Ms [2]. Novamont expects that half or more than half of all bio-based produced in 2010 will be starch polymers, i.e. 250 to 500 kt. 

European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), Long Report, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium 2001. 

ECCP (European Climate Change Programme), 2001, Long report, http //europa.eu.int/ comm/environment/climat/eccp longreport 0106.pdf, Brussels, Belgium. 

As governmental bodies, the Ministries of Environment are the competent authority for the majority of activities related to environmental issues such as trans-boundary air and water pollution, troposphere ozone and climate change, for instance. The main task of a ministry on these issues is therefore to elaborate and implement the environment policy. As it is nearly everywhere within the Member States of the European Union, the ministries carry out only a few studies and analysis by themselves, but a lot of routine work is allocated to different administrations or institutions. This approach was not followed in some countries of the 10 and the research and international collaboration on different environmental programmes suffered for a... 

The European Sth Action Programme (CEC, 1992a) emphasises that issues such as climate change, air and water pollution and waste related issues are only symptoms of mismanagemoit and abuse, and that the real problons are the current patterns of human consumption and behaviour. This em iasises the need, not only to manage the environment more effectively at an institutional level, but also dre need to educate and involve the general public in sustainable activities. 

A major objective of European energy policy is to move towards more sustainable development based on a diverse mix of resources, in particular, renewable resources including biomass. Programmes devoted to this end address the pressing challenges of security of supply and climate change imponderables thereby supporting the future competitiveness of European industry. 

Member of the Fifth Framework Programme External Advisory Group on Global change, climate and biodiversity , European Commission, Brassels (1998-2000). 

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