Lisbon Treaty: Environment

Article 174 [191], [ex Art. 174 EC, amended], presented and discussed below

Community Union policy on the environment shall contribute to pursuit of the following objectives:

-    preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment,

-    protecting human health,

-    prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources,

-    promoting measures at international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems, and in particular combating climate change.

YES: It requires only six words to elevate the fight against climate change to be one of the fundamental objectives of the EU.  It is accepted by all that this is the single greatest threat facing humanity in the 21st century.  (Irish Alliance For Europe)

NO: Introduces six new words into existing environmental policy. While it is the first explicit reference to climate change in an EU Treaty, it does not give EU institutions any new powers.  (Sinn Fein).

Commentary : The Alliance claim that the inclusion of the words "and in particular combatting climate change"  makes any difference at all, is bogus.