2012-04 5th Kyiv RS_Resolution Booklet

RESOLUTION BOOKLET

5th Kyiv Regional Session of the European Youth Parliament Resolution Booklet

Kyiv, 7th of April 2012

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E CONOMIC

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M ONETARY A FFAIR S

Recycling is a complex economic issue. Evaluating the cost of recycling is a question of perspective as society does endure drawbacks, if garbage is not recycled. For the private sector it is often clear that recycling is not profitable. Up to now society has failed to address this dilemma. How can EU authorities encourage business to further invest in recycling, while ensuring balanced and efficient partnership of private initiative and the public sector of the economy?

Submitted by:

Alexei BODORIN(MD), Maria BRUS(UA), Dominik DALK(DE), Sasha KOTELNIKOVA(UA), David MESKHI(GE), Nadiia MUSHKET(UA), Felix ROSBURG(DE), Tetiana SNISAR(UA), Richard JANOUŠEK (Chairperson, CZ).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Having studied the different recycling systems already existing in the European Union (EU), e.g. the ‘Green Dot’, B. Realising the lack of control of recycling and environmental legislation, C. Bearing in mind the insufficient knowledge in the field of recycling sustainability, its consequences, and other alternatives of recycling, D. Fully alarmed by the insufficient measures and opportunities to divide trash, in e.g. Spain or Ukraine, E. Deeply concerned by the lack of governmental interest in the field of recycling, F. Regretting that the private sector does not recognise the advantages of investing in recycling, G. Viewing with appreciation the creation of working places caused by opening recycling factories;

1. Draws attention to the significance of standardising environmental policies among EU Member States to ensure better comprehension; 2. Calls for the establishment of deposit systems across Europe; 3. Invites the private sector to take part in the creation of deposit systems across Europe; 4. Supports the promotion of recycling in form of: a)

creating viral videos to educate the general public and companies on different recycling opportunities,

b)

advertising through press and conferences for managers and investors to inform about the profitability of investing in recycling;

5. Further requests citizens to increase their participation in trash separation in order to lower recycling costs; 6. Recommends schools to implement special educational programmes on recycling into the curricula of existing subjects; 7. Endorses the national governments to subsidise purchases of separate compartment bins for public institutions, companies and households; 8. Draws attention to the lower price of recycled but otherwise identical materials; 9. Authorises subsidies on machinery from the EU to encourage the creation of new recycling factories; 10. Further requests the implementation of tax cuts for: a)

the recycling industry,

b)

environmentally friendly companies.

Kyiv, 7th of April 2012

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L EGAL A FFAIRS

Rio +20 should be an opportunity to build on existing experience and take the implementation of principle 101 further. The majority of current participatory models are still limited and compartmentalized. UN Commission on Sustainable Development, the voice of civil society representatives is not audible enough, or heard too late in the process of interstate discussions.

How can EU authorities ensure implementation practice and protection of principle 10 in order to help contract parties to meet their commitments made by signing RIO+20?

Submitted by:

Maria DÖRING (DE), Pavlo FEDORIV (UA), Iuliia KAUK (UA), Mihai-Cristian LAZAR (RO), Daniel SINGER (DE), Niks BĒRZIŅŠ (Chairperson, LV)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Noting with deep concern that governments fail to provide necessary institutional and legal infrastructure to create a platform to involve stakeholders in the decision making process, B. Realising the lack of effective communication and interaction on environmental topics between: i)

Society and governments,

ii) Governments on international and local level, C. Alarmed by the fact that the decision making process is not transparent enough to guarantee the possibility to access and participate in environmental policy making, D. Taking into account that the majority of the general public do not fully use their citizens rights (principle 10 in particular) because of poor awareness, E. Deeply disturbed that there is no effective mechanism at the moment to guarantee the fulfilment of signed agreements on environmental issues, F. Keeping in mind that the majority of European societies and their governments prioritise economic growth over environmental issues, G. Deeply convinced that principle 10 is too general and lacks a mechanism for implementation on a local scale,

1 The Principle 10 of Rio Declaration of 1992 on Environment and Development states “At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes”.

H. Expressing its appreciation of the “access initiative�2 as an example of uniting civil society in order to ensure that people have rights and possibilities to influence decisions; 1. Strongly recommends compulsory meetings concerning environmental issues between governments and NGOs which are followed by published reports on the decision making process; 2. Calls for the creation of a website, providing the general public with information on environmental issues, with a separate section for every European country. Website includes: a)

News about natural occurrences and political decisions concerning environmental issues,

b)

Simplified data, including reports on environmental issues,

c)

Online forum where everyone can express their points of view;

3. Urges for further communication and interaction between: a)

European governments, through meetings where they share expertise and experience,

b)

Governments and societies through mass media and other types of information exchange;

4. Encourages the establishment of environmental courts on a national level, as well as an International Court for the Environment within the European Union; 5. Further requests governments of European countries to create local programmes implementing and developing Principle 10 under coordination of the European Council.

2 The Access Initiative (TAI) is the largest network of civil society organizations. It is created in order to assess and promote transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability in environmental decision-making process.

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F OOD S AFETY

Rapid global warming can affect an ecosystems chance to adapt naturally. 192 countries, plus the EU, are now Parties to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In April 2002, parties to the Convention committed to significantly reduce the loss of biodiversity by 2010. Despite numerous successful conservations measures supporting biodiversity, the 2010 targets have not been met at the global level.

What measures should be taken by the EU in order to meet biodiversity targets?

Submitted by:

Dinh ANH TUYEN(RU), Yaroslav BALABA(UA), Maria BOIKO(UA), Cristoph BUEB(DE), Ursachi CORINA(MD), Olesia KRYVETSKA(UA), Arne PACKSHIES(DE), Maxym PANYCHENKO(UA), Olha TIURMENKO(UA), Miguel PAIVA(Chairperson, PT)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Aware of the great amount of worldwide consumption of natural resources, B. Recognizing that people are not aware of the consequences of irresponsible consumption of biological resources, C. Aware of the non-natural changes of ecosystems due to rapid global warming, which leads to climate change, D. Noting with regret that industries care only about their profit and not about the destructing effects they leave on biodiversity, E. Believing that cooperation between enterprises is a core necessity for meeting biodiversity targets, F. Observing the lack of efficient legislation mechanisms that deal with biodiversity, G. Noting with concern the narrow-mindedness and short-term thinking of people regarding environmental issues, H. Taking into account that protected habitats are underdeveloped, ineffective and there are not enough of them; 1. Encourages resource processing industries to use techniques that deliver multiple benefits from only one resource; 2. Has resolved to provide information on how to reduce consumption of scarce resources and goods; 3. Emphasises the importance of monitoring and analyzing the changes in ecosystems so that life and the well-functioning of biodiversity is ensured and guaranteed;

4. Urges industries and companies to use environmentally-friendly and effective technologies that reduce the pollution of ecosystems by: a)

providing companies which follow the requirements with benefits, privileges and monetary bonuses,

b)

punishing those who do not use these technologies with extra taxes,

c)

allocating funds collected from the extra-taxes and fines for anti-environmental industrial activities for the protection of ecosystems;

5. Calls for interaction among stockholders, transnational corporations and biodiversity platforms to initiate successful environmental initiatives and projects; 6. Approves of strict legislation against crimes that harm nature with proportional punishments where repeated and severe crimes are punished harder; 7. Recommends raising awareness of ecological problems through the media and pushing civil society to get involved in actively preserving biodiversity and protecting the atmosphere; 8. Emphasizes the importance of enlarging the already existing network of protected ecosystems to help endangered rare species breed by introducing other species in that habitat.

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E NERGY

Among the 27 EU member states, fourteen have operating reactors that produce nuclear energy. It accounts for approximately 15 percent of the EU's total energy consumption and one third of the EU's electricity needs. With consequences of resent nuclear catastrophe spreading all over the world, what measures should Europe undertake to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future, at the same time maintaining a sufficient energy supply?

Submitted by:

Pauline BESMEHN(DE), Oksana BUDUROVA(UA), Do Dyc Hanh(RU), Ilya KOSHYTSKY(UA), Sarp KURUM(TR), Jannis KUHLENCORD(DE) Vadim SIDORCENKO(UA), Iaroslava STUKALOVA(UA), Darija POPELNUKH(Chairperson, UA), Riaan STIPP(President, DE).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Fully aware that the operating cycle of nuclear power plants (NPP) is composed of dangerous stages, B. Noting with deep concern that nuclear waste pollutes the environment for thousands of years before it completely decays, C. Observing the nuclear accident in Japan to result in society’s reconsideration of the NPP’s usage, D. Noting with approval the rise in public awareness of the green energy, E. Deeply disturbed by the obvious possibility of another nuclear catastrophe to occur due to a terrorist attack or a natural disaster, F. Considering the growing energy demand of the European Union (EU) due to development of new technologies and constantly increasing population, G. Expecting the uranium ore to run out in foreseeable future, H. Recognising the alternative energy production (AEP) to be a sufficient, eco-friendly, and renewable energy source, I.

Viewing with appreciation that alternative energy resources are free of charge,

J. Realising the current disproportion in AEP’s and NPP’s efficiency, K. Emphasising the AEP construction to be easier and cheaper in comparison with NPP’s, L. Keeping in mind the limited service life of NPP’s thus requiring readjustment afterwards, M. Noting with concern that the insurance compensation is low in comparison to the high responsibility of endangering the environment which companies accept in case of an accident,

1. Supports undertaking the usage of alternative energy resources as a short-term measure; 2. Confirms the elimination of NPP in the EU as a long-term prospective; 3. Designates the alternative energy sources as renewable, eco-friendly resources such as: a)

Wind energy,

b)

Solar energy,

c)

Biofuel,

d)

Hydro energy,

e)

Geothermal energy;

4.

Encourages the Member States to promote alternative energy production and usage;

5.

Calls for equal subsidies both for AEP and NPP,

6. Urges governments to prohibit the renovation of NPPs exceeding service life thus gradually reducing the number of NPPs;

7. Encourages the creation of a research centre for alternative energies and the improvement of already existing technologies;

8. Invites the use of domestic autonomic generators; 9. Requests reducing taxation for the alternative energy consumers; 10. Authorises the cooperation with the IAEA to improve the organisation’s efficiency in dealing with nuclear waste, terrorism and safety conditions of NPPs and uranium mines;

11. Recommends to inbcrease the insurance compensation to secure the accountability of NPPs.

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T OURISM

The transport industry in Europe is leading in its field, while European landscapes are among the most fragmented areas in the world. Natural habitats have been lost, transformed and isolated over many centuries, but the pace and extent of landscape change that we face today is unprecedented. Fragmentation caused by expanding transport infrastructure and urban sprawl is a major cause for the loss of biodiversity, and many of its detrimental effects may still take time to manifest fully.

Keeping this in mind, what measures should the EU take to make European transport system environmentally sustainable?

Submitted by:

Teimuraz BASILAIA(GE), Ivanna KUSHNIR(UA), Mykola MOSHAK(UA), David SALAVADOR(ES), Marika SIMONIA(MD), Kai WITTIG(DE), Veronika ZVARYCH(UA), Adina HARLACHER(Chairperson, SE) Anna SUPRUNENKO(Vice-President, UA)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Realising that fragmentation combines the deterioration of wildlife habitat, barrier effects, isolation and disturbance of the landscape, B. Declaring green infrastructure to play a decisive role in overall ecological variety, C. Keeping in mind fragmentation problems caused by environmentally unsustainable planning of transport infrastructure, D. Alarmed that urbanisation causes fragmentation, especially by building of new roads, E. Noting with deep concern that the society is not motivated to invest in green technologies, F. Deeply regretting the low awareness of the benefits of green technologies, G. Taking into account the domination of: i)

Automobile transport over the maritime and air transport,

ii) Private over public transport, H. Emphasising that vehicles produce almost a quarter of green house gas emissions and automobile transport is responsible for more than 80% of transport-related CO2 emissions, I.

Alarmed by the fact that the number of cars in Europe nowadays has tripled since 1970,

J. Noting with approval the existence of Natura 2000 and its efficiency;

1. Encourages the EU to protect more areas within the project Natura 2000; 2. Further encourages other countries to implement similar programmes; 3. Further recommends to make green technologies more accessible by: a)

Offering tax benefits to companies who either invest in green technologies or use them,

b)

Promoting the development of alternative fuels;

4. Calls for raising public awareness for the benefits of green technologies by improving education and advertisement policies; 5. Encourages changes in attitude towards transport; 6. Supports the reduction of CO2 emissions by: a)

Introducing a special road-entrance fee during rush hours,

b)

Improving the public transport network between different cities and towns;

7. Recommends the European Union to invest in green infrastructure by building eco-bridges, eco-ducts etc.; 8. Calls for making the freight transport sector more energy efficient by giving priority to maritime and air transport.

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F OOD S AFETY

Since 1970, the amount of water available for each human being has fallen by 40% and two out of five inhabitants of the planet experience difficulty in obtaining water. Europe is not spared of this shortage. At European level, 54% of water consumption is accounted for by industry, 26% by agriculture and 20% by domestic users, but this average breakdown may vary significantly from one country to another. The pressures exerted by increasing demand for water lead to overexploitation of local reserves.

With governments having short-term horizons, and citizens and consumers tending to panic only once water runs out, what strategy should Europe adopt to put a stop to unsustainable water management?

Submitted by:

Johan BAGUCA (AL), Oksana BAKUM (UA), Okechukwu EGBETE (UA), Olga KULBANSKA (UA), Jenni MULLER (DE), Davide ORLANDI (IT), Iryna PEREKHOD (UA), Ivan PETUKHOV(RU), Deniz SAIP (TR), Ugis BALMAKS (Vice-president, LV), Darya SAVISHCHEVA (Chairperson, BY)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply concerned by fresh water being a scarce resource andlikely to run out in a few decades, B. Aware of the fact that 80% of available freshwater is consumed by agriculture andindustry, while only 30% of this water is returned to the environment, C. Believing that low prices of water provoke high demand thus causing unsustainable water consumption, D. Noting the need for improvement ofthe methods and technologies used in: i)

Irrigation,

ii) Filtering, iii) Water system infrastructure, E. Viewing with appreciation the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive on setting longterm horizons to be adopted by the Member States, F. Taking into account the importance of the information spread concerning the water wasting issues, G. Realising the potential of new technologies in the reduction of water consumption, H. Approving the trials of national governments to raise awareness among the water consumers on water scarcity issues,

I.

Welcoming individual’s initiatives on water conservation;

1. Invites the introduction of a water pricing policy based on the following pillars: a)

Raising prices while maintaining affordability of water,

b)

Implementation of increased tariffs for those who exceed the established limits of consumption,

c)

Providing reimbursement to unsecured people and families with more than two children;

2. Encourages using newtechnologies to conserve water in irrigation; 3. Further recommendsthe extension of chemical filtering usage in addition to the biological and mechanical ones; 4. Requests a more competent and effective scanning for leakages inwater pipes with the help of special detectors to provide an immediate reparation if necessary; 5. Endorses policies aimed at raising people’s awareness and knowledge aboutwater shortage issuesby using the following means: a)

Advertising campaigns in media,

b)

Frequently organising forums and seminars,

c)

Creating water information centres, such as water museums and ecological schools,

d)

Expansion of the existing information systems such as the WISE (Water Information System for Europe);

6. Supports harvested rain and gray water to be more used for domestic purposes; 7. Calls uponincentives for companies committed in recycling water and returning it to the environment; 8. Believes the members of ENVI I to keep working in the right direction trying to create a better world through its actions.

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D EVELOPMENT

Climate models have demonstrated a clear link between deforestation and climate change.

The struggle to keep European forests in a healthy state has been complicated by the fact that issues leading to forest loss in one context may have opposite effect in another. What measures should be taken to prevent deforestation of Europe’s forests with due consideration of affected livelihoods and balance of local and international approach?

Submitted by:

Flavius BALAUCA(RO), Andreas BUEB(DE), Olga BUBENOVA(UA), Olha HAVRYLYUK(UA), Valeria MASHIRO(UA), Lara-Alexa NAGEL (DE), Miroslav SHAPOVOLOV(BY), Angelina TARASHEVSKA(UA), Aliaksei VARAVIN(BY), Oksana KORCHAK(Chairperson, UA)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Fully alarmed that the loss of forests (13 million hectares per year) is one of the major causes of climate change and is producing 25-30% of the greenhouse effect, B. Realising that forests are being cut down due to the expansion of: i)

the agricultural sector,

ii) constant development of infrastructure, iii) urban and industrial areas, C. Emphasising the importance of forests in: i)

protecting water and soil,

ii) storing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, iii) conserving biodiversity, D. Noting with satisfaction the work done by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in creating a labelling process to identify well-sustained and well-sourced timber, E. Taking into account the importance of the forest owners’ role in sustainable management of forest resources, F. Alarmed by the way the globalised society disregards the nature to have a better quality of life, G. Having considered the lack of mechanisms that ensure involvement of all stakeholders in forest developing and reforestation in developing countries, H. Taking note of the consumerist aspects (e.g. the import of timber and related products) of the European Union (EU) resulting in uncontrolled deforestation in other parts of the world, I.

Alarmed by the fact that legal EU wood suppliers have to compete with cheaper illegal suppliers,

J. Noting with satisfaction the effectiveness of projects carried out by non-governmental organisations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation , K. Noting with regret the inefficiency of several existing measures taken by the EU (EU Action Plan, Sustainable Forest Management); 1. Encourages attracting private funds (EU and worldwide) to reforestation of degraded lands by: a)

Selling ownership rights to private stakeholders and companies interested in reforestation and Green Business3,

b)

Softening tax liabilities,

c)

Using workshops, trainings and media to communicate their individual contributions;

2. Authorises the imposition of an EU tax on all imported timber or timber-based products unless certified by the FSC label; 3. Emphasises the importance of raising awareness of deforestation by: a)

Provision of information to the public on the EU labeling system,

b)

Media campaigns,

c)

Workshops and training activities;

4. Calls for the implementation of green labels for companies supporting EU reforestation programmes; 5. Approves European legislation to immediately forbid deforestation of at least 50 % of all forests in the EU, compensating their owners for income loss due to this protection; 6. Recommends implementation of price floors on wood resources set separately in each Member State taking into account its economic conditions; 7. Supports existing educational programmes (e.g. eco-school projects) in the EU Member States that encourage the youth to raise environmental awareness by: a)

school trips to nature protection zones in their home countries,

b)

theoretical classes on ecological problems,

c)

advertisement for ecological programmes (e.g. television, printed medias);

8. Suggests the further implementation of sustainable forest management that would aim to: a)

ensure that the goods and services derived from the forests meet present-day needs,

b)

secure that forests remain available and contribute to long-term development.

Environmentally friendly investment projects which deal with the preservation of restored woods.

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Among the 90 priorities of the EU - Ukraine Association Agenda for 2011-2012 is the issue on environment and climate change. Under these priorities the Ukrainian National Environment Strategy for the period until 2020 is supported by the EU and sets the goal for Ukraine to increase usage of renewable sources by 25% by 2015 and by 55% by 2020.

Taking into consideration that Crimea’s wind energy generation potential is among the highest in Europe and less than 1 percent of Ukraine’s energy is currently provided by renewable resources, what measures EU should take in order to conduce Ukraine in meeting its commitments?

Submitted by:

Piotr DUDEK(PL), Pia HAMMER(GE), Marta KANAFOTSKA(UA), Alina KASUMOVA(UA), Eugene LEGKOBIT(UA), Olena NIKITENKO(UA), Luise PEECK(GE), Irina SULIMA MD), Bruno MOREIRA(Chairperson, PT)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Aware of the need to implement the European Neighbourhood Policy towards Ukraine, B. Convinced that a healthy investment environment is vital for Ukraine to be able to use its potential to the fullest extent, C. Bearing in mind the lower costs of energy production from fossil fuels than from renewable resources, D. Deeply concerned by the fact that Ukraine has not yet incorporated all the directives proposed by the European Energy Community, E. Recognising the lack of informational and social consciousness concerning the importance and benefits of renewable energy strategies in the society, F. Noting with regret the high level of corruption and bureaucracy in the country’s public administration , G. Desiring to support further research on renewable energy in Ukraine; 1. Recommends the Ukrainian government to utilise taxes as an incentive for business activity by: a)

Lowering taxes for renewable energy producers to attract both national and international investors,

b)

Imposing a new ‘carbon-tax’ on energy producers who use fossil fuels, by collecting a financial ecobudget to support renewable source energy implementation;

2. Encourages Ukrainian authorities to create special low interest rate loans provided by state banks to companies which generate renewable energy, in exchange for a part of its stock certificates;

3. Further requests the Ukrainian government to utilise and beneficially reward the surplus energy generated by individually owned wind turbine mills, solar panels and other tools of renewable energy; 4. Supports the Ukrainian research centres on renewable energy through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to make the equipment more affordable for investors; 5. Calls for the creation of an European Union (EU) control commission to monitor the implementation of the directives and regulations set by the European Energy Community; 6. Urges EU to invest in renewable technology development in favourable rural areas to fully use its potential; 7. Considers the simplification of the business registration procedure in Ukraine as an effective way of decreasing corruption and improving the investment flow; 8. Further invites Ukraine to host seminars, trainings and student exchange programmes; 9. Calls upon students to participate in non-governmental organisations and projects on marketing and renewable energy in order to introduce efficient social advertisement initiatives in the country on the matter.