In the current programming period for 2021-2027, the European Commission has set itself the goal of working even more closely with the public and other stakeholders in the policy-making and EU legislative procedure. The process is to be more transparent, simplified, effective and reflecting the views of citizens and stakeholders. The public consultations are already open not only to public institutions, but also to any organization or private person. Certainly, this also applies to the research and innovation sector. As a consequence, the public consultations will have a significant impact on the directions and strategies related to the R&I policy in the European Union.
The Commission identifies areas of legislation requiring improvement and invites everyone to share their views on how existing UE law affects the citizens and the functioning of various aspects of life, science and the economy. At the same time, the Commission encourages everyone to send recommendations for completely new solutions, presented in the form of strategies, directives or roadmaps. Thanks to this – in line with the suggestions of the EU citizens – the EU law-making is carried out with minimal costs and regulatory burdens. Moreover, jointly developed legal solutions contribute to even grater achievements of the EU goals.
On the special platform of the European Commission Have your say, everyone can share their thoughts about the currently developed or binding regulations. Who is invited to give its feedback? Citizens of the European Union, managing bodies and institutions at all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, academia, consulting centres, representatives of the industry, business and finance sectors.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The portal browser allows you to search through open consultation by subject, key word, type of act and deadline. Sharing opinions takes place by answering a questionnaire or by providing comments on legal drafts. Feedbacks can be submitted in any of the 24 official EU languages (preferably in English) – just sign in using EU Login or your social media account. All comments should be relevant to the topic, constructive, communicated in an understandable and polite way. Details of this process have been clearly presented in a short video.
Received contributions are instantly published on the portal and then analysed and summarised by the Commission officials. Reports become available under some legislative initiatives. This way you can see how the feedback contributes to final shape of a given act.
More information on the objectives of the open consultation process can be found here.
HORIZON EUROPE – RESULTS OF THE COMPLETED CONSULTATIONS
In autumn 2019, on the PolSCA website, we published an invitation to open consultations on the future shape of the new Horizon Europe framework program (2021-2027), including the objectives of research and innovations supported by the EU, which were presented in the act: “Orientations towards the first Strategic Plan for Horizon Europe”. The results of this process, together with some working papers, have been published under the link.
CURRENTLY OPEN CONSULTATIONS
Below please find a few selected, currently open consultations in the areas of environment, food security and climate.
Protecting biodiversity: nature restoration targets under EU biodiversity strategy
Biodiversity, on which we all depend, is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. This initiative is one of the key measures announced in the EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. It will propose legally binding nature restoration targets, subject to an impact assessment. The initiative will contribute to the goal of the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy: to put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery.*
Until when? The consultation deadline is April 5, 2021.
Under the European Green Deal, the Commission has announced a new EU forest strategy that will build on its biodiversity strategy, cover the whole forest cycle and promote the many services forests provide. The strategy will aim to ensure healthy & resilient forests that contribute to biodiversity, climate goals & secure livelihoods, and that support a circular bioeconomy. It will focus on EU forest protection, restoration & sustainable management, and on world forests where not already covered.*
Until when? The consultation deadline is April 19, 2021.
Healthy soils – new EU soil strategy
Healthy soils are essential to meet climate and biodiversity goals under the European Green Deal. Part of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, this initiative will update the current strategy to address soil degradation and preserve land resources (‘land degradation neutrality’).
The goals are to:
- protect soil fertility
- reduce erosion and sealing
- increase organic matter
- identify contaminated sites
- restore degraded soils
- define what constitutes ‘good ecological status’ for soils.*
Until when? The consultation deadline is April 27, 2021.
Pesticides – sustainable use (updated EU rules)
EU rules on the sustainable use of pesticides aim to protect human health and the environment from the possible risks and impacts of pesticides.
The rules encourage reducing pesticides through:
- integrated pest management
- alternatives to chemical pesticides.
This initiative reviews to what extent these objectives have been met and options for further reducing pesticide use to help meet the goals of the Farm to Fork Strategy and the European Green Deal.*
Until when? The consultation deadline is 12 April 2021.
Industrial emissions – EU rules updated
This initiative would update EU rules on industrial emissions to ensure industry keeps improving the EU’s environment. It aims to ensure industry uses techniques that create a more sustainable EU economy, and a cleaner environment that improves public health.
In this way, the initiative supports the zero pollution ambition under the European Green Deal, as well as the EU’s policies on energy, climate and the circular economy (reducing resource consumption and waste generation and promoting the use of recycled materials).*
Until when? The consultation deadline is 23 March 2021.
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Published: 2021-03-04, J. Komperda
Translated: 2021-03-08, J. Komperda
Quotes marked with an asterisk (*) come from the European Commission website.
Graphics: Bay Ward Bulletin, Brad Pict
