Developing an environmental strategy for UK film - BFI

CHAPTER TWO: DRIVERS FOR CHANGE
Governments, industry, organisations and individuals worldwide have responded to current
environmental crisis and concerns through increased environmental awareness, guidance,
campaigns, legislation, polices and taxation – all to drive forward positive change.
The European Union
The EU is the major driving force behind the UK’s environmental legislation. Since the 1970s,
the EU has put into place a network of measures to protect the environment. These measures
have led to improvements in the quality of air and water, for example. However, much more
remains to be done as pressures on the environment increase; therefore, the EU puts the
environment at the heart of all decision-making from transport to energy, industry to farming.
The EU’s Environment Action Programme 21 is a long-term strategic action programme which
places environmental policy at the centre of the business agenda, emphasising the importance of
enforcing existing environmental laws and taking environmental implications into account when
setting all other EU policies. The EU Sixth Environment Action Programme focuses on four
areas where more action is needed and strong action is proposed:-
• Tackling climate change;
• Protecting nature and wildlife;
• Addressing environment and health issues; and,
• Preserving natural resources and managing waste.
All of which are of relevance to this report. The EU Sixth Environment Action Programme sets
out objectives for the next 10 years and beyond: “…finding ways of improving our quality of life
without causing harm to the environment, future generations or the people of both the rich and
developing world”
The role of business is highlighted “We particularly need to encourage business to go further, on
a voluntary basis and through legislation. Increased attention to environmental measures will
improve efficiency and productivity.”
The EU will:-
• Put the environment at the heart of policy-making;
• Name, shame and fame the success and failure of different national governments –
ultimately forcing Governments to act and implement EU environmental legislation;
• Encourage businesses to achieve ‘Green growth’ through incentives, reward those
companies that improve environmental performance and penalise those that do not;
• Hold those who cause damage to the environment responsible for their actions;
• Start environmental performance reward schemes for companies; and,
• Investigate taxes and other incentives to boost the purchase of greener products.
Whatever comes from the EU will eventually find its way to the heart of UK Government polices
and legislation, and ultimately to all UK businesses.
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