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What is the Green 10?
The Green 10 consists of the ten leading environmental non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) active at EU level:
What do we do?
We work with the EU law-making institutions -
the European Commission, the European Parliament
and the Council of Ministers - to ensure that
the environment is placed at the heart of policymaking.
This includes working with our member
organisations in the Member States to facilitate their
input into the EU decision-making process.
While campaigning at EU level, Green 10 NGOs:
- encourage the full implementation of EU environmental laws and policies in the
Member States
- lobby for new environmental proposals, as appropriate
- work with the EU institutions to ensure that policies under consideration are as
environmentally effective as possible
- promote EU environmental leadership in the global political arena.
In terms of public awareness raising, Green 10 NGOs:
- inform their members and the wider public of environmental developments at EU
level, and encourage them to make their voice heard
- give a voice to thousands of locally-based associations, which would otherwise
have no access to EU decision-makers
- contribute to the strengthening of civil society across Europe, through training in
advocacy skills, policy analysis and the EU decision-making process.
How do we work?
The Green 10 tries to observe as democratic a process of decision-making as possible,
taking into account the views of member organisations, their staff, boards and members.
We reflect the views of millions of European citizens and thousands of local associations
at EU level.
The strength of the Green 10 NGOs is in our networks. European environmental NGOs
regularly send information to their members and supporters. This is vital to ensure
these groups are fully informed of developments at EU level, so that they can contribute
effectively to the EU decision-making process.
How are the Green 10 NGOs funded?
Membership contributions are an important part of the finances of Green 10 organisations.
We also receive core funding from the European Commission, except for
Greenpeace. Furthermore, some member organisations of the Green 10 receive funding
on a case-by-case basis for specific projects from governments and foundations. Some organisations also receive specific donations from industry. Greenpeace does not request or accept financial support from governments, the EU or industry. All Green 10
organisations are externally audited every year.
Joint Green 10 activities – some examples
As well as working individually with EU institutions on key policy areas, we also
coordinate joint responses and recommendations to EU decision-makers on issues of
interest to all NGOs.
The Constitutional Treaty: NGOs successfully lobbied the European Convention
to retain existing Treaty commitments to sustainable development, environmental
protection and the integration of environmental concerns into each EU policy area.
We also supported an increase in the power of the European Parliament in several
areas of work.
The EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy: The Green 10 works to ensure
the attainment of the objectives of the Sustainable Development Strategy agreed
by the Gothenburg European Council in 2001. We closely monitor progress on the
individual commitments, and have prepared joint input to the EU institutions for
the review of the Strategy.
European elections: NGOs produced a joint ‘manifesto’ outlining key recommendations
for action by MEPs in the European Parliament 2004-2009. We worked
with member organisations to promote these recommendations with MEP candidates
and political parties at national level.
Greening the EU Budget: The EU’s annual budget procedure presents an opportunity
for Green 10 NGOs to lobby for a shift in funds away from environmentally
damaging measures to those budget lines that deliver public goods and environmental
benefits. Green 10 NGOs have been active in seeking to reform the Structural
Funds, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy.
Joint publications and position papers:
Joint press releases:
03 March 2006
Environmental organisations propose programme for ambitious and achievable EU Sustainable Development Strategy
13 July 2005
Environmental policies delay, a serious setback in EU global leadership
01 July 2005
Green 10 statement on delay of EU air quality and marine thematic strategies
08 June 2005
Green 9 environmental groups broadly welcome European Parliament’s position on EU spending plans
25 May 2005
Environmental NGOs: Declaration on sustainable development must lead to smart economic development
22 March 2005
Environmental NGOs: Make Europe the most resource and energy efficient economy in the world
09 February 2005
Sustainable Development not just for longer term!
02 February 2005
Citizens and Environment Must be 'Top Priority' in New EU Budget Say Leading Environmental NGOs
25 January 2005
Commission five-year plan: G9 put forward green "to do" list
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