water pollution

[Save the date - Tues. 19 March] Water is a Human Right - European citizens initiative’s event

On the occasion of World Water Day, Water is a Human Right campaign organises a workshop on the Right to Water in Europe, on 19 March from 6PM till 8PM. The evenT will take place at the European Parliament (Brussels) - room A3H1. Water is a public good, not a commodity. Water is a Human Right campaign invites the European Commission to propose legislation implementing the human right to water and sanitation as recognised by the United Nations, and promoting the provision of water and (...)

One million signatures for Water as a Human Right!

On February 10, the European Citizens Initiative (ECI) ‘Water is a Human Right’ campaign made history by becoming the first ECI to have collected over 1 million signatures. Ever since the campaign was started last September by the European Federation of Public Service Unions, EPHA and its member organisations have been one of the leading organisation promoting this campaign across Europe. “Reaching this important milestone, with one Million EU citizens agreeing that water (...)

European Mayors support our Citizens Initiative on Water and Sanitation as a Human Right. What about you?

On the Human Rights Day, mayors from 10 major European cities have appealed to their citizens to support the European Citizens’ Initiative on Water and Sanitation that EPHA and partners support and promote, together with the European Federation of Public Services Unions (EPSU). On the 10 December 2012, mayors from Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Genoa, Ghent, Leicester, Nantes, Naples, Paris, Moita and Vienna have joined forces with civil society and trade union campaigners to call (...)

Water and sanitation are a human right!

There is a new short video to promote the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) for the right to water and sanitation- an initiative that sees the promotion of water supply and sanitation as essential public services for all. In the framework of the ECI, the aim of this campaign is to collect one million signatures from all over Europe. Video- Water is a Human Right Take a look, sign if you haven’t done so already, and forward the clip to all people you know and ask them to (...)

7th Environmental Action Programme: EPHA and HEAL meet the Environmental Attaché of the Irish Presidency

At the end of November, the Commission will publish its proposal for the next (7th) Environmental Action Programme (EAP). It will be on the agenda of the Irish Presidency of the EU. EPHA and the Health & Environmental Alliance (HEAL) met with the Irish environmental attaché on 8 November 2012. Relevance of the Environment Action Programmes for the public health community Environment in a larger sense has a huge influence on public health since it is not merely a matter of water, air (...)

Campaign Aiming at Collecting 1 Million Signatures for water and sanitation - Next steps

On October 24, and within the framework of the European Federation of Public Service Unions-led "Water is a human right!" campaign, EPHA participated in this initiative’s coordinators meeting. What is a European Citizens’ initiative (ECI)? The European citizens’ initiative is a new legal tool which allows one million EU citizens to participate directly and in a legally binding manner in the development of special (for example, public health) EU policies. What does it (...)

European Parliament draft report on the EU Commission Proposal amending Directives regarding water policy

Chemical and Water pollution are among the main health and environmental worries expressed by EU citizens. The EU Commission proposal to amend the existing EU water legislation as regards priority substances is on the table of the Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI Committee). EPHA’s focus is on the draft European Parliament report. About the EU’s Water Policy The Water Framework Directive (WFD), adopted in 2000, takes an integrated (...)

Water is a Human Right campaign - Sign online!

The European citizens’ initiative ‘Water is a Human Right!’ is now collecting signatures online. The campaign is a pan-European initiative calling for the European Union (EU) to guarantee clean drinking water and quality sanitation for everyone living in Europe - a window of opportunity to support a cause worth advocating for… and it only takes your signature. “Water is not a commodity but a public good that must be safeguarded, not opened up to (...)

Report shows huge differences in municipal waste management across EU Member States

In its new report the European Commission highlights the continuing differences in municipal waste management across the EU Member States (MSs). Many MSs still landfill their municipal waste to great environmental and public health concerns. The Commission is to use the results of this study to develop a Roadmap helping the worst MS improve their management performance. According to the study, the worst performing Member States with the greatest waste management failings are Bulgaria, (...)

World Water Day: Join the campaign to defend our right to water and sanitation

EPHA has joined the campaign to defend our right to water and sanitation as a public good and a Human Right. Led by the European Federation of Public Service Unions, a coalition of unions and civil society will launch the first European Citizen’s Initiative hoping to receive one million signatures in support of the right to water on the 2nd April 2012. "Water is a public good, not a commodity!" The European Citizen’s Initiative (ECI) on Water and Sanitation as a Human Right (...)