Joanne Sellick, University of Plymouth, discussed strategic issues faced by the European Union (EU) related to environmental law and management. The United Nations (UN) and EU deployed a joint expert team to Philippines at the request of national authorities to analyze the situation of the capsized ferry, Princess of the Stars, containing large quantities of highly toxic chemicals. The Eurpean Commission (EC) also activated the Civil Protection Mechanism to fight forest fires in Rhodes as it affected 1500 hectares. New directives on waste management were adopted by EU to consolidate waste legislation by repealing the existing waste framework directives including strengthens provisions on waste prevention through an obligation on member state and new recycling targets to be achieved by 2020 by all member states. The commission also took nine Member States to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for failing to change the Environmental Liability Directive into domestic law.
