Europe Opens Public Consultation on Cutting Environmental Red Tape for Business

The European Commission said the goal was not to lower net-zero objectives ‘but to attain them more effectively without causing avoidable costs to businesses.’

European Union flags outside the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium, on Oct. 24, 2014. Carl Court/Getty Images

The European Commission on Tuesday opened a call for evidence for views on how to cut environmental red tape, in a bid to support businesses and boost the European Union’s global competitiveness.

EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, who is leading the initiative, said on Wednesday that the bloc’s objective is to gather insights on how to simplify environmental law surrounding industrial emissions, waste management, and the circular economy “without compromising our high environmental standards.”