The Decision No 1386/2013/EU adopts a general Union action programme in the field of the environment for the period up to 31 December 2020. This programme is called "the 7th Environment Action programme" (7th EAP).
The objectives of the programme are the following ones:
• to protect, conserve and enhance the Union’s natural capital;
• to turn the Union into a resource-efficient, green and competitive low-carbon economy;
• to safeguard the Union’s citizens from environment-related pressures and risks to health and well-being;
• to maximise the benefits of Union environment legislation by improving implementation;
• to improve the knowledge and evidence base for Union environment policy;
• to secure investment for environment and climate policy and address environmental externalities;
• to improve environmental integration and policy coherence;
• to enhance the sustainability of the Union’s cities;
• to increase the Union’s effectiveness in addressing inter­national environmental and climate-related challenges.
Art. 33 of the 7th Environment Action Programme sets the target of reducing GHG emissions by 80 % to 95 % by mid-century, compared to 1990 levels, at a Union level. To achieve this target, "Member States need to develop and put in place long-term, cost-effective low-carbon development strategies".