THE COUNCIL,

Having regard to Article 5(b) of the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of 14th December 1960;

Having regard to the Recommendation of the Council of 26th May 1972 on Guiding Principles Concerning International Economic Aspects of Environmental Policies [Doc. No. C(72)128];

Recognising the importance of an adequately secure supply of energy for economic and social welfare of Member countries;

Recognising that the consumption of energy is likely to increase in the next decade;

Recognising that development, the extraction of all forms of primary energy resources, the production, transportation, storage, conversion and use of energy have potential impacts on the environment and, that given a sufficient allocation of resources, the control of adverse environmental effects could be generally assured in a harmonious manner;

Recognising the importance of maintaining the impetus of environmental policies under changing conditions of energy supply;

Recognising that the efforts of the Member governments in view of the limitation on the availability of energy resources, to improve energy conservation and avoid waste in use of energy and promote more efficient use of energy resources, will generally have beneficial effects for the environment;

On the proposal of the environment committee;

I. RECOMMENDS that Member Governments:

1. ensure that environmental and energy policies are integrated and thus develop an approach to the usage of energy which will provide adequate environmental protection;

2. examine systematically, exchange information and develop appropriate public information services on the potential environmental impacts of energy generation and use as well as the interrelationship between environmental and energy policies;

3. develop effective operating practices from the environment protection standpoint, taking into account, amongst others, cost implications for all operations involved in energy generation and use;

4. encourage, on the basis of amongst others, environmental quality objectives, the development of strategies for rational use of energy and avoidance of waste commensurate with continued improvement in economic and social welfare.

II. INVITES the Environment Committee in close co-operation with other Committees responsible for energy policies, and taking account of all relevant work in the OECD and other international organisations:

(i) to undertake specific studies* on priority environmental issues in relation to:

(a) all stages in energy production from various sources;

(b) different uses of energy;

(c) policies and technical means for reducing energy demand, improvement in energy conservation and greater efficiency in the use of energy;

(ii) to collect data in relation to the subjects chosen for study in (i) above on the following:

(a) the probable environmental impacts;

(b) the various environmental protective measures that exist or can reasonably be expected to become available;

(iii) whenever possible to exchange information about, and experience in examining, the potential environmental impacts of energy supply, including new energy sources, and conservation or demand reduction programmes;

(iv) to work towards agreement between Member countries on guidelines for environmental protection within and beyond national frontiers in relation to production, transportation, processing and use of energy in appropriate areas.

III. INSTRUCTS the Environment Committee to report to the Council on action taken by Member Governments pursuant to this Recommendation.

In adopting this Recommendation, the Council:

1. AGREED that, in accordance with the Press Communiqué adopted by the Environment Ministers, it has been made public;

2. NOTED the statement by the Delegate for Germany.