28.12.2013 Official Journal of the European Union L 354/171 DECISIONS DECISION No 1386/2013/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 November 2013 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020 ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet’ (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 192(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3), Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (%), Whereas: (1) The Union has set itself the objective of becoming a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy by 2020 with a set of policies and actions aimed at making it a low- carbon and resource-efficient economy (*). (2)  Successive environment action programmes have provided the framework for Union action in the field of the environment since 1973. () OJ C 161, 6.6.2013, p. 77. (3 OJ C 218, 30.7.2013, p. 53. (’) Position of the European Parliament of 24 October 2013 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 15 November 2013. (¥ COM(2010) 2020 and European Council conclusions of 17 June 2010 (EUCO 13/10). (3)  The Sixth  Community  Environment  Action Programme (°) (‘6th EAP) ended in July 2012, but many measures and actions launched under that programme continue to be implemented. (4 The final assessment of the 6th EAP concluded that the programme delivered benefits for the environment and provided an overarching strategic direction for environment policy. Despite those achievements, unsus- tainable trends still persist in the four priority areas identified in the 6th EAP: climate change; nature and biodiversity; environment and health and quality of life; and natural resources and wastes. (5)  The final assessment of the 6th EAP highlighted some shortcomings. The achievement of the objectives set out in the Seventh Environment Action Programme (7th EAP) therefore requires the full commitment of the Member States and the relevant Union institutions and the willingness to take responsibility for the delivery of the programme’s intended benefits. (6)  According to the report of the European Environment Agency entitled ‘The European environment — state and outlook 2010’ (‘SOER 2010’ a number of major envi- ronmental challenges still remain, and serious reper- cussions will ensue if nothing is done to address them. (7)  Global systemic trends and challenges, related to popu- lation dynamics, urbanisation, disease and pandemics, accelerating technological change and unsustainable economic growth add to the complexity of tackling envi- ronmental challenges and achieving long-term sustainable development. Ensuring the Union’s long-term prosperity requires taking further action to address those challenges. (*) Decision No 1600/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 July 2002 laying down the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme (O] L 242, 10.9.2002, p. 1).