The year after the 1972 Stockholm Conference, the European Union created the Environmental Action Program.  It and other acts of international collaboration are aimed at working together to solve Europe's environmental problems.

The Environmental Action Program is intended to encourage European countries to work together to stop air pollution, hazardous waste, and many other environmental problems.

To accomplish its goals, the EU sometimes uses the economic incentive programs utilized by more developed nations.  In addition, over 200 other environmental regulations, instruments, and directives are in use throughout Europe.

In 1991, 36 environmental ministers met for the pan-European Conference of Environmental Ministers at Dobríš Castle.  The group decided that Europe should develop an environmental policy program covering the entire continent.

Environmental ministers from 50 nations attended the Lucerne Conference and approved the Environmental Action Program for Central and Eastern Europe.  The project aims to strengthen domestic environmental agencies, set environmental priorities, and find cost-effective ways of dealing with environmental problems.

The Sofia Conference reaffirmed the goals of the Environment Program for Europe and said that governments must always take environmental concerns into account in policymaking.

The EPE hopes to increase public awareness of environmental problems, improve energy efficiency, promote ecological diversity, and advance sustainability in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and natural resources.