The EUROSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing (EUROSAI WGEA) was formally established by a resolution of the 4th EUROSAI Congress held in Paris, in 1999. Previously this Group had functioned as the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI's) Regional European Working Group on Environmental Auditing (established in 1998 during the 16th INTOSAI Congress in Montevideo as a result of the "regionalisation" of the INTOSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing).
EUROSAI WGEA has adopted the vision of INTOSAI WGEA. EUROSAI WGEA and its members share a commitment to use the power of public sector audits to leave a positive legacy for future generations by improving the management of natural resources and the environment, and the health and prosperity of the people of Europe.
EUROSAI WGEA’s vision is to improve the management of natural resources and the environment in each country represented in the working group, and to make Europe a leading region in the area of good natural resources and environmental management in the public sector. Through its activities, EUROSAI WGEA aims to promote a spirit of cooperation based on integrity, open communication and professional excellence.
In order to achieve its vision, EUROSAI WGEA will encourage European SAIs to work towards the following five strategic goals in the present Work Plan period (2008-2011):
1. Facilitate concurrent or coordinated environmental audits by SAIs in Europe
2. Encourage the SAIs in Europe to initiate and implement audits within the area of climate change
3. Develop methodology in the area of environmental auditing, and build the capacity of SAIs in terms of new methodology for environmental auditing
4. Identify and develop governance practices and organisational structures to ensure the ongoing and effective functioning of EUROSAI WGEA
5. Establish coordinated and effective processes in the area of environmental auditing between EUROSAI's working groups, INTOSAI's working groups