Brussels, 06/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - From research to the environment. Janez Potoènik, the commissioner-designate who is shortly to move from the former portfolio to the latter, intends to use his skills and experience as the current commissioner for science and research in the new duties he is to take on as the environment commissioner within the Barroso II Commission. "We need solid basic knowledge, not only for the credibility of our proposals, but also to guarantee that we have solid evidence in order effectively to integrate our objectives into other policies", said this great supporter of scientific evidence, in his responses to the written questions put to him by the members of the European Parliament, ahead of his hearing by the committee on the environment of the Parliament, to take place in the afternoon of Wednesday 13 January (1pm to 4pm).
Mr Potoènik's experience at the Commission is "the best evidence" of his "commitment in favour of the European general interest", said the 51-year-old Slovenian, who has a doctorate in economics and held the post of minister for European affairs for his country between 2002 and 2004. Although actions in favour of the climate will come under the jurisdiction of the future climate commissioner, Janez Potoènik intends to work closely with her and make the promotion of a Green economy top of his list of priorities. Reversing the loss of biodiversity will be number two on this list. Implementing and improving environmental legislation in the fields of air, water, waste and chemical products will be number three. "The financial crisis has made clear the consequences of non-sustainability in any given area. Coming out of the crisis can only be done by increasing the sustainability of our future, not reducing it", said Mr Potoènik, who plans to reinforce the contribution of environmental policy to the EU 2020 strategy. Hence his plea in favour of the efficiency of resources and a correct balance between regulations, incentives and market mechanisms to stimulate eco-innovation, and sustainable models of consumption and production.
As the objective of halting the decline in biodiversity by 2010 will not be met, Mr Potoènik sees 2010 - the International year of biodiversity - as an opportunity to tackle this challenge with greater "political commitment". He intends to present "options for a new vision of the EU and new objective" as a strategic contribution to the international debate. From these options will emerge the new European strategy which will integrate biodiversity into all relevant policies. It will also be necessary to finalise the creation of the Natura 2000 network, to continue work on protecting marine biodiversity and reviewing the available funding resources for the protection of nature ahead of the forthcoming financial perspectives.
Also on the programme will be the effective implementation of the REACH regulation, re-examination of the proposal to revise the directive on national emission limits to improve the quality of the air further, and the independent evaluation of the sixth action programme on the environment, which must be concluded by the end of 2010. For the revision of the legislation on water, taking account of adapting to climate change, Mr Potoènik plans to present the necessary data in 2012, if confirmed. (A.N./transl.fl)