Brussels, 04/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - A greener Europe in which economic growth and protection of the environment go hand in hand - that is one of the four priorities of the Danish Presidency of the EU Council (see EUROPE 10523). Speaking within their specific fields of responsibility, the theme was presented to the press by the two Danish ministers - Environment Minister Ida Auken and Climate, Energy and Buildings Minister Martin Lidegaard - at the last Environment Council before Christmas. They both underlined the imperative need for Europe to tackle head on and at the same time not only the financial crisis but also the resources crisis and the climate crisis, turning its back on “business as usual” and moving towards a greener and more sustainable economy.
The main themes to be tackled during the half-year presidency held by Denmark in the field of the environment and climate will be: - efficiency of resources, energy efficiency, the strategy for a low carbon content Europe by 2050, the 7th action programme for the environment (as the sixth expires in July 2012), preparation for the UN conference on sustainable development, RIO +20 (in June 2012), and the continuation of international climate talks.
“If we want to put finances on a sustainable track, we need to develop a new green approach. We need to use green technologies and sustainable innovation to boost the economy. If we can get more out of less we have found the key to the green economy of the future”, said Ida Auken. In her view, one must not focus on the economic crisis and forget that there is another crisis just as serious, the ecological crisis, and that major opportunities for Europe exist for solving that crisis. These include linking economic growth and pollution, creating a truly recycling economy, and finding new ways and means to manufacture products by using fewer raw materials and energy. “Right now, we are in the midst of a threefold crisis - a financial crisis, a resource crisis and a climate crisis. At the same time, commodity prices are heading through the roof. These challenges are deeply intertwined. We believe part of the answer is to ensure investment in energy efficiency and green growth. Every euro spent on energy efficiency will go to ensuring European jobs. Every euro spent on oil imports will go out of Europe”, said Martin Lidegaard.
Pushing forward the green agenda and making a decisive mark on environment policy for the next ten years. On the subject of the roadmap for resource efficiency, Ida Auken considers it important to have the finance ministers and heads of state on their side. The Danish Presidency will seek, moreover, to introduce the green economy into the financial perspectives and seize the opportunity provided by CAP reform to reduce the impact that this policy has on biodiversity. The 7th action programme to be developed should not simply be a “Christmas tree”, Auken said, who said it should mainly cover ways to apply the roadmap for resource efficiency; implement the Nagoya objectives on biodiversity, energy and climate; health (beyond the REACH regulation on chemical products); and implementation of the European environmental legislation (acquis).
A well-prepared presidency to ensure leadership in talks on legislative issues, namely: - (a) GMO: given minority blocking, it would seem that work on the July proposals for a directive aimed at giving member states the possibility of limiting or banning GMOs authorised at European level on their territory will prove difficult. However, the Danish Presidency trusts it will be able to reach a political agreement during its term of office; - (b) revision of the directive on the sulphur content of marine fuels; - (c) recasting of the regulation on prior informed consent; - (d) the draft regulation to be presented by the Commission on the dismantling of vessels; - (e) the regulation concerning the financial instrument LIFE+2014-2020, aimed at reaching a partial agreement at the Environment Council on the thematic chapters of the programme, eligibility criteria, and the selection of projects and administrative rules. Council conclusions are expected on the structure and content of the 7th action programme for the environment; - (f) the protocol to the convention on biodiversity relating to access to genetic resources and advantages linked to their use (the so-called ABS Protocol); - (g) mercury; - and (h) the Rio+20 conference.
Relaunching the debate on the roadmap for climate 2050. On the subject of climate, the Danish Presidency will ensure decisions adopted during the COP 17 in Durban are followed through and will continue the work of clarifying EU positions in international talks. It will relaunch the debate on the form to be given to European climate policy over the long term with a debate on the roadmap for a low-carbon content Europe by 2050. Internal negotiation will be launched on possible buffer dates after 2020 (for example 2030 and 2040), a matter that the Polish Presidency had refused to discuss at the Environment Council in June 2011. (AN/transl.jl)