Brussels, 17/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, can be pleased that he has made green inclusive growth and resource efficiency a European Union standard because it is for this commitment that he will receive the 2013 “Champions of the Earth” prize. This is the highest award made by the United Nations Environment Programme and was announced on Tuesday 17 September.
Commissioner Potocnik will receive the Policy Leadership award for his commitment to promoting a green and inclusive economy and for the role he has played in promoting resource efficiency and reducing food waste in the European Union, explained an UNEP press release.
Potocnik has called on EU member states to adopt policies promoting sustainable consumption and production. Under his leadership, the EU has set itself the target of reducing food waste by half and ending landfills by 2020. The UNEP also praised the Commissioner's substantial contribution to the current joint UNEP and FAO “Think.Eat.Save: reduce Your Foodprint” campaign.
UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner, said: “Despite the challenges posed by the financial crisis and the economic downturn Mr. Potocnik played a key role in maintaining Europe's focus on the future as an advocate for a more sustainable and resource efficient economy”. The commissioner said that he was “very honoured to have received this prize” and added that, “unless we change the way we produce and consume, we will face a crisis in our natural resources”.
The Champions of the Earth prize was created in 2005 and individuals and organisations receive the awards in four different categories: Policy Leadership, Entrepreneurial Vision, Science and Innovation and Inspiration and Action. Izabella Teixeira, the Brazilian Minister of Environment is also a 2013 prize-winner in the “Policy Leadership” category, having worked to reverse deforestation trends in her country.
Last June, the EU Energy Resources Efficiency Platform formulated policy recommendations indicating the trajectory the EU should follow in order to develop efficient use of resources (see EUROPE 10869). (AN/transl.fl)