MEPs of the European Parliament committee on the environment and the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU are along the same lines when it comes to promoting an EU transition towards the circular economy and eco-innovation to the benefit of air quality. Although, in Brussels on Thursday 25 January, they hailed these two priorities of the presidency’s term of office, they nonetheless said they were sceptical about the Bulgarian presidency’s commitment when it comes to climate.
Neno Dimov, Minister of the Environment and Water, was there to present the priorities and working programme of the Bulgarian presidency in the field of the environment. It would not be exaggerated to say that this minister, well-known for being a “climate sceptic”, did not convince MEPs on the climate front despite his assurances that he would be acting as the president of the Council of the EU and not as a national minister.
The circular economy, eco-innovation and better legislation are the priorities of the Bulgarian presidency. Climate is not, although it does appear in its work programme (see EUROPE 11933).
“Europe and its citizens need more security, more stability, more solidarity: more security by protecting the health of the planet and human health; more stability by creating a climate that is favourable to business development and promoting transition towards the circular economy and innovation. Solidarity must be based on cohesion and convergence of companies taking specific geographical, social, historic and cultural characteristics into account. We shall focus on economic development with a view to protecting the environment at the same time. We absolutely wish to maintain this balance”, the Bulgarian minister told MEPs.
Circular economy. Neno Dimov welcomed the “mini-package” on the circular economy recently presented by the Commission. He said the strategy on plastics would receive all necessary attention as the Bulgarian presidency hoped to “focus on recycling and on the problem of reducing plastic waste incineration”. It is hoped Council conclusions will be reached in June to serve “the Commission’s guidelines for new measures to be swiftly adopted”.
On the matter of eco-innovation to the service of air quality, Dimov invited the chairperson of the parliamentary committee, Adina-Ioana Valean of Romania, to take part in the European eco-innovation forum in Sofia from 5 and 6 February and at the informal Environment Council in April which will also tackle the issue.
Climate. “There is consensus in Europe on climate change. I shall do everything to preserve it. We shall prepare for the COP24 by facilitating dialogue for implementation of the Paris agreement. We shall raise the problem of adaptation and the best mobilisation of resources”, the Council president said. Such a statement was not liked by all, either due to scepticism or regret that ambition is lacking.
Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (ALDE, Netherlands) said: “You speak of consensus but you have sometimes questioned the human origin of climate change and the reality of the rise in sea level. What is your position?” Gilles Pargneaux of France (S&D) reproached him for having publicly stated that “climate change is a myth of left-wing forces to control industrial capital” and asked whether the Bulgarian presidency planned to organise a ministerial conference on climate-finance. Voicing criticism, others recalled that the Bulgarian authorities had joined forces with Poland to challenge, in justice, the adoption of new European performance standards for major industrial installations.
The chairman of the Environment Council sought to be reassuring. He replied: “I have said that there was European consensus that will allow us to move forward. Science is not in the conviction, but in research so that political decisions may be taken. The presidency wants to preserve that consensus”.
MEPs also deplored the fact that the EU’s 2020 strategy for biodiversity is lacking from the presidency’s priorities. The Council president noted, in return, that “Bulgaria is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in Europe and can serve as a model”. Nonetheless, retorted Kandenbach (S&D, Austria), Bulgarian citizens are concerned about vast areas of the Natura 2000 network being threatened by the installation of ski slopes. The Bulgarian minister denied this assertion saying that there was “no infringement to EU legislation, according to Commissioner Vella”.
In response to questions, the minister also said that the Bulgarian presidency “awaits the Commission’s proposal” on review of the “drinking water” directive, that Bulgaria has some of the best quality drinking water in the whole EU, and that the Day of the Sea will be held in Burgas on 31 January. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)