12/09/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 11 September, the WWF welcomed the structure of the future European Commission as potentially beneficial for biodiversity. The NGO welcomes the fact that Frans Timmermans, if confirmed, has the responsibility to integrate biodiversity priorities into all relevant policies and that as the holder of the climate portfolio, he will “be in a strong position to ensure that climate action and environmental protection is mainstreamed throughout all other relevant sectors, such as agriculture, energy and transport”. The WWF welcomes Virginijus Sinkevicius' mission letter stressing the importance of halting biodiversity loss in Europe and around the world. The only drawback is the intention to limit the scope of legislation, including ‘environmental’ legislation, which “risks having a chilling effect on initiatives needed to achieve the European Green Deal”. (AN)