Brussels, 27/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - The future priorities of Stavros Dimas, currently the Commissioner for Social Affairs, who will take over the portfolio of the Environment in the Barroso Commission, are fully in line with the work of the outgoing Commission. The written responses made by the Commissioner designate to the Parliament's committee on the environment, which will hear him on Wednesday morning, bear witness to this continuity.
Including the environment in the other sectorial policies of the EU is, in his eyes, one of the major stakes of the European environment policy over the five years to come, for two reasons, “because the protection of the environment cannot be taken separately from other operational fields”, but also because it can help towards the Lisbon objectives. The Commissioner is convinced that “growth and competitiveness can go hand in hand with environmental protection”. These priorities are the fight against climate change, the protection of biodiversity, environmental factors which harm human health, especially in urban areas where the problems are at their worst, and the adoption of more sustainable production and consumption modes. He feels that the financial resources allocated to the EU's environment policy in the field of the environment should be sufficient “if they are well targeted”, but resources in terms of personnel should be reviewed in light of these priorities.
When asked about the measures he intends to take to obtain tangible results, Stavros Dimas replied: -step up the implementation of existing legislation by acting with determination to obtain its application, but also by establishing a new partnership with the Member States; -defining adequate policies for the enlarged Union so that all 25 countries and their populations are able to profit from the environmental policy; -renewing the bonds between environmental protection and competitiveness, by reinforcing the economic and scientific basis of the EU's policies, by promoting the use of environmental technologies and an ecological approach to public procurement and Community funds; -developing international EU action in key fields such as climate change, biodiversity and water; -raising public awareness about the EU's environment policy, and reinforcing its belief in this policy, but making clear and concise information available to the public, and by making sure that interested parties take part in the process of drawing up the environment policy. Here are the other subjects which were raised:
Initiatives to reinforce the notion of environmental liability: Stavros Dimas believes that the Commission should work together with the insurance sector, to encourage the market to offer adequate policies for business, which will facilitate the transposition into national law of the directive on environmental liability, as is planned for 2007. Impact analyses of the legislative proposals: “the guiding principle behind the impact analysis is not to reduce decisions to a simple 'yes or no' alternative on the basis of short-term costs, but to give the decision-makers the means to discern the consequences of the various options”, said Mr Dimas. He feels that the Commission “should be perfectly transparent” in this exercise, and carry out analyses from as soon as the policies are drawn up, not simply to justify political choices which have already been made, after the fact.
Balance between the three pillars in the Lisbon strategy: Stavros Dimas is convinced that improving the environment could stimulate economic growth and competitiveness, especially in terms of efficient use of resources, waste reduction and energy efficiency. He hopes to promote the eco-industry sector, by promoting ecological investments and by using the markets. “As a member of the group on the Lisbon strategy, I will make sure that the environmental dimension is properly integrated” into this strategy, he said.
The EU's role on the international stage, especially on climate change issues: Stavros Dimas feels that collaboration with the international community is absolutely imperative, “because the degradation of the environment is a threat to security in many regions of the world, and it is therefore becoming a foreign policy issue”. He stressed the need to “preserve and reinforce dialogue with the United States to seek solutions together to problems with the environment, including on climate change”, but also with Russia and China.
New chemical substances policy (REACH): The Commissioner designate stresses that “the adoption and implementation of a realistic and modern regulatory framework will be very important for sustainable development”. He added: “If the new system needs to be put in place as soon as possible, especially to guarantee legal security for European industry, it is even more important for us to have the right system from the outset”. His wish is that the planned date of 2006 for the implementation of REACH is respected.