By Martha Moss - 13th January 2010
Janez Potocnik has promised to focus on implementing environmental legislation should he be approved as the EU's new environment commissioner.
Potocnik, who currently holds the science and research portfolio, faced a three-hour grilling from MEPs assessing his suitability for the environment post on Wednesday.
UK Liberal Chris Davies said that current enforcement procedures "lack drive" and asked the commissioner-designate whether he "has what it takes" to provide real leadership on the environment and "point the finger" at ministers where necessary.
Potocnik said it would be his role to ensure laws were enforced, adding, "If we have adopted legislation then we have to implement it."
Asked by British ECR deputy Julie Girling whether he would consider a moratorium on new legislation until existing laws had been effectively implemented, he said, "I can promise you that implementation will be high on my agenda." However, he said he would not seek to impose a moratorium.
The Slovenian commissioner said the EU should stay in the driving seat when it comes to tackling climate change, but that it was important to remember that "we are not the only ones who understand that the world is changing".
Potocnik used his opening statement to set out his vision as EU environment chief, saying that the 21st century needs to be "the century of sustainability".
He spoke of a "major transformation" from the post-war resource-based economy to today's knowledge-based economy, stressing the potential of environmental policies in creating jobs and stimulating recovery.
"We don't have a silver bullet to take us out of the recession, but we do have a green one," he said, stressing the need for growth and jobs that are compatible with environmental goals.
"We live in a market economyand need to take into account the fact that we want to have asustainable future," he told reporters after the hearing.
"I want to work hand-in-hand so our approach will green our economies and be resource efficient."
Potocnik also dismissed claims from British EFD MEP Paul Nuttall over the legitimacy of scientific research on climate change, saying it would be a "catastrophe" for policy-makers to fail to act on the environment.
"I hope we are politically responsible enough to respond on this issue well in advance," he said.
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