By Brian Johnson - 22nd June 2004
Europe needs to stop looking at the environment as a financial problem and start seeing it as part of the economic solution, Margot Wallström has said.
In a 25-page report looking back over her five years as EU environment chief, Wallström reviews progress on sometimes controversial plans such as chemicals policy and climate change.
Reviewing her tenure, the Swedish commissioner admits that, “these last five years have been eventful and exciting, and full of challenges”.
Questioning whether the EU’s priorities were the right ones, she believes, with hindsight, waste management should have been added
“I do believe now that the issue of waste should have been added… given the importance that waste has gained during this mandate and the amount of work we have all devoted to this issue” she reflects.
She is proud of the more than 140 proposals for EU legislation drafted during her time, proud of the ‘transparency’ in her commission department - DG Environment - and has drawn “strength and inspiration” from the people she has worked with.
Wallström also praises MEPs reflecting that, “the European Parliament has also been a good ally – it has often stood up for the environment in times when the Member States were hesitant or negative””
The commissioner holds back on any severe criticism of member states and their general resistance to environmental issues, but suggests that the biggest challenge yet will be to explain and implement the three pillars of sustainable development.
“The battle for sustainable development is far from over” she warns, adding carefully, “the willingness to take environmental action is determined by political trends. In times of financial recession, the resources available for investment in our environment are sometimes squeezes. But we have to stop looking at environmental issues as financial problems; instead we should see them as part of the solution.”
“This remains the biggest task for the future.”
But Wallström fired a parting shot aimed at countries such as Germany who repeatedly tried to scupper her chemicals - REACH - proposals last year.
“It is also of the utmost importance that the EU treaties should provide a legal framework for environmental action, and that the commission – as the ‘guardian of the treaties’ – is able to continue to perform its tasks in an effective and efficient manner.”
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