Dimas given green light to present environmental strategies 

The EU's ambitions for economic reforms (the Lisbon agenda) and its self-proclaimed international "pole position" on sustainable development and environmental protection clashed in an orientation debate held by the Commission on 20 July (see also EurActiv 20 July 2005).

Several commissioners criticised the costs of seven future thematic strategies and expressed fears that new legislative action in areas such as air and marine pollution might undermine Europe's economic competitiveness in the world.

Other commissioners supported Mr Dimas and his DG's line of argument that the costs of non-action would be higher in the long run. The costs for the air pollution strategy for example could be as high as 12 billion euros in the worst case scenario (although spread over the years until 2020), but taking action now could lead to health benefits of 48 billion euros, according to DG Environment figures.

Commission spokesperson Françoise Le Bail said no commissioners opposed the thematic strategies as such and confirmed that the environment commissioner was given the green light to introduce the air pollution and marine strategies after the summer. Other strategies will also be presented before the end of 2005.