'High noon' for EU's environment policies[fr][de] 

Since the relaunch of the Lisbon reform agenda with its focus on jobs and growth and the Barroso Commission's drive for less red tape, environment policies have been under pressure. The review of the sustainable development strategy has been stalled and the Commission's plans to include the aviation sector into its climate strategies (in particular into its emissions trading scheme) have already been postponed until September or October 2005.

The main arguments used by Commission heavyweights such as President Barroso, Enterprise Commissioner Verheugen and Internal Market Commissioner McCreevy are related to the costs of new environmental legislation and its impact on the competitiveness of European industry. The air pollution strategy alone could lead to a bill of 12 billion euro, according to the strategy's impact assessment.

A paper written by DG Environment (and seen by EurActiv) argues that the costs of non-action would have serious cost implications in the future because of deteriorating health of European citizens in the future. It underlines that the costs will be spread over a long-term period (until 2020 for the air pollution strategy). The paper also points to studies showing that the costs of implementing environment regulations are constantly overestimated, whereas long-term benefits for society are difficult to monetise.

Another issue raised by the opponents to new environment legislation is simplification and better regulation. Commissioners opposing the thematic strategies' legislative proposals point to the implementation deficit of lots of European environment laws - the argument effectively being 'why have strong laws if member states refuse to implement them?'

These arguments are also countered by Commissioner Dimas and his DG. Most of the thematic strategies consolidate existing legislation and bring more legislative certainty. Where new legislation is envisaged, proportionality and subsidiarity have been respected and market-based instruments have been used as much as possible.

Business lobby UNICE sent a letter to Commission President Barroso on 7 June 2005, pointing out that it is "very concerned that current and overly ambitious proposals to further improve air quality would be either unattainable or require disproportionate investments at member state level, by a range of sectors including agriculture, industry, transport and others".

Ten environmental NGOs (WWF, the EEB and others) also addressed Mr Barroso in a joint letter from 1 July, expressing their disappointment about the postponement of the two strategies and urging the Commission not to lower its commitments. 

A recent Eurobarometer on the attitudes of citizens towards the environment made clear that Europeans are very concerned about the environment and want the EU to take leadership.