About: Janez Poto?nik

Old Commissioners, new revolving doors

Only three months after the Barroso II Commission left office, some prominent members have already made moves in their professional careers which are putting to test the EU executive’s policy on revolving doors, writes Vicky Cann.

If Bulc is nominated, the next Dan Brown novel should be about the Brussels bubble

Some Europeans are deeply respectful of European institutions and serious about the jobs of the persons that lead it. It is a valuable project that brought peace, prosperity and democracy to the continent. It deserves full support. On the other hand, the Slovenian centre-left was cheering to the song that refrains “Europe is a gang of thieves” [see related EURACTIV article].

EU Commission drags its feet on food waste

High-level decision makers at the European Commission are blocking its very own action plan to address food waste and to promote a sustainable food policy for Europe. Saying sorry will surely not be enough, writes MEP Bart Staes.

DG Emissions Trading on its deathbed?

The future of the directorate-general for climate hangs on the line. What will the next European Commission do on emissions trading? They'll surely need to think outside the box, argues Jason Anderson.

Resource efficiency work must start now, not in 10 years

This spring the European Commission will publish a package on resource efficiency and the circular economy. This must include strong indicators on the EU’s use of resources and set a clear path to reduce the overconsumption of water, land, raw materials and carbon, writes Magda Stoczkiewicz.

Circular economy calls on the EU to think globally, act locally

Poto?nik’s main legacy as European environment commissioner was to put resource efficiency and the circular economy on the EU agenda. But the EU is a big ship and turning it around is slow: whoever is next at the helm would be wise to anchor the circular economy in local action and proximity, writes Jori Ringman-Beck.

Ecolabels are part of the drive for a more resource-efficient Europe

The message that the EU is facing a resource crisis must finally be getting through, if the extensive media coverage of the Commission's adoption of Ecolabel criteria for toilets and urinals is to be believed. Sadly not, as many media simply saw a stick with which they could try to bash the EU with erroneous headlines about regulating toilet flushing or standardising toilets, writes Janez Poto?nik.

Resource-efficiency: Europe can set a global example

The European Commission's roadmap for a resource-efficient Europe proposes a decent way forward to transform the Union into a sustainable economy, writes Bas de Leeuw from the World Resources Forum.