Back

Press release
25 January 2005
Immediate release

Commission five-year plan: G9 put forward green "to do" list

Brussels, 25 January 2005 -- On the eve of President Jose Manuel Barroso presenting the European Commission's work programme for the coming five years, the Green 9 group of environmental organisations issued a "to do" list with 10 key ideas for improving sustainability and quality of life.

The Green 9 are especially concerned that the "new Lisbon strategy" should not abandon environmental concerns.

"Sectors such as renewable energies, clean transport, sustainable agriculture and green chemistry can provide the jobs Europe needs to become a dynamic and innovative knowledge-based economy for the future," said John Hontelez of the EEB. "The Barroso blueprint will need to put environmental protection at its heart if this goal is to be realised."

The Green 9 "to do" list includes:

• Legally binding greenhouse gas reduction targets to keep global temperature rise to a maximum 2°C and maintain EU global leadership on climate change.
• Clear targets to boost renewable energies and end subsidies for fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• A systematic substitution of hazardous chemicals with innovative, safer alternatives wherever possible to halt chemical contamination of our everyday living environment.
• A liability regime for damage caused by genetically modified organisms to protect agricultural diversity and defend consumer choice.
• Full implementation of existing legislation for nature protection, including proper financing, to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010.
• A commitment to sustainable development in all policy areas to ensure that Africa and the rest of the developing world are able to safeguard their environment.
• Proper implementation of environmental legislation - currently the least respected area of EU policy - to help restore the credibility of the EU lawmaking process and protect natural resources.

"The Barroso Commission should aim to make Europe the most energy and resource-efficient economy by 2010. We need a smart combination of environmental and economic targets," said Jorgo Riss of Greenpeace.

"Last week Commissioner Günter Verheugen said that what was ecologically wrong could not be economically right," said Tony Long of WWF. "This thinking should be reflected in the Commission workplan and its approach to the Lisbon process."

Download a copy of the To Do list here

For further information

Katharine Mill, Media Officer, Greenpeace European Unit, tel +32-2-274 1903 / +32-496-156229, email Katharine.Mill@diala.greenpeace.org

Claudia Delpero, Media Officer, WWF European Policy Office, tel +32-2-740 0925, email cdelpero@wwfepo.org