Toespraak van staatssecretaris Dijksma (IenM) bij de de ENVI-commissie van het Europees Parlement

Toespraak | 14-01-2016

It's a pleasure to have this chance to address your committee today and exchange ideas with you later on. I look forward to working with the European Parliament during our Presidency. Cooperation is essential and the key to a successful Presidency.

Before I continue, I should tell you how we've divided up responsibility for the topics we’ll be discussing today. I will be covering environment, climate and nature conservation issues. And my colleague, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport Edith Schippers, will be leading the discussion on public health and food safety and related topics like GMOs and veterinary medicines.

 In my view, this committee is one of the most important in the EP. The environment, public health and food safety are topics that have a profound impact on the health, safety and future of Europe’s citizens. Your work is essential!

I’m pleased to see that so many of my countrymen share my view; after the 2014 elections, this committee proved to be the most popular among the Dutch MEPs.

We know that Europe faces enormous challenges, like migration and international terrorism. This is the time for Europe to show that it is focusing more on the values that bind us and less on our differences. The European idea has no future without Europe’s citizens. Or as Winston Churchill once said: 'Europe is a spiritual conception. But if men cease to hold that conception in their minds, cease to feel its worth in their hearts, it will die.'

We need to stay committed to a Union that connects, activates and protects its citizens. A Union that focuses on essentials. And a Union that lives in the hearts of its people.

Today I’d like to focus on four topics: climate, the circular economy, better regulation and sustainable mobility.

Afterwards, I’ll go into specific topics that will play a role during our Presidency. We will be negotiating with the EP on a number of them.

The Netherlands held the Presidency 11 years ago for the last time. In my view, sustainability didn’t receive the serious attention it deserved at the time. But a lot has changed since then. Society and Europe’s citizens are launching sustainable initiatives, companies are taking action and calling on politicians to follow suit. Green initiatives are shooting up all over. More than ever before, we realise that sustainable living and enterprise are vital to our future on this planet. Finally, some of you might think.

The idea that economics and ecology are opposites is out of date. I call that 'old-school economics'. A strong European economy is a green economy. I'm convinced of that. And many countries, cities, companies and individuals feel the same way. I want to work actively with you to build a healthy, safe and sustainable European future.

Tackling climate change

I’m optimistic. Let me tell you why.

There is a growing awareness of just how urgently we need to take action. The historic climate agreement concluded in Paris is the most recent example of this. The Paris Agreement is an important starting point for the Netherlands Presidency. 12 December 2015 was a turning point in green history. And many of you were there. It was a great achievement. For the first time in history, a legally binding climate agreement was reached that included contributions by all nations.

Although some of the EU's objectives were not met, I believe the agreement is both balanced and ambitious. So it won't surprise you that I'm truly proud of the result. The EU’s concerted intervention certainly contributed to the outcome. And so did France’s excellent presidency of COP21.

But the biggest challenge starts now. Now we need to work out the details of the agreements and work energetically to implement them. Paris wasn't the end of the process. It was a new beginning. In December, the European Council invited the Commission to work with the Council to produce an evaluation of the outcomes of COP21 ahead of the March European Council. I want the Environment Council meeting in March to discuss our follow up. The outcome of that discussion will provide input for the European Council meeting.

I also want to put ETS reform on the agenda of the June Environment Council. Preferably in conjunction with non-ETS proposals – which I hope will come out  during our Presidency.

The second topic I want to address is the circular economy.

The European Commission’s Circular Economy Package is a major item on our agenda. I thank the Commission for its presentation of the package in December.
I’m impressed by its broad scope and comprehensive approach. In a circular economy, extra value is created by using materials intelligently. This means using raw materials and energy sources responsibly. There’s no such thing as waste! The circular economy also provides new markets, new jobs and new economic growth. As chair, I intend to take energetic steps to put the Commission’s ambitions and proposals into practice.

As you know, the Package consists of two parts. The first part – the Action Plan for a circular economy – will be discussed in both the Environment Council and other Council formations.. We will formulate a Council response during our Presidency on the basis of those discussions. We will try to give the second part – revision of the waste legislation – a head start so that it can be concluded as quickly as possible with the Parliament. (eventueel: I congratulate Ms Bonafé on her appointment as rapporteur for this reform).

My third topic is 'better regulation'.

European legislation is extremely important for transnational issues like the environment. Legislation should protect the environment as efficiently and effectively as possible. To achieve that, it must be modern, consistent and easy to implement effectively. I’m convinced that the Council and the Parliament share this objective.

The Netherlands and many other member states support the 'Make It Work' initiative. The goal is to make implementation of environmental legislation more efficient and effective. We have no intention of interfering with the objectives we have set ourselves. On the contrary. The aim is to improve implementation so that those objectives are achieved.

As holder of the Presidency, the Netherlands intends to organise a debate on this initiative in the June Environment Council. The theme of the debate will be ‘delivering better results for the environment’. With the other member states, I want to explore possible improvements, in the interests of the environment and in order to minimise unnecessary bureaucracy.

And finally I'd like to say a few words about the informal ministerial environmental and transport meeting to be held in Amsterdam on 14 and 15 April. Its central theme will be 'smart and green solutions for mobility'. The liveability of our cities is under pressure. We need smart, innovative solutions to meet important goals, like cleaner air. The environment ministers will focus specifically on innovations in vehicles and fuel sources that are needed to reduce CO2 and other emissions.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Of course, the Netherlands also intends to facilitate progress on the issues that are already on the table. For example, we hope to complete the negotiations with the EP on the Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) Directive. We will also be focusing on negotiating the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NEC).

This directive is an essential instrument for improving air quality. Thanks to the hard work of the Luxembourg Presidency, the member states reached  a General Approach at the Environment Council in December. I would like to start negotiations with the EP on this basis as soon as possible. My aim is to achieve an ambitious and feasible agreement with the Parliament during the Netherlands Presidency.

Another important dossier in the area of air quality is the Euro 5/6 regulation. The recent emissions scandal shows that there is room for improvement in EU legislation. Both in terms of establishing standards and enforcing compliance. As Presidency, we are ready to work with you to take up this challenge and push for progress.

I’m looking forward to the results of the Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats Directives in the next six months. The objectives of the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy can be achieved only if we get moving on the implementation of these directives and the other action points called for in the strategy. Incorporating conservation objectives in other policy areas will strengthen our efforts.

It will also create new smart connections between ecology and the economy, and increase social involvement. The Netherlands doesn't expect any decisions to be made on the Fitness Check during our Presidency. Our main goal is to initiate a Europe-wide discussion on how to optimise the implementation of EU nature conservation legislation. Without questioning the EU’s conservation goals. The Netherlands intends to organise a conference on this issue.

The Netherlands welcomes the Commission’s intention to present an EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking in March 2016. Illegal trade and poaching of wild animals is a serious problem. The approach taken should target both supply and demand. I know that you share our concern. Better implementation involving all stakeholders, a sharper focus on education and awareness, support for ecotourism, stronger law enforcement, good governance and more are needed for effective and coordinated action. The Netherlands will be hosting an international conference in The Hague as a follow-up to this Commission initiative. We will also discuss it in the Environment Council.

The Netherlands will be putting a great deal of energy into other international conferences on nature conservation as well: the International Whaling Commission, the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Johannesburg, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP 13) in Cancún.

I want to work with you to make progress on issues that impact the environment. Together we can achieve a healthy, liveable and safe Europe! Productive cooperation with the European Parliament and your committee is key. I hope that in our role as broker the typical Dutch no nonsense and practical approach will prove helpful.

Thank you.