Zusammen mit über 40 Europaabgeordneten haben wir am 17. September die Forderung an den neuen Präsidenten der Europäischen Kommission, Jean Claude Juncker, geschickt, den Stellenwert der Nachhaltigkeit und des Green Growth im Portfolio der Europäischen Kommission zu stärken. Denn wir meinen, Wachstum darf nicht zulasten von Umwelt und Gesundheit gehen.
Hier finden Sie/Ihr unser Schreiben.
President-elect of the European Commission
Jean-Claude Juncker
European Commission
200, rue de la Loi
B-1049 Brussels
Brussels, 17 September 2014
Dear Mr President,
Dear Jean-Claude Juncker,
We welcome your approach to make a fresh start for jobs and growth in Europe. In this context, sound growth is impossible without integrating sustainability.
The recent Eurobarometer from September 8th 2014 leaves no doubt about citizens’ expectations on protecting the environment, with 95% stating it is in their personal interest and that more action would be needed.
Recent years have shown the scientific evidence and consensus about climate change and its impact on environment, economies and societies. The new UN report “Better Growth, better Climate” concludes that action on climate change and investment in sustainable development can actually improve growth. Therefore we consider that sustainable development ought to be the cornerstone and guiding principle behind future EU policy. Investing in sustainable technology can drive innovation, create jobs, improve company profits and push the EU to become a market leader while safeguarding the environment.
It is therefore regrettable that the concepts of “sustainable growth” or “green growth” are not reflected in most of the mission letters of the Vice Presidents or Commissioners. We would thus urge you to:
- Re-assess the mission letters under the prerequisite of sustainability and good management of natural resources and biodiversity, incorporating the economic value of resilient society and healthy, well-functioning ecosystems in all relevant portfolios
- Make sustainability much more prominent in the portfolios of the Vice President and assigning one Vice President for sustainable development
- Include the 7th Environmental Action Programme and the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which are crucial for the environmental portfolio
EU citizens cannot afford growth at the expense of the environment and health. They expect the EU to take the lead in transforming its economy to make it truly sustainable.
Yours sincerely,
Marco Affronte, Martina Anderson, Margrete Auken, Guillaume Balas, Catherine Bearder, Lynn Boylan, Reinhard Bütikofer, Matt Carthy, Bodil Ceballos, Nessa Childers, Sab Dance, Karima Delli, Bas Eickhout, Peter Eriksson, Jose Inacio Faria, Frederick Federley, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Theresa Griffin, Matthias Groote, Jytte Guteland, Rebecca Harms, Martin Häusling, Martina Heubuch, Yannik Jadot, Benedek Jávor, Eva Joly, Karin Kadenbach, Jude Kiton-Darling, Jeppe Kofod, Merja Kyllönen, Jo Leinen, Isabella Lövin, Susanne Melior, Liadh Ní Riada, Piernicola Pedicini, Sirpa Pietikainen, Michèle Rivasi, Bronis Ropé, Molly Scott Cato, Jordi Sebastià, Bart Staes, Claudiu Ciprian Tanasescu, Keith Taylor, Claude Turmes, Kathleen Van Brempt, Martina Werner
