Date of release : 25-02-2005

Policy area : Environment Environment

On 25 February 2005, Lucien Lux, Minister for the Environment, delivered a speech during the conference-debate on "The Spring 2005 Summit and the Environment in Europe". This conference-debate was organised together with the Natura network and the European Environmental Bureau in Luxembourg.

The speech by Lucien Lux focused on the priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency regarding the environment. He emphasised that the key message of the Luxembourg presidency is that the environment is neither a luxury nor a by-product of rapid economic growth. Instead, "environmental protection must be an integral part of the new economic dynamic we wish to see."

The Minister spoke out in favour of maintaining a European social model that unites environmental protection, respect for social issues and growth. In this context, he stated that the environment "is actually a tremendous driver of innovation ... industry must be pushed to innovate." In summary, he called for the EU to become "the uncontested leader" in the area of environmentally efficient technologies.

Regarding global warming, according to Lucien Lux, the Presidency has two objectives: "to make future objectives [on the reduction of emissions] absolutely clear and unequivocal, and increase the number of participating countries, especially of course, the United States. In March, Europe must set itself clear objectives before beginning negotiations on post-2012 (post-Kyoto)."

According to the Minister for the Environment, the Luxembourg Presidency "would like to see the Environment Council send the Spring European Council a strong message as regards the review of the Lisbon Strategy and climate change."

In conclusion, Lucien Lux drew attention to the "costs incurred through inaction, which are considered staggeringly high." He also made a strong appeal to the European Union to defend its position of pre-eminence in the area of eco-technologies.