Speaking in Dublin today, EU Environment Commissioner, Janez POTOCNIK said Ireland’s 40 shades of green need one more to be added – the green economy. With jobs in the green sector in the EU growing at 3% even during the crisis, and with the global market for eco-industries estimated at a trillion euros, and expected to double over the next 10 years, green growth is vital for recovery.
The Commissioner also spoke of the challenges for Ireland in municipal waste disposal where landfill still plays a major role and the potential benefits in meeting EU targets:” Implementing all our (EU) waste legislation would… for Ireland would mean several thousand jobs and €600 million extra turnover.” On the agriculture sector, the Commissioner praised Ireland’s progress in reforming the regime on nitrates. He went on to say that he intends to propose that water and pesticide rules also be brought under the remit of cross-compliance in the future.
Later today, Commissioner Potocnik speaks to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the environment. The Commissioner is in Dublin to prepare the Irish EU presidency with key ministers and officials in his policy area
