5TH Regional Conference
Environment for Europe
Climate change and Sustainable Tourism
Opening remarks by
H.E. Ambassador Josep Lloveras
Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Serbia
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am particularly pleased to be here with you at this Regional Conference on ‘Environment for Europe’.
Let me start by recalling that in 2006 the EU adopted a comprehensive and ambitious Sustainable Development Strategy. In this context, environment and in particular climate change (including sustainable use of energy) have truly become some of the top priorities for the EU's domestic and international agendas.
Our experience shows that enlargement has had very positive effects on the environment of the new Member States and of the EU as a whole, in particular with regard to the transboundary environmental issues. Prospective studies demonstrate that similar benefits can beexpectedfrom future accession of candidate countries or potential candidates.
Environment is an important and complex chapter of the EU acquis. Early preparations are, therefore, necessary in the accession process. Let me take this opportunity to welcome the recent adoption of an impressive package of ‘green laws’ in Serbia. Environmental progress in one country of the region is good news for the region as a whole.
Of course, in Serbia as elsewhere, the critical test for the environment policy is the actual implementation and enforcement of the legislation. Hence, the importance of allocating the necessary financial and human resources.
With its assistance, the European Union is supporting the efforts done by the countries of this region to meet the challenges of sustainable development. In the case of Serbia, the EU has been funding a number of projects concerning - inter alia - pollution reduction, energy efficiency, waste management, harmonization of industrial plants with environmental standards, clean-up of contaminated sites.
I’m pleased to see that this Conference puts emphasis on two issues: climate change and sustainable tourism. I’m sure that the many experts participating in this conference will look into the interrelation between these issues.
Let me stress that this interrelation is particularly important for Europe - the world’s region that is most visited by tourists. In the European Union, tourism represents 4% of the GDP. If one takes into account also the links to other sectors, the contribution of tourism to GDP is estimated to be around 11%. We need to take care of this important resource. That’s why the European Union and its Member States have been paying an increasing attention to sustainable tourism. Actually, the development of tourist destinations is closely linked to their natural environment. I believe that a truly sustainable tourism can be an important asset also for this region.
I should also welcome the ongoing campaign organized by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning "Let's Clean Serbia". This is very relevant for tourism.
Of course, any effort to promote the sustainability of specific sectors risks being ineffective if we do not tackle the global issue of climate change.
In this regard, the European Commission is working towards a comprehensive agreement to be reached at the Climate Conference in Copenhagen next December. We are encouraging all countries to take an active part in the international negotiations on the post-2012 climate regime. All countries need to present commitments and actions in order to contribute to global efforts in fighting climate change.
The EU is doing its part and is on track to reach the emission reduction targets set at Kyoto for 2012. The EU emissions have now fallen for the third consecutive year.
Our ambition is to limit average global warming to 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The EU cannot do this alone. The support also from the side of candidate countries and potential candidates is crucial.
Bearing in mind that environmental sustainability is primarily a transboundary issue, the Commission fully supports strengthening of regional cooperation in Western Balkans and Turkey. This will result in a more efficient management of environmental challenges and resources. A milestone in this cooperation will be the approval of the Work Plan of the Regional Environmental Network for Accession (RENA) by Ministers of SEE countries at the end of this month.
Let me conclude by dispelling a misperception. Against the background of the international economic crisis, there are those who believe that we should ‘grow now and go clean later’. I think that we should not fall into the false dilemma of either we tackle the global crisis or we tackle the global warming. Promoting sustainable development is actually the best way to promote economic recovery.
Thank you for your attention.
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