Water UK

The European Commission publishes its strategy for 2009

22/02/08

Although 2009 will be the year of important institutional changes – a new European Parliament, a new European Commission, the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty – the European Commission is continuing to pursue priorities centred around five key issues: growth and jobs, climate change and a sustainable Europe, making a reality of the common immigration policy, putting the citizen first, and Europe as a world partner.

The main priority is and will remain promoting sustainable economic and social reform in Europe under the Lisbon Strategy to make Europe more competitive and innovative.

Improving the regulatory environment for the industry is also essential. The EC will be putting further efforts in implementing its Better Regulation Agenda notably by reviewing its approach to impact assessments.

Water UK welcomes this initiative. To provide high quality services to their customers water companies need a regulatory environment that encourages sustainable operations.

It is also good news that climate change and energy are again at the top of the policy agenda. Being in the front line facing climate change and a major investor in renewable energy, the water industry will pay particular attention to the follow-up on the White Paper on Adaptation and Climate Change, the implementation of new legislation on the promotion of renewables, and the second energy review with an Energy Action Plan 2010-2014.

Also causing interest will be the roadmap and progress report on the Sustainable Development Strategy, the Action Plan on the use of market-based instruments to achieve environmental goals, and the further implementation of REACH.

The scope and number of initiatives that make up the EC Strategy is set to provide the industry with challenges and opportunities beyond PR09 and keep us on our toes for a while yet.

Contact: Gaetane Suzenet