As almost all other Commissioners-designate, the Commissioner-designate for Environment kept his opening address in very general terms. With his quote at the beginning of his statement “Europe will become a green continent or it will no longer continue to exist”, he pointed to the urgency of taking measures  in the environmental sector. Collective and individual responsibility would be necessary, global action a must. This would no longer concern future generations, but our own existence, stated Potočnik. The danger of climate change, however, would also create new opportunities for jobs and economic growth. Many environmental issues were extremely complex and would overlap with many other sectors. Therefore a harmonious and holistic approach had to be pursued. Environmental policy had to be revalued and  environmental protection had to be improved. The protection of biodiversity as the basis of our life should also be given priority.

Concerning the question of MEP Richard Seeber (Austrian People's Party ÖVP), what Potočnik’s intentions were  with regard to the Water Framework Directive, the Commissioner designate replied that no major changes of the Directive were planned, but the implementation of the existing legislative text. With regard to resource management said Potočnik  it would be best to be so efficient that no waste would remain and that all materials would be recycled. MEP Karin Kadenbach (Social Democratic Party of Austria SPÖ) focussed on the introduction of energy-saving lamps, where although the objective would be welcome, their implementation had to be criticised. Commissioner Potočnik emphasised that it was important to provide the public with sufficient information. Some things were irreversible, it was therefore important to ensure the appropriate implementation of a plan.

The MEPs were positive about Potočnik’s plans to take measures with regard to the biodiversity. The MEPs Carl Schlyter of the Greens and Åsa Westlund of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, however, criticised among others that the existing EC Regulation on chemicals and their safe use (REACH) did not include all toxicities and that nanomaterials had not been considered at all. Potočnik assured that toxicities would be treated as such and promised to discuss the matter with his counterpart Tajani. REACH was not sufficient with regard to nanotechnology; one had to act carefully and ensure safety. He did, however, not make any suggestions concerning concrete measures. One MEP pointed out that the Waste Framework Directive would provide many examples, which showed that the current law is not adhered to. The Commissioner agreed with this observation and replied that there were 500 complaints about this every year. The implementation of existing legislation would be a priority for him; however, he could not imagine a moratorium on new rules as suggested by some MEPs. In his conclusion, Potočnik also demanded that environmental costs should be borne by the economic operators.

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