"Our environment is one of the toughest challenges. Not least because the scope of the problems we have to deal with; things like nature and biodiversity, water, waste, forests, air quality and noise, to name only a few. These are global issues, which affect us all."

– Janez Potočnik
EU Environment Commissioner

"Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of this century...As the EU's first Climate Action Commissioner, I see myself as having a two-fold mission. First, to implement the Climate and Energy package...Second, I will continue my efforts towards reaching an ambitious international climate agreement. The EU has played a tremendously important role in paving the way for changes in the way we view climate change. I am determined to continue to raise awareness and to deliver solutions. I want to pursue the negotiations with the aim of reaching the 30% emissions reduction target as soon as possible. How Europe chooses to tackle the climate challenge over the next years will largely define our strategic role in the world." 

- Connie Hedegaard
EU Climate Action Commissioner

EU-US Approaches to Environment

The European Union is at the forefront of international efforts to deal with global environmental concerns, convinced that major challenges such as Climate Change have to be tackled through the multilateral process. Climate Change is one of the greatest environmental and economic threats facing the planet and the EU's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol was once again reaffirmed on May 31, 2002 when the EU and its Member States ratified the Protocol. The US decided to withdraw from Kyoto in March 2001.

One positive outcome of the EU-US Summit in June 2001 was the recognition of the need to promote effective ways to address Climate Change. An agreement was thus reached to establish a mechanism for dialogue. The first meeting of the EU-US High-Level Representatives on Climate Change convened on April 23, 2002.

Joint EU and US leadership has successfully faced many challenges in the past. Climate Change is one pressing issue that requires joint commitment and leadership. The US has been requested to join the EU and other players in shaping a future international agreement for the post-Kyoto period after 2012. 

European Union Delegation, Washington, DC, Staff

USEFUL Links:

European Commission Websites

• EU Environment Directorate General
• EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik
• EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard
• EU Environment, Consumers & Health Portal
• Climate Action
• EU External Relations Directorate General's Green Diplomacy

More Information

• EU-US: Partners in a Growing Green Economy (Video)
• EU Climate Action Video
• EU Climate Change Video
• Climate Change Quiz & FAQ
• Environment 2010
• EU Environment Activities
• EU Environment Legislative Summaries
• EU Environment Legislation
• European Environment Agency (EEA)
  • EU/US Econinformatics Cooperation
    • EU/US Agreement Text
• Environmental Technology Action Plan (ETAP)
• Climate Change Hot Topic
• EU Facts: EU Action on Climate Change 
• EU Insight: Climate Change: The Home Stretch to Copenhagen 
• EU Focus: Climate Change and Energy: 20 20 20 by 2020
• EU Focus: The EU & the Environment: Safeguarding the Future
• EU Insight: The European Union: Countering Climate Change
• Energy & Climate Change Press Pack
• Trade & Environment
• Publications
• Statistics

Key Issues

• Air
  • Transport & Environment
• Biotechnology
• Chemicals
  • REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals)
• Civil Protection & Environmental Accidents
• Climate Change
  • Emissions Trading
  • Kyoto Protocol
  • Ozone Layer Protection
  • Ambassador John Bruton's Letter on EU Climate Change Policy to the US Senate Committee on Environmental & Public Works (2/22/07)
• Environmental Economics
• Environment & Enlargement
• Health
  • Action Plan
• Industry
• International Issues
  • UN
• Nature & Biodiversity
• Noise
• Ozone Layer Protection
• Soil
• Sustainable Development
• Waste
• Water