Barroso outlines priorities for commissioners designate

The specific responsibilities and priorities of the new climate commissioner have been outlined by Commission President José Manuel Barroso. Climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard will focus on efforts to achieve the EU's CO2 target, and will coordinate the EU ETSⁱ with other national cap-and-trade schemes. The new climate commissioner will also be involved in promoting low-carbon technologies. The EU's new environment commissioner, Janez Potočnik (formerly Commissioner for science and technology) is tasked with presenting action plans for eco-innovation, environmental technologies and sustainable consumption and production. Mr Potočnik will also focus on biodiversity loss. (see Commission Communication on Biodiversity article). The new energy commissioner Günter Oettinger will focus on a long-term strategy to decarbonise energy supplies, and build upon the EU’s energy efficiency action plan. Mission letters from President Barroso to the Commissioners designate can be found here:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_designate_2009-2014/mission_letters/index_en.htm