EP Intergroup Newsletter September 2014: Editorial
Dear readers,
After the summer break, activities in the European Parliament are now being resumed and the months taking us up to the end of the year look dense.
The first Parliamentary Committee meetings will be taking place during the first week of September. The list of names and portfolios of the new Commissioners-designate is expected to be finalised and public by the end of that same week on the 5th of September, after which the hearings of the proposed candidates will start on the week 22-25 September. The results of these hearings will determine if the foreseen schedule for the official entry into office of the new Commission will be respected or not.
In parallel to this important process, much awaited decisions are expected to be taken at the Conference of Presidents regarding the rules for the official (re-)establishment of Intergroups in the Parliament. The “Climate Change, Biodiversity & Sustainable Development” Intergroup will be hosting a cocktail reception in Brussels at the end of September to present its new Bureau of MEPs, new structure and priorities for the next five years, following up on a first event organised in Strasbourg in July.
The CCBSD Intergroup is hoping to get as much support as possible to continue its mission of ensuring that human and ecosystems’ wellbeing are kept at the centre of an intrinsic relation between nature protection and economic prosperity by building on political, scientific and practical expertise to guide the development of coherent sustainable policies, while also guaranteeing dialogue and cooperation between all stakeholders.
To kick-start the work in this new mandate, a high-level conference organised in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the European Commission will take place on the 30th of September in the Parliament entitled “Nature-based Solutions: Innovation Potential for Smart, Sustainable & Inclusive Growth in Europe.” The objective of this conference will be to bring policy-makers and stakeholders from the scientific, business and NGO communities to discuss ways in which nature can provide solutions and enhance Europe’s socio-economic and environmental development. It will also serve to inform and raise awareness on the numerous environmental, economic and social benefits that can be realised by restoring the natural functions of ecosystems and implementing nature-based solutions.
Do not hesitate to regularly have a look at our website for up-to-date information on upcoming events!
Enjoy the reading!
The Intergroup Secretariat’s team