Bolstering the elemental concern of the Juncker Commission - to protect citizens - Main contents

The watchword of this Juncker Commission is “protecting citizens.” The most obvious proof of this is our concern with protecting their quality of life.

It seems incredible, but two decades into the twenty-first century, Europe’s citizens are increasingly haunted by a basic fear. A fear that affects us all, young and old, healthy and infirm. The fear that the single most basic human action - the act of breathing - may not always be safe.

Air pollution is coming down. On many days, our skies look clear. But these appearances can be deceptive, and the improvements fall far short of what we need. Air pollution remains an invisible killer, and both the World Health Organisation and the European Environment Agency have proof that the lives of more than 400 000 Europeans are ended prematurely every year, simply from breathing polluted air.

Respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis and asthma can be linked.

And it is not just human health that suffers. Our economies and societies suffer as well.

The Commission has repeatedly signalled the urgency of this issue. The realities can’t possibly come as a surprise. They are something that citizens reckon with on a daily basis.

And as the experts will remember, most of Europe’s air quality legislation was negotiated in the previous century, with generous timescales for compliance.

In response to President Juncker’s concerns, I have repeatedly raised these issues throughout my mandate. In March 2016, I reached out once more to the Member States, and almost two years later, I am forced to conclude that the response was lacklustre at best.

So I have called Ministers to Brussels for an extraordinary meeting, because “make or break” is already here. We have a clearly defined legal process, and our credibility to protect Europeans depends on that process.

It is my responsibility on behalf of Europe’s citizens to use all the resources I have in hand.

I do not see this as a conflictual process. Europe’s Environment Ministers are my allies, and I know that they share my frustration when messages fail to filter through to the relevant levels of governance. I am looking forward to working more closely with them to tip the balance, against the backdrop of strong incentives for legal compliance.

When it comes to improving Europe’s drinking water, this Commission’s commitment to protecting citizens is no less firm. That much will be clear on Thursday, when we make public our future plans for this second vital element. Vice-President Timmermans and I will unveil the details then, but I can safely say in advance - no compromise on quality, and no compromise on the standard of service that our citizens deserve.

Protecting citizens convincingly in their everyday lives means a focus on basic things. A focus on the building blocks of life. And where could that matter more, than with the air we breathe, and the water we drink?