Welcome from Mr Stavros Dimas, Member of the European Commission
"It is an honour for me to be the Patron of the 4th International PRO EUROPE Congress in Prague: ‘Green Dot 2008: From waste to resource management’.
PRO EUROPE and its members have come a long way. Producer responsibility schemes in now 31 countries have played a key role in helping achieve ambitious recycling goals, including those set out by the EU Packaging Directives. These schemes have succeeded in engaging citizens and companies in the daily sorting and recycling of valuable used materials.
Achieving sustainable consumption and production is one of the EU’s top political priorities and a key challenge for the future if we want to halt environmental degradation and preserve natural resources. In this endeavour, the EU must become a true “recycling society” that avoids waste and uses the remaining waste as a valuable resource.
I therefore welcome the theme for this year’s Congress, ‘From waste to resource management’, which is in line with the EU’s strategic environmental goals. I trust it will provide a valuable platform for a forward-looking debate on issues such as sustainable consumption & production, resource management, eco-innovation, and the modernisation of the EU’s waste policy. The latter is essential to allow a shift in environmental policy from “end of the pipe” solutions towards an integrated approach aimed at preventing environmental impact throughout products’ life cycles and strengthening the economic value of waste.
As we look to the future, it will be the new ideas and dynamism of young people that can really make a difference. After all, it is young people who will inherit the environmental degradation of today. I am therefore particularly pleased that the Congress is taking place alongside the 3rd edition of the Youth Eco-Parliament.
I look forward to a stimulating and forward-looking debate in Prague. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, being in Prague will provide a unique opportunity to reflect on the environmental achievements of an enlarged Europe.”
Welcome from Mr Bernard Hérodin, President of PRO EUROPE
It is a great honour to welcome the 4th International Congress of PRO EUROPE in the capital of Czech Republic, Prague.
The theme for this year's Congress, From waste to resource management, reflects the trend inspiring current environmental policies in Europe. Sustainable resource management is also guiding the way in which we conduct our waste management activities in the Green Dot systems. This makes both environmental and economic sense.
As is recognised across Europe, PRO EUROPE and its 31 members have made the recycling of packaging materials an integral part of the tried-and-tested arsenal of instruments used to protect the environment. Together, we continuously work to exchange our best practices for enhancing packaging waste recycling, bringing changes in consumer behaviour and sharing our expertise with decision-makers.
In France, for instance, Eco-Emballages has recently participated in the "Grenelle de l'Environnement", a far-reaching consultation process which has defined new plans for more efficient environmental policies. Our Prague Congress may provide an opportunity to discuss this forward-looking initiative and motivate other schemes to start such a broad dialogue with relevant stakeholders in their own countries.
With the participation of all actors in the production and consumption chain, we are confident that this Congress will provide a stimulating platform for the exchange of information and the sharing of best practices for a more sustainable future. I am excited at the prospect of hearing new ideas and proposals that will certainly emerge during the debate.
The Youth Eco-parliament will also be part of the Congress with young delegates presenting how changes in our daily habits can contribute to the protection of the environment.
Looking forward to seeing you in Prague!
