What do we know about the new environment commissioner? Environment?

On July 18, 2024. Ursula von der Leyen was elected to a second term as president of the European Commission (EC). At the time, she presented the European Parliament with the guidelines of the newly appointed Commission’s composition for 2024-2029, including the terms of reference for the environment.

She then submitted a proposal to the European Parliament for a new Commission on September 17, 2024. During her speech, she indicated that water resilience is a priority in her second term, while introducing the new Environment Commissioner. Swede Jessica Roswall was proposed to oversee the environmental portfolio of the new European Commission, specifically environmental affairs, water scarcity resilience and a competitive circular economy.

The European Commission has been discussing the need for greater water resilience for some time. If the initiative is approved by the European Parliament, the new commissioner will play a key role at the EC. She will be tasked with pushing for the resilience initiative in the context of water to be implemented across the European Union (EU) and for water resources to be considered in a broader context, i.e. as an important element of the environment, ensuring competitiveness and security.

Portfolio of the Commissioner for the Environment. Environment, water scarcity resilience and a competitive circular economy

According to a mission letter prepared by the EC President, the new Commissioner for the Environment. Environment, Water Scarcity Resilience and a Competitive Closed Economy will be tasked with protecting the environment and ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into all areas of governance. For the first time, the tasks of the incumbent will include explicitly water use efficiency, combating water scarcity and pollution, and risk management. The commissioner will lead the work on water resilience, a priority for the EC in the coming years.

It will help develop a more circular and more competitive economy, among other things. By developing a strategy for the Bioeconomy. It will also participate in the preparation of a vision for agriculture and food. She is to help implement the European Green Deal through incentives, investment and effective, simple implementation. In addition, she will represent the EU in the G7 water coalition and at the next UN Water Conference.

Jessica Roswall is also expected to work with the executive vice president for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy to develop a circular economy. Legislation in this area is expected to increase demand for recyclable materials and establish a single market for waste in Europe, particularly for critical raw materials.

The commissioner will report to the executive vice president (EVP) for the Clean, Fair and Competitive Transformation and worked with the Directorate General for the Environment (DG ENVI). Environment (DG ENVI).

About the new environment commissioner. Environment, water scarcity resilience and a competitive circular economy

Jessica Roswall – commissioner for the Environment, Water Scarcity Resilience and a Competitive Closed Economy – is a native of Sweden and is 52 years old. She was a member of the Swedish Parliament in Uppsala County from 2010 to 2022, including three years as second vice president of the Commission for the Environment. EU. From 2022 to 2024, she was a member of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s cabinet as Minister for EU Affairs. European Union and Nordic Cooperation.

The role of the President of the European Commission and the College

The European Commission is headed by a president and a team of 26 commissioners, who are appointed for five years.

• EC President: sets the Commission’s political agenda, decides on the internal organization of the Commission and oversees its work, represents it internationally;
• Commissioners: each member state appoints one commissioner who is responsible for a specific policy area (e.g., trade, environment, finance). Some commissioners serve as vice presidents, leading priority projects or coordinating activities in different policy areas.
• College: the chairman and commissioners form a college, which jointly makes decisions in its area of competence.

Tasks of the European Commission

The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. Its tasks are:

• Proposing new EU legislation;
• Developing policies, managing expenses;
• Representing the EU on the international stage, for example, on trade, economic or climate policy issues, negotiating international agreements for the EU;
• Ensuring compliance by member states with treaties and laws.

For more information, including the political leadership of the European Commission, the new commissioners and their portfolios, visit the European Commission website.