COPENHAGEN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- EU environment ministers have backed Europe's transition to a green economy to help the 27-member bloc exit economic crisis, they said Thursday at the close of an informal meeting in Horsens, western Denmark.
A green economy would strengthen development of green technologies, cut use of natural resources, protect biodiversity and make Europe more competitive, they said.
Earlier, ministers discussed the 7th Environment Action Program (EAP) put forward by the ongoing Danish EU presidency. The 6th EAP is scheduled to expire in July.
Danish Environment Minister Ida Auken said the 7th plan would focus on implementing current legislation. It also aims to make headway on climate adaptation, reduction of harmful chemicals in use, and biodiversity protection, among others.
"The green economy is not just one way, but the only way forward for Europe," Auken told journalists Wednesday, adding that "environmental policy has to be at the heart of economic policy."
The green economy entails Europe using resources more efficiently, recycling up to 100 percent of products used, and making production processes more sustainable so as to conserve and reuse precious raw materials such as rare earths and metals.
The implementation of waste legislation alone would reduce EU countries' expenditures by more than 70 billion euros and create 400,000 jobs, the Danish presidency said.
EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik told journalists Wednesday the new environmental policy would quickly have to be integrated into other policies, such as on agriculture, fisheries and transport, to have maximum effect.
Ministers also discussed EU priorities for the upcoming Rio+20 UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June, and agreed a global green economy could eradicate poverty and protect natural resources needed for economic growth.
"An inclusive green economy will be essential for growth and poverty eradication, offering opportunities for all countries around the world and in all stages of development," Potocnik said in a statement.
No formal decisions were made at the ministerial meeting, which was held as part of the Danish EU presidency.
Advancing the EU green agenda is one of Denmark's core priorities for its presidency, which runs till end June 2012.(1 euro = 1.31 U.S. dollars)
