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Commissioner Vella opens Green Week 2019 with focus on implementing environmental laws

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This year's edition of EU Green Week (13-17 May 2019) is opened today in Warsaw by Commissioner Karmenu Vella (pictured). It puts the spotlight on how environmental laws are applied on the ground. EU environmental laws have a huge impact on people's lives.

They improve water and air quality, protect nature and prevent waste. But to make a real difference, they must be implemented in full. In April 2019, the European Commission published a set of reports on the state of implementation of environmental laws in Europe: the Environmental Implementation Review (EIR), which is also a tool to help member states and local authorities to put into effect the EU legislation.

The review summarizes the achievements and challenges, and 28 country reports show where progress has been good, and where there is room for improvement. The reports include specific priority actions for each country, most of which are in areas like air and water quality, waste management and nature protection.

EU Green Week 2019 will be built around the findings of the Environmental Implementation Review, and its suggestions for the future. Implementing EU environmental policy and law is not only essential for a healthy environment, but also opens up new opportunities for sustainable economic growth, innovation and jobs. Full implementation of EU environmental legislation could save the EU economy around €55 billion every year in health costs and direct costs to the environment.

This edition of EU Green Week includes events across Europe, with the official opening event today, 13 May in Warsaw (Poland) and a high-level summit in Brussels from 15 to 17 May. The closing of Green Week will be hosted by Commissioner Vella place at Brussels Conference and will showcase the political conclusions from the Week. A Commission press point is scheduled on Wednesday 15 May at 18h.

Further information is available here on the programme, registration, livestream and Newsroom (also with related actions and activities).

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