As the UK takes over the presidency of the European Union, BBC Environment Correspondent, Robert Pigott, examines the implications for the environment.

The Government's targets, although couched in cautious language, are ambitious. Ministers want to establish the methods by which the eight per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions agreed at Kyoto will be met.

Robert Piggott examines the implications for the environment during the UK presidency of the EU (2'36")

They aim to reduce the amount of rubbish buried on land, cut emissions from road traffic, enhance air quality and curb acid rain, change fishing nets so they don't catch dolphins and improve the management of zoos.

There could be measures on solvents, biotechnology and water.

Among the risks attached to such a programme are that some initiatives may prove costly enough to make them unpopular.

Environment Minister Michael Meacher

However, the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher, says Europeans have a new set of priorities.

"We are riding a wave of interest in Europe in which people are looking to a quality of life, a better environment as an essential part of prosperity, and people realise that having high income and jobs and welfare is insufficient unless they have a good environment," he said.

Even given the will to meet environmental targets, the political process in Europe is slow. That will make it harder to make demonstrable progress, and could mean some of the Government's targets turning into hostages of fortune.

The Socialist Environment and Resources Association, a left-of- centre group which researches green issues, concedes that in a democratic organisation there are limits to the ability of the presidency to force measures through.

But its chairman, Hugh Raven, says controlling what is discussed will help.

"It is unlikely we can carry any initiative through to conclusion but we can put things on the agenda and make sure that they are pushed to the point of no return by the end of six months," he said.

The Socialist Environment and Resources Association and other environment groups have yet to be convinced that the Government's performance on the environment matches its aspirations in opposition.

However, ministers apparently believe that they can tackle big issues - like cutting carbon dioxide emissions - sufficiently well to enhance their environmental credentials.

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