However, as Commissioner Dimas himself mentioned, the EU has fallen a long way behind its schedule for reaching the environmental protection targets it originally set, especially on atmospheric pollution, with all the associated problems: the greenhouse effect, health impairment and acid rain.
Ent Volinik Dimas on ise maininud, et EL on jäänud keskkonnakaitsealaste eesmärkide saavutamisel, mille ta algselt püstitas, oma ajakavast kaugele maha, eriti õhusaaste osas, millega kaasnevad kõik asjaomased probleemid: kasvuhooneefekt, tervise rikkumine ja happevihm.