Environment Council in Luxembourg: These topics are on Friday's agenda
On 23 October, EU environment ministers will meet in Luxembourg under the auspices of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the EU. The meeting will be led by German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze.
Ministers will start their meeting with a public session on the European Climate Law in advance of an expected European Council decision on the 2030 climate target in December. The exchange will focus on reaching a partial general approach of the Council for this regulation. Ministers will also seek to approve conclusions of the Council on urgent action on preserving and restoring Europe’s biodiversity. Diverse ecosystems are more resilient to change, and so greater biodiversity can help prevent ecosystem collapse in a warming global climate. The conclusions will support the EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030, which aims help recover the continent’s biodiversity through actions such as protecting at least 30% of land and sea areas and reducing pesticide use by half.
Ministers will also be hearing from the Polish delegation on proposals for a reform of the EU Emissions Trading System, and from the Dutch delegation on preparations for next year’s Climate Adaptation Summit and World Circular Economy Forum meeting. At the end of the meeting, the European Commission will report on the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and access to environmental justice.
Info
The public sessions of the Council meeting on 23 October at 9.35 and at 15.00 as well as a subsequent press conference at 18.30 will be available via live stream on the website of the Council of the EU. Further information about the Environment Council can be found at the link below: