Environment Council in Brussels: These topics are on the agenda
On 17 December, EU environment ministers will meet in Brussels under the auspices of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. The meeting will be led by German Minister of the Environment, Svenja Schulze.
In the morning, the ministers will endeavour to agree upon a full general approach on European climate law. This regulation includes EU targets for a 55% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, which were approved by the European Council on 11 December.
Following this, the EU environment ministers will strive to adopt the revised nationally determined contribution of EU member states (the EU-NDC) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This contribution will be based on the new emissions reduction targets for 2030 and, according to the Paris Agreement, should be submitted to the UNFCCC by the end of the year.
In the afternoon, the ministers will discuss a general approach to the proposal to amend the Aarhus Regulation. This amendment, submitted by the European Commission on 14 October 2020, is meant to improve access to justice when it comes to environmental issues in the European Union.
The EU ministers also intend to adopt Council conclusions on the following matters:
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-The green and circular nature of the COVID-19 recovery package, as part of the action plan for a circular economy
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-Digitalisation for the benefit of the environment
An exchange of views on the European Commission’s chemicals strategy for sustainability, towards a toxic-free environment - presented on 14 October - is also on the agenda.
The European Commission will also inform the EU environment ministers about new regulations on batteries and used batteries, as well as the ratification of multilateral environmental agreements.
Additionally, delegations from three different member states will inform the Council about the European conference on climate change and water, the Commission’s annual meeting for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources as well as strategies to end deforestation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Portuguese delegation will present its planned work programme on the environment during its upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU, beginning 1 January, 2021. A joint press release from Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and Portuguese Environment Minister João Pedro Matos Fernandes can be found here.
Info
Further information on the Environment Council in Brussels can be found on the website of the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The arrival of the ministers will be livestreamed on the same website from 9.00. The public sessions of the meeting - between 9.15 and 13.00, and 14.30 and 18.00 - will also be livestreamed there. From 18.00, the press conference following the meeting will be livestreamed on the same website.
On this topic
Environment Council in Luxembourg: Important milestone for a European climate lawInternal link
A sustainable Europe: Ambitious climate and environmental policyInternal link