Brussels, 07/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - This Council was expected to be characterised by a heated discussion on the roadmap for achieving a low carbon economy by 2050. In the end, the Environment Council which will meet on Monday 11 June in Luxembourg will not discuss this issue (still blocked by Poland) but it will discuss climate change. The subject will be tackled twice: via a political debate on the draft harmonised rules aiming to take into account agriculture's contribution to combating this scourge in the Union, and through a brief exchange on short and medium term funding for the fight against global warming to help developing countries take action on this. For the other issues, EU27 ministers will adopt conclusions on the 7th Environmental Action Programme (EAP) and prepare the EU's position for the international meetings - one on biodiversity/bio-security (CdP11, Hyderabad, India, 8-19 October), the other on chemical product management (SAICM ICCM3, Nairobi, 17-21 September). The session will be chaired alternately by Martin Lindegaard, the Danish minister for climate issues, energy and construction, and Ida Auken, his fellow Danish minister for the environment. Connie Hedegaard and Janez Potocnik will represent the Commission.
Climate. The Council will hold an exploratory debate on the draft decision on harmonised accounting rules presented last March (see EUROPE 10572 and 10562) for taking into account greenhouse gas emissions and absorption from forestry and agricultural activities (known as Lulucf in the jargon of the UN Convention on Climate Change). Ministers will be asked to give their opinions on the appropriacy of the gradual approach proposed and implementation of the proposed national action plans for stimulating mitigation potential (namely, the potential for reducing emissions) in the sector.
7th EAP. The Council will adopt conclusions, which, in addition to other key elements in future environmental policy linked to the 2020 strategy, will highlight the enhancement and implementation of existing policy and legislation and the transition towards a green economy. It will also advocate an ambitious outlook up to 2050, based on an inclusive, green and competitive economy.
2050 Roadmap. The Council will take note of what progress has been achieved. The subject was put on the agenda at Germany's request. The situation has not changed since the March session, when Poland opposed any intermediate stage (a 40% emissions reduction by 2030 and 60% by 2040) and blocked the adoption of any conclusions (see EUROPE 10572). (AN/transl.fl)