Brussels, 19/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Green products, clean air in urban areas and international climate talks are the three subjects that the EU27 environment ministers will be invited to tackle at their informal meeting of the Environment Council, in Dublin on 22 and 23 April.
Although no decision is to be expected, Phil Hogan, the Irish minister for the environment, community and local government, trusts progress will be made on the European green economy and the efficient use of resources, encouraging reflection on measures to be taken to protect human health and the environment against the impact of atmospheric pollution, and promoting progress on climate policy that is currently in a state of crisis. Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, and Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, will represent the Commission at this ministerial meeting which will be followed by an informal meeting of European energy ministers. A joint working lunch on the Green Paper for climate and energy policies by 2030 will be the bridge between the two informal Councils.
On Monday 22 April, ministers will hold an exchange of views with Simon Upton, OECD Environment Director, on the prospects of setting up a true single market for green products. The communication presented by the Commission on this subject, on 7 April, accompanied by a recommendation on the methods for measuring environmental performance of products and organisations, to be used on a voluntary basis by member states, enterprise, private organisations and the financial community (see EUROPE 10823), will fuel reflection. Discussion comes within the broader context of debates on the proposed 7th action programme for the environment (7th APE), currently tabled by the Council and Parliament and a priority of the Irish Presidency of the EU Council. It will also be fuelled by a presentation by Achim Steiner, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), on the green economy.
Discussion on air quality and the urban environment will place emphasis on smart towns and European green capitals.
On Tuesday 23 April, ministers will exchange views on the consultative communication on international climate talks, presented by the Commission on 26 March to launch a public debate on the concept of the new, legally binding, global agreement that is due to be finalised by end 2015 in order to take effect as of 2020 (see EUROPE 10815). The future of the European Trading System (ETS) after the sharp rejection of its short-term reform by the European Parliament will certainly be tackled (see EUROPE 10828). Hogan has now announced that the Council will continue with discussions, with all due respect to those who would like to see the temporary freeze on quotas done away with, if not the EU's political climate itself.
The future climate change adjustment strategy for which the Commission has paved the way, and the Green Paper on greater use of insurances for better financial provision in the event of major disasters, whether man-made or natural, will also be covered by the discussions (see EUROPE 10829).
The highlight of this informal session is the lunch with energy ministers which will allow a first concerted debate to be held on the future integrated framework for climate and energy policies by 2030, presented on 27 March by the European Commission in order to steer debates on the framework for future action on an integrated energy/climate policy. The consultation will be open to all parties interested until 2 July (see EUROPE 10816). (AN/transl.jl)