EU leadership in climate action, ambitious work for global biodiversity after 2020 and progress in the European circular economy are the three priorities of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU in the field of environment and climate.
The Finnish Minister for the Environment and Climate, Krista Mikkonen, told MEPs on Tuesday 23 July at the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Health and Food Safety, chaired by Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, France) (see EUROPE 12286/8).
During the exchange of views, MEPs asked for clarification, especially on the EU's climate objectives. Only the members of the ID Group have questioned the reality of climate change.
"The window of opportunity to curb the damage to the planet and humanity from climate change and biodiversity loss has never been so narrow. We must act and act now. We face a systemic challenge. This must be the starting point for policy in the coming years", said the Finnish Minister.
She indicated that the three priorities were discussed by European Environment Ministers at their informal meeting in Helsinki to outline the EU's messages for the UN Summit on Climate Action on 23 September in New York and possible future priorities for an action plan for the circular economy 2.0 to be developed by the new Commission (see EUROPE 12294/3)
"For the EU, global leadership means committing to climate neutrality by 2050. We want to move forward with an agreement on the main elements of the long-term strategy before the end of the year, as requested by the European Council", said Ms Mikkonen.
To this end, the debate will continue in the Council configurations. It will also be necessary to prepare COP 25 (Chile in December) with conclusions of the Environment Council in October.
Peter Liese (EPP, Germany) asked to support Ursula von der Leyen's projects in the field of air transport. The Finnish President said she was delighted with the level of ambition of the future President of the Commission, but did not want to say anything more.
On fears that the EU would lose out, since Australia and Japan do not have the same level of effort, she stressed the need to convince international partners, believing that the EU can do so through its own action.
Some, such as Seb Dance (S&D, UK) or Silvia Modig (GUE/NGL, Finland), wondered how to support the change of civilisation and gain the support of citizens. Ms Mikkonen said that "social justice must be respected at all times" and that regions that are lagging behind should also be supported.
The day before, the Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Jari Leppä, had stressed to MEPs the importance of sustainable forest management, to enable forests to play their role as carbon sinks. He stressed that "a healthy environment and climate, sustainably managed natural resources, are the preconditions for life and sustainable agricultural production".
To Christiane Schaldemose (S&D, Denmark), who asked if he was in favour of increasing the financial resources of EFSA and ECHA to carry out their own studies under the pesticide authorisation procedure, he replied in the affirmative.
EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will be invited to the first meeting of the committee in September to discuss the EU/Mercosur agreement. Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc will also be, speaking of the ICAO negotiations on the CORSIA system, "which can have a huge impact on our ability to regulate the air transport sector and the potential extension of the ETS", said Mr Canfin.
For CAP reform, the position of the previous ENVI Committee will not be reopened. Pascal Canfin will send a letter to the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to offer only to discuss again with a view to potential compromises before going to plenary. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)