In order to "build a climate-neutral and green Europe", the next trio of Presidencies of the Council of the European Union (Germany, Portugal and Slovenia) will aim to treat the European Green Deal and the Investment Plan for a Sustainable Europe as a priority, according to a draft work programme for the trio dated 29 May.
Underlining the commitment of the three Presidencies to take forward all Green Deal initiatives, the document mentions in particular the 'climate law' - currently in the hands of the co-legislators (see EUROPE 12495/21) - and the new EU strategy on adaptation to climate change (see EUROPE 12486/16).
The trio will also work to strengthen climate action outside the EU, primarily through the presentation in 2020 of an update of the EU's 'nationally determined contribution' (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in line with the EU's commitments under the Paris agreement and after a thorough impact assessment.
The three Presidencies are also ready to take forward any initiative arising from the new Circular Economy Action Plan (see EUROPE 12444/1), the document states.
Under the biodiversity component, they will pay particular attention to sustainable water management as well as to opportunities for sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors ('blue growth') and will encourage the adoption of a new EU forest strategy for the post-2020 period (the Commission's initiative has been postponed until early 2021).
Finally, the trio is also determined to ensure the timely adoption of the legislative proposal on the Just Transition Fund to assist European territories suffering the consequences of the transition to a decarbonised economy (see EUROPE 12495/5).
To consult the document: https://bit.ly/374h5AZ (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)