While the fight against climate change is the top environmental priority of the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council (see other news), the Portuguese Minister for the Environment and Energy Transition, João Pedro Matos Fernandes, spoke briefly to the press, on Thursday 7 January, about the need to work towards preserving and restoring biodiversity by 2030 - the other major challenge that must be urgently addressed within the EU and at global level.
Preparations for the COP15 in Kunming, which will define the post-2020 global framework for biodiversity, are included in the work programme for the 6 months of the Presidency (see EUROPE 12628/15).
Asked about the EU's ability to meet its own high ambitions, in particular the target of halving the risks and use of pesticides by 2030, the minister replied to EUROPE: “I am confident that by working with the other countries and the Commission we will succeed in achieving our goals”.
Forests, which are both carbon sinks and a reservoir of biodiversity and ecosystem services, are, he said, the link in tackling the twin crises of climate and biodiversity at the same time.
The new EU Forestry Strategy, expected from the Commission, will be primarily the responsibility of the Agriculture Council of the EU, said the President of the Environment Council of the EU, stressing the importance of sustainable management of the forestry sector.
The Portuguese minister also indicated that an exchange of views was planned at the Environment Council of the EU on 21 June on fertilisers and on the ‘zero pollution’ action plan being prepared by the Commission.
On the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (see EUROPE 12582/21) - first step towards this ambition - João Pedro Matos Fernandes says he expects EU Council conclusions in March (Environment Council of the EU of 18 March).
The 8th Environmental Action Programme, which will be carried out over ten years (see EUROPE 12581/7), and the new Regulation on batteries and accumulators and their waste (proposal amending Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and their waste) (see EUROPE 12620/13) are two legislative dossiers that are expected to be approved by the Environment Council of the EU under the Portuguese Presidency. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)