On Tuesday 26 January, the national experts of the Council of the European Union’s Environment Working Group examined a second draft compromise proposed by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council on the Eighth Environment Action Programme (EAP).
Presented by the European Commission on 14 October, this programme aims to provide “a framework for environmental and climate objectives of the EU” for the period until 31 December 2030 (the previous programme expired at the end of 2020), stated the Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius (see EUROPE 12581/7).
The latter had furthermore stressed the importance of ensuring that the Environment Action Programme was consistent with the European Green Deal, responding to Member States’ request that the Deal should not be a substitute for the Programme (see EUROPE 12342/4).
The Portuguese draft compromise, obtained by EUROPE, thus suggests changes in wording in relation to the Commission’s text in order to ensure that the two initiatives complement each other.
In the article defining the objective of the programme, the Portuguese document states that : “The 8th EAP aims at accelerating the green transition in a just and inclusive way and at supporting and strengthening an integrated policy and implementation approach, building upon the European Green Deal”. It also points out that this programme “contributes” to the achievement of environmental and climate objectives, whereas the original text stated that it “ forms the basis” of the achievement of these objectives.
In addition to these changes in wording, Lisbon is proposing some changes in the monitoring of the programme.
In particular, the Presidency would like the Commission’s reports on the progress of the Union and the Member States in achieving the priority objectives of the programme to “be based on a limited number of headline indicators, identified by the end of 2021 as a result of a broad stakeholder consultation”.
In addition, it suggests adding an article stating that the Commission should also carry out a mid-term review of the progress made. On the basis of this examination, the institution would then be instructed to present, by 31 March 2025 at the latest, a legislative proposal to add an annex containing a list of new actions, with accompanying timetable, required to achieve the priority objectives.
According to our information, the meeting of national experts has not yet led to an agreement among all Member States, particularly regarding the references to the “post-Green Pact” and the monitoring framework of the program. Nevertheless, the positions of the national delegations would be quite close. On the other hand, more important disagreements would persist with the Commission.
A new draft compromise is expected to be discussed in February, with a view to reaching an agreement in March at the level of Member States’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper).
See the draft compromise: http://bit.ly/36g8pIB (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)