The European Environment Ministers, meeting on 10 June in Luxembourg at the Council of the EU, unanimously welcomed the ‘Zero Pollution’ action plan, unveiled on 12 May by the European Commission to pave the way for the EU’s transition to zero pollution of air, soil and water by 2050, with targets to be achieved by 2030 to realise the ambition of a non-toxic environment for human health and natural ecosystems in the long term (see EUROPE 12719/4).
In their first exchange of views, all delegations supported the holistic approach of this plan and its level of ambition (see EUROPE 12735/10). However, many delegations, in particular from Central and Eastern European countries, highlighted the difficulty of implementing the targets, which they felt would require taking into account the specific conditions in the different countries, their starting point, and accompanying the transition to zero pollution with adequate funding at European and national level.
Improving air quality has been universally recognised as a major imperative to premature deaths and chronic diseases by more than half by 2030, as highlighted by Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, emphasising the importance of action at local, national, and regional levels.
Regarding the synergies to be fostered with other strategies or legislation of the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Biodiversity Strategy, the Chemicals for Sustainability Strategy, the Economic Strategy, and the new CAP were most often mentioned.
Summarising the debate at the end of the session he chaired, the Portuguese Minister for the Environment and Climate Action, João Pedro Matos Fernandes, said there was a convergence of views on the following points, namely that: – integrating the ‘zero pollution’ ambition in all sectors is essential for human health and the environment; – delegations should await the Commission’s legislative proposals in the field of energy, clean air, reduction of pesticide use and waste management; – it is essential to take into account the international context; – the application of the ‘polluter pays’ principle will be decisive; and – the ‘zero pollution’ ambition and sustainable development goals must be integrated into all policies to minimise the negative impact of different actions.
What about pollinators? Under ‘Other issues’, Sweden, with broad support, called for integrated action at EU level to halt the decline of pollinators and protect them from chemicals, with specific protection targets for bees. The Agriculture Council will discuss this at the end of the month. The Environment Ministers would like the issue to be included on the agenda of the informal meeting of the Environment Council in July, under the Slovenian Presidency. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)