The EU27 environment ministers will meet at the ‘Environment’ Council on Monday 17 June. They will debate, in particular, the regulation on nature restoration, the framework directive on waste, the directive on soil monitoring, the EU’s 2040 climate target and climate risk management.
Nature Restoration Regulation. The Member State ministers will debate the text as a B item at the start of the EU Council. The text proposed in June 2022 by the European Commission has been stalling in the Council of the EU since Hungary reversed its position in March 2024, after narrowly passing the European Parliament in July 2023. The obligation to restore at least 30% of natural habitat types in poor condition by 2030 (60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050) has given rise to a great deal of opposition on grounds of principle, subsidiarity, cost and the impact on agricultural production (following farmers’ discontent in early 2024). Italy, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden are opposed to the text. Austria, Belgium and Poland abstained. A single positive reversal by these countries could result in a qualified majority, with 65% of the European population represented (see EUROPE 13432/13).
Revision of the Waste Framework Directive. The focus will be on the textile and food sectors. The proposal aims to reduce the impact of the production and management of their respective waste on the environment and the climate. In particular, a compromise has been reached on a system of producer responsibility, following discussions that began at the ‘Environment’ Council of March 2024. On food waste, the general approach sets a target of a 30% reduction in food waste by 2030 compared with 2020 (see EUROPE 13378/2).
Green Claims Directive. This directive aims to protect consumers against greenwashing and misleading environmental claims. The Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU says it has reached a balanced position and is proposing the introduction of simplified procedures for certain claims, to avoid excessive administrative burdens. Another satisfaction is the clear separation between carbon offsetting and climate change mitigation. Adoption of the general approach is expected (see EUROPE 13369/26).
Soil Monitoring Law. EU ministers are also expected to adopt a ‘general approach’ to this text, despite opposition from a number of Member States. This project aims to achieve healthy soils by 2050. In particular, it introduces a definition of soil health and a monitoring framework. The directive also includes guiding principles for sustainable soil management in order to improve overall knowledge at European level. Deemed essential for agriculture, biodiversity and the fight against global warming, this directive has already been discussed during the Belgian Presidency (see EUROPE 13316/6).
Neutrality and the 2040 climate target. The ministers will hold a debate on the 2040 climate target and 2050 climate neutrality. In its communication of 6 February (see EUROPE 13344/1), the Commission proposes a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared with 1990 by 2040, with a target of less than 850 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt eq. CO2), with carbon absorptions of up to 400 Mt eq. CO2.
This initiative aims to limit the economic losses and deaths caused by extreme weather events, requiring investment in clean technologies. The Member States, approached on 25 March (see EUROPE 13378/4), are expected to support an ambitious target, but have not yet adopted a precise position. Concerns remain about the social and economic impact, the dependence on carbon absorption and the promotion of renewable energies while respecting technological neutrality.
Climate risks. Climate risk management is on the ministers’ agenda. The communication of 19 March (see EUROPE 13368/11) on resilience has been submitted to the ministers. Following the last ‘Environment’ Council (see EUROPE 13415/13), the Belgian Presidency extended the discussions to various sectors. Ministers should provide a systematic and sectoral policy response at EU level, improving coordination between Member States and sectors and addressing the cooperation needed at different scales to build resilience.
To see the agenda: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10804-2024-INIT/en/pdf (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry and Florent Servia)