A number of environment and climate issues will be on the agenda as Hungary assumes the rotating Presidency from 1 July.
While Hungary has recently stood out for its opposition to the emblematic ‘nature restoration law’, its role as it takes over the Presidency is now “to facilitate discussions as an honest broker”, says a European diplomat. The priority of the Hungarian Presidency will therefore be to discuss the implementation of the objectives of the European Green Deal.
Against a backdrop of a rise in harmful effects of climate change, the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is also calling for the EU to maintain its role as a leader in global climate policy. It aims to strengthen the defined national contributions and to increase the overall level of ambition.
The climate and environmental challenges will be met while prioritising European competitiveness, which “must not be lost”.
Climate. Its aim is to help set an ambitious but achievable interim climate target for 2040, with the Commission supporting a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared with 1990 levels (see EUROPE 13344/1). According to the Hungarian Presidency, this objective must ensure that neither citizens nor Member States are left behind, while maintaining the competitiveness and security of the EU’s energy supply. Hungary supports action on emissions reduction, adaptation and climate financing to achieve climate neutrality, emphasising the importance of building resilience.
The Hungarian Presidency is also focusing on the implementation of the ‘Fit for 55’ package for 2030, which is essential if climate neutrality is to be achieved by 2050. It will discuss the challenges and share best practice between Member States, while listening carefully to the views of citizens and stakeholders to ensure that climate efforts are in the interests of Europeans.
Hungary is promoting smoother cooperation between the Member States and the European Commission on the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP). At international level, it will adopt Council conclusions for COP29, which will form the basis of the European position at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It will support encouraging third countries to take climate action and the facilitation of concrete, ambitious and realistic results.
With these commitments, the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council aims to make progress on the Union’s climate objectives while guaranteeing a fair and equitable transition for all citizens and Member States. By promoting international cooperation and citizen involvement, Hungary aims to strengthen climate resilience and support the EU in its role as a world leader in climate policy.
Environment. COP16 on biodiversity, which will take place at the end of October in Colombia, will be one of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency over the coming months. The Hungarian Presidency will represent the European Union and its Member States and support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It also intends to encourage progress in areas such as the monitoring and reporting framework, the mobilisation of resources for the conservation of biological diversity and the establishment of equitable benefit-sharing arising from the use of digital sequence information (DSI).
The EU’s fight for a healthy environment and against pollution will continue as several directives are due to be formally adopted. The Council of the EU recently adopted its position on the ‘Soil Monitoring Directive’ (see EUROPE 13433/3), to make soil healthy by 2050, on the ‘Priority Substances in Water Directive’ (see EUROPE 13435/8) and on the ‘One Substance, One Assessment’ package (see EUROPE 13432/15). The EU Council is ready to negotiate with the Parliament on these three texts. The Hungarian Presidency will be responsible for representing the Member States in these negotiations. It will also try to reach an EU Council position on the regulation aimed at reducing microplastic pollution, as the Parliament has already adopted its own position, at the last session of the parliamentary term, in April (see EUROPE 13397/16).
Given its role in helping to combat pollution and the loss of biodiversity, and its ability to contribute to achieving climate neutrality, the circular economy will be a priority for the Hungarian Presidency. Once again in this area, competitiveness and environmental protection will go hand in hand when decisions are taken on the innovative re-use of waste. Adopted under the Belgian Presidency, the EU Council’s position on the ‘Waste Directive’ (see EUROPE 13433/4) will be negotiated with the Parliament. The text sets a target of reducing per capita food waste by 30% by 2030. It should also oblige fashion brands and textile producers to pay fees to finance the collection and processing of textile waste. The Hungarian Presidency will also be seeking agreement in the Council on the regulation on ‘End-of-Life Vehicles’, with the aim of integrating the automotive industry into the circular economy.
Finally, the Hungarian Presidency is responsible for leading the Council towards an agreement with the Parliament on the ‘Green Claims Directive’ (see EUROPE 13433/5), in order to guarantee consumers the possibility of making informed choices, while combating greenwashing. By pursuing discussions on all these measures, the Hungarian Presidency intends to follow the path set out by the EU, a “leader” in environmental protection.
See the Hungarian Presidency programme: https://aeur.eu/f/crs (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry and Florent Servia)