The EU Environment Ministers will meet in Council on Tuesday 17 June in Luxembourg. The meeting, chaired by the Polish Minister for Climate and the Environment, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, could lead to a political agreement on the proposed regulation on end-of-life vehicles and will provide an opportunity to take stock of the preparations for COP30.
The ministers will exchange views on preparations for the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), scheduled for November in Belém (Brazil).
This discussion will serve to define the major European priorities for the forthcoming international negotiations. In particular, the aim is to anticipate the elements that will have to be included in the European Union’s next Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which could cover the period up to 2035.
The ministers will be asked to give their views on the levels of ambition, feasibility and messages that the EU could convey to its international partners.
Assessment of National Energy and Climate Plans. Following the Commission’s presentation of its assessment of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), an update will be given on how the national contributions are converging towards the EU’s overall objectives (see EUROPE 13650/7).
End-of-life vehicles. The ministers will attempt to reach agreement on the EU Council’s position on the proposal for a regulation on circularity requirements for the design of vehicles and the management of end-of-life vehicles. The regulation aims to: - facilitate the reuse and recycling of parts and components; - introduce a mandatory target for the use of recycled plastics in the manufacture of vehicles; - strengthen extended producer responsibility; - add stricter traceability and control measures to increase ELV collection rates.
In December, during an initial exchange on the subject with the Commission, differences remained between the Member States (MS) on plastic recycling levels, the extension of the scope of application to heavy-duty vehicles and the inclusion of steel recycling in the regulation (see EUROPE 13547/8). On each occasion, certain Member States insisted on the need to draw up a feasibility study to assess these measures. MEPs, for their part, will vote in the Committee on the Environment on 24 June, before a plenary vote in September. In January, MEPs were divided, with some fearing the risk of an additional administrative burden, while others saw the text as an opportunity for the circular economy (see EUROPE 13559/11).
Water Resilience Strategy. The Commission will present the proposal for a Water Resilience Strategy that it published on 6 June (see EUROPE 13653/7). This cross-cutting text has three objectives: - restoring the water cycle; - building a water-smart economy; - securing clean and affordable water for all.
Ban on lead in fishing ammunition. The Czech Republic, Lithuania and Slovakia will give an update on the proposed ban on lead in ammunition and fishing gear under the REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has been asked by the Commission to examine concerns about the use of lead in ammunition and fishing gear. The first bans on the use of lead shotgun ammunition for hunting in wetlands, for example, were established in 2023. In February 2025, the Commission submitted a new proposal for a ban, this time on lead gunshot, bullets and fishing weights.
United Nations Ocean Conference. At the request of the French delegation, an information item will be devoted to the results of the United Nations Ocean Conference, held in Nice from 9 to 13 June (see EUROPE 13659/6).
Strategic dialogue with industry. During the working lunch, the ministers will hold an informal discussion on the progress of the strategic sectoral dialogues launched by the Commission with industry. They will be looking in particular at the results of these exchanges and their usefulness in future political debates. (Original version in French by Florent Servia and Nithya Paquiry)