On Friday 10 October, in an information note ahead of the ‘Environment’ Council on 21 October, the Czech Republic put forward the argument that European environment ministers should take up the issue of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028–2034 before the European Summit in December (see EUROPE 13717/21).
The country believes that the current MFF proposal risks limiting EU funding for environmental objectives at a time when “many Member States already face difficulties in securing the resources needed to meet their existing commitments”.
According to the note, it is therefore essential to ensure adequate funding within the MFF to achieve biodiversity and nature restoration objectives, particularly following the adoption of the Nature Restoration Regulation (see EUROPE 13652/37).
In addition, the note states that clear conditions should be set for integrating these priorities into future budget instruments, “including systematic mainstreaming of biodiversity across all EU funding programmes”.
The note also adds that the proposed discontinuation of the standalone LIFE programme was “a major concern” (see EUROPE 13656/10).
The note concludes by stating that the Czech Republic would appreciate information from the current and future Presidencies on the planned role of the “environment formation” of the EU Council in discussing MFF proposals.
Read the note: https://aeur.eu/f/ixa (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)