https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en147803https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2026/10/12/2026-10-12T12:00:00+02:00147840https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2026/12/11/2026-12-11T12:00:00+01:00148149https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2026/07/23-24/2026-07-23T12:00:00+02:00142475https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2026/06/25/Environment ministers discussed progress on the amendment of the regulation on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans, the role of a nature as an economic asset and the way forward on the water resilience strategy and the REACH regulation.2026-06-25T12:00:00+02:00142476https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2026/03/17/EU environment ministers held a policy debate on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans and exchanged views on decarbonisation efforts in the post-2030 climate framework. The Council also approved conclusions on bioeconomy and explored ways to enhance strategic EU collaboration in global environmental diplomacy. Over lunch, ministers discussed the way forward in international climate negotiations.2026-03-17T12:00:00+01:00142777https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2026/02/05-06/2026-02-05T12:00:00+01:00137869https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2025/12/16/EU environment ministers approved conclusions on ‘Europe’s environment 2030 - Building a more circular and resilient Europe’. They also exchanged views on the recently presented EU bioeconomy strategy.2025-12-16T12:00:00+01:00141719https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2025/11/04-05/Ministers reached an agreement on the amendment to the European climate law, which establishes an intermediate net emissions reduction target of 90% for 2040. At the same meeting, environment ministers approved the EU's post-2030 nationally determined contribution (NDC), with an indicative 2035 target of 66,25-72,5% emissions reduction.2025-11-04T12:00:00+01:00137839https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2025/10/21/Ministers adopted two sets of Council conclusions: on the preparations for COP30 on climate change; and on the European water resilience strategy. At the same meeting, environment ministers will also exchange views on the environmental aspects of the European ocean pact.2025-10-21T12:00:00+02:00138730https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2025/09/18/The Council approved a statement of intent on the EU’s post-2030 nationally determined contribution (NDC), with a view to submitting an NDC ahead of COP30. Ministers also held policy debates on the proposed amendment to the European climate law, which sets a net emissions reduction target of 90% by 2040.2025-09-18T12:00:00+02:00137940https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2025/07/10-11/2025-07-10T12:00:00+02:00132045https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2025/06/17/Environment ministers adopted a general approach on the end-of-life vehicles regulation and held a discussion on the EU's position for the forthcoming COP30.2025-06-17T12:00:00+02:00132013https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2025/04/28-29/2025-04-28T12:00:00+02:00131928https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2025/03/27/Environment ministers gathered in Brussels to discuss the environmental dimension of the clean industrial deal and to exchange views on global environmental policies.2025-03-27T12:00:00+01:00127363https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2024/12/17/EU environment ministers met in Brussels to reach a general approach for a regulation on preventing plastic pellet losses. They also discussed the proposed regulation on end-of-life vehicles and the communication on the EU’s 2040 climate target.2024-12-17T00:00:00+01:00127330https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2024/10/14/EU environment ministers met in Luxembourg to approve conclusions on the EU’s position in view of the upcoming UN conferences on climate change and biodiversity.2024-10-14T00:00:00+02:00127389https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2024/07/11-12/2024-07-11T12:00:00+02:00104072https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2024/06/17/EU environment ministers met in Luxembourg and reached a general approach on the green claims directive, the soil monitoring directive and the revised waste framework directive. They formally adopted the nature restoration law.2024-06-17T00:00:00+02:00104057https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2024/03/25/EU environment ministers held policy debates on two Commission proposals: the targeted revision of the waste framework directive and the regulation on preventing pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution. Ministers also exchanged views on the Commission communication on the 2040 climate target.2024-03-25T00:00:00+01:00104046https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2024/01/15-16/2024-01-15T00:00:00+01:00104032https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2023/12/18/The Council adopted a general approach on the proposal for a packaging and packaging waste regulation. Ministers also held policy debates on the proposed soil monitoring law and the proposal for an EU forest monitoring framework. Ministers were informed on the outcome of the main recent international meetings, including COP28. They also discussed the EU climate target for 2040 over lunch.2023-12-18T00:00:00+01:00104015https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2023/10/16/EU environment ministers agreed on negotiating positions on Commission proposals regarding the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the Regulation for CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. Ministers also approved Council conclusions in view of the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP28) and the submission of an updated EU NDC to the UNFCCC.2023-10-16T00:00:00+02:00104036https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2023/07/10-11/2023-07-10T00:00:00+02:00103990https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2023/06/20/EU environment ministers reached a general approach on a proposal for a regulation on nature restoration. They held a policy debate on a proposal for a regulation on CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. Ministers also held a policy debate on a proposal for a directive on air quality. In addition Ukrainian minister of environmental protection and natural resources Ruslan Strilets made an intervention through video connection on the subject of the environmental effects of the explosion of the Kakhovka dam.2023-06-20T00:00:00+02:00103995https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2023/04/18-19/Each Council presidency organises informal meetings of ministers to discuss initiatives related to a particular topic or Council configuration.2023-04-18T00:00:00+02:00103976https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2023/03/16/EU environment ministers reached a general approach on a proposal to revise the industrial emissions directive. Ministers discussed also proposals for legislation on carbon removal certification, packaging and packaging waste and urban wastewater treatment.2023-03-16T00:00:00+01:00103962https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2022/12/20/EU environment ministers held a policy debate on a proposal for a nature restoration regulation.2022-12-20T00:00:00+01:00103956https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2022/10/24/EU environment ministers approved two sets of Council conclusions in view of the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP27), and the 15th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 15). Ministers held policy debates on Commission proposals concerning the Industrial Emissions Directive, the Waste Landfill Directive and the Eco-Design Regulation.2022-10-24T00:00:00+02:00103975https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2022/07/12-14/2022-07-12T00:00:00+02:00103935https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2022/06/28/Environment ministers reached a general approach on proposals that are part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, relating to ETS, effort sharing between member states, emissions from land use and land-use change, CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans and the creation of a social climate fund. Ministers also reached a general approach on a proposal to limit the consumption of products contributing to deforestation or forest degradation.2022-06-28T00:00:00+02:00103922https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2022/03/17/EU environment ministers met in Brussels to reach an agreement on a new regulation on batteries and waste batteries. Ministers also discussed the “Fit for 55” package and the reduction in the consumption of products associated to deforestation and forest degradation.2022-03-17T00:00:00+01:00103942https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2022/01/20-22/2022-01-20T10:00:00+01:00103889https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2021/12/20/EU environment ministers took stock of work done so far on the five files in the ‘Fit for 55’ package that fall within the remit of the Environment Council. The batteries and waste batteries legislation and the recently released EU soil strategy was also on the agenda.2021-12-20T00:00:00+01:00103907https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2021/10/06/EU environment ministers met in Luxembourg to exchange views on the Fit for 55 package, prepare the COP26 climate summit and discuss the new EU forest strategy for 2030. The Council adopted its position at first reading on modifications to the Aarhus Regulation. Ministers also discussed the current surge in energy prices.2021-10-06T00:00:00+02:00103893https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2021/07/20-21/2021-07-20T00:00:00+02:00103868https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2021/06/10/EU environment ministers met in Luxembourg to discuss climate change adaptation, batteries and waste batteries, and zero pollution.2021-06-10T00:00:00+02:00103875https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2021/04/23/2021-04-23T00:00:00+02:00103855https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2021/03/18/Environment ministers met via video conference to discuss the EU climate adaptation strategy, batteries and waste batteries and the Recovery and Resilience Facility in the context of greening the European Semester.2021-03-18T00:00:00+01:00103832https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2020/12/17/EU environment ministers will seek to reach agreement on the European climate law and the Aarhus regulation. They will address a number of other matters including the chemicals strategy.2020-12-17T00:00:00+01:00103840https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2020/10/23/EU environment ministers reached agreement on a partial general approach on the proposed European climate law and endorsed the objectives of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, including its nature protection and restoration targets.2020-10-23T00:00:00+02:00103851https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2020/09/30-01/2020-09-30T00:00:00+02:00103825https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2020/06/23/EU environment and climate ministers had a policy debate on the contribution of environmental and climate policies to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.2020-06-23T00:00:00+02:00103790https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2020/03/05/The Council exchanged views on the European Green Deal and adopted the EU's long-term climate strategy submission to the UN. The Council also adopted conclusions on improving air quality. Climate activist Greta Thunberg addressed ministers as guest of the Croatian Presidency.2020-03-05T00:00:00+01:00103769https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2019/12/19/The Environment Council adopted conclusions on biodiversity. Ministers spelled out member states' views on the commitments and actions needed in EU environment and climate policy 2019-2024, including the European Green Deal. Ministers took work on achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050 forward, in a direct follow-up to the agreement reached by EU heads of state and government at the European Council the previous week.2019-12-19T00:00:00+01:00103763https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2019/10/04/The Environment Council adopted conclusions for the preparations of COP25 as well as on the 8th Environment Action Programme and the circular economy. Ministers held a policy debate on the EU's long-term climate strategy.2019-10-04T00:00:00+02:00103779https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2019/07/11-12/2019-07-11T10:00:00+02:00103748https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2019/06/26/The Council agreed a general approach on water reuse for agricultural irrigation, adopted conclusions on a sustainable chemicals policy strategy, and took note of the state of play on the EU's long-term climate strategy discussions. During the informal lunch, ministers followed up on the recently agreed directive on single use plastics which aims to reduce marine.2019-06-26T00:00:00+02:00103759https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2019/05/20-21/2019-05-20T00:00:00+02:00103735https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2019/03/05/The Environment Council discussed the long-term climate strategy, endocrine disruptors and adopted a general approach on the drinking water directive. Ministers exchanged views on greening the European Semester.2019-03-05T00:00:00+01:00103732https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2018/12/20/The Environment Council reached a partial general approach on LIFE programme and a general approach on CO2 emission standards for trucks and buses. Ministers had an exchange of views on the EU's long-term strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.2018-12-20T00:00:00+01:00