Environment Council, 16/12/2015, 16 December 2015

Main results

Air quality

The Council agreed on a general approach for a new directive to reduce national emissions of certain pollutants. This agreement will serve as a basis to start negotiations with the European Parliament.

This legislative proposal, which reviews current national caps on emissions, aims at addressing the remaining health risks and environmental impacts posed by air pollution.

Ministers listened to all the citizens who raised their voice for ambitious biodiversity policies. We send a clear signal: biodiversity has many co-benefits for society. The existing nature directives work, deliver and should not be reopened” Carole Dieschbourg, Minister for the Environment of Luxembourg

Biodiversity

The Council adopted conclusions on the mid-term review of the EU biodiversity strategy. Ministers pointed out the areas where further work is needed in order to reach the targets. The goal for 2020 is to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services and to restore them as far as this is feasible.