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Highlights from the Environment Council held in Luxembourg on 4 October 2019.
Climate change
The Environment Council adopted conclusions on climate change, agreed by unanimity, which set out the EU's position for the UN climate change meetings (COP25) in Santiago de Chile in December 2019.
Ministers then held a policy debate on the EU's strategic long-term vision for a climate-neutral economy.
Climate doesn’t wait - there is an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today, we dedicated the major part of the Environment Council to climate change. In June, EU heads of state and government asked us to advance work to ensure a transition to a climate neutral EU. Today's discussions have helped prepare the ground for all member states to support a cost-effective, just and socially balanced transition. As Presidency, we very much support the aim of finalising the EU strategy for climate neutrality by 2050 by the end of this year. The EU is determined to continue to show leadership.
Krista Mikkonen, Minister of Environment and Climate of Finland
Environment ministers discussed the EU's long-term climate strategy and agreed the EU's position for COP25.
More circularity - Transition to a sustainable society
In the afternoon, the Council adopted comprehensive conclusions which aim at accelerating the transition to a circular economy. Environment ministers agreed unanimously that further ambitious efforts are needed to stimulate a systemic transition to a sustainable society.
Overconsumption, global warming and the loss of biodiversity are different aspects of the same problem. The circular economy provides solutions. A value chain approach and life-cycle thinking can help us redesign our economies with the aim of moving to a climate-neutral and fair society.
Krista Mikkonen, Minister of Environment and Climate of Finland
The EU agreed to take additional steps to increase sustainability, recycling and to reduce waste.
8th Environment Action Programme
The Council adopted conclusions on an 8th Environment Action Programme which provide political guidance for the EU's environment and climate change policies for the period 2021 - 2030.
The Finnish Presidency informed ministers on the state of play of a legislative proposal on real driving emissions. There was also an information point on the taxonomy for sustainable finance. The Danish delegation presented an information point on the transition to a fleet of zero-emission passenger cars.
The Commission updated ministers on its communication on stepping up EU action to protect and restore the world's forests. The Presidency and the Commission briefed ministers on efforts to better protect wildlife species at COP18 to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Finally, the Portuguese delegation updated ministers on an upcoming high-level dialogue meeting of the China-Europe Water Platform.
Climate doesn’t wait - there is an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today, we dedicated the major part of the Environment Council to climate change. In June, EU heads of state and government asked us to advance work to ensure a transition to a climate neutral EU. Today's discussions have helped prepare the ground for all member states to support a cost-effective, just and socially balanced transition. As Presidency, we very much support the aim of finalising the EU strategy for climate neutrality by 2050 by the end of this year. The EU is determined to continue to show leadership.
