Environment Council, 20 June 2023

Main results

Nature restoration law

EU environment ministers reached a general approach on a proposal for a regulation on nature restoration.

Today is a good day for nature. The Council has agreed on a general approach of the nature restoration law. It is evident that the presidency has been working hard to find the right balance and has listened carefully to all member states who have had different concerns and remarks on the proposals. I am glad that we have found a way to bring this file to a general approach. This text is a solid basis for negotiations with the European Parliament. Hopefully, the final nature restoration law will allow us to rebuild a healthy level of biodiversity, fight climate change and meet our international commitments under the Kunming-Montreal agreement. Romina Pourmokhtari, Swedish Minister for climate and the environment

The proposal aims to restore ecosystems, habitats and species across the EU’s land and sea areas. It asks member states to set restoration measures that cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and ultimately all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

The general approach will serve as a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final shape of the legislation.

• Council reaches agreement on the nature restoration law (press release, 20 June 2023)
• Council general approach on the nature restoration law
• Nature restoration (background information)
• Watch the public session

CO2 emission targets for new heavy-duty vehicles

Ministers held a policy debate on a proposal for a regulation on CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles.

The proposal aims to further reduce CO2 emissions in the road transport sector in line with the EU’s climate objectives by strengthening the emissions reduction targets for 2030 and by setting new targets for 2035 and 2040. In addition, more vehicle categories will be included in the targets, notably buses.

Ministers exchanged views on the proposed target levels as well as the scope and flexibilities proposed.

• Presidency background document
• Commission proposal on strengthening CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles
• European Green Deal (background information)
• Watch the public session

Air quality

Ministers held a policy debate on a proposal for a directive on air quality. The proposal revises and merges the two existing air quality directives and seeks to align EU air quality standards more closely with the World Health Organization’s guidelines.

It aims to set EU air quality standards to be achieved in 2030 and to put the EU on a trajectory to achieve zero pollution for air by 2050. The standards would be regularly reviewed until 2050, to see if they need to be adapted or if other pollutants need to be covered. The proposal also aims to strengthen air quality monitoring, modelling and plans.

In addition, the proposal would create a right for people to be compensated where damage to their health has occurred as a result of a violation of EU air quality rules. The proposal would improve public information on air quality and access to justice.

Ministers exchanged views on the level of ambition of the proposed air quality standards for ambient air pollution and on the tools proposed to achieve them.

• Presidency background document
• Commission proposal on air quality
• European Green Deal (background information)
• Watch the public session

Other business 

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.

Under any other business, the Presidency and the Commission updated ministers on the main recent international meetings:

- Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (virtual, 3 - 7 July 2023)

• Information from the Commission

- Second session of the international negotiating committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution (Paris, 29 May - 2 June 2023)

• Information from the Presidency and the Commission

- Outcome of the UN 2023 Water Conference (New York, 22 – 24 March 2023)

• Information from the presidency and the Commission

- Outcome of the Triple Conference of the Parties to the Basel (COP 16), Rotterdam (COP 11) and Stockholm (COP 11) Conventions (Geneva, 1 - 12 May 2023)

• Information from the Presidency and the Commission

The Commission gave information on a concept note for the implementation of the European hydrogen bank auctions as a service for member states.

• Information from the Commission

The Commission provided information on the early warning reports issued to specific countries under the EU waste law.

• Report from the Commission identifying member states at risk of not meeting their targets under the EU waste law and early warning reports for individual member states

Czechia provided information on using lower VAT rates for recycled products as an economic tool to support the circular economy.

• Information from Czechia

Italy informed ministers on Rome’s candidature to host the EXPO 2030.

• Information from Italy

France and Spain informed ministers on strengthening adaptation policies to climate change.

• Information from France and Spain

Spain presented its work programme as incoming Presidency.