Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, 13 June 2014

Agreement on indirect land-use change directive at the Council

At a meeting dedicated to energy policies on 13 June 2014, the Council reached a political agreement on the indirect land-use change directive and discussed key energy issues including energy security and energy prices

Indirect land use change

The draft directive on indirect land-use change (ILUC) aims to minimise the impact of indirect changes of land use on greenhouse gas emissions, while protecting existing investments in biofuels production.

The text agreed by the Council acknowledges and addresses the ILUC phenomenon, starts a transition to biofuels with lower ILUC risks, and provides a clearer investment perspective while protecting existing investments made.

The political agreement will shortly be followed by the Council's formal adoption of its position at 1st reading.

Follow up to the March European Council

Ministers took stock of follow-up to the European Council meeting in March 2014 relating to 3 areas:

• progress towards completion of the internal energy market
• the Commission's recent communication, drawn-up on the request of the European Council in March 2014, on a European energy security strategy
• a policy debate on aspects of the 2030 framework for climate and energy policies

The outcome of the debate will be presented to the President of the European Council in preparation for the next European Council meeting on 26-27 June. A final decision on the framework is expected in October 2014.

Other topics on the agenda

The Council adopted conclusions on energy prices and costs, the protection of vulnerable consumers and competitiveness. The conclusions cover 3 areas: the internal energy market, the external dimension, and consumers.

Following a presentation on recent developments in the field of external energy relations, ministers held a policy debate on the value of multilateral energy frameworks.

Other topics discussed during the Council meeting, included:

• energy matters related to the situation in Ukraine
• the work programme of the incoming Italian presidency