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The Council held a policy debate on the proposal for the review of the EU emissions trading system (ETS1), presented by the Commission on 17 July 2026 to strengthen climate ambition and cost-effective decarbonisation, while supporting industrial competitiveness. The EU emissions trading system is the world's first and largest carbon market. It requires companies to pay for their greenhouse gas emissions, so as to encourage cost-effective greenhouse gas emissions reduction and fund the clean energy transition. The proposed review aims to adjust the carbon market to the EU’s 2040 emission reduction target of 90%.
We must ensure that the EU emission trading system is fit for the next decade. Our aim is to align our carbon market with our climate ambition in a way that also delivers industrial competitiveness. The Irish presidency is focused on reaching agreement by December to fulfil a key commitment of the 'One Europe, One Market' roadmap.
Darragh O’Brien, Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment
During the session, ministers discussed the level of ambition of the ETS review, namely the post-2030 trajectory for the annual emissions cap and the use of international carbon credits and domestic permanent carbon removals. They also assessed the proposed funding mechanisms and expressed their views on free allocation of allowances within the system and the need to address the risk of carbon leakage. Several ministers expressed their priorities for the extension of the system’s scope relating to aviation, maritime and waste sectors.
The policy debate provided guidance for the ongoing work within the Council’s preparatory bodies. The ETS review is included in the ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap.
Climate change: what the EU is doing (background information)
COP31 on climate change
Ministers approved conclusions on the preparations for COP31, the United Nations climate change conference, which will take place from 9 to 20 November 2026 in Antalya (Türkiye) under the joint chairmanship of Türkiye and Australia. The conclusions set the EU’s negotiating position and strategic objectives for the event.
At COP31, the EU will focus on the importance of implementing the Paris Agreement and will urge rapid, science-based action to avoid every additional fraction of a degree of warming and to return to a 1.5ºC trajectory. Upholding the principle of multilateralism, ministers acknowledged the central role of the United Nations climate change framework and processes, while stressing the importance of the participation of all EU member states at COP31 and reaffirming the principle of solidarity amongst them.
International agreements and the role of the Council (background information)
COP17 on biodiversity
Ministers approved conclusions setting out the EU’s negotiating position ahead of the 2026 United Nations biodiversity conference (COP17), which will take place from 19 to 30 October in Yerevan (Armenia).
The forthcoming conference of the parties – which takes place every two years – will mark the first global review of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework and the fulfilment of its 23 targets aimed at halting biodiversity loss, including a pledge to protect at least 30% of areas on land and at sea by 2030. At COP17, the EU will call for accelerated actions within and across all policies and sectors to meet these targets.
The Council underlines the continued global threat posed by the loss of biodiversity and is deeply alarmed about the gravity and urgency arising from the interlinked global crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and the degradation of ecosystems on land and in fresh water and oceans.
In an era where both multilateralism and nature protection are tested, the EU remains strongly committed to achieving positive outcomes for biodiversity at COP17. There can be no lowering of the ambition that was agreed under the global biodiversity framework. We will call for the acceleration of global action and a renewed focus to mainstream efforts across the economy and society.
Christopher O’Sullivan, Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity
Over lunch, ministers held an informal discussion on the birds and habitats directives. They focused on the dual challenge of ensuring appropriate standards for nature protection and the need to speed up simplification and boost competitiveness.
In public session, the Irish presidency, together with the Commission, reported on the 17th session of the conference of the parties to the United Nations convention to combat desertification (UNCCD COP17). It took place in Mongolia from 17 to 28 August 2026 and was the first COP of the three Rio conventions that took place this year.
In public session, the Irish presidency and the Commission updated the Council on the outcomes of the 70th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, held in Australia between 27 September and 2 October 2026.
Austria, supported by Czechia and Estonia, raised a public point about the need to simplify extended producer responsibility (EPR) for small producers and the internal market under the packaging and packaging waste regulation.
Lithuania, supported by Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Poland, publicly called the Espoo Convention with Europe’s defence to be aligned with readiness priorities.
Poland, supported by Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Lithuania and Slovakia, provided information on the extended producer responsibility (EPR) under the urban wastewater treatment directive (UWWTD) and the fair application of the “polluter pays” principle”.
Visite esta página para obtener información general sobre la acreditación.
La acreditación de los medios de comunicación para las cumbres internacionales celebradas fuera de la Unión Europea será gestionada por las autoridades gubernamentales del país anfitrión.
