Agenda of the EU Environment Council, 18 December 2023

Packaging and packaging waste

EU environment ministers will seek to reach an agreement (‘general approach’) on a proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste that will serve as the negotiating mandate to start talks with the European Parliament (‘trilogues’).

The aim of the proposed regulation, which would replace the current directive, is to prevent the generation of packaging waste, boost high-quality recycling and create a market for secondary raw materials. At the same time, it aims to improve consumer information, while creating new business opportunities and reducing the EU’s import dependency.

The proposal establishes sustainability requirements and restrictions for chemical substances and seeks to harmonise the criteria under the extended producer responsibility schemes, as well as labelling, marking and information requirements.

Proposal on packaging and packaging waste (European Commission)

European Green Deal (background information)

Circular economy (background information)

Circular economy action plan (European Commission)

Soil monitoring law

Ministers will hold a policy debate on a proposal for the first-ever EU soil health law. The proposal sets the long-term objective of having all soil ecosystems across the EU in good condition by 2050, in line with the EU soil strategy for 2030.

It lays down binding requirements for the monitoring and assessment of soil health to establish a comprehensive monitoring framework for all soils across the EU. The new rules will also address sustainable soil management and the restoration of contaminated sites.

Ministers will be invited to discuss the proposal, focusing on whether they consider the proposed monitoring framework to be helpful for improving EU soil health within the planned timeline. They will also exchange views on whether the proposal’s ambition and risk-based approach would be adequate to contribute to the goal of reaching a non-toxic environment by 2050.

Proposal for a directive on soil monitoring and resilience (European Commission)

Biodiversity: how the EU protects nature (background information)

EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 (European Commission)

EU forest monitoring framework

EU environment ministers will also discuss a Commission proposal to establish an integrated EU-wide forest monitoring system. The monitoring framework will ensure harmonised data on the condition and management of EU forests and will cover all forests and other wooded land across the EU. The proposed regulation also aims to support member states in establishing and updating voluntary integrated long-term forest plans.

Ministers will be invited to exchange views on whether they see the proposal as adequate in addressing all the aspects for establishing an effective forest monitoring system, which aspects of the proposal will be more beneficial to address current gaps, and how to make implementation at national level more cost-effective.

Proposal for a regulation on a monitoring framework for resilient European forests (European Commission)

New EU forest strategy for 2030 (European Commission)

Deforestation (background information)

European Green Deal (background information)

Other business

Under other business, the presidency will inform ministers about the ongoing progress on two legislative proposals: the air quality directive and the regulation on an EU carbon removals certification framework.

The Commission and the presidency will also report on the main recent international meetings, including COP28.

Meeting information

• Meeting n°3998
• Brussels
• 18 December 2023
• 10:00

Preparatory documents

Provisional agenda

List of A items, non-legislative activities

Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities

Background brief

Press releases

Media advisory – Environment Council of 18 December 2023

15 December 2023, 14:10

Press briefing – Environment Council of 18 December, and the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 19 December 2023

11 December 2023, 14:27