Brussels, 4 October 2021
Chair: Andrej Vizjak, Slovenian Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning
European Commission representatives: Executive Vice-President of the Commission Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius
Starting time: 09:30
Ministers will start the meeting with a discussion on the COP26 climate summit, with the aim of approving Council conclusions on the preparations for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Glasgow. These conclusions will set the general mandate for the EU’s negotiators at the meeting.
Ministers will then hold an exchange of views on the proposals presented by the Commission under the Fit for 55 package that fall under the remit of the Environment Council:
- Revision of Directive (EU) 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading to implement the ambition of the new 2030 climate target and related proposals
- Revision of Regulation (EU) 2018/842 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement
- Revision of Regulation (EU) 2018/841 on the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry in the 2030 climate and energy framework
- Revision of Regulation (EU) 2019/631 setting CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles
- Regulation establishing a Social Climate Fund
The Fit for 55 package aims to bring EU climate policies into line with the EU’s objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and its target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
In the afternoon, at the request of Greece, Spain and Poland, supported by a number of delegations, ministers will discuss the increase in energy prices in Europe.
Ministers will also hold an exchange of views on the Commission communication on a new forest strategy for 2030. The strategy aims to contribute to achieving the EU’s biodiversity and climate objectives.
Under other business, the Commission will inform ministers about a report on the implementation of the regulation on biocidal products and the Belgian delegation will provide information on the need for coordinated action against per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The meeting will be held in public session, with the exception of the first point on COP26.
Press conference: at the end of the meeting +/- 19:00
- Environment Council meeting page
- Press conferences and public events by video streaming
- Video coverage in broadcast quality (MPEG4) and photo gallery
1 This note has been drawn up under the responsibility of the press office.