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Main results of the EU Environment Council, 17 June 2024

Jun 17, 2024

Luxembourg, 17 June 2024

EU environment ministers met in Luxembourg and reached a general approach on the green claims directive, the soil monitoring directive and the revised waste framework directive. They formally adopted the nature restoration law.

The EU has seized a unique opportunity to reverse biodiversity loss and to open this rapidly closing window, securing a liveable future for the generations to come.

Today we also agreed on three key EU directives for circular economy and soil health in the EU: we showed our commitment to a green transition, by protecting our consumers from greenwashing, targeting food and textile waste and protecting our soils from degradation. The EU is steadily moving forward with its environmental and climate objectives and the target of achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050.

Alain Maron, Minister for Climate Transition, Environment, Energy and Participatory Democracy
of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region

Nature restoration law

Today, the Council formally adopted the – first of its kind – regulation on nature restoration. This law aims to put measures in place to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

It sets specific, legally binding targets and obligations for nature restoration in terrestrial, marine, freshwater, forest, agricultural and urban ecosystems. Specific measures include protecting pollinators and grassland butterflies, protecting urban green spaces and planting at least three billion additional trees by 2030 at the EU level.

Waste framework directive

EU environment ministers reached a general approach on a proposal to revise the waste framework directive, specifically focusing on the textile and food sectors. The overall aim is to reduce the environmental and climate impacts associated with textile and food waste generation and management. It also aims to foster circularity in the textile sector.

The new rules introduce mandatory and harmonised extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for textile producers in all EU member states. The general approach also sets legally binding food waste reduction targets for member states, to be achieved by 2030: 10% in processing and manufacturing, and 30% (per capita) at retail, restaurants, food services and households.

Green claims

Ministers reached a general approach on the proposed green claims directive.

The directive aims to protect consumers from greenwashing: it sets minimum requirements across the EU as regards the substantiation, communication and verification of explicit (written or oral) environmental claims and environmental labels.

The aim is to accelerate the green transition towards a circular and clean economy in the EU, thus contributing to the overall objective of EU climate neutrality by 2050.

Soil monitoring directive

EU environment ministers reached a general approach on the directive on soil monitoring and resilience. The aim of the directive is to put the EU on a pathway to healthy soils by 2050.

To achieve this aspirational goal, the general approach reached today sets measures to make soil health monitoring obligatory, provides guiding principles for sustainable soil management, and addresses situations where soil contamination poses unacceptable health and environmental risks.

8th environment action programme

Ministers approved conclusions as regards the mid-term review of the 8th environment action programme, paving the way forward to a green, just and inclusive transition for a sustainable Europe.

This set of conclusions underlines that implementation of the European Green Deal will be crucial to reaching the priority objectives of the green transition. The conclusions address, among other things, climate resilience and risk preparedness, climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, zero pollution and circular economy.

Member states also highlighted the need for social acceptance and just transition. This set of conclusions will guide the Commission on adjusting measures to effectively reach the 2030 objectives.

2040 climate target and climate risk management

EU environment ministers also engaged in a policy debate on the Commission communication on an EU 2040 climate target.

Ministers exchanged views on the 2040 climate target, taking into account its contribution to the Union’s competitiveness, while ensuring a just transition. They also shared their views on the post-2030 framework, including the potential of demand-side measures and circular economy.

Climate risk management

Over lunch, ministers held exchanged views on the Commission communication on managing climate risks.

Ministers acknowledged that a systemic policy response in all relevant policy fields is needed. They expressed their views on possible new ways of cooperation across different governance levels, including at EU level, to address climate risks. They also shared with the other ministers any measures they have put in place to integrate climate risk management into their budget planning.

High Seas Treaty

Under non-discussion items, the Council adopted a decision for the EU to conclude the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ agreement), also known as the ‘High Seas Treaty’.

The agreement aims at the protection of the world’s ocean and its stewardship on behalf of present and future generations in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Those areas account for around two-thirds of the ocean’s surface and 95% of its volume.

Other legislative files

Ministers heard from the Belgian presidency about the ongoing legislative work with respect to the proposed regulation on reducing microplastic pollution from plastic pellet losses and the proposed regulation on end-of-life vehicles.

The presidency and the Commission briefed ministers on the outcome of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4).

Poland, Czechia and Hungary provided (in non-public session) information on the terms and conditions of the 2024 Innovation Fund Auction for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) hydrogen production (second round of auction H2).

The Hungarian delegation presented its environment programme as the incoming presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of A items.

Preparatory documents
Outcome documents
Press releases

Source – EU Council

 

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