Agenda of the EU Environment Council, 12 October 2026
Emissions trading system
The meeting will start with a policy debate on the review of the EU’s emissions trading system (ETS). The review package was proposed by the Commission on 17 July 2026 as part of the implementation of the 2040 climate target.
Ministers will have the opportunity to outline their views and priorities on key aspects of the package, which is currently being examined within the Council’s preparatory bodies. The ETS review is included in the “One Europe, One Market” roadmap.
- EU emissions trading system (European Commission)
- European institutions agree roadmap to achieve ‘One Europe, One Market’ by end of 2027 (press release, 24 April 2026)
- Fit for 55: reform of the EU emissions trading system (infographic)
COP31 on climate change
Ministers will be invited to approve 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 leadership of Türkiye and Australia. The main focus will be on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the fulfilment of already existing commitments.
- Global climate action (background information)
- Climate change: what the EU is doing (background information)
COP17 on biodiversity
Ministers will seek to approve conclusions ahead of the United Nations biodiversity conference (COP17), which will take place from 19 to 30 October in Yerevan (Armenia). COP17 will mark the first global review of collective progress towards implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and achieving its 2030 targets.
- Biodiversity (background information)
- What is the state of nature in the EU? (background information)
- Why salamanders are important to you (feature story)
Other business
The Irish presidency and the Commission will inform ministers about the outcome of the United Nations conference on combatting desertification (UNCCD COP17), which took place this summer in Mongolia.
Practical information
- Meeting n° 4200
- Location: Luxembourg
Preparatory documents
- List of A items, non-legislative activities, COR 1
- List of A items, non-legislative activities
- Provisional agenda
- Background brief