Agenda of the EU Environment Council, 17 June 2024

Revision of the waste framework

EU environment ministers are expected to reach a general approach on the Commission’s proposal to revise the waste framework directive, focusing on the resource-intensive textile and food sectors. The overall aim of the proposal is to reduce the environmental and climate impacts associated with textile and food waste generation and management.

• Reducing food loss and food waste (background information)

• Food waste: prevent, reuse and recycle (infographic)

Green claims

Ministers will also try to reach a general approach on the green claims directive. The proposed legislation aims to ensure reliable, comparable and verifiable green claims across the EU. The main goal is to address greenwashing, by helping consumers make sustainable and informed decisions on products or services.

• Circular economy (background information)

Soil monitoring

The third general approach expected to be reached by EU ministers is the soil monitoring directive, aiming to put the EU on a pathway to healthy soils by 2050. In this context, several measures are being proposed, including a monitoring framework, guiding principles on sustainable soil management, and addressing health and environmental risks posed by soil contamination.

Nature restoration law

Ministers will also engage in a public discussion on the nature restoration law. This regulation 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. They will exchange views and share opinions with the view to formally adopting the regulation.

2040 climate target and climate risk management

EU environment ministers will hold a policy debate on the Commission communication on Europe’s 2040 climate target and path to climate neutrality by 2050, which recommends reducing the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 relative to 1990. They will also exchange views on the Commission communication on managing climate risks, which focuses on climate resilience and preparedness in the EU.

• Communication on Europe’s 2040 climate target (European Commission) 
• Communication on managing climate risks (European Commission) 
• Climate change: what the EU is doing (background information)

8th environment action programme

Ministers will also approve conclusions on the mid-term review of the 8th environment action programme. The conclusions aim to provide guidance on the way forward to a green, just and inclusive transition for a sustainable Europe.

• 8th EAP mid-term review (European Commission) 

Other legislative files

Under ‘other business’, the Presidency will inform ministers about the progress being made with respect to the proposed regulation on reducing microplastic pollution from plastic pellet losses and the proposed regulation on end-of-life vehicles.

Practical information

• Location: Luxembourg

Preparatory documents

• List of A items, non-legislative activities
• Provisional agenda
• Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities
• Background brief