Agenda of the EU Environment Council, 25 June 2026

CO2 emission standards for cars and vans

The Council will take stock of the progress of discussions on the amendment of the regulation on the CO2 emission standards for cars and vans. The amendment was proposed by the Commission on 16 December 2025 as part of the automotive package to support the sector’s transition to clean mobility.

The proposal suggests lowering the 2035 emission reduction target from 100% to 90%, with the remaining 10% of emissions to be compensated for through use of sustainable renewable fuels and low-carbon steel produced in the EU. It also includes incentives for manufacturers selling small electric vehicles made in the EU.

• Amending regulation on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans – Commission proposal 
• Automotive package (European Commission) 
• Timeline (EU Law Tracker) 
• European Council conclusions on competitiveness and the twin transition (23 October 2025) 
• Road transport (background information)

Nature, business and competitiveness

Ministers will exchange views on the role of nature services for competitiveness, and on how to manage the risk of biodiversity loss for a transition to a nature-based economy.

• Nature and biodiversity (background information)

Way forward: water resilience strategy and REACH regulation

The Council will discuss the implementation of the water resilience strategy one year after its adoption and the way forward. Ministers will also consider next steps for the regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH).

• Europe’s environment: Council urges accelerated transition for a climate-resilient and circular Europe by 2030 (press release, 16 December 2025)
• Council pushes for a holistic water strategy to safeguard water resources and boost resilience (press release, 21 October 2025)
• Water (background information)
• Chemicals (background information)

International climate negotiations

The Cyprus presidency will inform ministers on actions to strengthen the EU’s negotiating position in international climate meetings, ahead of the 31st UN climate change conference (COP31) to take place in November 2026.

• Global climate action (background information)
• International agreements and the role of the Council (background information)
• Paris Agreement on climate change (background information)

Climate resilience

Over lunch, ministers will hold an informal debate on climate resilience in Europe.

• European climate resilience and risk management – integrated framework (European Commission) 

Practical information

• Meeting n° 4186
• Location: Luxembourg
• Time (indicative): 09:30

Preparatory documents

• Provisional list of A items 
• Provisional agenda 

More information and updates: EU Council