Based on the information of the European Commission on the Green deal, and the background paper prepared by the Presidency on the EU environment and climate policy in the legislative term, the Ministers exchanged their views. Ministers welcomed the European Green Deal. Many Member States urged the acceleration of the fight against climate change and the increase of the EU 2030 climate goal. Other ministers argued for the assessment of economic and social impacts at Member State level and drew attention to the high cost of green transition, which requires appropriate financial tools at EU level.
Following the discussion, AOB points were presented relating to recent environment and climate international meetings. Before lunch, Council Conclusions on the post-2020 biodiversity framework were adopted. In relation to the COP26 climate conference, Presidency and Commission highlighted that a deal could not be reached on international carbon markets under article 6 of the Paris Agreement. However, the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism to address loss and damages was completed successfully. They emphasized the importance of increasing the ambition in 2020 and fostering EU’s climate diplomacy efforts as part of the preparation for the COP26 climate conference to be held in Glasgow.
At the afternoon further AOB, items were discussed. The Commission informed the delegations on the latest conclusions of a study on the implementation of the Aarhus convention. The Slovenian delegation presented their points relating to the management of large carnivores.
Finally, the incoming Croatian presidency presented its work programme.
During the lunch, an informal discussion was held on the European Environmental Agency’s State and Outlook of the Environment 2020 report with Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency.
