6 Mar

First meeting of Environment Ministers under the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU took place on 5th March in Brussels.


Ministers had a policy debate on the Commission Communication on the EU long-term emissions reduction strategy. The policy debate has been part of a series of discussions that facilitates the development of the 2050 strategy aiming to create a low carbon emission economy in the EU. In the debate, ministers had an exchange of views on challenges, opportunities stemming from the transition and the necessary financial and political tools. Member States agreed that elaboration of a long-term strategy is needed in order to reduce the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. Ministers welcomed the holistic approach and the broad debate in the Council. According to several Member States, a climate neutral economy should be reached by 2050. These Member States prefer the scenarios with the most ambitious emissions reduction. Several Member States referred to the UN climate summit to be held in September 2019, where the EU has to show its leading role. Few Member States requested the Commission to prepare an additional scenario in which the share of renewable energy will reach 100% in the EU by 2050. Some ministers drew the attention to the fact that the costs will be much higher without taking appropriate measures. The Visegrád countries and Bulgaria stressed that detailed, in-depth discussion is necessary, because the future strategy will have significant impact on the economy and society. In this context, many ministers emphasized how important is to analyse the societal and economic consequences especially on Member States level. Several Member States highlighted the importance of global action. Hungary welcomes the initiation of discussions on the 2050 EU strategy. Mr Tibor Stelbaczky deputy permanent representative emphasized that a thorough, detailed and extensive consultation is needed, with the inclusion of the Heads of States and Governments. He also stressed that any decision on the strategy should be taken in 2020 at the European Council level following the in-depth discussions. An agreement should be reached on a policy mix, a suite of strategic measures, respecting the trajectories and targets of the 2030 Climate an Energy Framework, along which the desired result can be reached by 2050. The ambassador emphasized that the long-term strategy should be defined in a way, which is politically, economically and socially acceptable. He added that investments aiming to reduce energy consumption, to improve energy efficiency, to deploy the renewable energy resources, to promote zero carbon transport and new alternative technologies will be of particular importance in the transition. These are currently priorities for Hungary.

Ministers reached an agreement on the Council's position[1] on the proposed update to the drinking water directive. The Council is now ready to engage in negotiations with the European Parliament. Mr. András Rácz, State Secretary for Environment welcomed the general approach that will lead us to the adoption of a future-proof directive enhancing growing trust in tap water from the citizens, while implementable for Member States. The Council's position provides for stricter rules for tap water and introduces measures for fostering access to clean drinking water with a special attention to vulnerable and marginalised groups. The general approach introduces a new legislative framework, which sets minimum hygienic requirements for materials in contact with water such as pipes. The aim is to improve the quality of such materials to ensure that human health is protected and no contamination takes place.

Ministers also exchanged their views on Greening the European Semester. András Rácz, Minister of State for Environment agreed with the need of integrating environmental interest to other EU policies. At the same time, he argued that the European Semester should remain the main instrument of the economic governance.

Further to this, the Council had a policy debate on endocrine disruptors. Ministers exchanged views on what could be the best approach to develop a coherent EU framework on endocrine disruptors. Ministers highlighted the growing public concern about substances with endocrine disrupting properties, which have an impact on the environment and are linked to human health problems.

Under any other business points, the Commission informed the ministers on the recent legislative proposal amending the provisions in the regulation on monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport in line with rules adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Commission drew attention on risk of illegal import of hydrofluorocarbons and its negative consequences. It also stressed the necessity for better enforcement of the EU regulation on the phase-down of f-gases. The Belgian delegation gave information on tackling greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector through carbon pricing and taxation. Belgium invited the Presidency to organise an initial debate on this topic during the next Environment Council meeting. The French, Spanish and Luxembourg delegations informed the ministers on their proposal aiming at strengthening the coherence between EU free trade agreements and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Between the AOB points the Spanish delegation gave information to the Council on the environmental protection policies to combat depopulation in rural areas and to improve quality of life. András Rácz, Minister of State for Environment informed the Ministers on the latest initiative of the Hungarian Government on “the protection of families” aims to support families residing rural areas.

The Italian delegation gave information on the preparation of the XXI Conference of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Area of the Mediterranean.

The Presidency and the Commission presented the outcome of the intermediary Meeting of the Parties to the Espoo Convention held in Geneva, 5-7 February 2019.

The Ministers held debate on the Global Pact for the Environment on the Ministerial lunch.


[1] general approach