Among the emission reduction targets to be reached by 2030 regarding sulphur-dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds other than methane and fine particulate matter (PM2,5) set country-by-country it was the target on ammonia that proved the most sensitive for several Member States. Agreeing on the importance of reducing the negative health effects of air pollution, the majority of Member States emphasised that the emission reduction targets need to be both ambitious and achievable.
The Council adopted conclusions on the Commission’s report on the Mid-Term Review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. The report examined whether the EU is on track to achieve the objective of halting biodiversity loss by 2020. During the discussion based on the conclusions the majority of delegations emphasised the importance of integrating biodiversity aspects within the decision-making in other sectors and of securing adequate funding to preserve natural resources and ecosystem services that provide significant economic benefits.
Among the any other business points Commissioner Vella gave a short presentation about the proposal package to promote the move towards a circular economy. The action plan and the legislative proposal aim to extract the maximum value and use from raw materials, products and waste, fostering energy savings and reducing resource use and greenhouse gas emissions. The measures proposed cover the full lifecycle including product planning and production, consumption to waste management, as well as ensuring a viable market for adequate quality secondary raw materials. Special attention is given within the field of waste management to increasing the share of recycling within municipal, particularly plastic waste, the proper management of construction and demolition waste, as well as the reduction of food waste
Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union provided information on the Report on the state of the Energy Union. The central element of the Energy Union will be the national climate and energy plan, which the Member States should start elaborate as of 2017.
The Presidency and the Commissions briefed the ministers on the outcome of the 21st climate conference (COP21) in Paris. The Dutch delegation presented its presidency’s work programme, highlighting that the revision of the Emissions Trading System will be a priority in the field of climate policy.
During the informal working lunch Commissioner Vella delivered an update to the environmental ministers on the outcome of investigations carried out with regard to the Volkswagen case and presented the legislation on real driving emissions test procedure.
