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Human and environmental health and protecting the natural environment were central to the discussions that took place from 20 to 21 January in Amiens as part of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The ministers gathered to address major issues throughout several sessions: chemicals, imported deforestation, agroecology, the just transition, and interactions between the environment, climate and energy, in particular challenges surrounding forests.
From 20 to 21 January, the environment ministers met to discuss biodiversity and human and environmental health. Two joint sessions bringing together the environment and energy ministers addressed the role of forests in climate, energy and environmental policy, and discussed the concept of the “just transition”.
First working session of the environment ministers
Theme: The agroecological transition: EU coherence and harmonisation concerning plant protection products
This exchange made it possible to:
share best national practices for reducing the use of pesticides and to take account of the ambitious policies put in place by several Member States;
identify the most relevant measures to be collectively retained at European level in order to cut pesticide use in half by 2030, which is a major component of the agroecological transition;
emphasise the need for a coordinated effort to find alternatives to plant protection products and to offer farmers solutions;
draw particular attention to “mirror clauses”, in particular with the aim of demanding imported products be subject to the standards in force in the European Union.
to take account of the Member States’ marked interest in the principle of banning exports to third countries of chemical products prohibited in the EU.
This initial working session falls under the upcoming recasting of the Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides, which will be discussed in Agriculture Council meetings. The purpose of the Directive is to help achieve the goals of the European Green Deal and the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The environment ministers will have the chance to revisit this issue during the Environment Council meeting in June.
Working lunch with the Environment Ministers
Theme: Implementing the European sustainability strategy in the field of chemical products
This working lunch provided the opportunity to identify the Member States’ priorities to inform the main upcoming legislative initiatives in 2022 and to collectively move forward with removing dangerous chemicals from the market.
Several major initiatives are expected by the end of the year:
the cross-cutting definition of the concept of endocrine disruptors in the CLP Regulation (Classification, Packaging and Labelling Regulation);
the proposed revision of the REACH Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals;
the restrictions applicable to these substances.
The implementation of the concept “a substance/an evaluation” and the need to have a harmonised definition of nanomaterials were examined.
Once again, the discussions addressed the challenges associated with banning exports of chemicals banned in the European Union.
Second working session of the environment ministers
Theme: Combatting imported deforestation
Combatting imported deforestation, one of the French Presidency’s priorities, is at the heart of the talks between the Member States. This working session provided an opportunity to gather more precise information on the main elements of the Member States’ positions regarding the Commission’s legislative proposal and to open up the debate on the challenges surrounding cooperation with third countries. The Commission’s proposal received a very positive response on this subject, which would allow Europeans to consume products in the knowledge that they have not contributed to the destruction of tropical forests.
Several provisions will be debated over the coming weeks:
extending the Regulation’s scope to other basic products such as rubber;
taking into account the impact of the production of these materials on other fragile and biodiversity-rich ecosystems, such as grasslands and wetlands, and possibly bringing it under the scope of the Regulation;
Technical discussions will now be stepped up to build an effective, controllable European mechanism that can serve as a benchmark for the rest of the world.
Joint working session with the Environment and Energy Ministers
Theme: The role of forests and the wood sector in environmental, energy and climate policies
This session reaffirmed the complex and key role of forests and the wood sector in the success of EU climate, environmental and energy policies. Common points of understanding were identified in order to define ambitious, compatible goals, in particular within the framework of the negotiations on the LULUCF regulation and the RED III revision of the Fit for 55 package. A significant number of ministers emphasised the shared commitment to promoting the uses of wood to build up carbon sinks in the Member States, while preserving forest ecosystems. Several major focuses emerged from the discussions:
the essential role of forest carbon sinks in achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and reinforcing public action in support of forests;
the increased use of wood moving toward long-term usages;
improved recycling and energy recovery of biomass wastes; and
the relevance of the principle of “cascade utilisation” of biomass, which must be applied with discernment.
Joint working lunch with the Environment and Energy Ministers
Theme: The just transition
During the joint working lunch, the ministers held a constructive discussion on the opportunities offered by the low-carbon transition and on the concept of the “just transition”. A number of ministers stressed the importance of ensuring a just transition, through support measures to facilitate re-training for workers and the transition for companies as well as helping households, while prioritising the most vulnerable. Discussions nonetheless remain open regarding the methods and means to be implemented, at both national and European level, to achieve this. With regard to extending the carbon market to the road transport and construction sectors, this proposal was not met with consensus and must be further discussed in depth, including alternative approaches. Discussions also highlighted the need for vigilance with regard to the high volatility of carbon prices, as well as the importance of ensuring that prices are comprehensible to encourage long-term investment and the emergence of disruptive technologies.
22/01/2022 00:00 | Press releases
Overview of the discussions between the EU energy ministers
The energy ministers met in Amiens this Saturday, 22 January under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and at a time when sharply increasing energy prices are affecting both European citizens and the economies of the Member States. This informal meeting allowed the ministers to make headway in the negotiations on energy prices, energy efficiency and hydrogen.
The energy ministers met in Amiens this Saturday, 22 January under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and at a time when sharply increasing energy prices are affecting both European citizens and the economies of the Member States. This informal meeting allowed the ministers to make headway in the negotiations on energy prices, energy efficiency and hydrogen.
First working session: energy prices for European consumers
Since September last year, the European energy markets have been grappling with a historic crisis, primarily caused by the surge in fossil fuel prices. While emergency measures have been taken at European and national level to protect consumers, the Union and the Member States must now bolster medium and long-term strategies to guard against situations such as these in the future.
The 27 EU energy ministers, Christian Busoi, the President of the European Parliament’s Committee on Energy, Kadri Simson, the European Commissioner for Energy and Christian Zinglersen, the Director of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) discussed targeted revisions of legislation to meet the European Union’s goals, namely the transition to a low-carbon economy and securing the supply of energy for consumers and managing its costs.
Several pillars of action emerged from this first discussion session:
Providing all consumers with the means of choosing the supply offer and risk exposure that best suits them, while ensuring they are informed of the relevant risks and opportunities;
Facilitating the sharing of decarbonisation dividends with individual consumers and businesses. More specifically, in the case of sharp increases in prices and resulting benefits for certain producers, Member States must be able to recover a portion of these benefits to redistribute it to all consumers.
Perfecting the joint optimisation of production means within the Union through more effective short-term markets;
Strengthening mutual solidarity in terms of security of supply and examining the best and least costly ways of consolidating future investments in the energy transition, in particular renewable energy, while also ensuring the supply of gas and seeking to optimise the use of European storage capacity
The European Commission and ACER will incorporate these different pillars for reform into their discussions. The report requested from ACER is due to be submitted this April before the Council meeting of the energy ministers in June.
Second working session: energy efficiency
With the proposed revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive published by the Commission on 14 July 2021, the EU must make significant additional efforts to reduce its energy consumption by 2030 to sustainably adhere to the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The morning session therefore continued with a discussion on the “energy efficiency first” principle.
The vast majority of the Member States take the view that from now on, this principle must be effectively applied to all public policy of the EU and its Member States, while granting them the minimum flexibility needed to adapt to their various domestic situations.
Another focal point highlighted by the ministers: the yearly energy savings obligation plays a central role in the Directive as it is a major driver of decarbonisation and of reducing the number of homes in energy poverty.
Third working session: hydrogen in Europe
On 11 December 2020, the Council of Ministers adopted conclusions on hydrogen, solidifying the goal of accelerating the development of low-carbon hydrogen.
In 2020, the Commission began significant regulatory changes with the publication of its hydrogen strategy and the revisions of the Regulation on trans-European energy infrastructure, the Directive on renewable energy, published in July 2021, and the “gas package” in December. As the final step of the informal meetings in Amiens, this working lunch gave the energy ministers the opportunity to reiterate their determination to create a sovereign hydrogen value chain in Europe attached to an industrial sector. Many ministers highlighted the risks associated with flows of massive imports, but also the necessity of a flexible regulatory framework for this emerging market.
All of the Member States agree that hydrogen presents an opportunity for decarbonising industrial activity and resource-heavy mobility, and on the need to accelerate the development of European technical solutions, in particular electrolysis.
The energy ministers met in Amiens this Saturday, 22 January under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and at a time when shar…
First working session: energy prices for European consumers
Since September last year, the European energy markets have been grappling with a historic crisis, primarily caused by the surge in fossil fuel prices. While emergency measures have been taken at European and national level to protect consumers, the Union and the Member States must now bolster medium and long-term strategies to guard against situations such as these in the future.
The 27 EU energy ministers, Christian Busoi, the President of the European Parliament’s Committee on Energy, Kadri Simson, the European Commissioner for Energy and Christian Zinglersen, the Director of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) discussed targeted revisions of legislation to meet the European Union’s goals, namely the transition to a low-carbon economy and securing the supply of energy for consumers and managing its costs.
Several pillars of action emerged from this first discussion session:
Providing all consumers with the means of choosing the supply offer and risk exposure that best suits them, while ensuring they are informed of the relevant risks and opportunities;
Facilitating the sharing of decarbonisation dividends with individual consumers and businesses. More specifically, in the case of sharp increases in prices and resulting benefits for certain producers, Member States must be able to recover a portion of these benefits to redistribute it to all consumers.
Perfecting the joint optimisation of production means within the Union through more effective short-term markets;
Strengthening mutual solidarity in terms of security of supply and examining the best and least costly ways of consolidating future investments in the energy transition, in particular renewable energy, while also ensuring the supply of gas and seeking to optimise the use of European storage capacity
The European Commission and ACER will incorporate these different pillars for reform into their discussions. The report requested from ACER is due to be submitted this April before the Council meeting of the energy ministers in June.
Second working session: energy efficiency
With the proposed revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive published by the Commission on 14 July 2021, the EU must make significant additional efforts to reduce its energy consumption by 2030 to sustainably adhere to the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The morning session therefore continued with a discussion on the “energy efficiency first” principle.
The vast majority of the Member States take the view that from now on, this principle must be effectively applied to all public policy of the EU and its Member States, while granting them the minimum flexibility needed to adapt to their various domestic situations.
Another focal point highlighted by the ministers: the yearly energy savings obligation plays a central role in the Directive as it is a major driver of decarbonisation and of reducing the number of homes in energy poverty.
Third working session: hydrogen in Europe
On 11 December 2020, the Council of Ministers adopted conclusions on hydrogen, solidifying the goal of accelerating the development of low-carbon hydrogen.
In 2020, the Commission began significant regulatory changes with the publication of its hydrogen strategy and the revisions of the Regulation on trans-European energy infrastructure, the Directive on renewable energy, published in July 2021, and the “gas package” in December. As the final step of the informal meetings in Amiens, this working lunch gave the energy ministers the opportunity to reiterate their determination to create a sovereign hydrogen value chain in Europe attached to an industrial sector. Many ministers highlighted the risks associated with flows of massive imports, but also the necessity of a flexible regulatory framework for this emerging market.
All of the Member States agree that hydrogen presents an opportunity for decarbonising industrial activity and resource-heavy mobility, and on the need to accelerate the development of European technical solutions, in particular electrolysis.
The energy ministers met in Amiens this Saturday, 22 January under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and at a time when shar…
