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Κυριακή 26 Ιουνίου 2022

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ,update

 

● Council of the EU
 
25/06/2022 23:03 | MEETING |

Environment Council, 28 June 2022

 

Background brief - Environment Council, 28/06/2022

  •  Council of the EU

Environment Council, 28 June 2022

Live streaming
Live streaming


28 June 202208:30 Arrivals
09:40 Public session
16:55 Public session
TBC Press conference

Estimated schedule
Agenda highlights


Infographic - How the EU delivers the green transitionSee full infographic

Environment ministers will aim at reaching a general approach on proposals that are part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, relating to the carbon market, carbon sinks, effort sharing between member states, CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans and a social climate fund. Ministers will also aim to reach a general approach on a proposal to minimise the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with products placed on the EU market. The Presidency will present a report on progress made in discussions on a proposal on waste shipments.
‘Fit for 55’ package

Ministers will aim to reach a general approach on the following files of the ‘Fit for 55’ package:revision of the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme (EU ETS)
revision of the regulation on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by member states (effort sharing regulation)
revision of the regulation on greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF)
revision of rules for CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles
regulation establishing a social climate fund

The ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package aims to align with EU’s legislation to the increased ambition of the new emissions reduction target of cutting net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.Fit for 55 (background information)
European Green Deal (background information)
Deforestation and forest degradation

Ministers will discuss a proposal to reduce to a minimum the consumption of products coming from supply chains associated with deforestation or forest degradation, with the aim of reaching a general approach.

The objective of this proposal is to ensure that products consumed on the EU market do not contribute to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide.
Waste shipments

The presidency will present a report on the progress of discussions on a proposal to tighten EU waste shipment rules that aim to ensure that the EU does not export its waste challenges to third countries. The proposal also aims to make it easier to transport waste for recycling and reuse within the EU and better tackle illegal waste shipments.
Other matters

The Commission will inform ministers of the main international meetings that have taken place recently.

The Commission will provide ministers with information on certain pending legislative proposals.

Sweden will brief ministers on the outcome of the Stockholm +50 conference and Cyprus will brief ministers on the 9th Environment for Europe ministerial conference.

Finally, Czechia will present the work programme for its upcoming presidency.


Meeting information

Meeting n°3887
Luxembourg
28 June 2022
09:30
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
Provisional list of A items
Background brief

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 27 June 2022

Live streaming
Live streaming


27 June 202208:30 Arrivals
09:40 Public session
15:00 Public session
17:30 Public session
18:30 Press conference

Estimated schedule
Agenda highlights

Energy ministers will aim at reaching a general approach on the proposals to amend the renewable energies and the energy efficiency directives that are part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. Ministers will adopt a regulation aiming at filling the EU’s gas storage reserves before the winter and sharing them in a spirit of solidarity. They will also discuss the energy situation in the EU in the context of the war in Ukraine. Ministers will exchange views on a proposal to reduce methane emissions and on a proposal on energy performance of buildings.
‘Fit for 55’ package

Ministers will aim to reach a general approach on two energy-related proposals of the ‘Fit for 55’ package:revision of the energy efficiency directive
revision of the renewable energy directive

As part of the Fit for 55 legislative package, the Commission has proposed to revise both proposals in light of the increased ambition of the new emissions reduction target of cutting net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.Fit for 55 (background information)
Decarbonisation

The Presidency will present a report on the progress made on a proposal to reduce methane emissions in the EU and on a proposal on the energy performance of buildings. This will be followed by an exchange of views.


Infographic - What is the EU’s gas storage capacity?See full infographic
Energy prices

Ministers will exchange views on the energy situation in the EU in the context of the war in Ukraine. The presidency will invite ministers to present the preparedness level of their country in terms of natural gas for next winter.Energy prices and security of supply (background information)
How Russia's war in Ukraine has impacted markets (background information)
EU response to Ukraine invasion (background information)
Other matters

The presidency will provide an update on the state of play and next steps of the proposal on gas storage. Ministers are set to formally adopt the previously agreed regulation without debates in the morning.

The Commission will brief ministers about recent developments in the field of external energy relations.

Finally, Czechia will present the work programme for its upcoming presidency.


Meeting information

Meeting n°3886
Luxembourg
27 June 2022
09:30
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
Provisional list of A items
Provisional list of A items, addition 1
Background brief
Outcome documentsMeeting voting results

● European Council
 
26/06/2022 13:37 | Statements and remarks |

Remarks by President Charles Michel before the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany

 

It’s a pleasure to be here in beautiful Bavaria. A special thanks to Chancellor Scholz for hosting our meeting.

I would like to focus on five key areas in which the EU and the G7 can make and, I hope, will make a real difference, namely: Ukraine, food security, energy, climate and health.

Our G7 discussions will focus on the situation in Ukraine. Russia’s war against Ukraine has put the world at risk, dramatically impacting food and energy supplies, as well as prices and inflation. From day one, we have responded with unwavering unity and have adopted a 2-track approach involving support for Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions on Russia. The EU will continue to provide robust financial, humanitarian and political support to Ukraine and has also mobilised 2 billion euros to provide military equipment.

Ukraine needs more and we are committed to providing more. This comprises more military support, more financial means and more political support. We are also committed to supporting Ukraine's reconstruction.

As regards sanctions, the EU has imposed six packages of hard-hitting sanctions against Russia to curb Russia’s ability to wage war. The most recent package, imposed a few weeks ago, will ban 90% of Russian oil imported into the EU by the end of this year.

This war is also reshaping the European Union. Just a few days ago, at our latest European Council meeting, we agreed to give Ukraine and Moldova candidate status. And we are ready to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to Georgia, once reforms have been addressed.

This is a historic moment for Ukraine. And for the future of Europe.

The EU and the G7 share the same goals: bringing Russia’s war machine to a halt, while protecting our economies and those of our partners. The EU will stand by the people of Ukraine for the long haul and will help defend Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our aim is to strongly defend our common democratic values.

Our discussions here will also focus on food security, which is a growing global concern. The Kremlin is using food as a silent weapon of war and we must vigorously counter Russia's propaganda and actions in the area of food and fertilizer prices. Russia’s dangerous policies are responsible for the global food crisis. They are causing huge suffering in the poorest countries and among low-income households. Those policies are resulting in ports being blockaded and the destruction of agricultural infrastructure. They are turning fields of wheat into fields of war. And families … children … are facing the risk of starvation. People need this food now and time is running out.

The EU is therefore working on alternative routes for Ukrainian agricultural products.

We support the efforts of UN Secretary-General, António Guterres to re-open maritime routes to help in such a way that this also addresses Ukraine’s security concerns. And we support global initiatives, such as those taken by the Global Alliance for Food Security. The EU’s Global Food Security Response and the FARM initiative are relevant here, too. The EU is currently working to mobilise nearly 600 million euros to support those partners who have been most affected.

Energy security will also feature in our discussions, as energy security is yet another example of the destructive impact of Russia’s war. The war has further destabilised energy markets … and increased prices for families and businesses. At last week’s European Council summit, we decided on a collective response. In the EU, we have decided to phase out our dependence on Russia’s fossil fuels. To do this, we are diversifying energy sources, expanding the use of renewable energy sources and promoting energy efficiency. In this regard and in the longer term, climate neutrality is our guiding compass.

Our discussions will also address the urgent issue of climate change. Tackling climate change is both a challenge and an enormous opportunity. The EU is a global leader on tackling climate change. We are fully committed to the Paris Agreement and to becoming the first climate neutral continent by 2050. We welcome the idea of a Climate Club proposed by the German G7 presidency. This would serve to support the Paris Agreement, reinforce the work of the UNFCCC and limit carbon leakage.

We also aim to decarbonise industry. So, we are ready to engage on "Just Energy Transition Partnerships" with countries that are prepared to take real action on decarbonising their industry and energy sectors. Our partnership with South Africa, which was launched last year, is a great example of this.

As regards health, we must not forget the lessons learned from the pandemic and we need to be ready for future pandemics. Negotiations on the future "pandemic instrument" are now underway.

Finally, ladies and gentlemen, the G7 was launched to address the world's greatest challenges. Since our meeting last July, in Cornwall, the world has changed dramatically. We have responded swiftly, safely and effectively. And today, 49 years after the first G7 meeting, we all have a special responsibility. The world is watching. Let's take the right decisions, promote our democratic values and defend international law.

Thank you.