At the informal meetings of ministers for environment, significant progress was made

The discussions that took place in Amiens, France as part of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, from 20 to 21 January were focused on human and environmental health as well protecting the natural environment. The ministers met to discuss major issues in a variety of sessions, including chemicals, imported deforestation and agroecology. They also discussed the just transition and interactions between energy, climate, and the environment, with a particular focus on forest challenges.

The environment ministers met from 20-21 January to discuss biodiversity, human and environmental health, and other issues. Two sessions that brought together the ministers of environment and energy addressed the role forests play in climate, energy, and environmental policy and discussed the concept a just transition.

First meeting of the environment ministers

Theme: The agroecological Transition: EU coherence, harmonisation regarding plant protection products

This exchange enabled:

• Share best national practices to reduce pesticide use and to consider the ambitious policies of several Member States.
• Identify the most relevant measures that should be kept at European level to reduce pesticide usage by half by 2030. This is a significant component of the agroecological transformation.
• It is important to coordinate efforts to find alternatives to pesticides and to offer solutions to farmers.
• Particular attention should be paid to mirror clauses. This is especially important as it aims to require that imported products comply with the European Union standards.
• to take into account the Member States’ marked interest in the principle to ban exports to third countries of chemical substances that are banned in the EU.

This first working session falls under the Directive on sustainable pesticide use, which will be discussed at the Agriculture Council meetings. The Directive’s purpose is to support the EUs Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the European Green Deal. This issue will be reexamined by the Environment Council in June, when the ministers responsible for the environment will have an opportunity to do so.

Lunch with Environment Ministers

Theme: Implementing the European Sustainability Strategy in the field Chemical Products

This working lunch allowed the Member States to identify their priorities and inform the main legislative initiatives for 2022. It also gave them the opportunity to move forward together with the removal of dangerous chemicals from market.

Many major initiatives are planned for the end of the year.

• The CLP Regulation (Classification, Packaging and Labelling Regulation) provides a cross-cutting definition for the concept of endocrine disruptionors.
• The proposed revision of REACH Regulation on registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals
• These substances are subject to restrictions
• We examined the implementation of the concept of a substance/an assessment and the need for a harmonised definition nanomaterials.

The discussions also addressed the challenges of banning the export of chemicals that are banned in the European Union.

Second working session of environment ministers

Theme: Combating import deforestation

The French Presidency has made it a priority to combat imported deforestation in the discussions between the Member States. This working session allowed for more detailed information on the main elements and positions of the Member States regarding the Commission’s legislative proposal. Also, it opened up discussion about the challenges that arise from cooperation with third-country countries. This proposal was received very positively by the Commission. It would allow Europeans the freedom to consume products knowing that they have not contributed towards the destruction of tropical forests.

In the coming weeks, several provisions will be discussed:

• The Regulations can be extended to include basic products such rubber.
• The Regulation may be amended to take into account the potential impact of these materials upon other fragile and richly biodiversity-rich ecosystems such as grasslands or wetlands.

Technical discussions will now be intensified in order to create an efficient, controllable European mechanism which can serve as a reference for the rest of world.

Joint working session with Energy and Environment Ministers

Theme: The role forests and the wood industry in climate, energy and environmental policies

This session reiterated the important role of forests in the success of EU climate and environmental policies. In order to establish ambitious and compatible goals, common points of understanding were identified, particularly in the context of negotiations on the LULUCF regulation, the RED III revision to the Fit for 55 package. Many ministers emphasized the common commitment to promote the use of wood to build up carbon-sinks in the Member States and preserve forest ecosystems. The discussions brought out several major themes:

• Forest carbon sinks are essential for achieving climate neutrality before 2050 and promoting public support for forests.
• The increased use of wood is moving towards long-term uses;
• Improved recycling and energy recuperation of biomass wastes
• The relevance of the principle cascade utilisation of biomass must be considered.

Joint working lunch with Energy and Environment Ministers

Theme: The only transition

Ministers had a productive discussion during the joint lunch on the low-carbon transition opportunities and the concept for the just transition. Many ministers stressed that a just transition is essential. This can be achieved through support measures that facilitate retraining of workers and the transition for households as well as help households. While prioritising the most vulnerable, However, there are still many questions about the methods and means that should be used to achieve this, both at the national and European levels. The proposal to expand the carbon market to road transport and construction was not approved by consensus. This issue must be explored in detail and include alternative approaches. Discussions also highlighted the need to be cautious about high carbon prices’ volatility and the importance of making prices understandable in order to encourage long-term investment as well as the emergence of disruptive technologies.

More information

Download the Press Kit

• Slide previous
• Next slide

Last updated on 16 February 2022