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EU Environment Ministers gather in Brussels to discuss Fit For 55

EU Environment Ministers gather in Brussels to discuss Fit For 55

The EU ministersOn 17 March, representatives of the environment and climate change will meet in Brussels to discuss the EUs Fit for 55 Package, the Battery Regulation, and the Deforestation Regulation. Finland’s representative will be Minister for the Environment and Climate Change. Emma Kari.

The Environment Ministers will hold a discussion on the elements of Fit for 55 that fall under the control of the Environment Council (Emissions trading Directive and amendments to it with respect aviation, Effort sharing Regulation, LULUCF regulation, Regulation setting CO2 emission performance levels for cars and vans, as well as Regulation establishing a fund for social climate change). France’s goal is to adopt a general approach in June on the proposals after intensifying negotiations on the package.

Already, we can see the impact of the climate crisis on our daily lives and the loss of biodiversity across the globe. It is vital that the EU meets its emission reduction target of at most 55% by implementing this package. It is crucial to accelerate the green transition and phase out all imported fossil fuels in Europe, especially after the conflict in Ukraine. Emma Kari, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, states that Fit for 55 plays a critical role in this effort.

Minister Kari states that extending emissions trading to road transport and building-specific heating, and the social impact this will have, requires more work and careful consideration.

The meeting should also adopt an overall approach to the EUs Battery Regulation. This regulation aims at encouraging the use of circular economy-compatible battery materials. Finland believes it is important that a general approach be taken on this issue and supports the proposal.

The new Battery Regulation requires that the battery industry pay more attention to the environmental impact of the entire battery lifecycle, from raw materials to recycling and climate impacts. This will increase the Finnish battery industry’s competitiveness and reduce environmental harm. The next step in the process will be negotiations with the European Parliament to finalize the regulation’s text.

The Environment Council will also be discussing the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation governing the export and placing on the EU markets of products related to deforestation and forest degradation. The Commission submitted the Deforestation Regulation proposal in November 2021. Finland is committed towards the goal of ending global forest destruction by 2030. The current measures are not sufficient to stop deforestation. This means that additional measures are necessary. Finland feels it is important that this proposal is compatible with other EU forest-related initiatives as well as the applicable regulation. To ensure forests are protected, it is essential to fully recognize and appreciate the multiple economic, social, and ecological benefits they provide.

Source: Ministry of the Environment

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