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The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr Maria Panayiotou, attended the Environment Council of the European Union (EU), which took place on 17 June 2024 in Luxembourg. The main issues discussed by the Council were the Law on Nature Restoration, the proposal for a Waste Directive, the Soil Monitoring Directive and the Green Claims Directive. There was also an exchange of views on the EU climate target for 2040 and on the Commission communication on climate risk management.
The Council approved by a majority the agreement reached last November with the European Parliament on the Nature Restoration Regulation. The legislation aims to restore habitats that are in poor condition and to restore nature to all ecosystems, including forests, seas, freshwater, farmland and urban ecosystems by 20% by 2030. In her intervention, Dr Maria Panayiotou supported the immediate adoption of this Regulation, underlining its importance for the protection and restoration of the environment and biodiversity in the EU. In particular, she stated that the protection and restoration of nature is the sound basis for the protection of ecosystem services and the sustainable implementation of activities such as agriculture.
Furthermore, the Council adopted the General Approach on the proposal for an amendment to the Waste Framework Directive in relation to food waste and textile waste. The Minister supported the compromise text, highlighting in particular the provisions on the tourism correction factor and the use of a representative reference year for food waste production since 2020 is not representative due to the pandemic. Dr Panagiotou also underlined the need for special treatment of charities with regard to textile waste in order not to affect their humanitarian activities.
Ministers also adopted the Council's General Approach on the Soil Monitoring Act. In her intervention, the Minister stressed the importance of the provision for the Commission to assist Member States' experts in implementing this legislation, given its highly technical and innovative nature.
During the Council's work, the General Approach on the Green Claims Directive was also adopted. The Minister stressed the importance of this Directive for the effective combating of "green laundering". She said that through it, both the consumer and the philosophy of ecological and environmentally friendly products and services are safeguarded and protected. At the same time, she noted that it also protects businesses themselves, ensuring the trust of their customers and partners.
In the context of the discussion on the European climate target for 2040, Dr Panayiotou referred to the need for effective implementation and development of tools such as the Cross Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the Innovation Fund and the Net Zero Emission Industry Act (NZIA). It also highlighted the role of the circular economy in the fight against climate change, as it offers the opportunity to reuse and reduce new material production, thus contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally, during a working lunch, Ministers exchanged views on the first climate risk assessment report prepared for the European Commission. The Minister stressed that there is a need to support Member States with financial instruments to help them adapt to the new data created by climate change.
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