The Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Claire Perry)

The Maltese presidency introduced an exchange of views on these two regulations which, alongside the EU emissions trading system, will implement the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction target under the Paris agreement. On the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), views were sought on the idea of a safety reserve put forward by the presidency to address concerns from some member states on the starting point for the 2021-2030 emissions trajectory. On the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) regulation, views were sought on how to account for forest reference levels. Member state views remain divided on the best way to balance fairness, environmental integrity and cost efficiency across the dossiers. However, delegations reiterated the importance of making progress in order to reach agreement at October’s Environment Council. This in turn would help reinforce EU climate leadership ahead of the next UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the parties in November.

Environment Ministers debated the United States’ announcement of its intention to withdraw from the Paris agreement, noting that the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) had adopted Council conclusions on the same subject earlier in the day. There was full support of the FAC position, with many member states, including the UK expressing deep regret at the US decision and reaffirming that the Paris agreement cannot be renegotiated. While underscoring that the Paris agreement was irreversible, the UK also noted that the EU should leave the door open for the US to review its decision.

The Netherlands called on member states to provide funding to make up the shortfall in funding to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the UK, along with other member states, responded positively towards this suggestion.

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