France aims for ‘a true ecological sovereignty for Europe’ at informal EU talks

Paris, which currently holds the six-month EU Council presidency, has highlighted the objective of achieving greater EU sovereignty on energy and environment as EU ministers dealing with these issues embark on a three-day informal meeting in Amiens. EURACTIV France reports.

France aims to establish “a true ecological sovereignty for Europe,” in line with the concept of strategic autonomy desired by President Emmanuel Macron, according to the office of Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili. Paris intends to follow up on the efforts already launched by the European Commission in this area, notably in the supply of raw materials, the production of decarbonised energy and the development of green technologies. The three days of meetings, which will take place in Amiens on 20-22 January as part of the French EU Council presidency, will focus on the decarbonisation of the economy and society, the protection of biodiversity, the fight against chemical pollution and the development of the circular economy.

Several working sessions will focus on the agro-ecological transition, notably the coherence and EU harmonisation with regards to plant protection products. Also on the table will be measure to combat imported deforestation, the role of the forest and wood in environmental, energy and climate policy, as well as the price of energy for EU consumers and energy efficiency. A series of lunch meetings on chemicals, the just transition, and hydrogen in Europe will also be held.

Not enough progress

In concrete terms, France hopes to “reach the first compromises” in the negotiations on the ‘Fit for 55’ package, which aims to achieve a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Europe by 2030. On biodiversity, the ministers are expecting proposals from the European Commission by the end of March. On the circular economy, some texts have been postponed to March or April, “so we will not go as far as we had hoped”, Pompili’s entourage confirmed. All these subjects are related, in one way or another, to the European Green Deal, a legislative package that aims to make the EU climate neutral by 2050.

“Making progress in the Green Deal negotiations” while “keeping other issues such as chemicals high on the political agenda” are France’s objectives during the French EU presidency, Pompili’s office added.

A working lunch of environment ministers is planned on the theme of “the implementation of the European strategy for sustainability in the field of chemical products”. This strategy, presented by the European Commission in October 2020, aims to ban dangerous substances until they have been proven safe. The European Commission is organising a workshop on 22 March to discuss the subject with stakeholders. “In this multilateral framework, Europe has a leadership role to play,” the minister’s office emphasised. The EU’s role could be strengthened by the French presidency if the EU manages to agree on a common position by then.

Source: Euractiv