Copenhagen eyes climate action as it kicks off Council presidency

Denmark is launching its mandate presiding over the Council of the European Union and the agenda is now fixed for a meeting of climate and environment ministers set for 10 July.

The discussion is set to take place shortly after a presentation of the bloc's new emission reduction target running to 2040 which is due to land 2 July. In addition to future climate targets, the work to be done in the build up to November’s United Nations climate change conference in Brazil is another topic on the agenda of the ministerial while plastic pollution will also feature.

Shortly after Brussels takes a summer break, the Danes will then preside over a new high-level meeting on energy topics, planned for the 4 and 5 of September, and an official Council meeting scheduled for 20 October.

Concluding negotiations on the REPowerEU proposal, the EU’s plan to increase the share of renewables in its overall energy consumption, is among Denmark’s top priorities, notably to phase out the supply of Russian gas.

Advancing work to lower energy prices is another key priority for the Danish presidency, which aims to start talks on the energy infrastructure framework, strengthened grid development and streamlined procedures for energy deployment.

(jp)