EU climate and environment ministers meet in Luxembourg to discuss emission standards for automotive industry and biodiversity
The EU Environment Council will meet in Luxembourg on Thursday 25 June. Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala will represent Finland at the meeting. Finland supports strong emissions trading in the EU, an ambitious climate policy and increased allocation of private and public funding for nature protection.
In various connections during the Council meeting Finland will stress the importance of a strong EU emissions trading system. The European Commission is expected to give a proposal on the reform of emissions trading in July. Stable and predictable emissions trading has effectively reduced emissions and led to cleaner electricity production. It also supports economic growth, boosts investments and contributes to Europe’s energy self-sufficiency.
“The EU emissions trading system is the backbone of European climate policy. A strong system is a clear advantage for Finland. When pollution costs money, clean solutions are the winners in the market. This guides investments in the right direction,” Minister Multala says.
One of the main topics of the Environment Council is the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from automotive industry and especially the proposed amendments to the Regulation on CO₂ standards for cars and vans. The Council will hear an update of the situation and discuss the flexibilities proposed by the Commission concerning the CO₂ emission reduction targets for automobile manufacturers.
“We can maintain a high level of ambition with respect to the CO₂ emission standards while at the same time strengthening competitiveness by allowing limited flexibilities. Finland considers it important that the lower limits and flexibilities proposed by the Commission will not be taken any further,” Minister Multala says.
In addition, the ministers will discuss the opportunities offered by biodiversity in terms of business and competitiveness and the role of businesses in halting biodiversity loss. The Commission published a roadmap for developing a nature credits market in summer 2025. Finland stresses that increased allocation of private funding to nature protection and restoration is a key condition for halting biodiversity loss and improving the state of nature. However, market-driven solutions are needed to complement statutory obligations and measures taken by public funding, not to replace these.
“Finland is among the leaders in this work. Nature credits market is one way to protect nature locally and an important means to increase private funding for nature,” Minister Multala says.
Council to discuss way forward in terms of Water Resilience Strategy and REACH obligations
The Environment Council will discuss the situation of the EU Water Resilience Strategy and further actions one year after the adoption of the strategy. A key focus will be on water efficiency and the future action plan for the digitalisation of the water sector. The Water Resilience Strategy takes a comprehensive view on the water cycle, wellbeing produced by water resources, water-related business innovations and access to clean water. Water resilience is an important part of competitiveness, comprehensive security and the clean transition in the whole of Europe. Finnish water expertise makes an important contribution to the efforts to respond to these challenges.
The Council will also discuss the alternatives for developing the REACH Regulation concerning chemicals. The European Commission will not continue the extensive legislative reform of the REACH Regulation. The obligations will remain in force, however, and the rules will be developed and further specified under the current regulation.
In connection with the Council meeting Minister Multala will have bilateral discussions with Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra and colleagues from different Member States.
Inquiries:
Juuso Kilpinen
Special Adviser to the Minister of Climate and the Environment
tel. +358 295 250 128
[email protected]
Amending regulation on CO₂ emission standards for cars and vans
Sara Österberg
Senior Specialist, Ministry of Transport and Communications
tel. +358 295 342 041
[email protected]
Biodiversity
Marina von Weissenberg
Senior Ministerial Adviser
tel. +358 295 250 321
[email protected]
EU Water Resilience Strategy
Annukka Lipponen
Chief Specialist on Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
tel. +358 295 162 067
[email protected]
REACH Regulation
Hinni Papponen
Ministerial Adviser
tel. +358 295 250 384
[email protected]