European Council: the environmental priorities of the Cyprus presidency for 2026

The Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council "will actively seek to strengthen the EU’s leadership role, at the international level, in addressing global environmental challenges", announced its programme, released at the end of December 2025.

Following the Danish presidency, the Cypriot presidency of the Council, assumed by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, began on 01/01/2026.

The Presidency will therefore focus on:

• implementing the policy initiatives of the European Green Deal and working on the Environmental Omnibus Package;
• Combating climate change to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 by promoting innovative, sustainable and technologically neutral solutions for road transport;
• improving water resilience by reducing water consumption, improving water efficiency, managing water stress and protecting and restoring water bodies;
• facilitating the adoption of Council conclusions on the new EU bioeconomy strategy, which focuses on bio-based innovations, green job creation and workforce development through upskilling and reskilling.

Regarding circular…