Light vehicles, LIFE, COP31, plastic: France’s positions at next ENVI Council

"The Environment Council meeting, scheduled for 25 June, is important, but no legislation is due to be adopted. However, the debates and discussions that will take place will provide an opportunity to assess the balance of power and to shape future environmental legislation,” stated the office of Monique Barbut, Minister for Ecological Transition, on 24 June 2026.

Among the topics to be addressed are: the regulation on CO₂ emission standards for light vehicles - the Cypriot Presidency, which hands over to Ireland on 1 July, is due to present a “progress report” - climate resilience in Europe, water resilience, and COP17 on desertification. Discussions will also focus on strengthening the EU’s strategy in the run-up to COP31, which is to be held in Antalya, Turkey, from 9 to 20 November 2026.

In the run-up to this international summit, France and the Minister wish to put forward a “much more ambitious vision” for European negotiations, drawing lessons from COP30, which was “not a success”.

France is therefore calling for a firmer stance from the EU and for greater communication…