ENVI Council: "It would send a terrible signal to backtrack on the car regulations" (Monique Barbut)

"New proposals have been put forward regarding the automotive regulation, which once again aim to water down the commitments made. It would send a terrible signal to take a step backwards," said Monique Barbut, Minister for Ecological Transition, ahead of the Environment Council meeting on 25 June 2026 in Luxembourg.

For the Minister, consistency is key to achieving the targets set for a 90 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2040, and “we will not achieve this by backtracking at every Council meeting”. The minister also highlights “the surge in sales of electric vehicles”, thanks in particular to the leasing scheme introduced for new cars, which has now been extended to second-hand vehicles.

In addition to the climate agenda, Monique Barbut states that France will fight for “Europe’s sovereignty and competitiveness”, notably through the “European content clause” in the regulation (Made in Europe), which she considers vital.

To ensure that the text agreed a few months ago is not reversed, Monique Barbut explains that, on France’s initiative, a blocking minority has been formed.

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