Press release
16 March 2010
Ministry of the Environment
Andreas Carlgren to attend meeting of environment ministers in Brussels
Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren and the other EU environment ministers are meeting in Brussels today for the first Environment Council to be held under the Spanish Presidency. Climate, biodiversity and mercury issues are on the agenda.
This year, the global biodiversity 2010 target will be followed up and a long-term vision negotiated. The environment ministers are now to adopt Council conclusions on the EU vision and an overall objective for biological diversity in the EU. The Council conclusions are also to establish principles for an active and constructive EU in the global negotiations.
The environment ministers will also discuss the follow-up to the Copenhagen conference and the continuing process towards an international climate agreement. A key issue is the EU's position on the Kyoto Protocol and the demand for a legally binding agreement for all parties. Sweden wants the EU to prepare for a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol.
At the Council meeting, Sweden has taken the initiative to call attention to the upcoming review of the EU Mercury Strategy.
At the Council meeting, the environment ministers will also discuss the proposed legislative instrument to reduce CO2 emissions from light commercial vehicles, and the European strategy for jobs and growth, i.e., EU 2020.
Contact
Lennart BodénPress Secretary to Andreas Carlgren
