Luxembourg Calls for Climate Action at EU Environment Council

On Monday 12 October 2026, Luxembourg's Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity Serge Wilmes attended the European Union (EU) Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg, where ministers discussed the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and preparations for upcoming United Nations conferences on biodiversity and climate change.

According to Luxembourg's Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, the ministers held a policy debate on the proposed revision of the EU ETS, which forms part of the European Commission's efforts to implement the EU's 2040 climate target.

During the discussions, Minister Wilmes stressed the need to balance climate ambitions with industrial decarbonisation and economic competitiveness. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a stable and predictable carbon pricing system to encourage businesses to invest in the transition towards a low-carbon economy.

He also called for emissions reduction targets to remain consistent with the EU's climate framework beyond 2030, supporting a cost-effective transition.

Minister Wilmes welcomed the proposal to establish an industrial decarbonisation bank and advocated reinvesting a significant share of EU ETS revenues in energy-intensive industries, particularly to support electrification, renewable hydrogen and renewable energy.

The ministers also adopted Council conclusions ahead of the seventeenth United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP17), scheduled to take place later this month in Yerevan, Armenia.

The conference will assess progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and identify gaps in achieving international biodiversity targets for 2030.

Luxembourg reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and restoring nature, with Minister Wilmes highlighting the importance of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting sustainable development.

The Council also examined draft conclusions ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled for November 2026 in Antalya.

Minister Wilmes emphasised that reducing greenhouse gas emissions should remain a central priority at COP31. He also called for the implementation of commitments under the Paris Agreement and ambitious national climate targets, stressing the importance of translating international agreements into concrete action.

At Austria's initiative, the ministers discussed the implementation of extended producer responsibility under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

Luxembourg supported efforts to reduce administrative burdens for microenterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), while maintaining the polluter-pays principle and ensuring fair competition.

At France's initiative, the Council also discussed integrating investment in nature into EU policies and financial instruments.

Minister Wilmes described nature as a strategic asset for Europe's economy, competitiveness and resilience. He stressed that achieving the EU's nature restoration objectives would require adequate and predictable funding.

Luxembourg therefore called for nature protection and restoration to receive greater consideration in the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework.