Brussels Environment in European colours
From 1 January to 30 June 2024, Belgium assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is a rare opportunity that only arises every 13,5 years. The Brussels-Capital Region will preside the debates of the Environment Council. It's a fantastic opportunity to make progress on environmental issues, which are a key concern for our citizens.
Leading the debate on climate change
Over 90% of Europeans considers climate change as a major problem that the world currently faces. These numbers are the findings of the Eurobarometer survey that was published last summer. The European Union (EU) devotes more than 30% of its total budget (356 billion euros) to protecting the environment and fighting climate change.
From climate change and waste management to air quality and the protection of natural resources, the environment plays a key role in our daily lives. According to the European Committee of the Regions, 70% of European legislation has an impact on our regions and cities. So, it's at European level that the major decisions are made. And since it's Belgium's turn to lead the debates, the timing couldn’t be more perfect!
During the Belgian presidency, the Brussels-Capital Region will chair the Environment Council. This is an opportunity for Brussels Environment and Belgium to move forward with the ongoing legislative files and to highlight three matters: adaptation and resilience, the circular economy and a just transition.
Find out more in the detailed programme of the Belgian presidency and get answers to all your questions in our FAQ
Did you know?
The presidency of the Council of the EU only comes around once every 13,5 years. The last Belgian presidency was back in 2010.
FAQ
What is the Council of the European Union?
The Council of the European Union – also known as “the Council” and sometimes as the Council of Ministers – is one of the main institutions of the European Union (EU), along with the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament.
Role
The Council has 5 key functions:
- It negotiates and adopts legislation
- It coordinates the policies of member states
- It defines the EU's common foreign and security policy
- It concludes international agreements
- It approves the EU budget
Configurations and seat
The Council meets in 10 different configurations, depending on the subject under discussion. One of these configurations deals with environmental issues.
The Council is based in Brussels. During the months of April, June and October, the Council will hold its sessions in Luxembourg.
Composition
Who takes part in the sessions of the Council of the European Union?
- Representatives of each member state at ministerial level. They may be ministers or secretaries of state.
- The members of the European Commission responsible for the fields involved.
Learn more about how the Council works and become an expert on the matter.
Don’t mix them up!
Although they have similar names, the European Council and the Council of the EU are two distinct institutions with very different roles and a different composition.
The European Council and the Council of the EU should not be confused either with the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe is not a European institution. It is an international organisation with a larger number of members, based in Strasbourg, the role of which is to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
What is a rotating presidency?
The presidency of the Council rotates between Member States for a period of 6 months. Belgium will hold the presidency of the Council from 1 January to 30 June 2024.
Each of the ministers of the member state holding the presidency presides over the configuration in which they sit.
Role
The role of the presidency is both political and administrative.
At the administrative level, it is responsible for the various procedures and organisation of the Council during its term of office. This includes convening Councils for their various meetings and organising Committees of the Permanent Representatives (also known as "COREPER"), as well as working groups.
The political aspect consists of a mediation and negotiation role. The presiding country positions itself as an "honest broker", that means as a mediator considering the positions of the various member states and seeking to reach a consensus. The presidency also represents the Council within the EU, and the EU at international meetings, such as those of the United Nations.
Working as a trio
The presiding member states work together in groups of three, called 'trios', which means that they are linked by a common agenda in order to maintain the continuity of any political action.
Belgium, Spain, and Hungary form a trio for a period of 1,5 years, which started on 1 July 2023 and will end on 31 December 2024. The programme of the Spain-Belgium-Hungary trio is available on the Belgian presidency website.
What is the Belgian presidency's programme?
These are the 6 priorities of the Belgian presidency:
- Defending rule of law, democracy, and unity
- Strengthening our competitiveness
- Pursuing a green and just transition
- Strengthening our social and health agenda
- Protecting people and borders
- Promoting a global Europe
These priorities are further explained on the Belgian presidency website.
What about the environment?
The EU’s green transition agenda is driven by the urgent need to address the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, coupled with the necessity to achieve a fair, resilient and circular society.
With these crises having underscored the importance of decisive and holistic action, the European Green Deal has placed the green transition at the heart of all EU policy proposals.
In this context, the Presidency will carry on the work on the EU's Green Deal policy initiatives, ensuring that all policies are crafted and executed in line with environmental and climate objectives, all while embracing the One World One Health approach and taking forward this endeavour in the next Strategic Agenda.
You can consult the full programme of the Belgian presidency and the Environment configuration online.
How can I follow the debates?
All information in a few clicks
The agenda and minutes of ministerial meetings are published on the websites of the Council and the Belgian presidency.
Press conferences can be followed live.
In addition, the Council holds regular public debates concerning important issues that affect the interests of the EU and its citizens.
You can also follow the Belgian presidency and the Council on social media in order to keep abreast of European events.
Useful links
Follow the Council on your favourite social networks:
Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter
How can I get involved as a citizen?
There are many ways to get involved in the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU and to influence European policy in general.
The Belgian presidency
Several events organised under the supervision of the Belgian presidency are open to the public. The events are listed on the presidency website.
The European legislative process
Citizens may also take part in public consultations and give their opinions throughout the policy development cycle via various mechanisms.
The European Citizens' Initiative gives you the opportunity to participate in the construction of the European Union by asking the European Commission to propose new legislation.
Did you know?
The "Right2Water" initiative is unique in that it was the first European citizens' initiative to gather enough signatures for the European Commission to take up their demands and incorporate them into a legislative proposal.
Go vote!
Finally, as a citizen, you can influence politicians by going to the polls and electing your representatives. The next European and Belgian elections (federal and regional) will be held in June 2024.
In the news
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NATURE, OUR FUTURE
Nature-based Solutions" are to play a big role in climate change mitigation and building resilient and sustainable societies. Let's find out how nature can be our ally, and how Europe and the Belgian presidency can promote this new scheme.
News
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EUROPE: THE FIRST SUCCESSES OF THE BELGIAN PRESIDENCY
See the article
4 APRIL 2024 - Belgium has now held the presidency of the Council of the European Union for three months. This is an opportunity to take stock at the halfway stage of the initial successes in the environmental sector, as well as the issues on the agenda and the next steps. -
ANIMAL WELFARE, A PRIORITY FOR EUROPE
29 JANUARY 2024 - Animal welfare policy-makers and stakeholders met in Brussels on 29 January for the "Call to Care for Animal Welfare" event. On the agenda: the progress of European legislation in this area.
See the article -
RENOVATION WEEK: MATERIALS AT THE HEART OF THE TRANSITION TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
17 JANUARY 2024 - In the context of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the three regions jointly organised Renovation Week from 15 to 18 January at the Maison de la Poste (Tour & Taxis). The event organised by the Brussels region on 17 January focused on the topic of sustainable materials.
See the article -
INFORMAL COUNCIL: A MOMENT FOR DEBATE ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
16 JANUARY 2024 - European environment and climate ministers met in Brussels on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 January. This informal meeting marks the start of work on the Council's Environment Configuration under the Belgian presidency.
See the article -
THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS: BELGIUM PREPARES FOR THE EU PRESIDENCY IN 2024
JULY 1, 2023 - Only six months to go. As the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union begins today, Belgium is preparing to take over the reins of Europe. A rare opportunity that only arises every 13.5 years.
See the article -
HORIZON 2024: THE BELGIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
MAY 9, 2023 - From January 1 to June 30, 2024, Belgium will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). During this period, the Brussels-Capital Region will also represent Belgium on the EU Environment Council. A key moment for Brussels Environment, which will be in the front line to guide the work scheduled on the agenda.
See the article
Press
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EU position
Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU
Spokesperson for the informal ENVI council:
David Jordens
+32 478 92 09 37
Spokesperson for the formal ENVI council:
Niels Timmermans
+32 470 18 22 47
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And Brussels in all this?
Brussels Environment
press.be24@environnement.brussels
French-speaking press:
Pascale Hourman
+32 490 52 37 89
Dutch- and English-speaking press:
Judith Verbist
+32 490 677 849