This Week in Environment — Brussels (#21, 2026)
Commission refers Spain, Poland to Court for ETS delays; new roadmap phases out animal testing; Regulation (EU) 2026/1168 revises microplastics rules; social climate fund aids Lithuania.
May 31, 2026 to June 06, 2026
Commission refers Spain, Poland to Court for ETS delays; new roadmap phases out animal testing; Regulation (EU) 2026/1168 revises microplastics rules; social climate fund aids Lithuania.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission refers Spain and Poland to Court of Justice for failing to transpose revised EU ETS Directives
On 3 June, the European Commission decided to refer Spain (INFR(2024)0051) and Poland (INFR(2024)0114) to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failure to transpose Directive (EU) 2023/959 and Directive (EU) 2023/958 into national law. The revised EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) framework, essential for meeting 2030 and 2050 climate goals, was meant to be transposed by 31 December 2023. Following letters of formal notice in January 2024 and reasoned opinions in May 2025, neither Spain nor Poland communicated full transposition measures. The Commission is seeking financial sanctions. Directive (EU) 2023/959 amends Directive 2003/87/EC to reinforce ETS scope, including maritime and tighter allocation rules, while Directive (EU) 2023/958 strengthens aviation sector obligations and aligns with ICAO’s CORSIA scheme.
Commission accelerates transition away from animal testing in chemical safety assessments
On 31 May, the Commission presented a roadmap outlining 22 actions to phase out animal testing in chemical safety assessment across industrial chemicals, pesticides and biocides, pharmaceuticals, and food/feed additives. The framework, a key measure under the Chemicals Action Plan, strengthens existing REACH requirements and responds to the 'Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics' citizens' initiative. Key actions include supporting alternative methods development using AI and data, monitoring progress through set indicators, and establishing a framework for collaboration with international regulators. The Commission will review progress at a high-level conference in 2029.
Commission endorses Lithuania’s €884 million Social Climate Plan under the Social Climate Fund
On 4 June, the Commission approved Lithuania’s Social Climate Plan—making it the second national plan endorsed under Regulation (EU) 2023/959 establishing the Social Climate Fund. Lithuania will invest €884 million (2026–2032), with €663 million from the Fund and €221 million in national co-financing, to support vulnerable households, renovate buildings, enable new and retrofitted social housing, and expand electric mobility and cycling infrastructure. More than 40,000 households are expected to benefit from retrofits covering 50–85% of costs. The Fund, financed by revenues from the EU’s new emission trading system for buildings, transport, and additional sectors (ETS2), aims to support a fair transition for affected communities.
Commission approves €100 million Austrian State aid scheme for cleantech manufacturing
On 4 June, the European Commission approved Austria’s €100 million State aid scheme to support clean technology manufacturing, particularly in strategic sectors such as batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines. The approval follows the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted on 25 June 2025. Aid will take the form of subsidised loans available until 31 December 2026 and target both SMEs and large firms. The Commission found the scheme in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and relevant provisions of CISAF.
Commission approves €54 million Spanish State aid for agricultural companies facing fuel price increases
On 1 June, the Commission approved a €54 million Spanish State aid scheme to support agricultural firms affected by fuel price surges due to the Middle East crisis. Approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted 29 April 2026, companies will receive direct grants amounting to €0.20 per litre of diesel purchased between 22 March and 30 June 2026. The scheme covers up to 70% of additional fuel costs and runs until 31 December 2026.
Commission approves €25 million Spanish State aid for fishing companies hit by increased fuel prices
On 3 June, the European Commission approved a €25 million State aid scheme for Spanish fishing companies impacted by elevated fuel costs arising from the Middle East crisis. The scheme, also covered by METSAF, applies to fuel purchased from 22 March to 30 June 2026 and limits aid to €200,000 per vessel. The scheme will run until 31 December 2026.
Eurobarometer: Over 90% of Europeans support biodiversity protection
Published at the launch of EU Green Week, the 2026 Special Eurobarometer survey shows sustained, high support for biodiversity and nature protection across the European Union. Pollution, man-made disasters, agriculture, and urbanisation are viewed as the main threats to biodiversity. Respondents express particularly strong awareness of the Natura 2000 network and the necessity of protected areas. Results will feed into ongoing Birds and Habitats Directives stress-tests, with a public consultation open until 10 August 2026.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1168 revises rules on synthetic polymer microparticles
Published 2 June, Regulation (EU) 2026/1168 amends Annex XVII to REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 regarding synthetic polymer microparticles (microplastics). The revision clarifies and expands derogations for medicinal products and research uses, refines conditions for the 'solid matrix' exemption (now requiring use >1 year), and provides retroactive application of certain changes to align with original legislative intent. Entry into force: 22 June 2026.
EU Council
Council to debate decarbonisation efforts in post-2030 transport sector
EU transport ministers are scheduled to meet on 8 June 2026 for the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council. Discussions will cover decarbonisation strategies for transport beyond 2030 and are expected to result in adopted conclusions on the EU maritime industrial strategy and ports strategy.
EP Committee Work
ENVI Committee holds public hearing on EU ETS reform and decarbonisation
On 2 June, the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) convened a public hearing titled 'EU ETS: Current Performance and Pathways for the Future.' Expert panels featured representatives from industry, research bodies, and environmental NGOs including Heidelberg Materials, Association of Chemical Industry Czech Republic, and Carbon Market Watch. Presentations addressed the contemporary performance of the Emissions Trading System and next steps in light of the EU 2040 climate targets. Beatriz Yordi, Director for Carbon Markets and Clean Mobility at DG CLIMA, provided closing remarks.
ENVI Committee exchanges views on wildfire management and biodiversity reporting
At its 1 June meeting, the ENVI Committee held an exchange with Hadja Lahbib (Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management) and Jessika Roswall (Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy) on the Commission Communication regarding wildfire management. The Committee further heard from the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Astrid Schomaker, on progress towards the Global Biodiversity Framework in the run-up to COP17.
What We're Reading This Week
- Record heat-related deaths in Spain after an unusually warm May: Spain experiences a surge in heat-related fatalities following unprecedented May temperatures, raising alarm about climate change impacts.
