This Week in Environment — Brussels (#25, 2026)
ETS Modernisation Fund disburses €2.5bn; new PET bottle recycling rules; revised ETS free allocation benchmarks adopted; action on fluorinated gases and harbour porpoise protection.
June 28, 2026 to July 04, 2026
ETS Modernisation Fund disburses €2.5bn; new PET bottle recycling rules; revised ETS free allocation benchmarks adopted; action on fluorinated gases and harbour porpoise protection.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📝 EP Motions & Questions
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On July 06, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Council Directive 98/58/EC and Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements, and repealing Council Directives 82/711/EEC and 85/572/EEC; Amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On July 06, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Decision (EU) 2015/1814 as regards ceasing the invalidation of allowances in the market stability reserve; Amending Decision (EU) 2015/1814 as regards the market stability reserve for the buildings, road transport and additional sector; Amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards the extension of its scope to downstream goods and anti-circumvention measures.
European Commission
€2.5 billion of EU ETS Modernisation Fund allocated to clean energy projects in 11 Member States
The European Commission and European Investment Bank announced a €2.5 billion Modernisation Fund disbursement to 51 energy-related projects across Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia. This funding, sourced from EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) revenues, aims to advance energy efficiency, grid digitalisation, and decarbonisation in power, industry, and transport sectors. Project examples include district heating decarbonisation in Czechia, trolleybus transitions in Estonia, and geothermal heating in Croatia. Since January 2021, the fund has provided €23.2 billion to support climate and energy targets in lower-income Member States. The upcoming deadlines for new investment proposals are 11 August 2026 (non-priority) and 8 September 2026 (priority). The fund is part of the EU's broader 'Fit For 55' climate legislative package.
Commission clarifies EU rules on chemical recycling in PET bottles
The European Commission adopted detailed rules on calculating, verifying, and reporting chemically recycled content in single-use PET beverage bottles. This Implementing Act, part of the December 2025 plastics package, introduces a uniform methodology applicable to both chemical and mechanical recycling, supporting traceability and investment certainty in the recycling sector. These provisions address the requirements of the Single-Use Plastics Directive and cover recycled material sourcing from EU, EEA, OECD, and, under conditions, non-OECD countries. The measure applies from November 2027 to overseas recycled plastic. The Commission consulted stakeholders and obtained support from the Waste Technical Adaptation Committee in February 2026.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1425: PET bottle recycled content methodology
On 30 June 2026, Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1425 established binding EU rules for calculating, verifying, and reporting recycled plastic content in single-use PET beverage bottles under Directive (EU) 2019/904. The regulation introduces a 'mass balance' accounting method, enables inclusion of chemical recycling, sets eligibility for recycled material from OECD and certain non-EU sources, and formalises verification protocols for Member States. The Decision repeals Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2683 and enters into force on 23 July 2026.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1412: ETS benchmark values for 2026–2030
On 26 June 2026, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1412 fixed revised benchmark values for free allocation of EU ETS emissions allowances for 2026–2030, under Article 10a(2) of Directive 2003/87/EC. The benchmarks are determined using data on the 10% most efficient installations for each sub-sector, adjusting values in light of technological advances and strengthened climate ambition following Directive (EU) 2023/959. The regulation introduces reduced values for 54 EU ETS benchmarks, according to updated emission reduction trajectories.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1444: repeal of Regulation (EC) No 1497/2007 and (EC) No 1516/2007—fluorinated gas leakage checks
On 2 July 2026, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1444 repealed outmoded rules on leakage checking for equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases, reflecting updates to the EU regulatory framework. The Regulation aligns with Regulation (EU) 2024/573 and removes outdated technical requirements in favour of harmonised Union standards.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1382: reference values for hydrofluorocarbon quotas (2027–2029)
Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1382, adopted 22 June 2026, sets reference values for HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) quotas for producers and importers under Regulation (EU) 2024/573. These reference volumes, allocated for 2027–2029, are based on each company's lawful placement data from 2022–2024 and are essential to the phasedown schedule for fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/450: Baltic Proper harbour porpoise mitigation enforcement
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/450, adopted on 27 February 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 with additional compliance measures on bycatch mitigation for the Baltic Proper harbour porpoise. The regulation introduces stricter vessel monitoring and control requirements to ensure adherence to static net closures and existing acoustic deterrent measures. New technology requirements and transmission rules take effect July 2027.
EU Council
Upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council to discuss livestock strategy and protein plan
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council, convening on 13 July 2026, will present the Irish presidency’s programme priorities. Ministers are slated to discuss the Commission’s livestock strategy, a protein plan, trade issues, and women’s participation in agriculture.
EP Motions & Questions
Motion for a resolution: GMO authorisation (maize NK603 × T25)
Sirpa Pietikäinen (ENVI, Finland) tabled a motion on the Commission Implementing Decision renewing market authorisation for products containing or produced from genetically modified maize NK603 × T25 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
Motion for a resolution: GMO authorisation (soybean MON 87705)
Sirpa Pietikäinen (ENVI, Finland) tabled a motion on the draft Commission Implementing Decision renewing market authorisation for products containing or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87705 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
Motion for a resolution: GMO authorisation (maize DP202216 × NK603 × DAS-40278-9)
Sirpa Pietikäinen (ENVI, Finland) tabled a motion regarding the Commission draft decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP202216 × NK603 × DAS-40278-9 and specified sub-combinations under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
Resolution on indirect land-use change-risk biofuels: gradual phase-down trajectory
Borys Budka (ITRE, Poland) tabled a motion addressing the Commission delegated regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/807 to introduce a trajectory for reducing the contribution of high indirect land-use change-risk biofuels, bioliquids, and biomass fuels to renewable energy targets.
EP Committee Work
ENVI Committee: Ordinary meeting on environmental priorities and legislative file tracking
The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) met on 2 July 2026 in Brussels to continue tracking the implementation of recent environmental legislation and to prepare for upcoming scrutiny of Commission delegated and implementing acts. Environmental permitting, chemical safety files, and biodiversity strategy updates were among the agenda items.
ITRE Committee: Opinion on Temporary Decarbonisation Fund regulation
On 3 July 2026, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted an opinion on the European Commission's proposal for a regulation to establish the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund. The rapporteur was Massimiliano Salini.
What We're Reading This Week
- Spanish heatwave set to continue with 40C forecast: Spain braces for ongoing extreme temperatures as forecasts predict the heatwave will persist with highs reaching 40°C.
- Greek fishers will be paid to catch invasive pufferfish: Greece launches a program compensating fishers to reduce the population of disruptive invasive pufferfish in its waters.
- Feliks the eagle back home in Serbia after kidnap and illegal sale ordeal in Middle East: Feliks the eagle has been safely returned to Serbia following rescue from illegal trafficking in the Middle East.
- Germany and France energy bills soared by €700 million during heatwave: Severe heatwave drives €700 million spike in energy costs for households in Germany and France.
- Portugal set for 43C in early July heatwave: Portugal braces for dangerous temperatures as an early July heatwave threatens to push thermometers to 43°C.
