This Week in Environment — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission adopts new outermost regions strategy; public procurement reform detailed; focus on biodiversity, resilience, and environmental adaptation.
September 07, 2026 to September 13, 2026
Commission adopts new outermost regions strategy; public procurement reform detailed; focus on biodiversity, resilience, and environmental adaptation.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission adopts new strategic vision for the EU's outermost regions
On 9 September 2026, the European Commission published a Communication outlining a new strategy for the EU's outermost regions, which include French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint-Martin (France), the Azores, Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain). The strategy proposes targeted adaptations to EU legislation, particularly in areas such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, migration, and taxation, to reflect the unique realities of these regions. The Commission's package aims to improve climate adaptation, address environmental challenges including sargassum influx, and strengthen biodiversity protection. The proposal also points to upcoming tailored measures under the EU Emissions Trading System and the forthcoming European Product Act, with a regulatory package to be submitted to the Council. Article 349 TFEU provides the legal basis for these adaptations, and the Commission plans structured annual dialogues with the regions to monitor implementation.
Press remarks by Executive Vice-President Fitto on the Outermost Regions Strategy
On 9 September 2026, Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto presented the new Outermost Regions Strategy, emphasising the economic and environmental challenges facing nine EU regions, including their exposure to natural disasters and biodiversity pressures. The strategy includes a regulatory package with targeted adaptations and derogations for taxation, deforestation rules, agriculture, fisheries, and migration, in alignment with Article 349 TFEU. Fitto referenced ongoing and upcoming legislative efforts such as the ETS and Public Procurement Act, signalling continued sectoral adaptations for these regions. The approach is framed as a partnership with local authorities and Member States, with continued stakeholder engagement.
Commission details reforms under the Public Procurement Act
On 8 September 2026, Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and Commissioner Zaharieva outlined the Commission's proposed Public Procurement Act, which consolidates three directives into a single regulation. The reform introduces a European Digital Marketplace for procurement and new procedures including innovation-focused and dynamic procurement. At least 30% of contract award criteria must be based on quality, with higher thresholds for labour-intensive contracts. The Act aims to facilitate SME access, encourage environmental and social considerations, and strengthen resilience and security through procurement. The regulation excludes defence and allows sectoral preference, particularly in clean tech and critical medicines. The framework includes anti-corruption provisions and is designed to support green and digital transitions.
Commission answers on environmental and climate aspects of the Public Procurement Act
A Q&A released on 8 September 2026 details how the proposed Public Procurement Act integrates environmental, climate, and social objectives. The Act encourages the use of the EU Ecolabel and facilitates the inclusion of green and circularity criteria in procurement. It clarifies the legal basis for considering working conditions and fair jobs, and sets a minimum 30% quality weighting for most contracts, with 50% for labour-intensive tenders. The Act provides a common EU framework for European preference mechanisms and foresees delegated acts in cases of economic security threats, ensuring alignment with the EU’s international obligations on procurement.
EU Council
Upcoming Informal Environment Council to address outermost regions and environmental resilience
The next informal meeting of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council is scheduled for 20 September 2026. Environmental resilience and adaptation issues relevant to the Commission’s new strategy for outermost regions are expected to be discussed.
What We're Reading This Week
- How can the EU help you repair your broken electronics?: New EU rules aim to boost consumers’ right to repair, making it easier and cheaper to fix electronics.
- Video. Farmers know 'cash is limited', says EU agriculture chief: EU agriculture commissioner acknowledges farmers' financial pressures as debates continue over funding and support for the sector.
- Video. Where in Europe has seen the most outbreaks of Salmonella?: Salmonella outbreaks surge in specific European regions, raising public health concerns and prompting increased food safety measures.
- Broken gadget? The EU’s repair directive makes manufacturers fix it: New EU rules require manufacturers to offer repairs for products, aiming to reduce electronic waste and extend device lifespans.
- Mobility: Europe must move from targets to the conditions for delivering them: European policymakers are urged to focus on creating practical frameworks and infrastructure to achieve sustainable mobility goals effectively.
