This Week in Environment — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission selects 46 new Critical Raw Materials Strategic Projects; Environment Council to set COP31 position; EEA Joint Committee decisions on CBAM and energy; new Eurobarometer on EU Ecolabel.
October 05, 2026 to October 11, 2026
Commission selects 46 new Critical Raw Materials Strategic Projects; Environment Council to set COP31 position; EEA Joint Committee decisions on CBAM and energy; new Eurobarometer on EU Ecolabel.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Environment Council: On October 12, the EU Council's Environment Council configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On October 12, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Joint ENVI - ENVE meeting on "Building a sustainable future: funding environmental and climate policies in the Next Multiannual Financial Framework".
European Commission
Commission selects 46 new Strategic Projects to bolster the EU's supply of critical raw materials
On 8 October 2026, the European Commission announced the selection of 46 new Strategic Projects in 16 Member States under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). These projects aim to help the EU reach its 2030 targets for extraction (10%), processing (40%), and recycling (25%) of strategic raw materials, reducing dependence on single suppliers. The Commission received 102 applications for this second call, ultimately selecting projects covering 15 of 17 strategic raw materials, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite, magnesium, tungsten, and rare earth elements. The new Strategic Projects, together with 47 selected in 2025 and 13 in third countries, are expected to advance the EU's derisking and diversification objectives. To date, 25 projects have completed environmental impact assessments and 17 have obtained construction permits, aided by Single Points of Contact in Member States. Since the launch of RESourceEU, more than €2 billion in financial support has been mobilised. The Commission will launch a further call for Strategic Projects at the end of 2026.
Eurobarometer shows consumers' growing trust in EU Ecolabel
On 7 October 2026, the European Commission released a Eurobarometer survey indicating increased trust in the EU Ecolabel. 81% of European consumers now believe EU Ecolabel products have lower environmental impact, up from 75% in 2023. Recognition of the 'flower' logo has risen to 46%, eight percentage points higher than last year. As of September 2026, there are 121,083 EU Ecolabel products certified under 3,665 licences, including over 1,000 tourist accommodations. The survey also notes that 72% of respondents support extending the label to more product categories. The Commission points to the Ecolabel's role in public procurement, referencing the proposed EU Public Procurement Act, which encourages use of credible environmental labels.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2240 on the EU position within the EEA Joint Committee regarding CBAM
On 6 October 2026, Council Decision (EU) 2026/2240 established the EU's position for the EEA Joint Committee on amending Annex XX (Environment) of the EEA Agreement to incorporate Regulation (EU) 2023/956 and Regulation (EU) 2025/2083 on the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). The decision enables alignment of CBAM provisions with the EEA framework, ensuring unified application across the EEA. The Joint Committee’s amendment will facilitate the extension of CBAM obligations and rights to EEA EFTA States.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2214 correcting language versions on fluorinated greenhouse gases certificates
Adopted on 5 October 2026, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2214 corrects errors in the Hungarian, Lithuanian, and Polish language versions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2215. The corrections affect provisions on the issuance and mutual recognition of certificates for stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, and other systems containing fluorinated greenhouse gases or alternatives, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/573.
EU Council
Environment Council to discuss EU negotiating position for COP31 and COP17
On 12 October 2026, EU environment and climate ministers will meet in Luxembourg to discuss the review of the EU Emissions Trading System and to adopt conclusions on the EU's main negotiating positions ahead of the United Nations climate change (COP31) and biodiversity (COP17) conferences.
What We're Reading This Week
- Video. EU paid €7.9bn for Russian Arctic LNG amid record imports: EU countries increased imports of Russian Arctic LNG, spending €7.9 billion despite efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy.
- EU to urge faster shift from fossil fuels ahead of COP31: EU pushes for accelerated clean energy transition, aiming to strengthen climate commitments before the COP31 summit.
