This Week in Mining — Brussels (#21, 2026)
Commission refers Ireland to Court over peat; €100m Austrian cleantech aid approved; EP legal committee supports EU accession to environmental crime convention.
May 31, 2026 to June 06, 2026
Commission refers Ireland to Court over peat; €100m Austrian cleantech aid approved; EP legal committee supports EU accession to environmental crime convention.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
European Commission
Commission refers Ireland to Court of Justice for failure with Environmental Impact Assessment Directive on peat extraction
On 3 June 2026, the European Commission decided to refer Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union for non-compliance with Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU, regarding peat extraction projects. The Commission found that Ireland did not enforce legislation ensuring environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for all peat cutting operations, particularly on sites smaller than 50 hectares. Since a previous ruling (C-392/96) the Commission noted legislative progress but continued gaps in enforcement and practice, in spite of remedial measures targeting state-owned and some private operators supported by EU funds. While notable reductions in state and large-scale private peat cutting activities were documented, unregulated cutting persists at smaller sites absent of required environmental permissions. The referral is a continuation of infringement procedure INFR(2019)4007, following a formal notice in July 2019 and a reasoned opinion in July 2020.
Commission approves €100 million Austrian State aid scheme for cleantech manufacturing and critical raw materials
On 4 June 2026, the European Commission approved an Austrian State aid scheme of €100 million to stimulate cleantech manufacturing capacity, supporting strategic sectors such as batteries, solar panels, windmills, and related critical raw materials. This programme falls under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted on 25 June 2025 and allows subsidised loans for SMEs and large enterprises until 31 December 2026. The scheme complements a previous €100 million measure authorised in December 2025 and aims to bolster the EU’s net-zero objectives. The approval, linked to case SA.122542, found the measure necessary and proportionate under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the CISAF. In authorizing the scheme, the Commission sought to increase resilience in key supply chains and contribute to decarbonisation efforts.
EP Committee Work
EP Legal Affairs Committee backs EU accession to the Council of Europe Environmental Crime Convention
On 3 June 2026, the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) voted by 20 to 2 to support EU accession to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law. The convention targets criminal offences such as pollution, mining-related violations, and unlawful handling of chemical or radioactive substances, and seeks better prevention, investigation, and prosecution. The EU's accession follows adoption of the Environmental Crime Directive in April 2024, which harmonised criminal law minimum standards across the EU. Final approval will follow a plenary vote and authorization by EU governments.
