EU Environment Council in Brussels: COP30, bioeconomy, energy exchange with Ukraine and simplification of regulations
17.12.2025
During the meeting of the EU Environment Council (ENVI) in Brussels on 16 December 2025, the environment ministers of the Member States discussed, among other things, the conclusions of the recent COP30 climate summit in Belém, the EU bioeconomy strategy, the impact of CBAM on electricity exchange with Ukraine, and proposals to simplify EU environmental regulations. Poland was represented by Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Krzysztof Bolesta.
Highlights
- Ministers conducted a closed working assessment of the course and results of COP30 in Belém.
- Poland drew attention to the effects of including electricity exchanges with Ukraine in the CBAM mechanism for the purposes of balancing the system.
- The Commission presented the so-called Environmental Omnibus, i.e. simplifications of procedures and regulations.
Conclusions from COP30 – the need for better EU preparation
One of the main points of the meeting was the assessment of the course and effects of the COP30 climate summit in Belém. The discussion was held behind closed doors to allow for a frank summary of the challenges faced by the European Union during international negotiations.
COP in Belém was very demanding for the European Union. We must learn from this and prepare much earlier and better for next year's climate talks
– underlined Deputy Minister Krzysztof Bolesta.
Energy exchange with Ukraine and the CBAM mechanism
During the ENVI Council, the issue of electricity exchange (for system balancing purposes) between Poland and Ukraine was also raised. Poland drew attention to the possible consequences of applying the CBAM mechanism to these transactions, which could lead to increased costs and affect the region's energy security.
If energy exchange for the purposes of maintaining stable operation of systems between operators in Poland and Ukraine is subject to additional charges resulting from CBAM, this could significantly increase the cost of the entire process. This is an issue to which we are paying particular attention today, and we have asked the Commission to seek a solution
– the Deputy Minister noted.
Environmental omnibus – simplification of procedures
The third important topic of the meeting was the so-called environmental omnibus, i.e. a package of changes aimed at simplifying the existing environmental regulations. Poland favours streamlining the procedures for obtaining permits, approvals and environmental impact assessments so that investments – including investments in critical infrastructure – can be implemented more quickly and efficiently.
