For the first half-year of 2021, Portugal is the President of the Council of the European Union, succeeding Germany. Portugal sets a sustainable and climate-oriented course, with the intent to support a sustainable recovery of the European economy.
Portugal’s focus areas within sustainability are to:
- Facilitate the transition to a competitive, fossil-free and carbon neutral economy, promoting sustainable growth, the circular economy as well as the innovation and security of energy supplies.
- Approve the first European Climate Law and support efforts to turn Europe into the first carbon neutral continent by 2050, with the the common commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to the 1990-levels.
- Prioritize the implementation of the European Green Deal, with a view to sustainable economic recovery.
- Promote innovation, digital transformation and sustainable management of the natural resources of the countryside, and give priority to continuing negotiations on reform of the common agricultural policy.
- Encourage the preservation and sustainable use of the resources of oceans and seas, and highlight the development of the blue (ocean) economy, the integrated maritime policy and implementation of the common fisheries policy.
Initially Portugal will focus on implementing the €1.8 trillion EU long-term budget 2021-2027 (of which 30% of finances will support sustainable development and climate) and administer the €750 billion recovery package (NGEU – Next Generation European Union) it contains to counter the effects of the pandemic.
On July the 1st, Portugal will be succeeded by Slovenia, and 1st of January 2022, France will follow. After that, the EU is chaired by the Czech Republic and Sweden.
Read more on Portugal’s priorities here.
Mattias Goldmann & Helge Wilk
