Minister Karamfilova participated in a regular meeting of the European Union Environment Council, which was held on Monday in Luxembourg. Within the framework of the meeting, the environment ministers of the member states discussed the proposal for revision of the Directive on industrial emissions. The revision of the Directive is part of initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of large industrial and agro-industrial installations. Minister Karamfilova welcomed the expected contribution of the proposal to the efficient use of resources and the circular economy. She emphasized that to attain the set ambitious goals, it is of key importance to have clarity and predictability regarding the introduction and implementation of the new requirements, as well as to make sure that these requirements do not lead to an increased administrative burden. At the same time, Minister Karamfilova expressed concern about the impact of some of the planned changes on small and medium-sized enterprises.

The ministers also discussed the proposal for a Regulation on a framework for the requirements for eco-design of sustainable products. Minister Karamfilova noted that Bulgaria considers the draft regulation an important step towards achieving the EU common goals in the field of climate and the environment, given that up to 80% of the environmental footprint of products is determined at the design stage of their life cycle.

An Information Note was also presented by Slovenia, supported by Bulgaria, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, and Austria, calling for strengthening the EU early action, readiness, and response to address the effects of climate change. Minister Karamfilova emphasized that goals, such as reducing the use of water, increasing resource reuse, improving infrastructure, promoting the use of ecological solutions, introducing appropriate economic mechanisms should be supported as a priority at the European level through appropriate policies and legal and financial instruments. “Only by applying an integrated approach adapted to the new realities at the European level, taking into account the national characteristics of member states, as well as by ensuring adequate funding, will we be able to achieve sustainable and effective water management and to address the problems of drought and water shortages”, noted Minister Karamfilova.

The ministers adopted Conclusions setting out the main elements of the EU’s negotiating position for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in November of this year in Egypt, as well as Conclusions on the EU’s position for the upcoming negotiations at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Biological Diversity, which will take place in December this year in Montreal, Canada. Minister Karamfilova pointed out that the European Union should focus its efforts on negotiating enhanced actions on a global level, and one of the main sucesses in this direction will be the adoption of the Global Framework for Biodiversity after 2020 during COP 15 in Montreal without further delay.