What’s next in Europe? – Agenda of European climate and energy policy

Denmark takes over EU Council presidency

Denmark assumes the 6-months presidency of the EU Council. The presidency will prioritise security and competitiveness, the government said. The government emphasises that “the green transition is essential to building a more secure and competitive Europe.” Denmark's climate and energy minister Lars Aagaard said that grid infrastructure plans, a climate target for 2040, and details on the EU's move to end its dependence on Russian energy imports are key priorities for the Danish government during the presidency.

Find the website of the Danish Council presidency here.

The Council represents the executive governments of member states, and the presidency rotates among EU member states every six months. It is not only responsible for setting policy priorities and planning and chairing meetings among ministers and heads of government, but must also try and reach agreement on laws with the EU’s other legislative bodies – the Commission and the Parliament. Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called 'trios'. Preceding presidency Poland and following presidency Cyprus cooperate with Denmark. [More on the presidency]

EU member state energy ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings. EU energy ministers are expected to reach an agreement (‘general approach’) on a proposal to gradually phase out remaining gas and oil imports from Russia, with a full prohibition in place by 1 January 2028. The proposed regulation applies to both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is a key deliverable of the REPowerEU ‘roadmap towards ending Russian energy imports’, issued by the European Commission in May 2025.

EU member state environment ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings. EU environment ministers are expected to adopt Council conclusions on the preparations for the 2025 United Nations climate change conference (COP30), which will take place in Belém, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November 2025. The conclusions will serve as the EU’s general negotiating position at the COP30.

EU member state heads of state and government come together for one of several regular annual meetings. The EU's 2040 climate target is set to be discussed. 

EU member state agriculture ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

The Danish EU Council presidency has reportedly announced an additional meeting of EU environment ministers to find an agreement on the EU's NDC, and the 2040 climate target, following on the meeting of EU leaders on 23 October.

The Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator act will support energy-intensive industries and is dedicated to simplifying legislation to streamline permit granting, authorisations and reporting requirements and make investment easier in Europe.

[This factsheet answers key questions on the Clean Industrial Deal.]

As part of its Action Plan on the future of the automotive sector, and wider efforts of the Clean Industrial Deal, the Commission will present a Battery Booster Strategy to support EU-made batteries. The Commission said it will make available 1.8 billion euros in the next two years for supporting companies manufacturing batteries in the EU by mobilizing resources from
the Innovation Fund. The Commission will look into possibilities for financing ramping up of European production lines in this context, it said. 

[This factsheet answers key questions on the Clean Industrial Deal.]

EU member state transport ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

EU member state agriculture ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

EU member state energy ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

EU member state environment ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

EU member state heads of state and government come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

As part of efforts to streamline and simplify corporate sustainability rules, the Commission will also propose changes to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. This is interlinked with proposals for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the EU Taxonomy Regulation, presented earlier in the year.