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Minister O'Brien chairs informal meeting of EU Environment and Climate Ministers at Dublin Castle
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- Event brings together representatives of the European Commission and invited partner countries
- Ministers and Heads of Delegation exchange perspectives on long-term climate and environmental challenges impacting the EU
Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment Darragh O'Brien is today (Friday, 24 July) chairing an informal meeting of EU Environment and Climate Ministers at Dublin Castle.
The meeting brings together representatives of the European Commission and invited partner countries. It offers Ministers and Heads of Delegation an opportunity to exchange perspectives on long-term climate and environmental challenges impacting all Member States across the European Union. The meeting also provides an opportunity for informal and forward-looking discussions – ahead of the formal ENVI Council meetings in October and December.
The agenda includes 3 sessions.
The first session – Decarbonisation and Competitiveness – will explore the role of decarbonisation as a central pillar of Europe's industrial strategy. As the Union looks towards the next phase of its climate and industrial policy framework, Ministers will have an opportunity to reflect on how climate action, innovation, electrification and industrial competitiveness can be advanced together – to strengthen Europe's economic resilience, strategic autonomy and long-term prosperity. The discussion will consider how Europe can maintain an ambitious trajectory towards climate neutrality while supporting investment, innovation and the transformation of energy-intensive sectors in an increasingly competitive global environment.
At the second session, Ministers will have the opportunity for a more informal and private exchange on Europe's Global Environmental Leadership and Partnerships. This discussion will focus on preparations for COP31 under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, while also considering how these efforts can reinforce preparations for COP17 under the Convention on Biological Diversity. At a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, Europe has a vital role to play in sustaining international cooperation, strengthening partnerships and maintaining ambition across both climate and biodiversity agendas. Minister O’Brien will co-chair this session with Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity.
The final session – Circularity and Resilience – will focus on the strategic role of circularity in strengthening Europe's resilience to external shocks. Recent geopolitical developments, including conflict in the Middle East, have once again highlighted vulnerabilities that extend far beyond energy alone, affecting food security, critical materials and global supply chains. Greater circularity can reduce these vulnerabilities, strengthen strategic autonomy, enhance competitiveness and support a more resilient European economy. This session will be chaired by Minister of State Alan Dillon with special responsibility for the Circular Economy.
Speaking from Dublin Castle, Minister O'Brien said:
"Today's meeting provides an opportunity to consider how Europe can build a future that is more competitive, more secure and more sustainable. This is a shared challenge facing all Member States: how to strengthen Europe's economy and resilience, while remaining true to the values and environmental ambition that underpin our Union.
"This is an opportunity for us to reflect together on some of our shared challenges – from decarbonisation and competitiveness, to biodiversity, the circular economy and Europe's contribution to global environmental leadership. We will also reflect on climate diplomacy and the road to COP31 in Turkey in November, where I will serve as Head of the EU Delegation.
"Informal meetings such as this have always had a special value, a space where we can explore new ideas and build relationships of trust that so often make progress possible in the months ahead."
Speaking from Dublin Castle, Minister O'Brien said:
"Today's meeting provides an opportunity to consider how Europe can build a future that is more competitive, more secure and more sustainable. This is a shared challenge facing all Member States: how to strengthen Europe's economy and resilience, while remaining true to the values and environmental ambition that underpin our Union.
"This is an opportunity for us to reflect together on some of our shared challenges – from decarbonisation and competitiveness, to biodiversity, the circular economy and Europe's contribution to global environmental leadership. We will also reflect on climate diplomacy and the road to COP31 in Turkey in November, where I will serve as Head of the EU Delegation.
"Informal meetings such as this have always had a special value, a space where we can explore new ideas and build relationships of trust that so often make progress possible in the months ahead."
Minister of State Dillon said:
"I look forward to chairing a session on Circularity and Resilience.
"The transition to a more circular economy is often framed in a purely environmental context. Yet circularity has strategic implications far beyond environmental protection. By reducing dependence on imported raw materials, extending the usage phase of products, enhancing resource productivity, designing for circularity and strengthening domestic value chains, circularity can contribute directly to Europe's economic resilience and competitiveness in addition to helping us attain our climate goals."
Minister of State O'Sullivan said:
"Today's informal meeting provides an important opportunity to reflect on the road towards COP17 [of the Convention on Biological Diversity] and on Europe's role in sustaining global ambition for nature.
"Across Europe, important progress is being made through nature restoration, protected areas, ecosystem resilience and sustainable land and sea management. But biodiversity loss continues, and the pressures from climate change, pollution, invasive species and unsustainable resource use remain significant.
"COP17 will therefore be an important opportunity to demonstrate tangible progress in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework, to identify where further action is needed, and to strengthen international cooperation. It will also provide an opportunity to reinforce the essential links between biodiversity, climate action, food security, water resilience and human wellbeing. These challenges cannot be addressed in isolation."
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Ireland has taken on one of the European Union's most influential roles – having now assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (from 1 July to 31 December 2026).
Until the end of the year, Ireland will be at the centre of EU decision‑making, steering complex negotiations that shape laws and policy for around 450 million people. This comes at a challenging time for the EU as Russia's war in Ukraine continues, migration remains politically sensitive, competitiveness is under pressure, and the demand to meet climate targets is intensifying. Ireland has successfully held the Presidency seven times before, often during periods of significant change. The 2026 term offers another chance to steer the EU, relying on experience and diplomacy, and with a commitment to partnership.
This is the eighth time that Ireland has assumed the Presidency of the Council of the EU since its accession to the EU. The slogan of the Irish Presidency is the Irish phrase "Ní neart go cur le chéile", meaning "Strength with unity".
The Irish Presidency is centred around three key pillars: competitiveness – fostering prosperity and wellbeing; values – upholding the indispensable foundation of our Union; and security – protecting our citizens.