Spain, who took over the rotating EU Presidency on 1 January from Sweden, announced its green priorities last week, with the EU’s post-Copenhagen climate strategy, energy efficiency and biodiversity amongst the main concerns. With the Lisbon Treaty just coming into force, the European Council will now no longer be chaired by the Spanish President, but by the new EU President Herman Van Rompuy. The Council of Ministers meetings however, will continue to be chaired by the relevant Spanish Ministers.

The new Presidency will have an early opportunity to begin its work on green policies and specifically to discuss the outcome of Copenhagen, when environment Ministers meet on 15-16 January. They will also meeting on 15 March and 21 June, whilst the Presidency will also oversee two EU summit meetings, the first on 25-26 March and the latter on 17-18 June.

The revised action plan on energy efficiency is another area the Spanish are determined to see progress on, whilst it will continue debates on WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), biocides and IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control). It also plans to dedicate its attention to the proposal to cut van emissions, whilst it hopes to tie up a deal on the soil directive. Beginning discussions on post-2010 EU biodiversity policy and meeting the 15 July deadline for implementing the marine framework directive are two further important objectives the Spanish Presidency intends to meet.

The tenure of the Spanish Presidency will last six months until the end of June, at which point Belgium will take over at the helm.