“Plastics have major consequences for the environment, the climate, the oceans and human health and we must do everything possible to ensure that single-use plastic packaging, as well as products containing micro-plastics disappear from the market as soon as possible, if necessary by a ban,” the minister said.

The Council also discussed a proposal for a regulation on performance standards for CO2 emissions for new passenger cars.

In her speech, Dieschbourg urged the European Commission to improve its proposal. “The European Commission proposal is not enough and will not lead to the industrial transformation of the automotive sector. We need binding and more ambitious CO2 emission standards for 2025 and 2030, as well as rigorous sales obligations for zero-emission or very low-emission vehicles.”

Finally, the Council debated the proposal of France, the United Kingdom and Luxembourg concerning the ban on the ivory trade. Luxembourg is committed to a ban on the European level and wants to provide the necessary means for a unilateral and rapid ban on ivory trade in Luxembourg. To this end, the government has proposed a draft which, is currently under consideration.

The minister stressed the importance of acting quickly. “The ban on ivory trade is the only effective way to save these majestic animals threatened with extinction.”