EU Environment Council: Debate on Sustainable Transport and Lithuania's Rejection of Lead Restrictions

On Tuesday, Deputy Environment Minister Tomas Vaitkevičius participated in a meeting of the Environment Council of the European Union in Luxembourg, where ministers from EU Member States discussed key topics related to environmental protection, the circular economy, and climate policy.

The agenda included the adoption of a general approach to the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, preparations for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), and discussions on proposed restrictions on the use of lead.

Lithuania Supports Sustainable Transport

A central topic of the meeting was the proposed regulation on end-of-life vehicles, aimed at promoting greener vehicle design, facilitating recycling, and encouraging the reuse of parts, while also reinforcing producer responsibility. Among other measures, the regulation seeks to ban the export of roadworthy used vehicles to third countries, to prevent environmental harm abroad and retain valuable raw materials within the EU for recycling.

Lithuania expressed strong support for the proposal. At the Council, Deputy Minister Vaitkevičius emphasized the importance of raising targets for the use of recycled plastics and ensuring that waste treatment standards apply equally to operators within the EU and in third countries.

“We are convinced that this regulation will contribute to the sustainability of the European vehicle industry, reduce dependency on primary raw materials and energy, boost markets for used spare parts and recycled materials, and significantly lower the environmental footprint of road transport. We especially welcome the ban on exporting unroadworthy vehicles to third countries,” said Deputy Minister Vaitkevičius.

Following the Council’s agreement on a common position, negotiations with the European Parliament will begin.

COP30 – Climate Ambition Must Be Global

The Council also discussed preparations for COP30, including the EU’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the 2040 climate target. Lithuania believes that the decisions on the indicative 2035 greenhouse gas reduction target and the 2040 target under the European Climate Law should be taken together. It also recommends involving the European Council and other Council formations in these discussions. Timely submission of the EU’s updated NDCs ahead of COP30 is essential.

“For Lithuania, it is crucial that the EU’s 2040 target is supported by a clear roadmap for implementation. This includes full achievement of the Fit for 55 targets, a detailed impact assessment at the national level, and flexible mechanisms tailored to the specific needs of each Member State. Gaining public support will be a particularly sensitive issue, and we must establish a mechanism to mitigate potential social impacts,” Vaitkevičius noted.

He also stressed that the climate crisis cannot be solved by the EU alone. Global cooperation is essential—particularly in areas like carbon pricing and innovation—through strategic partnerships, trade agreements, and international alliances.

Lithuania Opposes Proposal to Restrict Lead in Ammunition and Fishing Tackle

Together with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Lithuania submitted a joint information note opposing the European Commission’s proposal to restrict the use of lead in ammunition and fishing gear.

“At a time when the EU faces increased external threats and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, this proposed regulation could have serious and unintended consequences for the defence readiness of Member States and the EU as a whole. In this context, the potential risks to defence outweigh the environmental benefits. We therefore call on the Commission to withdraw the proposal,” said Deputy Minister Vaitkevičius.