Written by Marc Lütz
Dear reader,
Brussels has been buzzing. October brought the EU’s green agenda into sharp focus, and has shown just how hard it is to keep climate ambition and industrial reality in sync.
As eyes turn to COP30, Europe is fine-tuning its own playbook: unveiling a 2026 Work Programme packed with circular economy reforms and wrestling over how fast (and how far) to cut emissions by 2035 and 2040.
Between ambition, simplification and competitiveness, the EU’s sustainability agenda is being rewritten in real time. This month’s newsletter dives into those shifting dynamics, from new climate targets and circular economy laws to the industrial strategies that will define Europe’s approach to sustainability.
Europe’s bold plan for sustainable growth, the “Clean Industrial Deal”, represents a major shift for EU businesses, especially in energy-intensive sectors. Don’t miss your chance to engage with the Commission to shape this deal and influence the policy direction for the next five years.
The spotlight
EU Work Programme
One year of Von der Leyen II and the European Commission launched its work programme for the coming year 2026. The programme consists of many new, and much anticipated, initiatives, but also many simplification proposals on particular initiatives.
Circular Economy Act
Past Summer, we delved into the consultation period of the Circular Economy Act (CEA). The CEA will be launched in the third quarter of 2026 and lays the road for the EU to become the leading market of recycled materials by 2030.
Sustainable competitiveness
Next to this, the work programme foresees new legislative files such as the European Innovation Act (Q1, 2026), Advanced Materials Act (Q4, 2026) and simplification of the Critical Raw Materials Act (Q2, 2026) and Public Procurement Act (Q2, 2026). These initiatives should drive European competitiveness, expand production capacities while fostering a more sustainable and circular economy.
Next climate actions
Next to circularity, the Commission aims to revise the EU climate policy framework aiming for the 2030 climate targets and to become fully climate neutral by 2050. The Climate package for the decade ahead also entails an update on the EU emissions trading system that should open up the trading system to the possibility of changing how much international carbon offsets can contribute to climate neutrality.
The Commission also plans to propose a European integrated framework for climate resilience at the end of 2026. This should enforce strengthen member states to overcome barriers such as insufficient funding, managing climate risks and climate adaptation. This policy package will be a comprehensive approach for each member state to increase their efforts in mitigating climate risks.
Disputed EU climate targets in light of fast-approaching COP30
With COP30 in Belém, Brazil, fast approaching, the EU still lacks a concrete 2035 emissions-reduction target. This target is closely linked to the contested 2040 goal, for which the Commission proposed a 90% reduction compared to 1990 levels. Member States remain divided on the long-term target, with disputes over international carbon credits, natural carbon sinks, and technological neutrality.
With the Summit scheduled for 10–21 November, time to settle on the 2035 target was pressing. Especially without agreement on the 2040 target, reaching a 2035 deal seemed challenging. To address this, the Council endorsed a statement of intent on 18 September pledging a 66.25%–72.5% reduction range, ensuring the EU can submit its nationally determined contribution (NDC) ahead of the Summit.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament has pursued its own discussions. While votes on the 2040 target have repeatedly been postponed across all relevant committees, the Parliament has now voted on the 2035 target. On 6 October, the Environment Committee (ENVI) adopted a preliminary position for COP30, urging the EU to set the 2035 target at the upper end of the 66.25%–72.5% range. Most Left-to-centre MEPs criticized the Council’s failure to agree on a target and stressed the need for continued EU climate leadership. This position was reinforced in a plenary vote on 23 October, where the Parliament adopted a resolution in line with ENVI’s recommendations.
While the Council has not yet set clearer reduction targets for 2035 or 2040, Environment Ministers agreed on 21 October on COP30 conclusions. They called on all Paris Agreement Parties to display “the highest possible ambition” in their NDCs, emphasised alignment with 1.5 °C pathways, and highlighted the gap between ambition and implementation. On 23 October, the European Council agreed that any climate commitments must be cost-efficient and technologically neutral. Natural carbon sink contributions should be realistic, international carbon credits must be high quality, and a review clause should allow adjustments based on science, technology, and EU competitiveness.
The Danish Presidency continues to work on linking the 2035 and 2040 targets before they are officially communicated to the UN. To this end, it plans to present a compromise at the Environment Council on 4 November, just days before COP30.
Impact analysis for your business
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Policy updates
EU promotes the EU Ecolabel in green public procurement
On 10 October, the European Commission hosted a live broadcast on how the EU Ecolabel can make public procurement both greener and easier. With over 110,000 certified products, the label helps public buyers choose trusted, cost-effective, and eco-friendly options.
Speakers from the Commission, ICLEI and national ecolabelling bodies highlighted that ecolabels save time, reduce complexity and support innovation. The discussion comes as the EU prepares to revise its Public Procurement Directives to better reflect sustainability goals.
Commission issues new guidance on Natura 2000 and fishing
On 17 October, the European Commission released new guidance to help Member States protect marine Natura 2000 sites while supporting the fishing communities that depend on them.
The guidance outlines when and how fishing activities should be managed under the Habitats Directive, with tools to prevent habitat loss and restore biodiversity-rich areas like reefs and seagrass meadows. It’s a key step toward the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Marine Action Plan.
Member States push for faster REACH reform
At the Environment Council on 21 October, Sweden reignited the debate on modernising the REACH Regulation, the EU’s main law on chemicals. Many Member States backed a comprehensive update that strengthens health and environmental protection while simplifying procedures for industry.
The Commission confirmed that REACH reform remains part of its Chemical Industry Action Plan, aiming to boost competitiveness, accelerate the phase-out of hazardous substances, and streamline processes through a “one substance, one assessment” approach.
Parliament approves new Soil Monitoring Law
Good news for Europe’s soils. On 23 October, the European Parliament adopted the new Soil Monitoring Law, a milestone toward healthy soils across the EU by 2050, part of the Zero Pollution Ambition.
The directive requires countries to track soil health using EU-wide indicators, draw up public lists of potentially contaminated sites, and monitor emerging risks such as PFAS and pesticides. There are no new obligations for farmers; instead, Member States must support them with training, advice, and research to strengthen soil resilience.
Events
Looking to stay ahead of the curve on Brussels’ biggest sustainability and waste debates this month and beyond? Here’s your must-attend line-up of conferences, policy roundtables, and networking events: where policy meets practice.
4 November – European Bioplastics, Design for Recycling criteria for bioplastics packaging (Online)
Expert talk on how to establish cost-competitive sorting and recycling schemes for bioplastics, featuring CEN technical experts Laura Tirkkonen-Rajasalo (Sulapac) and Lorette Du Preez (European Bioplastics).
5–6 November – Brussels Sustainability Club, Public Affairs Summit 2025 (Square Brussels, Mont des Arts)
The Brussels Sustainability Club partners with the Public Affairs Summit, uniting over 2,000 EU public affairs professionals for two days of roundtables, workshops, and networking.
12 November – Brussels Sustainability Club, From Waste to Wealth: Shaping the Circular Economy Act (Rue du Luxembourg 22, Brussels)
Exclusive roundtable bringing together EU policymakers and industry to discuss the upcoming Circular Economy Act and its implications for competitiveness and innovation.
22–30 November – European Week for Waste Reduction 2025 (EU-wide)
Europe’s annual campaign promoting waste prevention, reuse, and recycling, featuring thousands of local initiatives and clean-ups under the “Let’s Clean Up Europe” banner.
3–4 December – AMI, Refillable and Reusable Packaging 2025 (Berlin)
Two-day conference on refillable and reusable packaging systems, featuring a PPWR workshop and insights from leading experts and industry innovators.
