AALBORG, Denmark (Chatnewstv.com) — Denmark used an informal gathering of EU environment and climate ministers this week to steer the bloc toward a more unified and ambitious green future, emphasizing the need for stronger climate goals and urgent action on plastics pollution ahead of a key UN summit.
Over two days in the northern Danish city of Aalborg, ministers toured a historic wetland restoration project, debated long-term climate strategy, and aligned on priorities for global negotiations — all under Denmark’s rotating EU Council Presidency, which it assumed on July 1.
“This is a moment for Europe to prove its strength — both in securing our continent and accelerating the green transition,” said Magnus Heunicke, Denmark’s Minister for the Environment. “We will be at the table as Presidency when the world negotiates a binding agreement on plastics in August. That’s why this meeting with our EU partners was so important.”
Heunicke will represent the EU at the next round of United Nations talks on plastic pollution, where countries aim to secure a legally binding international treaty by the end of 2025.
Ministers also visited Store Vildmose, a nature reserve that exemplifies Denmark’s green tripartite agreement — a landmark deal between the government, farmers, and environmental NGOs to repurpose farmland for climate and biodiversity goals.
“In Denmark, we’ve shown that nature conservation and agriculture can go hand in hand,” said Jeppe Bruus, Minister for Green Transition. “We’re redrawing the map of Denmark by converting large parts of farmland into restored nature. Our European colleagues saw firsthand that our model works — and we hope it inspires others.”
The meeting focused heavily on shaping EU climate policy beyond 2030. A key milestone is September, when ministers are expected to agree on a 2040 emissions target. The EU is already committed to becoming climate neutral by 2050.
“A climate neutral EU is a stronger, more competitive, and more secure EU,” said Lars Aagaard, Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities. “We must unite around new targets now. The timeline is tight, and we need to untangle the political knots quickly to make real progress.”
The Aalborg meeting was the second informal ministerial gathering hosted under Denmark’s presidency. It sets the tone for formal Council meetings scheduled in Brussels and Luxembourg later this year, including on September 18, October 21, and December 16.
Denmark’s leadership comes amid growing pressure on the EU to maintain climate ambition while balancing energy security, economic competitiveness, and a rising tide of geopolitical instability.
“Geopolitical tensions can’t distract us from the climate crisis,” Heunicke said. “On the contrary — they underline the urgency of building a resilient and united Europe through green leadership.”
The COP30 climate summit will take place later this year in Brazil, where Denmark, as EU Presidency, will speak on behalf of the 27-member bloc.
