The EU Council has published a notice of meeting and provisional agenda for a session scheduled on 6 February 2026, focusing on energy and climate policy. The agenda, published on 2 May 2026, outlines discussions on energy security, the European Green Deal implementation, and the upcoming revision of the Energy Taxation Directive. The meeting will involve ministers from member states and is expected to produce policy orientations for the Commission's legislative proposals.
The provisional agenda lists three main items: a review of the EU's energy supply diversification strategy, a debate on the social and economic impacts of the green transition, and a progress report on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The Council will also hear a presentation from the European Commission on the state of play of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
This meeting follows a series of preparatory technical meetings at the Council's Energy Working Party throughout April 2026. The agenda reflects ongoing tensions between member states on the pace of decarbonisation and the level of support for energy-intensive industries. Some northern member states are pushing for accelerated renewable energy targets, while southern and eastern states are calling for more flexibility and financial support to manage the transition.
Policy orientations and trade-offs
The Council's discussion on the Energy Taxation Directive is expected to highlight a cleavage between fiscal responsibility and environmental ambition. Proponents of higher minimum tax rates on fossil fuels argue that this is necessary to meet climate goals, while opponents warn of increased costs for businesses and households, potentially harming competitiveness. The debate will also touch on the inclusion of aviation and maritime fuels in the revised directive, a move that has faced resistance from transport-dependent economies.
Stakeholder impact
Stakeholders likely to be impacted include EU energy producers, who face regulatory uncertainty; energy-intensive industries, which may see higher operational costs; EU consumers, who could experience higher energy prices; and national governments, which must balance budget constraints with climate commitments. The Council's outcome will shape the Commission's legislative proposals expected later in 2026.
Institutional follow-up
The meeting will conclude with a roundtable on the social dimension of the green transition, addressing just transition mechanisms and workforce retraining. No formal decisions are expected at this session, but the orientations will guide the Council's position in upcoming trilogues with the European Parliament.