The Council of Europe has strengthened its work on environmental protection with the first meeting of the Steering Committee on the Environment (CDENV), which was held in Strasbourg on 24 and 25 March 2026.

The CDENV supports the effective implementation of the Council of Europe Strategy on the Environment, adopted by the Organisation's member States in May 2025.

At its inaugural meeting, the CDENV focused on strategies to enhance transparency, improve access to environmental information, and combat misinformation and disinformation related to environmental issues. Participants exchanged best practices and explored how to better integrate nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches into wider governance frameworks, while upholding human rights standards, including gender equality.

The meeting also addressed the Council of Europe’s engagement in upcoming major international environmental conferences and its cooperation with member States in advancing environmental protection and human rights.

The CDENV brings together representatives from member States, Council of Europe bodies, international organisations and civil society, reflecting the Organisation’s commitment to a comprehensive and inclusive approach to environmental governance.

The Committee elected Ms Sarah BARNIER-LEROY (France) as Chair and Ms Inga AKSAMITAUSKAITĖ (Lithuania) as Vice-Chair. Ms Ruzanna GRIGORYAN (Armenia), Ms Csilla FODOR (Hungary) and Mr Antonio ANTEQUERA (Spain) were elected as Bureau members. Mr Terje Birkrem HOVLAND (Norway) was elected Gender Equality Rapporteur for mainstreamed perspectives.

The Committee’s second meeting is scheduled for autumn 2026.

Further information is available here and on the Reykjavík Process and the Environment homepage.