Highlights in the period will be: a global agreement in Copenhagen in autumn 2009 on cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) after 2012; implementation of a revised EU emission trading scheme for 2008–2012; agreed national targets by 2020, for EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions; revision of the Directive on National Emissions Ceilings and Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directives in 2009, implementation of the new Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive, progress on meeting the target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010, the first round of River Basin Management Plans and related programmes of measures under the Water Framework Directive in 2009, and implementation of the recently adopted Marine Strategy Directive.
Seo a leanas mar a bheidh na buaicphointí sa tréimhse: comhaontú domhanda i gCóbanhávan i bhfómhar 2009 ar ghearrthacha in astuithe gáis cheaptha teasa (GHG) tar éis 2012; forfheidhmiú leagan athchóirithe de scéim trádála astuithe an AE le haghaidh 2008–2012; spriocanna comhaontaithe náisiúnta faoi 2020, le haghaidh laghduithe in astuithe gáis cheaptha teasa an AE; athchóiriú na Treorach ar Shíleálacha Astuithe Náisiúnta agus Treoracha um Thruailliú a Chosc agus a Rialú in 2009, forfheidhmiú na Treorach nua Aer Níos Glaine don Eoraip (CAFE), dul chun cinn chun an sprioc a chomhlíonadh chun caillteanas bithéagsúlachta a stopadh faoi 2010, an chéad bhabhta de Phleananna Bainistíochta Abhantraí agus clár bearta a bhaineann leis faoin gCreat-treoir Uisce in 2009, agus forfheidhmiú na Treorach Straitéisí Mara a glacadh léi le déanaí.