EU heads of government adopted a revised sustainable development strategy at their meeting in Brussels on 16 June 2006. The bloc’s leaders also discussed a common European energy policy, the EU’s better regulation initiative, and steps to increase transparency over decision-making.

Following the meeting, the revision received a guarded welcome from European green group EEB, which called it "an acceptable starting point".

According to EEB secretary general John Hontelez: "The new sustainable development strategy .. values environmental protection as an essential element of a successful EU, not as a burden." His major concern is that heads of government had failed to include clear medium and long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Heads of government also discussed international aspects of ongoing moves towards a common EU energy policy. External energy priorities should include infrastructure projects that are "compatible with environmental considerations", they agreed. Leaders also underlined the need to promote renewable energies and pursue an international agreement on energy efficiency.

Leaders discussed the "better regulation" initiative, mooting the idea of establishing EU-level targets for reducing administrative burdens imposed by regulations by up to 25%, following the example of some member states.

The European council also agreed on measures to enhance its transparency. In future all council deliberations and votes on legislation adopted through the codecision procedure, which includes most environmental legislation, will be made public. The council also reached an agreement with the European parliament and commission to increase scrutiny on the latter’s use of member state committees to take decisions, known as comitology.