Planned as part of the European Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, presented by the Commission on Wednesday 20 May, aims both to respond to the crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change in Europe and globally, to foster the EU’s resilience to future health crises linked to the destruction of nature and to empower the EU to be a driving force at international level.
Through its proposed actions and commitments, it addresses the main drivers of biodiversity loss – unsustainable use of land and oceans, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution and invasive alien species – and will be a central element of the post-Covid-19 economic recovery plan by safeguarding the valuable ecosystem services provided by nature (see EUROPE 12485/8).
Its implications for agriculture make it a strategy closely linked to the EU ‘farm to fork’ strategy for sustainable food, presented the same day (see other news).
“The benefits of the pan-European nature protection network Natura 2000 are estimated at €200-300 billion per year. If Natura 2000 were implemented, it would create 1 million jobs”, Green Deal Vice President Frans Timmermans told the press. The proper implementation and extension of this network is indeed a pillar of the strategy.
“Biodiversity is an issue that has so far been considered solely as an environmental issue, but is in fact closely linked to global health and the global economy”, said Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius.
Of the actions planned concerning protection, sustainable use and restoration, the Commission expects that they will bring economic benefits to local communities, creating sustainable jobs and growth.
Funding of €20 billion per year will be made available for biodiversity via a variety of sources, notably EU funds and national and private funding.
The Commission proposes as a target for the EU to protect and restore at least 30% of marine and terrestrial areas by 2030 through effective management and to provide strict protection to at least one third of the entire network of protected areas – representing 10% of EU territory and 10% of EU seas – including primary forests, which will have to be mapped and vigilantly monitored
Binding target after impact assessment. This target will be binding. The Commission will bring forward legislation in 2021, following an impact assessment, which will explore an EU-wide methodology.
“The binding target will make a difference, because without a dedicated binding framework there is a big risk EU target will not be implemented. So far, there has been progress in mapping areas, but there were no criteria for good biodiversity status. This is very important”, Mr Sinkevičius explained to a small group of journalists.
The non-binding actions and objectives include the following: – planting 3 billion trees. “This exercise must be based on sound science”, said Mr Timmermans; – devote 25% of cultivated land to organic farming (compared to 8% at present). The Commission intends to monitor closely what Member States will do to achieve this in the evaluation of their strategic plans under the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
The Commission also proposes a 50% reduction in the use and risks of chemical pesticides by 2030 and a 50% reduction in the risk of high-risk pesticides.
The strategy calls for the elimination of pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus flows from fertilisers by 2030. Fertiliser use should be reduced by at least 20% by 2030 by avoiding losses of nutrients not absorbed by plants in agriculture. To achieve this, the Commission will present a ‘zero pollution’ action plan for air, water and soil in 2021.
What reason is there to believe that this strategy will succeed when the strategy for 2020 (which reflected the commitments made by the EU in 2010) has totally failed?
Mr Sinkevičius is optimistic “because it could not come at a better time as we look for solutions to build for future pandemics. The previous strategy has been well analysed. This time it contains binding targets for 2021, but also measurable objectives that can be verified”. He also cites an increased willingness to implement the Green Deal, which is a window of opportunity until 2050 and the commitment of civil society; this new political context is due to Covid-19. According to him, “this is the mixture which can be successful”.
The chairman of the European Parliament Environment Committee, Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe), welcomes the fact that “for the first time, Europe has set itself a target for reducing the risks and use of pesticides”. However, he regrets that the Commission does not respond “to Parliament’s repeated requests to reduce the presence of bee-killing pesticides on the market” and to those in favour of an obligation to scrutinise companies and compulsory ‘zero deforestation’ labelling.
Peter Liese (EPP, Germany), environment spokesman for his group, welcomed the proposal, but warned against an “unnecessary burden for farmers” at this time of crisis.
The group S&D, of which rapporteur for the Biodiversity Strategy César Luena (Spain) is a member, calls for binding targets at both European and global level.
The NGOs are satisfied. “It is good to see that the European Commission has listened to science in proposing these important commitments. It is now up to the Member States to approve them”, comments Sergiy Moroz from the European Environmental Bureau (EEB). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)