Deeply concerned by the alarming loss of biodiversity that continues worldwide and by the state of nature in Europe (see EUROPE 12584/6), the Environment Ministers of the EU27, meeting in Luxembourg on 23 October, adopted ambitious conclusions on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 proposed by the Commission in May.
In particular, they endorsed the objective of creating a coherent network of well-managed protected areas and protecting at least 30% of the EU’s land area and 30% of its maritime area. One third of these areas would even be strictly protected (see EUROPE 12585/11, 12573/10).
In doing so, EU countries expressed their determination to act urgently to reverse the trend of biodiversity decline and ecosystem degradation, and to ensure that, by leading by example, the EU spearheads international negotiations in May 2021 at COP15 in Kunming (China) for the development of an ambitious post-2020 global framework.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us, once again, the fundamental importance of ecosystems and biodiversity for our health and economic and social stability. Biodiversity is our life insurance: it provides us with clean air and water, food, building materials and clothing. It creates jobs and livelihoods”, said German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze, delighted with the result.
And she went on to stress the importance that “the financial means should follow” to implement this strategy. Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius welcomed a “strong political message”. Highlighting that “investing in biodiversity is crucial to achieving climate goals”, he acknowledged the need to ensure that the Cohesion Fund and Common Agricultural Policy funds (see other news) are properly mobilised.
The Environment Council wants a significant share of the 30% of spending on climate action in the 2021-2027 budget and the EU Recovery Plan to be invested in biodiversity and nature-based solutions.
Any legislation proposed as part of the Biodiversity Strategy should be subject to impact assessment. The Commission is also invited to further examine the question of the financing capacity of the elements of the strategy.
Ministers are calling on the Commission to include biodiversity into all relevant sectoral policies, such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
The European biodiversity governance framework will have to respect the principle of subsidiarity, they also stress.
Balance, nuances and statements for the record
During the ministerial debate, all delegations, like the Commission, congratulated the German Presidency on its “balanced” text.
Nevertheless, the interventions highlighted different sensitivities and concerns, reflecting the coalitions in place in governments, the respective wealth of biodiversity in the different Member States, or the efforts already made to protect and restore biodiversity and habitats.
In a specific statement, Poland requests agreement on the definitions of old and primary forests for discussion after the impact assessment. Sweden, supported by Latvia, submitted a declaration to reserve the right to define primary forests according to national circumstances.
The Czech Republic would like account to be taken of particular national features and the efforts already made. Malta, which already protects 30% of its maritime areas and 14% of its land areas, looks forward to the discussion on effort sharing.
Welcoming an “ambitious and coherent” text, Luxembourg’s Green Minister Carole Dieschbourg considered that organic farming must be the basis of the future CAP. According to her, what will be decisive is what will happen on the remaining 70% of the territory (beyond the protected areas).
She regretted the non-inclusion of Luxembourg’s suggestion of a reference to biodiversity in the Facility for Recovery and Resilience, the budgetary instrument at the heart of the European Recovery Plan, in order not to sacrifice biodiversity on the altar of economic growth.
The Slovak minister regretted that the conclusions do not mention that each Member State will have to do “its fair share”.
Romania welcomed the respect of proportionality and subsidiarity.
See the text of the conclusions: https://bit.ly/2IPJDGj (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)