The European Parliament wants the European Union to make an urgent and effective contribution to combating the sixth global extinction of species by implementing a biodiversity strategy for 2030 based on concrete actions, ambitious legislation and sufficient financial resources.
The own-initiative resolution it adopted on 8 June, by a very large majority (515 votes to 90 with 86 abstentions), supports the report by César Luena (S&D, Spain), which reinforces the strategy presented by the European Commission a year ago (see EUROPE 12729/8).
In particular, the European Parliament calls for an EU biodiversity law, along the lines of the ‘Climate Law’, to establish a governance framework up till 2050, with binding interim targets for 2030 to protect and restore ecosystems.
This should see at least 30% of the EU’s land and sea areas protected by 2030 and at least one third of these areas, including all remaining primary and ancient forests in the EU, should be under strict protection.
The Parliament estimates that the EU ought to mobilise €20 billion per year for biodiversity actions in Europe.
The target of halving the use of pesticides by 2030 and increasing organic farming to 25% of agricultural land was not watered down, as amendments from the EPP and ECR groups on this issue were rejected.
However, as requested by these groups, the text clarifies that the impact assessments required for any new legislation will have to take into account the impact on the social and economic sustainability of the relevant sectors, and it emphasises the importance of the role played by agriculture in ensuring EU food security.
The Parliament notes that it wants COP15 (in October in China) to result in an ambitious post-2020 global framework, similar to the Paris Agreement on the climate, as set out in its January 2020 resolution (see EUROPE 12405/4).
“Let’s not forget that almost half of the world’s GDP depends on nature. We risk undermining our chances of dealing with climate change. We have no alternative, no excuses, and very little time”, Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius warned in the debate. Satisfied with the majority support of MEPs, he reiterated the EU Council’s support for the aims of the strategy.
The Commission has made progress in preparing legislation based on impact assessments and new policy strategies on nature, forest and soil restoration, the Commissioner stressed.
Adding, “We are working with Member States to ensure that biodiversity will also be a national priority in long-term funding and investment, including under the Common Agricultural Policy and recovery funds”. As for the COP15 preparation process, it is “gaining momentum”.
See the European Parliament resolution: https://bit.ly/3wc07fG (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)