Halfway through its biodiversity strategy for 2030, the European Union’s assessment is mixed. This is the conclusion of a report published on Thursday 22 May by the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity, a body under the direction of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Environment Agency (EEA), according to which 50 of the 104 actions planned as part of the strategy have been completed, while 44 are underway and 10 are behind schedule.
Ten of the twenty-nine sub-objectives evaluated are progressing in the right direction, while three are stagnating, two are regressing and fourteen lack data.
The report does, however, highlight certain advances, such as the adoption of the regulation on nature restoration, the reduction in the use of pesticides and the increase in the area under organic farming.
Protected area coverage now stands at 26.1% of the EU’s land and 12.3% of its seas, falling short of the European target of at least 30% legal protection for each area by 2030.
For example, the current rate of designation of marine and terrestrial areas would have to be increased threefold if the targets are to be met.
Furthermore, the target of reducing nutrient losses in soils by 50% and fertiliser use by 20% seems unattainable for the time being.
In addition, populations of common birds and pollinators continue to decline, despite efforts.
The Commission is therefore calling for full implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation. In addition, the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity is developing a comprehensive monitoring system by 2030.
Read the report: https://aeur.eu/f/gzj (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)