EUROPEAN
COMMISSION

Brussels, 20.5.2020
COM(2020) 380 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEANPARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIALCOMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONSEU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
Bringing nature back into our lives

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1.

BIODIVERSITY – THE NEED FOR URGENT ACTION

From the world’s great rainforests to small parks and gardens, from the blue whale tomicroscopic fungi, biodiversity is the extraordinary variety of life on Earth. We humans
are part of, and fully dependent on, this web of life: it gives us the food we eat, filters thewater we drink, and supplies the air we breathe. Nature is as important for our mental andphysical wellbeing as it is for our society’s ability to cope with global change, healththreats and disasters. We need nature in our lives.
Healthy and resilient societies depend on giving nature the space it needs. The recent
COVID-19 pandemic makes the need to protect and restore nature all the more urgent.
The pandemic is raising awareness of the links between our own health and the health ofecosystems. It is demonstrating the need for sustainable supply chains and consumption
patterns that do not exceed planetary boundaries. This reflects the fact that the risk ofemergence and spread of infectious diseases increases as nature is destroyed1. Protecting
and restoring biodiversity and well-functioning ecosystems is therefore key to boost ourresilience and prevent the emergence and spread of future diseases.
Investing in nature protection and restoration will also be critical for Europe’s
economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. When restarting the economy, it is
crucial to avoid falling back and locking ourselves into damaging old habits. The
European Green Deal – the EU’s growth strategy – will be the compass for our recovery,
ensuring that the economy serves people and society and gives back to nature more thanit takes away. The business case for biodiversity is compelling. Industry and companies
rely on genes, species, and ecosystem services as critical inputs for production, notably
for medicines. Over half of global GDP depends on nature and the services it provides,with three key economic sectors – construction, agriculture, and food and drink – allhighly dependent on it2.
Biodiversity conservation has potential direct economic benefits for many sectors of theeconomy. For example, conserving marine stocks could increase annual profits of theseafood industry by more than €49 billion, while protecting coastal wetlands could savethe insurance industry around €50 billion annually through reducing flood damage
losses3. The overall benefit/cost ratio of an effective global programme for theconservation of remaining wild nature worldwide is estimated to be at least 100 to 1 4.
Natural capital investment, including restoration of carbon-rich habitats and climatefriendly agriculture, is recognised to be among the five most important fiscal recovery
policies, which offer high economic multipliers and positive climate impact5. It will be
important for the EU to tap into this potential to ensure prosperity, sustainability andresilience in the recovery.

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Intergovernmental science-policy Plaform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) (2019),
Summary for policymakers of the global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of
the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, pp. 12-13,
A.2.
World Economic Forum (2020), Nature Risk Rising: Why the Crisis Engulfing Nature Matters for
Business and the Economy.
Barbier et al. (2018), How to pay for saving biodiversity.
Balmford et al. (2002), Economic reasons for conserving wild nature.
Hepburn et al. (2020), Will COVID-19 fiscal recovery packages accelerate or retard progress on
climate change?, Smith School Working Paper 20-02.
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Biodiversity is also crucial for safeguarding EU and global food security. Biodiversity
loss threatens our food systems6, putting our food security and nutrition at risk.
Biodiversity also underpins healthy and nutritious diets and improves rural livelihoods
and agricultural productivity7. For instance, more than 75% of global food crop types relyon animal pollination8.
Despite this urgent moral, economic and environmental imperative, nature is in a stateof crisis. The five main direct drivers of biodiversity loss9 – changes in land and sea use,overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive alien species – are making
nature disappear quickly. We see the changes in our everyday lives: concrete blocks
rising up on green spaces, wilderness disappearing in front of our eyes, and more species
being put at risk of extinction than at any point in human history. In the last four decades,
global wildlife populations fell by 60% as a result of human activities10. And almost
three quarters of the Earth’s surface have been altered 11, squeezing nature into an eversmaller corner of the planet.
The biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis are intrinsically linked. Climate change
accelerates the destruction of the natural world through droughts, flooding and wildfires,
while the loss and unsustainable use of nature are in turn key drivers of climate change.
But just as the crises are linked, so are the solutions. Nature is a vital ally in the fightagainst climate change12. Nature regulates the climate, and nature-based solutions13,
such as protecting and restoring wetlands, peatlands and coastal ecosystems, orsustainably managing marine areas, forests, grasslands and agricultural soils, will beessential for emission reduction and climate adaptation. Planting trees and deploying
green infrastructure will help us to cool urban areas and mitigate the impact of natural
disasters.
Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are one of the biggest threats facing humanity
in the next decade14. They also threaten the foundations of our economy and the costs ofinaction are high and are anticipated to increase15. The world lost an estimated €3.5-18.5
trillion per year in ecosystem services from 1997 to 2011 owing to land-cover change,
and an estimated €5.5-10.5 trillion per year from land degradation. Specifically,
biodiversity loss results in reduced crop yields and fish catches, increased economic
losses from flooding and other disasters, and the loss of potential new sources of
medicine16.
The EU is ready to show ambition to reverse biodiversity loss, lead the world by example
and by action, and help agree and adopt a transformative post-2020 global framework at
the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. This should
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World Economic Forum (2020), The Global Risks Report 2020.
Food and Agriculture Organization (2019), State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture.
IPBES (2019), Summary for policymakers, p. 3, A1.
IPBES (2019), Summary for policymakers, pp. 17-19, B.10-B.14; European Environment Agency(2019), The European environment – state and outlook 2020.
World Wildlife Fund (2018), Living Planet Report - 2018: Aiming Higher.
IPBES (2019), Summary for policymakers, p. 4, A4.
Idem.
https://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/index.cfm?pg=nbs
World Economic Forum (2020), The Global Risks Report 2020.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2019), Biodiversity: Finance andthe Economic and Business Case for Action.
Idem.
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build on the headline ambition to ensure that by 2050 all of the world’s ecosystems arerestored, resilient, and adequately protected. The world should commit to the net-gain
principle to give nature back more than it takes. As part of this, the world should commit
to no human-induced extinction of species, at minimum where avoidable.
This strategy sets out how Europe can help make this happen. As a milestone, it aims toensure that Europe's biodiversity will be on the path to recovery by 2030 for the
benefit of people, the planet, the climate and our economy, in line with the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development and with the objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate
Change. It addresses the five main drivers of biodiversity loss, sets out an enhanced
governance framework to fill remaining gaps, ensures the full implementation of EU
legislation, and pulls together all existing efforts. This strategy is enterprising andincentivising in spirit and action. It reflects the fact that protecting and restoring nature
will need more than regulation alone. It will require action by citizens, businesses,
social partners and the research and knowledge community, as well as strong
partnerships between local, regional, national and European level. This strategy is in linewith the ambitions and commitment set out in President von der Leyen’s Political
Guidelines and in the European Green Deal.
Adopted in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, this strategy will also be a central
element of the EU’s recovery plan. It will be crucial to prevent and build resilience tofuture zoonosis outbreaks and to provide immediate business and investment
opportunities for restoring the EU’s economy.
All new initiatives and proposals will be underpinned by the Commission’s better
regulation tools. Based on public consultations and on the identification of theenvironmental, social and economic impacts, impact assessments will contribute toensuring that all initiatives achieve their objectives in the most effective and leastburdensome way and live up to a green oath to “do no harm”.
2.

PROTECTING AND RESTORING NATURE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

The EU has legal frameworks, strategies and action plans to protect nature and restore
habitats and species. But protection has been incomplete, restoration has been smallscale, and the implementation and enforcement of legislation has been insufficient17.
To put biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030, we need to step up the protection
and restoration of nature. This should be done by improving and widening our networkof protected areas and by developing an ambitious EU Nature Restoration Plan.
2.1.

A coherent network of protected areas

Biodiversity fares better in protected areas. However, the current network of legally
protected areas, including those under strict protection, is not sufficiently large tosafeguard biodiversity. Evidence shows that the targets defined under the Convention on
Biological Diversity are insufficient to adequately protect and restore nature18. Global
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Mid-term review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (COM(2015) 478 and SWD(2015) 187);
Fitness Check of the EU Nature Legislation (Birds and Habitats Directives) (SWD(2016) 472); Fitness
Check of the EU Water Legislation (SWD(2019) 439).
The global Aichi biodiversity targets are that protected areas should cover 17% on land and 10% at sea,
while scientific studies’ figures range from 30% to 70%. See e.g. IPBES 2019.
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efforts are needed and the EU itself needs to do more and better for nature and build atruly coherent Trans-European Nature Network.
Enlarging protected areas is also an economic imperative. Studies on marine systems
estimate that every euro invested in marine protected areas would generate a return of atleast €319. Similarly, the Nature Fitness Check20 showed that the benefits of Natura 2000
are valued at between €200-300 billion per year. The investment needs of the network are
expected to support as many as 500,000 additional jobs21.
For the good of our environment and our economy, and to support the EU’s recovery
from the COVID-19 crisis, we need to protect more nature. In this spirit, at least 30% of
the land and 30% of the sea should be protected in the EU. This is a minimum of an
extra 4% for land and 19% for sea areas as compared to today22. The target is fully in linewith what is being proposed23 as part of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework(see Section 4).
Within this, there should be specific focus on areas of very high biodiversity value or
potential. These are the most vulnerable to climate change and should be granted special
care in the form of strict protection24. Today, only 3% of land and less than 1% of marine
areas are strictly protected in the EU. We need to do better to protect these areas. In thisspirit, at least one third of protected areas – representing 10% of EU land and 10% of
EU sea – should be strictly protected. This is also in line with the proposed global
ambition.
As part of this focus on strict protection, it will be crucial to define, map, monitor andstrictly protect all the EU’s remaining primary and old-growth forests25. It will also
be important to advocate for the same globally and ensure that EU actions do not result in
deforestation in other regions of the world. Primary and old-growth forests are the richest
forest ecosystems that remove carbon from the atmosphere, while storing significant
carbon stocks. Significant areas of other carbon-rich ecosystems, such as peatlands,
grasslands, wetlands, mangroves and seagrass meadows should also be strictly protected,
taking into account projected shifts in vegetation zones.
Member States will be responsible for designating the additional protected and strictly
protected areas26. Designations should either help to complete the Natura 2000 networkor be under national protection schemes. All protected areas will need to have clearly
defined conservation objectives and measures. The Commission, working with Member
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Brander et al. (2015), The benefits to people of expanding Marine Protected Areas.
Fitness Check of the EU Nature Legislation (SWD(2016) 472).
Member States’ Prioritised Action Frameworks 2020; Mutafoglu et al. (2017), Natura 2000 and Jobs:
Scoping Study.
Latest EU-27 statistics (European database of nationally designated protected areas) v. 2019, andNatura 2000 dataset ‘end 2018’. Today, 26% of the EU’s land area is already protected, with 18% aspart of Natura 2000 and 8% under national schemes. Of EU seas, 11% are protected, with 8% in Natura
2000 and 3% under additional national protection. To note: offshore wind projects will be possible if incompliance with relevant environmental and nature protection legislation.
Zero draft of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (CBD/WG2020/2/3), available athttps://www.cbd.int/conferences/post2020/wg2020-02/documents.
Strict protection does not necessarily mean the area is not accessible to humans, but leaves naturalprocesses essentially undisturbed to respect the areas’ ecological requirements.
https://www.cbd.int/forest/definitions.shtml; Natura 2000 and Forests.
Additional Natura 2000 designations will be implemented with support from EU funds andenforcement as appropriate.
4States and the European Environment Agency, will put forward in 2020 criteria andguidance for identifying and designating additional areas, including a definition of strict
protection, as well as for appropriate management planning. In doing so, it will indicate
how other effective area-based conservation measures and greening of cities could
contribute to the targets.
The targets relate to the EU as a whole and could be broken down according to the EU
bio-geographical regions and sea basins or at a more local level. Every Member State
will have to do its fair share of the effort based on objective ecological criteria,
recognising that each country has a different quantity and quality of biodiversity.
Particular focus will be placed on protecting and restoring the tropical and sub-tropicalmarine and terrestrial ecosystems in the EU’s outermost regions given their exceptionallyhigh biodiversity value.
In addition, in order to have a truly coherent and resilient Trans-European Nature
Network, it will be important to set up ecological corridors to prevent genetic isolation,
allow for species migration, and maintain and enhance healthy ecosystems. In thiscontext, investments in green and blue infrastructure27 and cooperation across borders
among Member States should be promoted and supported, including through theEuropean Territorial Cooperation.
The Commission will aim to agree the criteria and guidance for additional designations
with Member States by the end of 2021. Member States will then have until the end of2023 to demonstrate significant progress in legally designating new protected areas andintegrating ecological corridors. On this basis, the Commission will assess by 2024
whether the EU is on track to meet its 2030 targets or whether stronger actions, including
EU legislation, are needed.
Finally, the Overseas Countries and Territories also host important biodiversity
hotspots, not governed by EU environmental rules. The Commission encourages relevant
Member States to consider promoting equal or equivalent rules in these countries andterritories.
Nature protection: key commitments by 2030
1. Legally protect a minimum of 30% of the EU’s land area and 30% of the EU’s sea
area and integrate ecological corridors, as part of a true Trans-European Nature
Network.
2. Strictly protect at least a third of the EU’s protected areas, including all remaining EU
primary and old-growth forests.
3. Effectively manage all protected areas, defining clear conservation objectives andmeasures, and monitoring them appropriately.

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Guidance on a strategic framework for further supporting the deployment of EU-level green and blue
infrastructure (SWD(2019) 193).
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2.2.

An EU Nature Restoration Plan: restoring ecosystems acrossland and sea

Protecting the nature we have will not be enough to bring nature back into our lives. To
reverse biodiversity loss, the world needs to be more ambitious on nature restoration.
With a new EU Nature Restoration Plan, Europe will lead the way.
The plan will help improve the health of existing and new protected areas, and bringdiverse and resilient nature back to all landscapes and ecosystems. This means reducing
pressures on habitats and species, and ensuring all use of ecosystems is sustainable. It
also means supporting the recovery of nature, limiting soil sealing and urban sprawl, andtackling pollution and invasive alien species. The plan will create jobs, reconcile
economic activities with nature growth and help ensure the long-term productivity andvalue of our natural capital.
2.2.1. Strengthening the EU legal framework for nature restoration
Nature restoration is already partially required from the Member States in existing EU
legislation28. However, significant implementation and regulatory gaps hinder
progress. For instance, there is no requirement for Member States to have biodiversity
restoration plans. There are not always clear or binding targets and timelines and no
definition or criteria on restoration or on the sustainable use of ecosystems. There is also
no requirement to comprehensively map, monitor or assess ecosystem services, health orrestoration efforts. These issues are exacerbated by the gaps in implementation thatprevent the existing legislation from achieving its objectives29. Stronger implementation
support and enforcement is required. To ensure that nature restoration across land and sea
picks up, increases the EU’s resilience, and contributes to climate change mitigation andadaptation as a key nature-based solution, this strategy puts forward two strands ofactions:

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Firstly, and subject to an impact assessment, the Commission will put forward a
proposal for legally binding EU nature restoration targets in 2021 to restore
degraded ecosystems, in particular those with the most potential to capture andstore carbon and to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters. This will
identify the conditions in which the targets must be met, as well as the mosteffective measures to reach them. The impact assessment will also look at thepossibility of an EU-wide methodology to map, assess and achieve goodcondition of ecosystems so they can deliver benefits such as climate regulation,water regulation, soil health, pollination and disaster prevention and protection.

In that context, the Commission will request and support Member States to raise
the level of implementation of existing legislation within clear deadlines. It willin particular request Member States to ensure no deterioration in conservation
trends and status of all protected habitats and species by 203030. In addition,
Member States will have to ensure that at least 30% of species and habitats not

Notably the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Water Framework
Directive (2000/60/EC), Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive(2008/56/EC).
See Fitness Check of the EU Nature Legislation (SWD(2016) 472) and Fitness Check of the EU Water
Legislation (SWD(2019) 439). See also below, Section 3.2.
Habitats and species listed under the Birds and Habitats Directives.
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currently in favourable status are in that category or show a strong positive trend.
The Commission and the European Environmental Agency will provide guidance
to Member States in 2020 on how to select and prioritise species and habitats.
2.2.2. Bringing nature back to agricultural land
As guardians of our land, farmers play a vital role in preserving biodiversity. They areamong the first to feel the consequences when biodiversity is lost but also among the firstto reap the benefits when it is restored. Biodiversity enables them to provide us with safe,
sustainable, nutritious and affordable food and provides them with the income theyneed to thrive and develop. European farmers are an essential part of the EU’s future andmust continue to be the social and economic hub of many communities across our Union.
At the same time, certain agricultural practices are a key driver of biodiversity decline.
This is why it is important to work with farmers to support and incentivise thetransition to fully sustainable practices. Improving the condition and diversity ofagroecosystems will increase the sector’s resilience to climate change, environmental
risks and socioeconomic shocks, while creating new jobs, for example in organic
farming, rural tourism or recreation.
To support the long-term sustainability of both nature and farming, this strategy will
work in tandem with the new Farm to Fork Strategy and the new Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP), including by promoting eco-schemes and result-based
payment schemes. In implementing the Biodiversity and the Farm to Fork Strategies, theCommission will closely monitor progress and improvements in terms of food security
and farmers income. The Commission will ensure that the CAP Strategic plans areassessed against robust climate and environmental criteria, and that Member States set
explicit national values for the relevant targets set in this strategy, as well as in the Farm
to Fork Strategy. These plans should lead to sustainable practices such as precision
agriculture, organic farming, agro-ecology, agro-forestry, low-intensive permanent
grassland, and stricter animal welfare standards.
Farmland birds and insects, particularly pollinators, are key indicators of the health ofagroecosystems and are vital for agricultural production and food security. Theiralarming decline must be reversed. As set out in the Farm to Fork Strategy, theCommission will take action to reduce by 50% the overall use of – and risk from –chemical pesticides by 2030 and reduce by 50% the use of more hazardous pesticides
by 2030. This must be supported by the full implementation of the EU Pollinators
initiative31. By the end of 2020, the Commission will review the initiative and propose
additional measures if necessary. To provide space for wild animals, plants, pollinatorsand natural pest regulators, there is an urgent need to bring back at least 10% of
agricultural area under high-diversity landscape features. These include, inter alia,
buffer strips, rotational or non-rotational fallow land, hedges, non-productive trees,
terrace walls, and ponds. These help enhance carbon sequestration, prevent soil erosionand depletion, filter air and water, and support climate adaptation. In addition, morebiodiversity often helps lead to more agricultural production. Member States will need totranslate the 10% EU target to a lower geographical scale to ensure connectivity among
habitats, especially through the CAP instruments and CAP Strategic Plans, in line with
the Farm to Fork Strategy, and through the implementation of the Habitats Directive. The
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EU Pollinators initiative (COM(2018) 395).
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progress towards the target will be under constant review, and adjustment if needed, tomitigate against undue impact on biodiversity, food security and farmers’competitiveness.
Agroecology can provide healthy food while maintaining productivity, increase soil
fertility and biodiversity, and reduce the footprint of food production. Organic farming inparticular holds great potential for farmers and consumers alike. The sector creates jobs
and attracts young farmers. Organic farming also provides 10-20 % more jobs per hectare
than conventional farms, and creates added value for agricultural products 32. To make themost of this potential, at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land must be organicallyfarmed by 2030. In addition to CAP measures, the Commission will put forward an
Action Plan on organic farming, helping Member States stimulate both supply anddemand of organic products. It will also ensure consumer’s trust through promotion
campaigns and green public procurement. In the implementation of the EU-wide agroecological targets set out in this strategy and in the Farm to Fork Strategy, the different
starting points and differences in progress already made in Member States will be taken
into account.
The uptake of agroforestry support measures under rural development should be
increased as it has great potential to provide multiple benefits for biodiversity, people andclimate.
The decline of genetic diversity must also be reversed, including by facilitating the useof traditional varieties of crops and breeds. This would also bring health benefits throughmore varied and nutritious diets. The Commission is considering the revision ofmarketing rules for traditional crop varieties in order to contribute to their conservationand sustainable use. The Commission will also take measures to facilitate the registrationof seed varieties, including for organic farming, and to ensure easier market access for
traditional and locally adapted varieties.
2.2.3. Addressing land take and restoring soil ecosystems
Soil is one of the most complex of all ecosystems. It is a habitat in its own right, andhome to an incredible diversity of organisms that regulate and control key ecosystemservices such as soil fertility, nutrient cycling and climate regulation. Soil is a hugely
important non-renewable resource, vital for human and economic health, as well as the
production of food and new medications.
In the EU, the degradation of soil is having considerable environmental and economic
consequences. Poor land management, such as deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable
farming and forestry practices, construction activities and land sealing are among themain causes of this situation33. Despite recent reductions in the pace of soil sealing,
fertile soils continue to be lost to land take and urban sprawl34. When compounded by

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OECD (2016), Farm Management Practices to Foster Green Growth.
European Environment Agency (2019), EEA Signals 2019: Land and Soil in Europe.
European Environment Agency and Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) (2016), Urban
sprawl in Europe.
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climate change, the effects of erosion and losses of soil organic carbon are becoming
increasingly apparent. Desertification is also a growing threat in the EU35.
It is therefore essential to step up efforts to protect soil fertility, reduce soil erosion andincrease soil organic matter. This should be done by adopting sustainable soil
management practices, including as part of the CAP. Significant progress is also neededon identifying contaminated soil sites, restoring degraded soils, defining the conditions
for their good ecological status, introducing restoration objectives, and improving themonitoring of soil quality.
To address these issues in a comprehensive way and help to fulfil EU and international
commitments on land-degradation neutrality, the Commission will update the EU Soil
Thematic Strategy36 in 2021. The Zero Pollution Action Plan for Air, Water and Soilthat the Commission will adopt in 2021 will also look at these issues. Soil sealing andrehabilitation of contaminated brownfields will be addressed in the upcoming Strategy
for a Sustainable Built Environment. A mission in the area of soil health and foodunder Horizon Europe37 will aim to develop solutions for restoring soil health andfunctions.
2.2.4. Increasing the quantity of forests and improving their health andresilience
Forests are hugely important for biodiversity, climate and water regulation, the provisionof food, medicines and materials, carbon sequestration and storage, soil stabilisation andthe purification of air and water. They are also a natural home for recreation and learning
about nature. Foresters have a key role to play in ensuring sustainable forest management
and in restoring and sustaining biodiversity in forests.
In addition to strictly protecting all remaining EU primary and old-growth forests, theEU must increase the quantity, quality and resilience of its forests, notably against
fires, droughts, pests, diseases and other threats likely to increase with climate change.
To retain their function for both biodiversity and climate, all forests need to be preservedin good health. More resilient forests can support a more resilient economy. They also
play an important role in providing materials, products and services, which are key forthe circular bio-economy.
To make this happen, the Commission will propose a dedicated EU Forest Strategy in
2021 in line with our wider biodiversity and climate neutrality ambitions. It will include
a roadmap for planting at least 3 billion additional trees in the EU by 2030, in fullrespect of ecological principles. This will create substantial job opportunities linked tothe collecting and cultivating of seeds, planting seedlings, and ensuring theirdevelopment. Tree planting is particularly beneficial in cities, while in rural areas it canwork well with agroforestry, landscape features and increased carbon sequestration. At
the same time, the Commission will continue to work with Member States to ensure that
the EU is sufficiently equipped to prevent and respond to major forest fires, which can
inflict significant damages on forest biodiversity.

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European Court of Auditors (2018), Combating desertification in the EU: a growing threat in need ofmore action, Special Report n°33/2018.
Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection (COM(2006) 231).
Horizon Europe mission area on soil health and food.
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Afforestation, reforestation and tree planting to support biodiversity and ecosystem
restoration will be promoted through the CAP Strategic Plans, and the Cohesion Policy
funds. The new European Urban Greening Platform38 will also facilitate urban tree
planting, including under the LIFE programme.
The share of forest areas covered by management plans should cover all managed publicforests and an increased number of private forests, and biodiversity-friendly practices
such as closer-to-nature-forestry should continue and be further developed. To support
this, the Commission will develop guidelines on biodiversity-friendly afforestation andreforestation and closer-to-nature-forestry practices. This will be done in parallel with the
new EU Forest Strategy.
To gain a better picture of the health of European forests, the Commission will work withother data providers to further develop the Forest Information System for Europe. This
will help produce up-to-date assessments of the condition of European forests and link all
EU forest-data web-platforms. This will also be presented as part of the EU Forest
Strategy.
2.2.5. Win-win solutions for energy generation
Decarbonising the energy system is critical for climate neutrality, as well as for the EU’s
recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and long-term prosperity. More sustainably sourced
renewable energy will be essential to fight climate change and biodiversity loss. The EU
will prioritise solutions such as ocean energy, offshore wind, which also allows for fishstock regeneration, solar-panel farms that provide biodiversity-friendly soil cover, andsustainable bioenergy.
To mitigate climate and environmental risks created by the increasing use of certain
sources for bioenergy, the revised Renewable Energy Directive39 includes strengthened
sustainability criteria. It also promotes the shift to advanced biofuels based on residues
and non-reusable and non-recyclable waste. This approach should continue for all formsof bioenergy. The use of whole trees and food and feed crops for energy production –whether produced in the EU or imported – should be minimised.
To better understand and monitor the potential climate and biodiversity risks, theCommission is assessing the EU and global biomass supply and demand and related
sustainability40. As part of its increased ambition to protect and restore forest ecosystems,
the Commission will publish the results of this work on the use of forest biomass forenergy production by the end of 2020. This will inform the Commission’s policymaking, including the review and revision, where necessary, of the level of ambition of
the Renewable Energy Directive, the Emissions Trading Scheme, and the Regulation onland use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) set for 2021.
In line with the Renewable Energy Directive, the Commission will also develop
operational guidance in 2021 on the new sustainability criteria on forest biomass for

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See Section 2.2.8.
Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources.
JRC Biomass Assessment Study.
10energy41. It will also review in 2021 the data on biofuels with high indirect land-use
change risk and establish a trajectory for their gradual phase out by 2030.
The overall objective is to ensure that EU regulatory framework on bioenergy is in linewith the increased ambition set out in the European Green Deal.
2.2.6. Restoring the good environmental status of marine ecosystems
Restored and properly protected marine ecosystems bring substantial health, socialand economic benefits to coastal communities and the EU as a whole. The need forstronger action is all the more acute as marine and coastal ecosystem biodiversity loss isseverely exacerbated by global warming42.
Achieving good environmental status of marine ecosystems, including through strictly
protected areas, must involve the restoration of carbon-rich ecosystems as well as
important fish spawning and nursery areas. Some of today’s sea uses endanger foodsecurity, fishers’ livelihoods, and the fishery and seafood sectors. Marine resourcesmust be harvested sustainably and there must be zero-tolerance for illegal practices.
In this regard, the full implementation of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, the Marine
Strategy Framework Directive and the Birds and Habitats Directives is essential.
The application of an ecosystem-based management approach under EU legislation43 will
reduce the adverse impacts of fishing, extraction and other human activities, especiallyon sensitive species and seabed habitats. To support this, national maritime spatialplans, which Member States have to deliver in 2021, should aim at covering all maritime
sectors and activities, as well as area-based conservation-management measures.44 The
Commission will also propose a new action plan to conserve fisheries resources andprotect marine ecosystems by 2021. Where necessary, measures will be introduced tolimit the use of fishing gear most harmful to biodiversity, including on the seabed. It will
also look at how to reconcile the use of bottom-contacting fishing gear with biodiversity
goals, given it is now the most damaging activity to the seabed. This must be done in afair and just way for all. The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund should also support
the transition to more selective and less damaging fishing techniques.
Healthy fish stocks are key to the long-term prosperity of fishermen and the health of ouroceans and biodiversity. This makes it all the more important to maintain or reduce
fishing mortality at or under Maximum Sustainable Yield levels. This will help achievea healthy population age and size distribution for fish stocks.
The by-catch of species threatened with extinction must also be eliminated or reduced
to a level that allows full recovery. This should also be the case for those in bad
conservation status or not in good environmental status. Furthermore, the by-catch ofother species45 must be eliminated or, where this is not possible, minimised so as not to

41
42

43

44

45

Article 29 of the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001.
See for example Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2019), Special Report on the Ocean and
the Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.
The Common Fisheries Policy, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) and the
Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (2014/89/EU).
The Commission will report on the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive byMarch 2022 at the latest, including the application of ecosystem-based management.
Protected by international and EU law.
11

threaten their conservation status. To support this, data collection on by-catch for all
sensitive species needs to be stepped up.
In addition, fisheries-management measures must be established in all marine protectedareas according to clearly defined conservation objectives and on the basis of the best
available scientific advice.
2.2.7. Restoring freshwater ecosystems
The EU’s legal framework on water is ambitious but implementation is lagging behindand enforcement must be stepped up46. Greater efforts are needed to restore freshwater
ecosystems and the natural functions of rivers in order to achieve the objectives of theWater Framework Directive. This can be done by removing or adjusting barriers thatprevent the passage of migrating fish and improving the flow of water and sediments. To
help make this a reality, at least 25,000 km of rivers will be restored into free-flowing
rivers by 203047 through the removal of primarily obsolete barriers and the restoration offloodplains and wetlands. Technical guidance and support to the Member States to
identify sites and help mobilise funding will be provided by the Commission in 2021, in
consultation with all relevant authorities48. Member State authorities should review water
abstraction and impoundment permits to implement ecological flows in order to achieve
good status or potential of all surface waters and good status of all groundwater by 2027
at the latest, as required by the Water Framework Directive49. To that effect, theCommission will provide technical support to Member States on their measures by 2023.
Overall, large-scale river and floodplain restoration investments50 can provide a major
economic boost for the restoration sector and for local socioeconomic activities such as
tourism and recreation. At the same time, these investments can improve water
regulation, flood protection, nursery habitats for fish, and the removal of nutrient
pollution.
2.2.8. Greening urban and peri-urban areas
Green urban spaces, from parks and gardens to green roofs and urban farms, provide awide range of benefits for people. They also provide opportunities for businesses and a
refuge for nature. They reduce air, water and noise pollution, provide protection fromflooding, droughts and heat waves, and maintain a connection between humans andnature51.
The recent lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic have shown us the value of green
urban spaces for our physical and mental wellbeing. While protection of some urban

46

47

48

49

50
51

Fitness Check of the EU Water Legislation (SWD(2019) 439); Evaluation of the Urban Waste Water
Treatment Directive (SWD(2019) 700).
The target of 25,000 km is based on the Commission’s assessment of what is achievable in the EU by
2030.
The guidelines will take a wide range of issues into account, including hydropower generation, flood
management, water supply, agriculture and navigability.
These measures should be planned in the 3rd River Basin Management Plans to be adopted by Member
States in 2021, under the Water Framework Directive.
Fitness Check of the EU Water Legislation (SWD(2019) 439).
EnRoute project.
12

green spaces has increased52, green spaces often lose out in the competition for land as
the share of the population living in urban areas continues to rise.
This strategy aims to reverse these trends and stop the loss of green urban ecosystems.
The promotion of healthy ecosystems, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions
should be systematically integrated into urban planning, including in public spaces,
infrastructure, and the design of buildings and their surroundings.
To bring nature back to cities and reward community action, the Commission calls on
European cities of at least 20,000 inhabitants to develop ambitious Urban Greening
Plans by the end of 2021. These should include measures to create biodiverse andaccessible urban forests, parks and gardens; urban farms; green roofs and walls; treelined streets; urban meadows; and urban hedges. They should also help improveconnections between green spaces, eliminate the use of pesticides, limit excessive
mowing of urban green spaces and other biodiversity harmful practices. Such plans could
mobilise policy, regulatory and financial tools.
To facilitate this work, the Commission will in 2021 set up an EU Urban Greening
Platform, under a new ‘Green City Accord’53 with cities and mayors. This will be donein close coordination with the European Covenant of Mayors. The Urban Greening Plans
will have a central role in choosing the European Green Capital 2023 and European
Green Leaf 2022.
The Commission will support Member States and local and regional authorities throughtechnical guidance and help to mobilise funding and capacity building. It will also reflect
these objectives in the European Climate Pact.
2.2.9. Reducing pollution
Pollution is a key driver of biodiversity loss and has a harmful impact on our health andenvironment. While the EU has a solid legal framework in place to reduce pollution,
greater efforts are still required. Biodiversity is suffering from the release of nutrients,
chemical pesticides, pharmaceuticals, hazardous chemicals, urban and industrial
wastewater, and other waste including litter and plastics. All of these pressures must be
reduced.
As part of the Commission’s Zero Pollution Ambition for a toxic-free environment, a
new EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability will be put forward along with a Zero
Pollution Action Plan for Air, Water and Soil.
The Commission will also promote the goal of zero pollution from nitrogen andphosphorus flows from fertilisers through reducing nutrient losses by at least 50%, while
ensuring that there is no deterioration in soil fertility. This will result in the reduction ofuse of fertilisers by at least 20%. This will be achieved by implementing and enforcing
the relevant environmental and climate legislation in full, identifying with Member States
the nutrient load reductions needed to achieve these goals, applying balanced fertilisationand sustainable nutrient management, and by managing nitrogen and phosphorus better
throughout their lifecycle. To this end, the Commission will work with Member States to52

53

There are 11,000 Natura 2000 sites within, or partly within, cities, representing 15% of the total area of
the Natura 2000 network.
The Green City Accord.
13

develop an Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan in 2022. The Farm to Forkstrategy will address the reduction in the use and risk of pesticides and support wider
implementation of Integrated Pest Management54. As part of this, the environmental
risk assessment of pesticides will be strengthened. The pressure from plastics isnotably addressed through the implementation of the European Strategy for Plastics55 andthe new Circular Economy Action Plan56.
The Commission will develop a set of indicators for the progressive reduction ofpollution, and will establish baselines to help monitor progress. Pressures from marine
litter and underwater noise are being addressed under the Marine Strategy Framework
Directive.
2.2.10. Addressing invasive alien species
Invasive alien species can significantly undermine efforts to protect and restore nature.
Besides inflicting major damage to nature and the economy, many invasive alien species
also facilitate the outbreak and spread of infectious diseases, posing a threat to humans
and wildlife57. The rate of release of invasive alien species has increased in recent years.
Of the 1,872 species now considered threatened in Europe, 354 are under threat frominvasive alien species. Without effective control measures, the rate of invasion and therisks it brings to our nature and health will continue to rise.
The implementation of the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation58 and other relevant
legislation and international agreements must also be stepped up. This should aim tominimise, and where possible eliminate, the introduction and establishment of alien
species in the EU environment. The aim will be to manage established invasive alien
species and decrease the number of Red List species they threaten by 50%59.
EU Nature Restoration Plan: key commitments by 2030
1. Legally binding EU nature restoration targets to be proposed in 2021, subject to an
impact assessment. By 2030, significant areas of degraded and carbon-richecosystems are restored; habitats and species show no deterioration in conservation
trends and status; and at least 30% reach favourable conservation status or at least
show a positive trend.
2. The decline in pollinators is reversed.
3. The risk and use of chemical pesticides is reduced by 50% and the use of morehazardous pesticides is reduced by 50%.
4. At least 10% of agricultural area is under high-diversity landscape features.
5. At least 25% of agricultural land is under organic farming management, and theuptake of agro-ecological practices is significantly increased.
6. Three billion new trees are planted in the EU, in full respect of ecological principles.
7. Significant progress has been made in the remediation of contaminated soil sites.
8. At least 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers are restored.
54
55
56
57

58
59

Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (2009/128/EC).
European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy (COM(2018) 28).
A new Circular Economy Action Plan for a cleaner and more competitive Europe (COM(2020) 98).
See for example: Hulme P. (2014). Invasive species challenge the global response to emerging diseases,
Trends in parasitology (2014) Vol. 30, Issue 6; Duscher et al. (2017).
Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 on invasive alien species.
Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
14

9. There is a 50% reduction in the number of Red List species threatened by invasive
alien species.
10. The losses of nutrients from fertilisers are reduced by 50%, resulting in the reduction
ofthe use of fertilisers by at least 20%.
11. Cities with at least 20,000 inhabitants have an ambitious Urban Greening Plan.
12. No chemical pesticides are used in sensitive areas such as EU urban green areas.
13. The negative impacts on sensitive species and habitats, including on the seabedthrough fishing and extraction activities, are substantially reduced to achieve goodenvironmental status.
14. The by-catch of species is eliminated or reduced to a level that allows species
recovery and conservation.
3. ENABLING TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE
3.1.

A new governance framework

In the EU, there is currently no comprehensive governance framework to steer the
implementation of biodiversity commitments agreed at national, European orinternational level. To address the gap, the Commission will put in place a new
European biodiversity governance framework. This will help map obligations andcommitments and set out a roadmap to guide their implementation.
As part of this new framework, the Commission will put in place a monitoring andreview mechanism. This will include a clear set of agreed indicators and will enable
regular progress assessment and set out corrective action if necessary. This mechanism
will feed the Environmental Implementation Review and contribute to the European
Semester.
The new governance framework will ensure co-responsibility and co-ownership by all
relevant actors in meeting the EU’s biodiversity commitments. It will support
administrative capacity building, transparency, stakeholder dialogue, and participatory
governance at different levels.
The Commission will assess the progress and suitability of this approach in 2023, andconsider whether a legally binding approach to governance is needed.
3.2.

Stepping up implementation
environmental legislation

andenforcementofEUAll environmental legislation relies on proper implementation and enforcement. Over thelast 30 years, the EU has put in place a solid legislative framework to protect and restore
its natural capital. However, recent evaluations show that although legislation is fit for
purpose, implementation on the ground is lagging behind60. This is having dramaticconsequences on biodiversity and comes with a substantial economic cost61. The full
implementation and enforcement of EU environmental legislation is therefore at theheart of this strategy, for which political support and financial and human resources
will need to be prioritised.

60
61

See 2015 State of Nature in the EU report (COM (2015)219).
The costs of non-implementation are estimated at EUR 50 billion per year.
15

As regards the Birds and Habitats Directives, enforcement will focus on completing the
Natura 2000 network, the effective management of all sites, species-protection
provisions, and species and habitats that show declining trends. The Commission will
also ensure that environment-related legislation with an impact on biodiversity62 is better
implemented, enforced and – where necessary – reviewed and revised.
The Commission will strive to improve compliance assurance, working closely withMember States and European networks of environmental agencies, inspectors, auditors,
police, prosecutors and judges.
In addition, the Commission will support civil society’s role as a compliance watchdog
and will engage with Member States to improve access to justice in national courts inenvironmental matters for individuals and NGOs. It will also broaden standing for NGOs
by proposing a revision of the Aarhus Regulation63.
3.3.

Building on an integrated and whole-of-society approach

3.3.1. Business for biodiversity
In the partnership spirit of this strategy, all parts of the economy and society will have toplay their role. Industry and business have an impact on nature, but they also produce theimportant innovations, partnerships and expertise that can help address biodiversity loss.
To ensure environmental and social interests are fully embedded into business strategies,
the Commission will put forward a new initiative in 2021 on sustainable corporate
governance. This initiative, which may take the form of a legislative proposal, willaddress human rights and environmental duty of care and due diligence across economic
value chains in a proportionate way according to different sizes of entreprises64. This will
help ensure that shareholder and stakeholder interests are fully aligned with theobjectives set out in this strategy. In addition, in 2020, the Commission launched areview of the reporting obligations of businesses under the Non-Financial Reporting
Directive65, with a view to improving the quality and scope of non-financial disclosures,
including on environmental aspects such as biodiversity.
Through its existing platforms66, the Commission will help to build a European
Business for Biodiversity movement, taking inspiration from recent initiatives67 andmaking this movement an integral part of the European Climate Pact. Particular attention
will be paid to measures to incentivise and eliminate barriers for the take-up of naturebased solutions, as these can lead to significant business and employment opportunities
in various sectors68 and are the key to innovation for economic or societal needs that rely
on nature.

62

63
64
65

66
67
68

Such as the Directives on Environmental Impact Assessment (2014/52/EU), on Strategic Environmental
Assessment (2001/42/EC), on Environmental Liability (2004/35/CE) and on Environmental Crime(2008/99/EC).
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/aarhus/
Study on due diligence requirements through the supply chain – Final Report.
Directive 2014/95/EU amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards disclosure of non-financial anddiversity information by certain large undertakings.
Such as the EU Business @ Biodiversity Platform (B@B).
See for example Business for Nature or One Planet Business for Biodiversity.
BenDor et al. (2015), Estimating the Size and Impact of the Ecological Restoration Economy.
16

3.3.2. Investments, pricing and taxation
Tackling biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystems will require significant public andprivate investments at national and European level. This will mean making the most of
all relevant EU programmes and financing instruments. The Commission will strengthen
its biodiversity proofing framework69, inter alia by using in an appropriate way thecriteria established under the EU taxonomy, to ensure that EU funding supports
biodiversity-friendly investments.
To meet the needs of this strategy, including investment priorities for Natura 2000 andgreen infrastructure, at least €20 billion a year70 should be unlocked for spending on
nature. This will require mobilising private and public funding at national and EU
level71, including through a range of different programmes in the next long-term EU
budget. Moreover, as nature restoration will make a major contribution to climate
objectives, a significant proportion of the 25% of the EU budget dedicated to climate
action will be invested on biodiversity and nature-based solutions.
Under Invest EU, a dedicated natural-capital and circular-economy initiative will beestablished to mobilise at least €10 billion over the next 10 years, based on public/private
blended finance. Nature and biodiversity is also a priority for the European Green Deal
Investment Plan. To help unlock the investment needed, the EU must provide long-term
certainty for investors and help embed sustainability in the financial system. The EU
sustainable finance taxonomy will help guide investment towards a green recovery andthe deployment of nature-based solutions. In 2021, the Commission will adopt adelegated act under the Taxonomy Regulation72 to establish a common classification of
economic activities that substantially contribute to protecting and restoring biodiversity
and ecosystems. This will be further supported by a Renewed Sustainable Finance
Strategy later this year which will help ensure that the financial system contributes tomitigating existing and future risks to biodiversity and better reflect how biodiversity
loss affects companies’ profitability and long-term prospects73.
The Commission will further promote tax systems and pricing that reflect environmental
costs, including biodiversity loss. This should encourage changes in national fiscal
systems to shift the tax burden from labour to pollution, under-priced resources, andother environmental externalities. The ‘user pays’ and ‘polluter pays’ principles haveto be applied to prevent and correct environmental degradation.
Public authorities’ purchasing power represents 14% of EU GDP and can serve as a
powerful driver of demand for the products and services of companies that invest in orcontribute to nature-based solutions. To tap into this potential, when proposing further

69
70

71

72
73

See Common framework and guidance documents for biodiversity proofing of the EU budget.
The cost estimate is based on the 2018 Impact Assessment of the LIFE Regulation (SWD(2018) 292), a
Study on the costs of implementing the Target 2 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 and datasubmitted by 16 Member States under Article 8(1) of the Habitats Directive. The Commission will
update the estimate, notably based on Member States’ Prioritised Action Frameworks under the
Habitats Directive.
Including the Common Agricultural Policy, Cohesion Policy funds, Horizon Europe, the European
Maritime and Fisheries Fund, LIFE and external action funds.
See EU taxonomy for sustainable activities.
World Wildlife Fund (2019), The Nature of Risk – A Framework for Understanding Nature-Related
Risk to Business.
17

legislation and guidance on green public procurement, the Commission will integrate
criteria and monitoring to boost nature-based solutions.
3.3.3. Measuring and integrating the value of nature
Biodiversity considerations need to be better integrated into public and business decisionmaking at all levels. Building on existing work74, the Commission will develop in 2021
methods, criteria and standards to describe the essential features of biodiversity, its
services, values, and sustainable use.
These will include measuring the environmental footprint of products andorganisations on the environment, including through life-cycle approaches and natural
capital accounting. In this context, the Commission will support the establishment of aninternational natural capital accounting initiative.
3.3.4. Improving knowledge, education and skills
The fight against biodiversity loss must be underpinned by sound science. Investing inresearch, innovation and knowledge exchange will be key to gathering the best data anddeveloping the best nature-based solutions. Research and innovation can test and develop
how to prioritise ‘green’ over ‘grey’ solutions and help the Commission to support
investments in nature-based solutions, such as in old-industrialised, low-income or disasterhit areas.
The new Skills Agenda will play a key role in the transition to a green economy and thefight against biodiversity loss, focusing on training and reskilling of the workforce acrossa wide range of sectors.
The future Horizon Europe programme will include a long-term strategic research
agenda for biodiversity, including a science policy mechanism for research-based
options for ratcheting up the implementation of biodiversity commitments, withincreased funding. Horizon Europe’s Missions75 will significantly contribute to fillingknowledge gaps and finding solutions to improve the health of ecosystems and theircontribution to human health.
In parallel, the Commission will promote and facilitate partnerships, including a
dedicated Biodiversity Partnership, to make the bridge between science, policy andpractice and make nature-based solutions a reality on the ground. The Commission will
also establish in 2020 a new Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity in close cooperation
with the European Environment Agency. The Centre will: (i) track and assess progressby the EU and its partners including in relation to implementation of biodiversity related
international instruments; (ii) foster cooperation and partnership, including between
climate and biodiversity scientists; and (iii) underpin policy development. Moreover, theCommission will increase its support to the Intergovernmental science-policy Platform on
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
To help integrate biodiversity and ecosystems into school, higher education andprofessional training, the Commission will propose a Council Recommendation on
74
75

SWD(2019) 305.
Missions on adaptation to climate change including societal transformation, on healthy oceans, seas
coastal and inland waters, on climate-neutral and smart cities, and on soil health and food.
18

encouraging cooperation in education for environmental sustainability in 2021. This
will provide guidance for schools and teachers on how to cooperate and exchange
experiences across Member States on biodiversity teaching. The Commission will also
provide support materials and facilitate the exchange of good practices in EU networks ofteacher-training programmes.
4. THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR AN AMBITIOUS GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY AGENDA
Biodiversity is a priority of the EU’s external action and an integral part of efforts tomeet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It will be mainstreamed
throughout bilateral and multilateral engagements, through the EU’s ‘Green Deal
diplomacy’, and forthcoming green alliances76. The Commission will work closely with
the European Parliament and Member States to ensure a high level of EU ambition andmobilise all efforts for the good of the world’s biodiversity.
4.1.

Raising the level of ambition and commitment worldwide

Protecting biodiversity is a global challenge and the next decade will be decisive. Global
efforts under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity have largely been
insufficient. Nature cannot afford any half measures or lack of ambition.
In this spirit, the EU is ready to lead all efforts – working with like-minded partners in ahigh-ambition coalition on biodiversity – to agree an ambitious new global frameworkfor post-2020 at the upcoming 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity.
With this strategy, the Commission proposes ambitious commitments for the EU to bringto the table. The EU should also support governments and stakeholders across the globe
to significantly step up their ambition and their action.
The Commission proposes that the EU ensures that the post-2020 global framework
includes, at a minimum, the elements outlined below:

76

Overarching global goals for biodiversity for 2050, in line with the United
Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the vision of ‘living inharmony with nature’. The ambition should be that, by 2050, all of the world’s
ecosystems are restored, resilient, and adequately protected. The world
should commit to the net-gain principle to give nature back more than it takes.
The world should commit to no human-induced extinction of species, atminimum where avoidable.

Ambitious global 2030 targets in line with EU commitments in this strategy.
These should clearly address the drivers of biodiversity loss and be specific,
measurable, actionable, relevant and time-bound.

A much stronger implementation, monitoring and review process. Parties
should revise their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans by the endof 2021, or as a minimum, submit national commitments for the most important
targets. There should be a regular review cycle to look at progress towards theGreen alliances focus on cooperation with African and other partners to implement the European Green
Deal.
19

targets, with the ability to ratchet up action if needed. These reviews should bebased on an independent, science-based gap-analysis and foresight process, with
common headline indicators for all Parties.
An enabling framework to bring the ambition to life, across areas such as
finance, capacity, research, innovation and technology.



Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources
linked to biodiversity.

A principle of equality. This includes respect for the rights and the full andeffective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities. There should
be an inclusive approach with participation of all stakeholders, including women,
youth, civil society, local authorities, the private sector, academia and scientificinstitutions.
4.2.

Using external action to promote the EU’s ambition

4.2.1. International Ocean GovernanceIn line with the International Ocean Governance agenda77, the EU will support theconclusion of an ambitious legally binding agreement on marine biological diversity ofareas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) by the end of 2020. It must set clear global
procedures for identifying, designating and effectively managing ecologically
representative marine protected areas in the high seas. It should be ratified andimplemented as quickly as possible.
The EU should also use all of its diplomatic leverage and outreach capacities to help
broker agreement on the designation of three vast Marine Protected Areas in theSouthern Ocean78, two of which were co-proposed by the EU in East Antarctica and in
the Weddell Sea. If agreed, this would constitute one of the biggest acts of nature
protection in history.
Work will continue with partner countries and regional organisations to put in placemeasures to protect and sustainably use sensitive maritime ecosystems and species,
including in areas beyond national jurisdiction, with a focus on marine biodiversity
hotspots. The EU should continue supporting Small Island Developing States and otherrelevant partner countries to participate in meetings of regional and global organisations
and bodies, and to implement relevant international commitments and regulations.
The EU will apply zero tolerance towards illegal, unreported and unregulated
fishing and will combat overfishing, including through WTO negotiations on a global
agreement to ban harmful fisheries subsidies.
In international negotiations, the EU should advocate that marine minerals in theinternational seabed area cannot be exploited before the effects of deep-sea mining on
the marine environment, biodiversity and human activities have been sufficiently
researched, the risks are understood and the technologies and operational practices areable to demonstrate no serious harm to the environment, in line with the precautionary
77
78

International ocean governance agenda: an agenda for the future (JOIN(2016) 49).
In the framework of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
20principle79 and taking into account the call of the European Parliament 80. In parallel, theEU will continue to fund research on the impact of deep-sea mining activities and on
environmentally-friendly technologies. The EU should also advocate for moretransparency in international bodies such as the International Seabed Authority.
4.2.2. Trade policy
Trade policy will actively support and be part of the ecological transition. In thisspirit, the Commission will ensure full implementation and enforcement of thebiodiversity provisions in all trade agreements, including through the EU Chief Trade
Enforcement Officer. The Commission will better assess the impact of trade agreementson biodiversity, with follow-up action to strengthen the biodiversity provisions ofexisting and new agreements if relevant. The Commission will also present in 2021 a
legislative proposal and other measures to avoid or minimise the placing of products
associated with deforestation or forest degradation on the EU market81, and to promoteforest-friendly imports and value chains. The Commission will take a number of steps tocrack down on illegal wildlife trade. This trade contributes to the depletion or
extinction of entire species, is the world’s fourth most lucrative black market and isthought to be one of the causes behind the emergence of zoonotic diseases. It is a human,economic and environmental duty to dismantle it.
With this in mind, the Commission will revise the EU Action Plan against Wildlife
Trafficking in 2021 and propose a further tightening of the rules on EU ivory trade
later this year. It will explore a possible revision of the Environmental Crime Directive,
including by looking at expanding its scope and introducing specific provisions for types
and levels of criminal sanctions. It will consider strengthening the coordinating andinvestigative capacities of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to work withMember States and non-EU countries to prevent illicit trade and the entry of illicit
products into the Single Market.
The Commission will continue to engage with partner countries to ensure a smooth andfair transition, mobilising in particular Aid for Trade to ensure that partners reap the
benefits of biodiversity-friendly trade.
4.2.3. International cooperation, neighbourhood policy and resource
mobilisation
Delivering an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework will require greater
cooperation with partners, increased support and financing and phasing out of subsidies
harmful to biodiversity. In the last decade, the EU and its Member States collectively
upheld their commitment to double financial flows to developing countries forbiodiversity82. The EU is ready to continue working with its partners and further
increase its support post-2020. This will be part of its work on biodiversity conservation,
restoration, sustainable use and mainstreaming in all development and partnership
79

80
81

82

Under Article 191.2 TFEU, the Union policy on the environment shall aim at a high level of protection
and shall be based on the precautionary principle.
European Parliament Resolution on international ocean governance (2017/2055(INI)).
In line with the Commission Communication on Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Restore theWorld’s Forests (COM(2019) 352).
Including international financing where biodiversity is the principal objective and where it is asignificant secondary objective, in line with CBD COP11 Decision XI/4 and EU and Member States
financial reports submitted to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2015 and 2018.
21

policies. In addition, by integrating policy coherence for sustainable development in all
its policies, the EU will reduce the pressure on biodiversity worldwide. In all of its
international cooperation, the EU should promote sustainable agricultural and fisheries
practices and actions to protect and restore the world’s forests. Particular attention will
also be paid to sustainable water resource management, the restoration of degraded land,
and the protection and restoration of biodiverse areas with high ecosystem services andclimate mitigation potential. A better protection of natural ecosystems, coupled withefforts to reduce wildlife trade and consumption, will also help prevent and build up
resilience to possible future diseases and pandemics. The EU will enhance its support toglobal efforts to apply the One Health approach83, which recognises the intrinsic
connection between human health, animal health and healthy resilient nature.
The EU will step up support to partner countries across the world to achieve the new
global targets, fight environmental crime, and tackle the drivers of biodiversity loss. In
Africa, the EU will launch the NaturAfrica initiative to protect wildlife and key
ecosystems while offering opportunities in green sectors for local populations. Similar
projects will be developed in other regions. The EU will also support the Western
Balkans and EU Neighbourhood countries in their efforts to protect biodiversity.
In all of its work, the EU will strengthen the links between biodiversity protection andhuman rights, gender, health, education, conflict sensitivity, the rights-based approach,land tenure and the role of indigenous peoples and local communities.
As part of its global efforts, the EU will promote biodiversity coalitions with partners andcivil society around the world. For example, in March 2020, the Commission launched
the Global Biodiversity Coalition of national parks, aquariums, botanic gardens, zoos,
natural history and sciencemuseums to help raise awareness around the world on the needto protect and nurture biodiversity. The Commission will consider launching or joining
other High Ambition Coalitions to help develop the post-2020 framework.
5. CONCLUSION
Protecting and restoring biodiversity is the only way to preserve the quality andcontinuity of human life on Earth. The commitments proposed in this strategy pave theway for ambitious and necessary changes – changes that will ensure the wellbeing andeconomic prosperity of present and future generations in a healthy environment. The
implementation of these commitments will take into account the diversity of challenges
across sectors, regions and Member States, recognise the need to ensure social justice,fairness and inclusiveness in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, and will
require a sense of responsibility and strong joint efforts from the EU, its Member States,
stakeholders and citizens.
The Commission invites the European Parliament and the Council to endorse thisstrategy ahead of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity. To ensure full political ownership of this strategy, the Commission will
suggest a standing progress point at the Council and at the European Parliament. It will
review the strategy by 2024 to assess progress and whether further action is needed tomeet its objectives.

83

https://www.who.int/features/qa/one-health/en/22