Nature and Biodiversity Directors discussed the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
An informal video-conference of the EU i Nature and Biodiversity Directors was held on June 4, 2020 under the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The focus of the discussion was the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - Bringing nature back into our lives, which is a core element of the European Green Deal, New European strategy set to transform our economy and to put it on a more sustainable path.
Protecting and restoring biodiversity and functioning ecosystems are key parts of responding to the global health and environmental crisis and an important aspect of ensuring the long-term survival and well-being of our societies. The recent COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness of the links between our own health and the health of ecosystems, supply chains and consumption patterns.
The Strategy contributes to path toward EU climate-neutral economy. It is also a key document enabling the European Union to lead by example in global negotiations during the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in early 2021 to adopt a new ambitious Strategic plan that will define global nature protection policies over the next ten years.
The video-conference was attended by a total of 80 representatives from 28 countries, the European Commission and 11 NGOs.
"The scientific community has warned through the Global IPBES report about Nature’s dangerous decline and degradation of biodiversity calling for the urgent action needed now. The protection, restoration and conservation of nature will be crucial factors in Europe's recovery from the economic crisis, and we welcome the high ambition set in the Strategy. The Strategy with its ambitious action plan provides a framework for the transformative change for our society necessary to stop the loss of biodiversity in the long run and ensure our survival and well-being of our society", said Igor Kreitmeyer, Assistant Minister in Nature Protection Directorate.