The European Commission has set a target of halting the loss of biodiversity across the continent by 2020 and ensuring that ecosystems are fully protected by 2050 to prevent “catastrophic” consequences for the environment.
Six goals have been defined in a new biodiversity strategy announced today by commissioner for the environment Janez Potocnik. He said: “We are part of biodiversity, but we also depend on it for our food, for fresh water and clean air, and for a stable climate. It is our natural capital that we are spending too fast – and we all know what happens when we borrow beyond our means.
“We should all be aware of the severity of this situation and our past failures to address the problem. The time has come to step up our efforts enormously. I am confident this new multi-sectoral approach will put us on track to halt biodiversity loss by 2020.”
A statement from the commission said that biodiversity in Europe is in “crisis” and species are becoming extinct at “unparalleled rates”. It identifies social and economic as well as environmental costs – but said identifying the level of funding the strategy will require was impossible at this stage.
It claims that just 17 per cent of habitats and species are currently protected, and 25 per cent of animal species face extinction. Common farmland birds have declined in number by 20-25 per cent and 88 per cent of fish stocks are over-exploited or depleted. Ecosystems across Europe, the commission said, are degraded. It blames the threat on pollution, climate change, the unsustainable use of resources, changing land use and the invasion of alien species.
The six targets include fully implementing existing conservation legislation, improving ecosystems by using green infrastructure, making agriculture and forestry activities sustainable, safeguarding fish stocks, controlling invasive species and stepping up the EU’s global activity in this area.
Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth said the proposal “comes close” but measurable targets are essential if the six targets are to be met. Biodiversity campaigner Friedrich Wulf said: “Agriculture and forestry are the biggest land users in Europe, and how that land is used is crucial in preventing further biodiversity loss.
“Without clear and measurable targets to ensure these areas are sustainable, species depletion will continue, undermining the whole EU biodiversity strategy and further threatening global biodiversity.”
Green MEP Bas Eickhout was even more sceptical. He said: “The EU biodiversity strategy regrettably fails to live up to its title. The rhetoric on the importance of protecting biodiversity has not been translated into concrete proposals for achieving that objective.
“The strategy could and should have been a detailed policy blueprint for meeting the EU’s revised goal of halting biodiversity loss by 2020, instead it is distinguished by unambitious sub-targets and a lack of concrete commitments to fulfil the goal of halting biodiversity loss.”
He added: “Biodiversity needs to become a core priority in all relevant EU policies, like the common agricultural and fisheries policies, otherwise the 2020 goal will become an empty promise.”
Original notice can be found on the following webpage:
Direct link to the Strategy:
