What is the state of nature in the EU? (infographic)
What is the state of nature in the EU? (infographic)
Biodiversity: how the EU protects nature
Biodiversity is declining at alarming rates. EU countries are committed to restoring nature and preserving its biological diversity.
EU biodiversity strategy for 2030
The EU and its member states are committed to setting biodiversity on the road to recovery by 2030. The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 is the cornerstone of nature protection in the EU and is a key element of the European Green Deal.
The Commission presented the strategy in May 2020. The main actions to be delivered by 2030 include:
- the creation of protected areas covering at least 30% of the EU's land and sea area, extending the coverage of existing Natura 2000 areas
- the restoration of degraded ecosystems across the EU by 2030 through a series of specific commitments and measures, including the reduction in the use and risk of pesticides by 50% by 2030 and the planting of 3 billion trees across the EU
- the allocation of €20 billion per year to protect and promote biodiversity through EU funds and national and private funding
- the creation of an ambitious global biodiversity framework
EU countries adopted Council conclusions on the strategy and endorsed its objectives.
The Council highlighted the need to step up efforts to address the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity and nature loss. It reiterated the call for a full integration of biodiversity objectives into other sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry and for a coherent implementation of EU measures in these fields.
Ministers called for a significant proportion of 30% of the EU budget and Next Generation EU expenditure allocated to addressing climate action to be invested in biodiversity and nature-based solutions promoting biodiversity.
The 'farm to fork' and the EU biodiversity strategies, which were jointly presented by the Commission in 2020, share multiple goals and targets: for instance the reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilisers, the restoration of agricultural land and the management of water.
Nature restoration law
The Council has adopted the nature restoration law to restore biodiversity and ecosystems, in line with the goals of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030. This law aims to put in place recovery measures that will cover at least 20 % of the EU’s land and 20 % sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
The rules will be the first ever focused specifically on the recovery of nature in EU member states.
The nature restoration rules will set binding targets for restoration action for:
- degraded land and sea habitats
- pollinators
- agricultural ecosystems
- urban areas
- rivers and floodplains
- forests
The Council agreed on its position (general approach) on the nature restoration law in June 2023. An agreement with the European Parliament was found in November 2023, following negotiations in the 'trilogues'.
The Council adopted the nature restoration law in June 2024.
Other EU policies to protect biodiversity
EU efforts to stop the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems are grounded in legislation. This includes the:
- birds and habitats directives
- water framework directive
- marine strategy framework directive
Legislation covering sectors such as pollution, invasive alien species and climate change also contributes to conserving biodiversity by tackling the drivers of its loss.
To fund actions on the ground to protect and restore nature, the EU has set up the LIFE programme. Launched in 1992, it is the only EU funding programme entirely dedicated to environmental and climate objectives. Since its creation, LIFE has co-financed more than 5 000 projects.
Why salamanders are important to you: 30 years of nature protection in Europe
The tiniest of creatures, even tinier than a salamander, bear huge responsibility for sustaining the fascinating web of life. With the habitats directive, since 1992 the EU has been safeguarding salamanders, together with hundreds of other animal species, as well as plants and natural areas. From Finland to Malta, from Romania to Portugal, EU law has helped preserve habitats and the living species they host.
Global targets for biodiversity
The EU plays an active role at international level, helping to ensure that it meets its global commitments on protecting nature and biodiversity under multilateral conventions, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
In October 2022, the Council approved conclusions serving as the EU’s general negotiating position for the 15th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) which took place in December 2022 in Canada. The conference saw the adoption of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework which sets out clear goals aiming to guide global actions to protect and restore nature by 2030 and beyond.
The Council in its conclusions called for the adoption of an ambitious, comprehensive and transformative post-2020 global biodiversity framework including long-term 2050 goals, 2030 intermediate outcomes and action-oriented 2030 targets that can effectively and simultaneously address the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss.
Why biodiversity matters?
Biodiversity is the backbone of life. It is as essential for humans as for environmental and climate protection.
It provides people with food, fresh water and clean air and it plays an important role in keeping nature's balance. It helps tackle climate change and prevents the spread of infectious diseases.
According to the World Economic Forum, almost half of global GDP (some €40 trillion) depends on the natural environment and its resources. The largest economic sectors (construction, agriculture, and the food and drinks industry) are all highly dependent on nature, and together they generate close to €7.3 trillion for the global economy.
Human activities causing pollution and changes to habitats, as well as climate change, are putting a strain on species and ecosystems. Scientists estimate that one million species of plants, insects, birds and mammals are currently threatened with extinction worldwide.
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Last review: 17 June 2024