The European Parliament calls for a new Biodiversity Law in the EU with binding objectives for Member States

The Plenary of the European Parliament has approved, by 515 votes in favor, 90 against, and 86 abstentions, a report calling for the drafting of a new European Biodiversity Law, similar to the Climate Law, with binding objectives to 2030 and 2050.

MEPs regretted that the EU didn’t achieve its biodiversity targets for 2020 and stated that the new strategy must adequately address the five main drivers of transformation in nature: changes in land and sea use, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution, and invasive alien species. They are also asking for 20,000 million euros a year for action on biodiversity in Europe.

In addition, they demand the next United Nations conference in October 2021 creates a Paris Agreement that sets global biodiversity priorities for 2030 and beyond.

Thus, the European Parliament report calls for the creation of a new Biodiversity Law that creates a governance framework for biodiversity beyond protected areas, and it requests that the Nature Restoration Plan that the Commission will present at the end of the year include the overall goal of restoring at least 30% of ecosystems.

MEPs said that a favorable conservation status must be achieved for all protected species and habitats. In addition, at least 30% of the species must achieve a favorable status or show a strong positive trend in that direction.

It also sets a series of objectives, such as supporting the protection of at least 30% of European marine and terrestrial areas by 2030 and 10% protection of these areas, including natural carbon sinks, such as primary or ancient forests. It also includes a request that these objectives be included in the legislation.

In addition, it asks to dedicate at least 25% of agricultural land to organic agriculture and return at least 10% of the agricultural area to landscape elements of great diversity between now and 2030 and reduce chemical and most dangerous pesticides by 50%, among other demands.

At this point, MEPs oppose renewing the approval of glyphosate from December 31, 2022, and insist the EU initiative on pollinators be urgently reviewed in order to include an ambitious European monitoring framework with clear targets and indicators to halt the decline of pollinators, which are crucial for the environment and food security.

Source: europapress.es