Objectives for biodiversity protection beyond 2010 A perspective from environmental citizens organisations John Hontelez, EEB Secretary General Athens Conference April 2009

We need to… …Adopt new and better targets …Take next step in EU conservation policy implementation: green infrastructure …Agree financial rescue package for ecosystems …Adopt new instruments and reform key policy areas to tackle underlying drivers …Mobilize and demonstrate political will.

New and better targets for biodiversity A new overarching biodiversity target for 2020 supported by sub targets and milestones. Criteria for such targets: Measurable and have a baseline Set for 2020 but be part of a vision for 2050 Not only seek to halt but to reverse (where possible) Emphasize both the intrinsic as well as the economic value of biodiversity Covering both species and habitats Emphasize biodiversity’s importance for dealing with climate change But these also need to be: Accompanied by targets to reduce consumption of energy, water, space, resources etc.

Possible sub targets Just some examples of the type of targets we need: Bringing all species and habitats that are protected under the Birds and Habitats Directive to a Favourable Conservation Status by Bringing our waters into good status by 2015 (in exceptional cases only by 2021 or 2027) Reduce the sealing of land (through the adoption of an ambitious EU soil policy).

Existing Policies + Green Infrastructure Habitat and Birds Directives in general success story, to be continued; Strong focus on N2000 site designation in the past, now more attention needed for management and financing of sites as well as effective species protection - with special attention to the marine environment (lagging behind); Promote “green infrastructures” as a new focus for effective implementation, combined with the Water Framework Directive implementation; Green infrastructures should tackle fragmentation of habitats while at the same time delivering critical ecological services.  Diversity of species and space for natural processes are key to ecosystem resilience, even more important in times of climate change.

The rescue package We need a LOT more money for biodiversity, as investment into our natural capital base. The TEEB first report showed the cost of inaction could be 7% of global GDP by 2050; The value of nature that can be expressed in monetary terms is only part of the real value of nature; 6 billion for Natura 2000 (per year for EU 25) implementation is most probably an underestimate; We need both dedicated and integrated funding lines, improving what has been achieved so far in different policy areas.

Tackling the underlying drivers of ecosystem degradation New biodiversity package to contribute to a ‘planetary rescue plan’ which: –Recognizes climate stability, biodiversity, soil and water as our natural capital, essential for wellbeing in the future, and brings them into a healthy state. –Responds to the current crisis to manage a transition process in different sectors, setting targets for reducing consumption of energy, space, water and other resources.

Some of the new initiatives needed: Reform CAP into a sustainable rural development policy; Reform ransport policies to reduce carbon emissions and biodiversity impacts; A Directive on Invasive Alien Species; Protecting our soils through a combined approach of Soil Framework Directive, Industrial Emissions Directive and a Biowaste directive; Environmental Fiscal Reform; Review of Raw Materials Initiative to develop a more realistic and ambitious resource and product policy; We need to discuss spatial planning!  A cross cutting issue: Enforcement is key! We need a Directive on minimum requirements for Environmental Inspections.

POLITICAL WILL Effective biodiversity protection is making choices! It should become core business for society, in particular for its political and business leaders; European Council – Commission leadership – National Governments and Parliaments – European Parliament: all should start underlining essential importance and urgency of ecosystem resilience for responding to climate change, for long term provision of essential natural resources, for peace and stability globally; Without this any ambitious and coherent protection policy will fail. POLITICAL WILL IS ESSENTIAL

See also Briefing Paper European Habitats Forum Thank you very much More info: