Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission
6.1.2021
The Commission is committed to reaching an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework and welcomes the strong support of the European Parliament. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030[1], endorsed by the Council in its conclusions of 23 October 2020, proposes ambitious objectives for the EU, providing a basis for further discussions.
The EU stands ready to take a lead in the global efforts and will use its external policies to foster an ambitious global framework and its subsequent implementation. This includes strong European Green Deal[2] diplomacy and a more geopolitical approach, development cooperation, neighbourhood policy, and enhanced oceans governance. The Commission participates in the High-Ambition Coalition for Nature and People[3], contributed to the development of the Leaders Pledge for Nature[4] and launched a number of supporting initiatives, e.g. an outreach project[5] or the Coalition of botanical gardens, zoos, aquaria and research centres to foster massive support among citizens[6].
Financial resources for implementing the post-2020 framework will come from all sources, domestic and international, including from the private sector, and including an increased share of climate-related action in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) . Furthermore, the European Parliament and the Council have decided to increase the EU’s level of ambition by dedicating at least 7.5% by 2024 and 10% by 2026 of annual spending under the MFF to biodiversity. The EU Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument will contribute to this ambition. It is also important to increase the efficiency of spending and urgently address the drivers of biodiversity loss, including environmentally harmful subsidies.
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/strategy/index_en.htm
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
- [3] https://www.hacfornatureandpeople.org
- [4] https://www.leaderspledgefornature.org
- [5] https://4post2020bd.net
- [6] https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/coalition/index_en.htm