Biodiversity

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Organic farming: How realistic is the 25 percent target?
With the Organic Farming Action Plan, the EU Commission is pursuing the goal of increasing the organic share of food production from currently less than ten percent to 25 percent by 2030 – but that may not make sense at all. continue reading →
EU Commission: several environmental lawsuits against member states before ECJ
On Thursday, the EU Commission initiated several lawsuits before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) against a number of member states. The issue is the failure to implement EU directives on renewable energies as well as environmental protection measures.The Commission demands that Bulgaria and Slovakia should be fined because neither country has transposed the 2018 […] continue reading →
How the agricultural turnaround is to succeed
Biodiversity and farm-to-fork strategies: Several EU action plans aim at a green transformation of agriculture. Time is pressing. However, translating these plans into concrete measures and laws is still a long way off. continue reading →
Nature restoration: rapporteur wants higher targets
With the Nature Restoration Law, the EU wants to set a good example globally. But even after the success of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), the dispute over the design continues in Brussels. In his draft, rapporteur César Luena sets higher goals. The opposition was not long in coming. continue reading →
Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg – being mindful of natural resources
Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg followed the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal from her home office in Stuttgart. She had decided against participating on-site so as not to worsen her carbon footprint. Moreover, she did not expect a strong agreement. She was all the more pleased that it happened after all: “This is a real ray of hope […] continue reading →
COP15: agreement on 30 percent land protection
After long and tough negotiations, parties at the World Conference on Nature (COP15) in Montreal agreed on a new global treaty to protect ecological diversity. The text came as a surprise and is more ambitious than many had expected. continue reading →
COP15: EU Commission promotes increase in environmental funding
At the World Conference on Nature (COP15), negotiations reached the decisive phase and everything continues to revolve around the issue of funding. EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius called the Global South’s call for an increase in financial support “legitimate.”He reiterated the EU’s commitment to double funding to €7 billion from 2021 to 2027. Germany (€1.5 […] continue reading →
COP15: dispute over financing and the private sector’s role
Financing the biodiversity targets is the Achilles' heel of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15). In addition to mobilizing public funds, this involves nothing less than aligning the entire economy with "nature positive." Support comes from the private sector itself. continue reading →
COP15: extension in Montreal likely
Week two at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD-COP15) in Montreal. Since last Wednesday and until Dec. 19, the parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity have been negotiating a new global agreement on the protection of ecological diversity (Europe.Table reported).The goal of the conference is nothing less than to secure the foundations of life. However, […] continue reading →
CBD-COP15: World Nature Conference under difficult conditions
This week, the UN Biodiversity Conference begins in Montréal. The meeting is expected to be a major game-changer in environmental protection. But the negotiations are taking place at a difficult time. The hurdles are high and some positions are far apart. continue reading →
Ahead of UN nature conservation conference: EU argues about renaturation
Two weeks ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference, the EU is arguing about its own nature conservation laws. In times of crisis, there is particular concern about losing agricultural production areas. Questions about measurability and funding also remain unanswered. continue reading →
How much climate protection can a forest provide?
Natural carbon reservoir, renewable source of energy and raw materials, habitat for countless species: According to various EU laws, forests must fulfill a multitude of functions to save the climate. Are they able to do all of that? Experts have their doubts. continue reading →
Nature conservation package: agriculture and forestry see red
On Wednesday, the EU Commission presented its plans for a nature conservation legislative package. According to the package, the use of pesticides is to be halved and damaged ecosystems restored. Environmentalists welcome the proposals – agriculture and forestry are up in arms. continue reading →
Food crisis: Germany’s special path in agricultural policy
The war in Ukraine has significantly exacerbated the crisis on the global food market. The EU Commission wants to remedy the situation and, among other things, temporarily allow the agricultural use of ecological fallow land. Almost all EU countries are making use of this. Germany is not one of them. This is met with criticism. continue reading →
Biodiversity: binding targets instead of voluntary commitments
In addition to the climate crisis, species extinction also poses an existential threat to humans, and the conservation status of nature continues to deteriorate. Even before the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in May, the EU wants to launch a renaturation law. Jutta Paulus, MEP and environmental expert of the Green Party, calls for a shift from voluntary commitments to more politically binding measures. continue reading →