Press release
22 December 2009
Ministry of the Environment
EU unites for forceful action on biodiversity in 2010
Today EU environment ministers agreed on Council conclusions in preparation for the formulation of global biodiversity targets in 2010.
"Alongside the continued debate on climate change, biodiversity is the next major environmental issue. The EU is now uniting around a long-term vision for living on the returns of nature without breaking into the capital. We are also sending a signal to the rest of the world that there is a need to support particularly vulnerable countries through aid, innovative financing and knowledge development, so as to enable them to meet biodiversity goals," says Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren.
The conclusions provide the EU with a common basis for discussions at the UNEP meeting in Bali in February, the UN General Assembly high-level meeting in September and the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in October 2010. Spain plans to adopt a new EU biodiversity target in spring 2010, based on a proposal from the European Commission expected at the beginning of the year.
The EU wants to raise the level of ambition and insight to preserve and rebuild the natural capital of the earth - its ecosystems, biodiversity and other natural resources - during this century. An important part of this is the establishment of a research panel for biodiversity and ecosystem services corresponding to that existing for the climate.
"During the Presidency we have initiated discussions on clarifying the value of ecosystems for the economy. We now call on the industries that make use of ecosystem services, such as forestry, agriculture and fisheries, to set clear targets for biodiversity and sustainable use," says Mr Carlgren.
Contact
Lennart BodénPress Secretary to Andreas Carlgren
