On 16.1.20, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the position to be taken for the 15th global conference on biodiversity, COP15, to be held on 14-28.10.20 in Kunming (Yunnan, China). (1)
The European Citizens’ Assembly aspires to give the Old Continent a central role in safeguarding the planet, with the idea of promoting agreements of a binding nature. All good with words.
Biodiversity and Climate Change, Europe’s Responsibilities.
The European Parliament now calls for the next Conference of the Parties to agree on the binding nature of the commitments made by the 193 States Parties to theUN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, adopted in 1992 at the ‘Earth Summit’ in Rio de Janeiro). As was the case with the Paris Agreement, adopted by the Conference of 195 Parties to the Convention on Climate Change(World Climate Conference, 2015).
Governance and self-criticism, however, completely elude MEPs, who seem to be unaware of Europe’s serious non-compliance with the Paris Agreement itself. The European Commission-as we have seen-deliberately pursued negotiations and international agreements to encourage unconditional trade in a range of commodities that come from the deforestation and burning of the planet’s largest primary forests. Palm oil, GMO soybeans, meats from the American continent, timbers and hides.
The Strasbourg Assembly is co-responsible for negotiations and accessions to toxic treaties that will exacerbate deforestation. And it is also responsible for postponing the divestment of palm oil as ‘biofuel’ in Europe by 10 years-from 2020 to 2030. Although the European Commission itself, like the EPA(Environmental Protection Agency) in the U.S., has ascertained how greenhouse gas emissions from tropical fat exceed those from hydrocarbons (!).
COP15, the resolution of the European Parliament
The European Parliament resolution indicates that in order to truly safeguard biodiversity, it is necessary to define precise targets with associated deadlines, KPIs(Key Performance Indicators), monitoring and reporting systems based on common standards, and so on. And the representatives of European citizens say they want to achieve the following goals by 2030:
– natural areas will have to occupy at least 30 percent of the European territory,
– Damaged ecosystems shall be restored in a proportion of not less than 30 percent,
– biodiversity will have to be integrated ‘more’ into all European policies,
– an expenditure target for biodiversity integration shall come in the 2021-2027 Multi-Year Financial Framework in a minimum share of 10 percent.
Among many words, MEPs call for commitments in reducing pesticide use. They explicitly refer to glyphosate as an example of biodiversity destruction, and it is useful to note how no institution in the EU has taken action against Bayer, for the false studies submitted to support the renewal of its authorization. This also hints, it goes without saying, at the sustainability of the agricultural and fishing sectors. (8)
Biodiversity, other strategies adopted in EU
The European Union, to be fair, has also adopted other strategies to protect biodiversity:
– Natura 2000, a coordinated network of protected areas spanning all member states. With the aim of protecting the most important and threatened rare species and natural habitats referred to in the ‘Birds Directive‘ and ‘Habitats Directive‘. It’s just too bad that we then authorize the use of dangerous pesticides even in protected areas, as we have reported,
– the European Green Deal, a policy program announced by the new President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Where the protection of the environment and the quality of life of individuals are indicated as the main objectives. As well as the ambitious target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
So biodiversity is in excellent health, but only in words (sic!).
Dario Dongo and Alessandra Mei
Notes
(1)
European Parliament resolution of 16 January 2020 on the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
(COP15) (2019/2824(RSP)