Bio-diverse cities and regions beyond 2020 at the UN CBD COP 15 and in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
ENVE-VII/002
Bio-diverse cities and regions beyond 2020 at the UN CBD COP 15 and in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
The political objective of this own-initiative opinion is to adopt the official position of the CoR to disseminate in the ongoing preparatory meetings and events towards the 15th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD COP 15) and consequently to contribute to the post-2020 EU Biodiversity Strategy.
The next CBD COP foresees the adoption of the new global policy framework for biodiversity to 2030, at global level. In order to deliver on these global commitments, the EU will have to adopt its own post-2020 biodiversity policy framework in 2021.
The opinion would highlight the importance of the contribution from subnational governments to achieve current and future biodiversity targets, as well as the multiple benefits of biodiversity to a range of objectives that matter particularly at subnational level.
The opinion would also contribute to the ongoing discussion on the next MFF by reinforcing the messages delivered by the CoR opinion on LIFE by the rapporteur, Marco Dus (IT/PES), for the Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme. Reflection on the MFF is a necessary step to guarantee the operationalisation of the next EU budget on ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
The opinion would also address key elements that the next Commission should take into consideration for the preparation of the 2021-2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy.
The proposed CoR opinion could:
reflect on the key role of subnational governments in the development of the next biodiversity policy framework, including through contributing to the Sharm el Sheikh to Kunming Action Agenda for Nature and People;
formulate recommendations on how subnational governments can formally be recognised in the implementation and MRV (monitoring, reporting and verification) of the post-2020 biodiversity policy framework. This includes formulating recommendations on capacity building for the implementation and enforcement of such a framework;
financial mechanisms for biodiversity action by LRAs: specific stream of funding under the current LIFE programme, and from different sources. It is also necessary to address opportunities beyond local/regional public financing: national, EU and/or crowdfunding;
propose how subnational governments could communicate the new policy framework; both at global and EU level.
The next CBD COP foresees the adoption of the new global policy framework for biodiversity to 2030, at global level. In order to deliver on these global commitments, the EU will have to adopt its own post-2020 biodiversity policy framework in 2021.
The opinion would highlight the importance of the contribution from subnational governments to achieve current and future biodiversity targets, as well as the multiple benefits of biodiversity to a range of objectives that matter particularly at subnational level.
The opinion would also contribute to the ongoing discussion on the next MFF by reinforcing the messages delivered by the CoR opinion on LIFE by the rapporteur, Marco Dus (IT/PES), for the Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme. Reflection on the MFF is a necessary step to guarantee the operationalisation of the next EU budget on ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
The opinion would also address key elements that the next Commission should take into consideration for the preparation of the 2021-2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy.
The proposed CoR opinion could:
reflect on the key role of subnational governments in the development of the next biodiversity policy framework, including through contributing to the Sharm el Sheikh to Kunming Action Agenda for Nature and People;
formulate recommendations on how subnational governments can formally be recognised in the implementation and MRV (monitoring, reporting and verification) of the post-2020 biodiversity policy framework. This includes formulating recommendations on capacity building for the implementation and enforcement of such a framework;
financial mechanisms for biodiversity action by LRAs: specific stream of funding under the current LIFE programme, and from different sources. It is also necessary to address opportunities beyond local/regional public financing: national, EU and/or crowdfunding;
propose how subnational governments could communicate the new policy framework; both at global and EU level.
under development
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- reiterates the conclusions by the 2019 IPBES Global Assessment and other scientific reports on the need for immediate science-based policy and action on the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation. Most international societal and environmental goals will not be achieved based on current trajectories;
- stresses the need for formal recognition of the contribution of Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (SNGs) in meeting the 2030 outcome-oriented goals and action-oriented targets of the post-2020 biodiversity framework, which must create enabling conditions for SNGs if it is to achieve transformative outcomes at the EU and global scale;
- welcomes the Parliament request for legally binding biodiversity commitments, and appreciates the consideration of it being of outmost importance to work on an ambitious post-2020 strategic plan and implementation mechanism that formally includes local and regional authorities;
- calls on the Commission to develop, as a central element of the European Green Deal, an action plan for nature and biodiversity that recognises the role of local and regional authorities in the development, implementation and M&E of an ambitious, realistic and coherent 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy;
- requests the Council to adopt a mandate for the EU position in the negotiations at the UN CBD COP15 to request the adoption by Parties of a dedicated Decision 15/- or a renewed Decision X/22 Plan of Action for SNGs on biodiversity;
- calls for policy coherence to align the efforts, objectives and outcomes produced by the different EU policies, including the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU Green Deal and the EU's trade relations and international commitments, namely the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the CBD and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Management, in a comprehensive EU Sustainability Strategy with clear objectives and implementation measures.
- reiterates the conclusions by the 2019 IPBES Global Assessment and other scientific reports on the need for immediate science-based policy and action on the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation. Most international societal and environmental goals will not be achieved based on current trajectories;
- stresses the need for formal recognition of the contribution of Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (SNGs) in meeting the 2030 outcome-oriented goals and action-oriented targets of the post-2020 biodiversity framework, which must create enabling conditions for SNGs if it is to achieve transformative outcomes at the EU and global scale;
- welcomes the Parliament request for legally binding biodiversity commitments, and appreciates the consideration of it being of outmost importance to work on an ambitious post-2020 strategic plan and implementation mechanism that formally includes local and regional authorities;
- calls on the Commission to develop, as a central element of the European Green Deal, an action plan for nature and biodiversity that recognises the role of local and regional authorities in the development, implementation and M&E of an ambitious, realistic and coherent 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy;
- requests the Council to adopt a mandate for the EU position in the negotiations at the UN CBD COP15 to request the adoption by Parties of a dedicated Decision 15/- or a renewed Decision X/22 Plan of Action for SNGs on biodiversity;
- calls for policy coherence to align the efforts, objectives and outcomes produced by the different EU policies, including the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU Green Deal and the EU's trade relations and international commitments, namely the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the CBD and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Management, in a comprehensive EU Sustainability Strategy with clear objectives and implementation measures.
