EU funds and biodiversity
Nature is in crisis. 81 per cent of habitats in the EU are in ‘poor condition’, and without swift action this will only become worse. We need systemic and wide-reaching action and investments to tackle biodiversity loss and help restore nature before it is too late. The EU has pledged 120 billion of the EU budget to be earmarked for biodiversity by 2026, offering enormous potential to restore and protect nature, providing this is properly invested. We are therefore campaigning to ensure these public funds work for – not against – nature.
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Key facts
In May 2020, the EU released the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aimed at both restoring and protecting biodiversity across the EU.
The EU aims to allocate 7.5 per cent of the EU budget to biodiversity action by 2024, followed by 10 per cent till 2026.
By 2030, the EU has a target to protect 30 per cent of land and sea.
Investing in nature is key to tackling climate change. EU forests currently absorb the equivalent of 8.9 per cent of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Improved management could allow this to be doubled.
Key issues
Biodiversity needs increased funding
Our analysis of ten CEE countries’ recovery plans found that just 0.3 per cent of recovery funds have been allocated to biodiversity-related investments and reforms. That is just 3 cents for every 10 euros.
Green recovery or business as usual?
The EU’s economic recovery should be a key opportunity to rethink the business as-usual approach that has led to biodiversity destruction. Yet, many Member States have asked for EU public financial support for a new wave of old-fashioned and damaging projects – and in many cases have received it.
Funds must be properly targeted
Investments such as the expansion and better management of Natura 2000 areas, as well as restoration of grasslands, peatlands and habitats need to be favoured instead of investing in harmful activities such as land drainage, unsustainable forestry and hydropower.
Background
In central and eastern Europe, around 41 per cent of all public investments come from EU funds, meaning that these funds can significantly determine the region’s future. The investment decisions made today will therefore shape the region for years to come.
However, Bankwatch has documented numerous cases where EU funds and investments have been damaging to nature, rather than maximising their transformative potential to address the biodiversity crisis.
Working with campaigners across ten central and eastern European Member States, we are advocating for the recovery and resilience facility and cohesion funds to properly invest in biodiversity, while preventing those that are damaging to nature.
Transparent, inclusive and participatory decision making
Allowing the public to actively participate in planning and decision-making processes of EU funds has been shown to deliver better quality projects and higher environmental ambition, as well as creating public ownership and engagement. Therefore, to make the most of EU funds, it is important that all interested people are involved throughout the process, from planning to implementation. In particular, the knowledge and expertise of environmental NGOs is vital for developing programmes that can truly protect and restore biodiversity.
Nature is key to tackling climate change
The biodiversity crisis is equally as important as the climate crisis – the two are interconnected and both must be tackled together. As well as being vital for biodiversity, restoring nature is an important way to adapt to and mitigate climate change; soil, grasslands, peatlands and forests for example are vital carbon sinks and can cheaply and effectively sequestrate CO2 emissions. Only by investing in nature can we tackle climate change. Read our report showcasing examples of nature restoration and conservation projects across Central and Eastern Europe here.
Supporting biodiversity for Europe’s green recovery
Investments in nature conservation have long been neglected, and as a result, nature across Europe is now in a terrible state. Biodiversity conservation projects can address this by providing cost-effective ways to restore nature and sustainably manage ecosystems; tackle climate change; and deliver environmental, social and economic benefits at the same time.
Latest news
Il ripristino della biodiversità deve essere parte integrante della transizione energetica europea
Bankwatch in the media | 4 May, 2022In vista della pubblicazione della comunicazione RepowerEU da parte della Commissione europea, in una dichiarazione congiunta, BirdLife, …
Read moreA step in the right direction: Bulgaria’s recovery plan improved after lengthy negotiations
Blog entry | 28 April, 2022After one year of negotiations, at the beginning of April, the European Commission finally endorsed the sixth and final version of Bulgaria’s recovery plan. According to the Commission, nearly 60 per cent of the projects included in the plan support the green transition of the country, which is the highest percentage among all the recovery plans approved so far.
Read moreHow to win energy sovereignty and avoid a gas trap in Poland
Blog entry | 11 April, 2022Poland’s energy policy has to change urgently in the face of the war in Ukraine. EU funds must finance Poland’s transformation for energy security and sustainability. There is no return to the business as usual when it comes to energy policy.
Read moreRelated publications
Breaking down the ‘do no significant harm’ principle
Briefing | 7 April, 2022 | Download PDFThis briefing aims to explain the ‘do no significant harm’ principle and how it has been used in the Recovery and Resilience Facility. It also raises concerns over the long-term risks and implications of applying the ‘do no significant harm’ principle
Applying the ‘do no significant harm’ principle in practice: examples of reforms and investments under national recovery plans that will cause harm to the environment
Advocacy letter | 8 March, 2022 | Download PDFThis joint letter, prepared by CEE Bankwatch Network, EuroNatur, WWF and ReCommon, raises concern about the application of the EU’s ‘do no significant harm’ principle under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The letter is accompanied by a seri
EU funds should never harm nature, climate or the environment Statement of the Green 10 on the ‘do no significant harm’ principle
Advocacy letter | 18 November, 2021 | Download PDFThis statement, written together with the Green 10 and EuroNatur, outlines our main concerns about the application of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle to EU public funds. The EU intends to expand the application of this principle to a variety of
