This year, 2010, was to have been the year when the decline in the biological diversity of the EU had been halted. The target won’t be met.
But – 2010 is also the year in which Governments across the European Union and around the world will come together in Nagoya in Japan in October at a meeting of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The significance of 2010 for the future of all life on earth is central to the thinking that has dubbed it International Year of Biodiversity – it’s success will be judged, to a large extent, on the outcomes of the Nagoya meeting.
I’ve written before that in missing the 2010 target there are some key successes to build on – one of these is the way the Nature Directives (the Birds and Habitats Directives) have been effective in protecting some of the most important sites and species across the EU.
The European Commission has now published its options for an EU vision and targets beyond 2010. And there is a clear winner to campaign for.
And it is.
Option 4! Here’s what it says:
Halting the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the EU by 2020 and restoring them as far as possible, and stepping up the EU's contribution to averting global biodiversity loss.
If you would like to see the other three suggestions – click here.
Targets are fine – but they are only as good as their implementation. The EU has some of the most effective environmental legislation in world – that’s a good start. From the perspective of saving our best places for wildlife, there is still a significant job to do to complete the network of Natura 2000 sites here in the UK. Investing in nature is also necessary – the RSPB’s Letter to the Future campaign tackles that issue head on.