Protejarea biodiversității: UE și statele membre trebuie să livreze pe promisiunile lor internaționale să implice orașele și regiunile afirmă CoR

Ahead of global talks later this year, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) has argued that the time has come for the EU and member states to uphold their international commitments by improving co-operation with local and regional authorities. In an opinion led by Kadri Tillemann (EPP), chairman of the Municipal Assembly in Keila Rural Municipality in Estonia, the Committee argued that a far more integrated approach to protecting biodiversity was needed that involved all levels of government. 

The Committee's opinion, adopted during its June plenary, forms part of its contribution to the build-up to the 12th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in South Korea later this year. Under the Convention, the EU and individual member states are committed to preventing further destruction of the world’s biodiversity by helping achieve 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets to be met by 2020. As part of its efforts, the EU approved a Biodiversity Strategy which seeks to restore its ecosystems by at least 15% by 2020. Nevertheless, the Committee warns that the European Commission and member states must now live up to their commitments which include improved cooperation with local and regional authorities as stated under Decision X/22 of the Convention.

Tillemann said: "Local governments hold significant responsibilities when it comes to demonstrating the benefits of biodiversity on the ground. In addition to more traditional public services, local and regional authorities are responsible for making ecosystem services available for citizens which has a significant impact on quality of life. One of the key areas where local and regional authorities play a key role is spatial planning in both urban and rural areas – with balanced planning decisions, socio-economic and environmental interests can be effectively combined."

In its opinion the CoR proposes several recommendations to the EU, member states and local and regional authorities, on how this can be done recognising that there were already many good initiatives being undertaken across Europe. The Committee calls on the European Commission to review its biodiversity strategy to further enhance its objectives also incorporating into EU legislation "no net loss of biodiversity". They also urge for new EU legislation that would create Trans-European Green Infrastructure. To support and recognise the efforts made by local and regional authorities, the Committee proposes launching an EU-wide award for biodiversity as well as a platform to share information and demonstrate measures already being delivered locally.

Tillemann concluded: "There is a need to reinforce funding for biodiversity and green infrastructure in the mid-term review of the EU funds in 2016. We must take the opportunity to ensure the necessary corrections are made so we do not repeat the mistakes of the past and miss the EU biodiversity target again." Her opinion calls for using a wide range of flexible funding options such as from the European Regional Development Fund, financial assistance from the European Investment Bank, agri-environmental schemes and public-private partnerships.

Mai multe informatii

 ·         Kadri Tillemann (EE/EPP),CoR draft opinion: Multilevel governance in promoting the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 and implementing the international Aichi targets

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