MEP’s participate in the UN Biodiversity Conference in Canada that aims to restore and adequately protect the world’s ecosystems by 2050.

A delegation of the European Parliament is arriving today in Montreal, Canada to participate in the global UN meeting on the Convention on Biological Diversity (the CBD COP15) from the 14-19 of December 2022. The CBD is the main international agreement on biodiversity and the meeting in Montreal aims to address the current global biodiversity crisis by agreeing to a post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework setting the global biodiversity course for the next 10 years and beyond.

The delegation of 9 MEPs, chaired by César Luena (S&D, ES) and Vice-Chair Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA, FI), will put forward the position of the European Parliament in meetings with delegates from non-EU countries as well as representatives of UN organisations and civil society and attend the talks at the COP15.

Quotes

Chair César Luena (S&D, ES) said “The EU must take the lead in the adoption of a binding global agreement on nature. Biodiversity is the basis of life on our planet and the agreement adopted at COP15 in Montreal will be decisive in reversing the current drastic and alarming loss of species. To this end, it will be essential that at least 30% of our lands and oceans are protected by 2030 and that sufficient financial resources are mobilised for the protection and restoration of our ecosystems. It is our last chance to change course towards a sustainable and resilient future.”

Vice-Chair, Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA, FI) said “The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework will be the number one topic at COP15. This framework must be for nature what the Paris Agreement is for the climate - a clear guide to common action by governments around the world. We need the COP15 to set ambitious targets that protect at least 30% of all land and sea areas and all levels - international, EU, national and local - must do their part to ensure the targets are reached. Tackling both the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis are crucial to our survival and one cannot be solved without the other. To stop the biodiversity loss with solutions that benefit also climate, we need to restore valuable ecosystems, increase sustainable agricultural and forestry practices and stop environmentally harmful subsidies.”

Background

Parliament has consistently prioritised biodiversity, and repeatedly warned of its continuing, unprecedented loss. The position of Parliament for COP15 was adopted in 2020 and last year Parliament adopted a resolution on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. MEP’s want binding targets and better implementation, monitoring and reviewing process both at EU and at the international level. To better protect biodiversity, MEPs has also negotiated a new EU-law with EU governments to ensure that products causing deforestation are not sold in the EU.

Article available at www.europarl.europa.eu