The clear message that protecting and restoring biodiversity and well-functioning ecosystems is fundamental to boosting our resilience and preventing the emergence and spread of future diseases and that we need to give nature the space it needs to also create healthy and resilient societies.

The clear message that investing in nature protection and restoration will also be critical for Europe’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and that when restarting the economy, it is crucial to avoid falling back and locking ourselves into damaging old habits.

The clear message that investing in nature protection and restoration will also be critical for Europe’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and that when restarting the economy, it is crucial to avoid falling back and locking ourselves into damaging old habits.

The aim of the strategy to serve as a compass and a frame for the EU’s green economic transition, including the industrial, energy, circular economy and sustainable food transitions.

The whole society approach, reflecting that action by citizens, businesses, social partners, research organisations and strong partnerships between different levels of government will be needed to protect and restore nature.

The acknowledgement of the need for urgent, transformative and ambitious action to reverse biodiversity loss.

The reference to the role of the EU at the global level to act by example and take the lead at theUN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP 15 summit, expected in the negotiations for a transformative and ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

WWF welcomes

While the five main direct drivers of biodiversity loss (land and sea use changes, overexploitation of resources and organisms, climate change, pollution and Invasive Alien Species (IAS)) are clearly highlighted, the important reference that those are underpinned by unsustainable production and consumption patterns and commitments to reduce the EU’s ecological footprint, is missing.

Furthermore the Biodiversity Strategy does not refer to what drives unsustainable production and consumption and what reducing our ecological footprint actually implies.

Further improvements needed

2.1. A coherent network of protected areas

2.2. An EU Nature Restoration Plan: restoring ecosystems across land and sea

3.1. A new governance framework

3.2. Stepping up implementation and enforcement of EU environmental legislation

3.3. Building on an integrated and whole of society approach

4.1 Raising the level of ambition and commitment worldwide

4.2. Using external action to promote the EU’s ambition