A new report by BirdLife Europe & Central Asia reveals that EU countries are not on track to hit the EU’s targets to halt the degradation of ecosystems and being their restoration by 2030 [1]. The EU set this goal nearly five years ago, in its “EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030” – a core part of the EU’s Green Deal.
The Strategy aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on a path to recovery and contains specific actions and commitments. And while there have been notable successes like the EU Nature Restoration Law – the first law of its kind to restore nature on a continental scale – progress at large has been slow. At the current pace, the EU is unlikely to meet its targets by 2030.
BirdLife’s report critically analyses the current state of Europe’s biodiversity goals. It breaks down the actions the EU has taken, delayed, and areas where implementation has stalled or been abandoned altogether. It also evaluates decision-makers’ roles in the slow progress. By assessing concrete actions taken by EU institutions since 2020 and comparing them to BirdLife’s 2019 recommendations—issued during the Strategy’s development—the report outlines how much remains to be done to meet the EU’s biodiversity commitments.
Key findings from BirdLife’s report:
- Nature Restoration Law sets a promising course but needs to be implemented to succeed. The Nature Restoration Law provides a vital framework for EU biodiversity, aiming to restore 20% of land and sea by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. However, its impact hinges on adequate implementation and funding.
- The biodiversity crisis is worsening as EU makes little progress: The rate of biodiversity loss continues to increase, and crucial conservation targets for both habitats and species will be missed. Without stronger commitments from Member States, more rigorous enforcement, and sufficient resources, the EU will undoubtedly miss their biodiversity goals for 2030 and continue to fuel the climate crisis.
- Funding shortfalls hinder biodiversity action: The EU has yet to meet its promise to allocate €20 billion annually for biodiversity with conservation efforts relying on diverse, insufficient, and often misdirected funds. Harmful subsidies continue to undermine the positive impacts of conservation and restoration. Furthermore, the EU is not on track to dedicate 10% of its budget to biodiversity objectives in 2026 and 2027, despite committing to do so in its long-term budget. There is currently no mechanism in the EU budget to automatically fill these gaps. The current funds dedicated to nature conservation, covering only 1% of the EU budget from 2021–2027, is insufficient to address the scale of the crisis. According to a European Commission study, there is a growing funding gap of approximately €20 billion annually until 2030. Meeting new funding needs will be essential to close this gap and achieve the EU’s biodiversity goals.
- Current agriculture system locks the EU into dangerous status quo: The EU’s farming system is a major driver of biodiversity loss, trapping farmers in unsustainable practices. While some progress has been made to promote organic farming, protecting pollinators, and reducing pesticide use, recent policy changes – especially weakening the Common Agricultural Policy – have undercut these gains.
- Marine ecosystems are severely under protected: Europe’s marine ecosystems face severe threats, with fewer than 1% of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are strictly protected. Inadequate management and continued unsustainable practices undermine efforts to preserve these crucial marine environments.
Anouk Puymartin, Policy Manager, BirdLife Europe:
Europe’s biodiversity is on the brink. We are running out of time to protect our ecosystems, which without, we have zero chance to protect ourselves from the increasing natural disasters. While the world rallies behind bold commitments to halt biodiversity loss, the EU’s actions on the ground are falling dangerously short. The widening gap between political promises and practical action is being compounded by recent moves toward deregulation that risk undoing essential protections. It’s time for Europe to walk the talk: to strengthen, not weaken, our efforts to protect biodiversity and protect our shared future.
ENDS.
Notes for editors:
[1 ] BirdLife Europe assessment report: Time to restore-Progress and pitfalls inimplementing the EU Biodiversity Strategy available here: https://www.birdlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/EU-Biodiversity-Strategy-Progress-Report-1.pdf
For more information, please contact:
Honey Kohan, Communications Manager, BirdLife Europe
honey.kohan@birdlife.org
+32 483 55 95 43
Anouk Puymartin, Policy Manager, BirdLife Europe
anouk.puymartin@birdlife.org
+32 491 18 51 09
