Commission launches new tools for strengthened EU biodiversity governance

Today the Commission launched two new online tools to track progress in implementing the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Hosted by the EU Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity, an online actions tracker will provide up-to-date information on the state of implementation of the many actions of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. A targets dashboard will complete the picture by showing progress to the quantified biodiversity targets set by the Strategy, both at the EU level as well as in the Member States. The dashboard is in its prototype phase, with a current set of seven indicators that will be complemented with additional ones in 2022.

Speaking at the launch event co-organised by the Commission and the Belgian Biodiversity Platform, Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General of European Commission’s DG Environment, said:

The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 can make a real difference for nature and people. It sets measurable targets and concrete actions reflected across EU policies. The online action tracker and the targets dashboard will create transparency and strengthen public awareness on the progress in delivering on our objectives by 2030.

These tools are essential to monitor progress on the commitments made and central to the Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the EU biodiversity governance framework by constantly improving the knowledge and evidence base for biodiversity policy, increasing accountability for implementation, ensuring transparent and effective progress monitoring and review, and engaging stakeholders across the board in the efforts to deliver the EU biodiversity targets over the coming years.

The Commission will soon launch a call for stakeholders to join the EU Biodiversity Platform: an expert group bringing together Member States’ authorities and stakeholders to discuss and coordinate their efforts in implementing the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

See presentations:

• “New Practices: the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity” by Ivan Kulis, Head of Unit Knowledge for Sustainable Development and Food Security (JRC)  and Marine Robuchon, Scientific project Officer (JRC)
• “Biodiversity in Europe: The State of Nature and objectives to 2030” by Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency

Recording of the event

Background

The EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 is a comprehensive, ambitious and long-term plan to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems. The strategy aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030, and contains specific actions and commitments. In order to enable the necessary transformative change of our societies and economies, the Strategy commits to setting in motion a new, strengthened governance framework to ensure better implementation and track progress, improve knowledge, financing and investments, as well as better respect of nature in public and business decision-making.

For more information:

Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity

EU Biodiversity Actions Tracker

EU Biodiversity Targets Dashboard