Biodiversity
Biodiversity is declining at alarming rates. EU countries are committed to restoring nature and preserving its biological diversity.
EU biodiversity strategy for 2030
The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, presented by the European Commission in May 2020, is a key element of the European Green Deal.
The Council adopted conclusions on the strategy and endorsed its objectives in October 2020. It highlighted the need to step up efforts to address the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity and nature loss. It reiterated the call for a full integration of biodiversity objectives into other sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry and for a coherent implementation of EU measures in these fields.
Ministers called for a significant proportion of 30% of the EU budget and Next Generation EU expenditure allocated to addressing climate action to be invested in biodiversity and nature-based solutions promoting biodiversity.
The 'farm to fork' and the EU biodiversity strategies, which were jointly presented by the Commission in 2020, share multiple goals and targets: for instance the reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilisers, the restoration of agricultural land and the management of water.
Nature restoration law
The EU's nature restoration law aims to restore biodiversity and ecosystems, in line with the goals of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030. The law aims to put in place recovery measures that will cover at least 20 % of the EU’s land and 20 % of sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
The rules are the first ever focused specifically on the recovery of nature in EU member states and they set binding targets at EU level for restoration action for:
- degraded land and sea habitats
- pollinators
- agricultural ecosystems
- urban areas
- rivers and floodplains
- forests
The Council agreed on its position (general approach) on the nature restoration law in June 2023. An agreement with the European Parliament was found in November 2023, following negotiations in the 'trilogues'.
The Council adopted the nature restoration law in June 2024.
Nature restoration
Other EU policies to protect biodiversity
EU efforts to stop the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems are grounded in legislation. This includes the:
- birds and habitats directives
- water framework directive
- marine strategy framework directive
Legislation covering sectors such as pollution, invasive alien species and climate change also contributes to conserving biodiversity by tackling the drivers of its loss.
To fund actions on the ground to protect and restore nature, the EU has set up the LIFE programme. Launched in 1992, it is the only EU funding programme entirely dedicated to environmental and climate objectives. Since its creation, LIFE has co-financed more than 5 000 projects.
Nature protection
Why salamanders are important to you
The tiniest of creatures, even tinier than a salamander, bear huge responsibility for sustaining the fascinating web of life.
With the habitats directive, the EU has been safeguarding salamanders, together with hundreds of other animal species, as well as plants and natural areas. From Finland to Malta, from Romania to Portugal, EU law has helped preserve habitats and the living species they host.
Global targets for biodiversity
The EU plays an active role at international level, helping to ensure that it meets its global commitments on protecting nature and biodiversity under multilateral conventions, such as the convention on biological diversity and the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
In October 2024, the Council approved conclusions serving as the EU’s general negotiating position for the 16th United Nations biodiversity conference (COP16) which took place in October-November 2024 in Colombia. A follow-up to the conference took place in Italy in February 2025 where countries agreed on financing and monitoring measures to implement global biodiversity goals and targets.
Why biodiversity matters?
Biodiversity is the backbone of life. It is as essential for humans as for environmental and climate protection.
It provides people with food, fresh water and clean air and it plays an important role in keeping nature's balance. It helps tackle climate change and prevents the spread of infectious diseases.
According to the World Economic Forum, almost half of global GDP (some €40 trillion) depends on the natural environment and its resources. The largest economic sectors (construction, agriculture, and the food and drinks industry) are all highly dependent on nature, and together they generate close to €7.3 trillion for the global economy.
Human activities causing pollution and changes to habitats, as well as climate change, are putting a strain on species and ecosystems. Scientists estimate that one million species of plants, insects, birds and mammals are currently threatened with extinction worldwide.
See also
Last review: 12 March 2025