The European Commission has published its biodiversity and “Farm to fork” strategies, two important pillars of its European Green Deal. Together with enhanced climate action, biodiversity restoration and the promotion of sustainable farming practices are key to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement and building more resilient and sustainable economies in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These environmental strategies are an important step forward as biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation will bring more resilience and are mutually reinforcing. Healthy ecosystems will protect us from other, potential health crises like COVID-19, and will speed up the transition of Europe to climate neutrality. Drastic greenhouse gas emission cuts in all sectors, including agriculture, need to be accompanied by intensive protection and restoration of our ecosystems to rebuild our land’s capacity to store carbon.” Wendel Trio, director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe reacted.
Climate action and biodiversity restoration are two sides of the same coin. Global warming aggravates biodiversity loss, and the lack of natural carbon sinks worsens climate change. Unsustainable agriculture contributes to more than 10% of overall EU emissions and requires a concrete decarbonisation plan like any other economic sector.
COVID-19 is a blatant example of how environmental deterioration and the surge of diseases transmitted from animals to people are increasingly interconnected. Thus, restoring biodiversity is not only an ally in the fight against climate change, but it also contributes to making healthier societies.
ENDS
Contact:
Nicolas Derobert, Head of communications, nicolas@caneurope.org, +32 483 62 18 88
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe’s leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. With over 170 member organisations active in 38 European countries, representing over 1.500 NGOs and more than 47million citizens, CAN Europe promotes sustainable climate, energy and development policies throughout Europe.
