Mainstream Biodiversity – the way to go!

Mainstream Biodiversity – the way to go!

Scope and objectives

The purpose of this event is to offer a comprehensive approach to biodiversity in day-to-day life by engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and, in particular, youth. One of the objectives is to develop more innovative and creative approaches of addressing biodiversity issues, while creating an interactive and dynamic platform for discussion. This conference aims to provide answers to the following questions:

  • What will the new EU Biodiversity Strategy deliver?
  • What are the best ways to mainstream biodiversity in other policy fields, and how to ensure implementation?
  • How to make sure that solutions for biodiversity are economically and socially sustainable?
  • How to provide conditions for civil society to mobilise their efforts for innovative and holistic solutions for biodiversity?

Context

This public event will be hosted by the EESC trainees with the support of the Sustainable Development Observatory (SDO) and the Directorate B for Legislative Works. Biodiversity loss is one of the greatest challenges humanity is currently facing. The International Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) estimates that approximately 1 million species are at risk of facing extinction within the next decade. This entails many risks for nature but also for humankind. Biological diversity is not only a legacy to preserve but it is an essential constituent of human subsistence and well-being. We need biodiversity!

EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020

The European Union tried to address this issue with its EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 and with a variety of policy instruments. The new college of Commissioners has started its term and a post-2020 EU framework for biodiversity is under development. Mainstreaming biodiversity is high on the EU agenda, in particular for the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, who is determined to deliver on new wide-ranging standards for biodiversity in trade, industry, agriculture and the economy. This responds to the need for a holistic approach to tackle biodiversity loss.

A new effective and efficient biodiversity framework

There are however, many questions to answer. One of them is how the European Union and its Member States can raise their ambition and define a new effective and efficient biodiversity framework that will deliver. Only by aiming high, the EU can lead by example at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which will take place in October 2020, in China. On this occasion, the Parties will establish a Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework tackling biodiversity worldwide.

Do you have a question?
Contact us at nat-events@eesc.europa.eu