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Europe’s biodiversity on the brink: Will the EU lead or fall behind?

As COP16 kicks off in Cali, Colombia, scientists are raising a red flag: human activity is pushing the planet to the brink, and Europe is in the crosshairs. With biodiversity under siege, the EU is under increasing pressure to do more. But recent decisions – to water down the Nature Restoration Law and weaken protection for wolves – have unleashed a wave of criticism, casting the EU as a global disappointment in the fight to protect our natural world. 

Experts warn that humanity is on the brink of irreversible ecological collapse. “We are already locked in for significant damage, and we’re heading in a direction that will see more,” Professor Tom Oliver of the University of Reading told the Guardian. “I really worry that negative changes could be very rapid,” he added.  

As ecosystems approach tipping points, catastrophic shifts are looming – lush tropical regions turning into arid savannahs and ocean currents disrupted by climate warming.  Such changes could have serious consequences for humanity, as the collapse of ecosystems will affect food security, human health, and economic stability.  

Despite the urgency, the EU’s recent nature policies fail to reflect the gravity of the situation. Eighty-one percent of Europe’s habitats are in poor condition, and continued biodiversity loss will only accelerate under a business-as-usual scenario. 

Troubling biodiversity policy trend 

The EU recently approved the Nature Restoration Law, albeit a watered-down version. This is worrying given that the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) reported in 2023 that biodiversity is disappearing at a rate unprecedented in human history. Rather than strengthening Europe’s efforts to tackle this crisis, the new law took a step back. 

Another blow came when EU Member States agreed to adopt the European Commission’s proposal to lower wolf protection under the Bern Convention, making it easier to ‘manage’ populations. While advocates argue for less regulation in this area, critics say this threatens 30 years of conservation success. The decision has prompted fears that other protective legislation may also be weakened, undermining the EU’s credibility on the global stage. 

Ecosystem services  

Europe’s ecosystems are fundamental to its economic and social well-being. From agriculture to tourism, the EU depends on healthy ecosystems to deliver essential services such as pollination, water purification, and carbon sequestration. Biodiversity is not merely about protecting wildlife; it is about securing Europe’s economic and ecological future. 

EU as frontrunner 

The European Union has long established itself as a global leader in sustainability, particularly through its Green Deal, which aims for carbon neutrality by 2050. However, to sustain this leadership, the EU must align its biodiversity policies with its climate objectives, advancing both with equal urgency. The Biodiversity COP provides an opportunity to restore its standing by strengthening its commitments, improving enforcement mechanisms and increasing financial contributions to global biodiversity efforts.

As a frontrunner in climate action, the EU now has the chance to set a global standard in biodiversity conservation. Strengthening its biodiversity initiatives would not only aid in achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets but also improve Europe’s resilience to climate change. Healthy ecosystems act as carbon sinks, absorbing emissions and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. 

Moreover, by integrating biodiversity considerations into trade and development policies, the EU can leverage its geopolitical influence to encourage other regions to adopt stronger biodiversity protections. Financially, the EU is well-positioned to help close the global biodiversity financing gap by contributing to multilateral funds such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF). 

Cost of delay 

The window to and reverse the loss of precious wildlife is closing rapidly. Without immediate global action, scientists warn it will worsen, leading to ecological collapse. The EU, with its influence, must drive this effort. Europe’s future depends on healthy ecosystems. Protecting biodiversity is crucial not just for the environment but for the continent’s economic stability and resilience against climate change. 

There is no time to lose. The stakes at COP16 are high, and the EU must act decisively or risk global embarrassment in protecting not only the natural world, but also its own fundamental interests.