Biodiversity, more than 9 out of 10 Europeans push for protection (also) for economic reasons

The European Biodiversity Strategy, which is one of the pillars of the European Green Deal, aims, by 2030, to implement a series of actions to reverse the degradation of ecosystems: to legally protect at least 30% of the land surface and 30% of the marine areas, effectively expanding the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, established in 1992 with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC); to restore ecosystems and at least 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers; to work towards a global agreement on biodiversity at the United Nations.

This is also the context for the Nature Restoration Law, approved at the end of the first term of the Von Der Leyen Commission: the European regulation, in force since 18 August 2024, envisages the restoration of at least 20% of marine and terrestrial areas by 2030, while by 2050 90% of areas considered to be in poor condition must be restored. "The Nature Restoration Act," Roswall said in his opening speech at Green Week, "is a key piece of our legislation and aims to restore wetlands, rivers, forests, urban green spaces, marine ecosystems and farmland. Right now we are helping Member States in the preparation of their national plans, carefully adapting them to local contexts and needs'. The first deadline for European states is 1 September 2026 when they will have to submit their first National Restoration Plan - which will contain measures to be implemented, funds and a 'timetable' - to the European Commission.

2026 will be a decisive year for the revision of two key directives in the EU's approach to biodiversity: the aforementioned Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). Both are open for a consultation phase that will end on 10 August 2026.

Next to the legislative topic, there is that of economic support. The Multiannual Financial Framework proposed by the EU Commission for the period 2028-2034 and still under "negotiation" between the co-legislators envisages a change in the architecture of the European funds with the deletion of some programmes specifically dedicated to the environment, such as Life, while keeping about 35 per cent of the budget allocated to these topics. Biodiversity should remain central: "Public funding is essential," said Roswall. The EU has set itself an ambitious target: to allocate 10 per cent of the European budget to biodiversity by 2027. Within seven years, the total amount will be well over EUR 100 billion. Public funding alone is not enough.That is why, last July, the Commission published a roadmap to Nature Credits.The idea is simple: positive actions for nature, such as restoring wetlands or improving soil health, can be measured, certified and recognised. Companies, financial institutions and public bodies can invest in these initiatives and people such as farmers and forest owners can be rewarded for protecting ecosystems. Right now we are developing systems and frameworks that can give investors confidence'.

The Italian situation photographed by the report shows a higher level of awareness of the concept of biodiversity, with 58% of people admitting to knowing what it is, compared to 55% of the European average, with a peak of 72% among 29-35 year olds (the EU average is 62%). For our fellow countrymen, the three priorities for action by the EU institutions are to restore nature and biodiversity to remedy the damage caused by human activities (intensive agriculture, forestry and fishing, unsustainable tourism); to ensure that biodiversity issues are taken into account when planning investments for new infrastructure; and to implement existing regulations protecting nature and biodiversity more effectively. 57% of the Italians surveyed do not know what the Natura 2000 network is, but most (63%) consider it very important to avoid the destruction of unique areas on land or at sea; to protect endangered animals and plants (58%) and to promote nature-friendly land use (57%).