This European week takes place as we are paving the way to Kunming. We need and we want a successful outcome of the global biodiversity negotiations. Biodiversity is at the heart of the future of our planet. The most active ones are mobilising and rallying the other generations.
Active are mayors and local politicians, because biodiversity concerns every village and every city. The most active ones are already hiring biodiversity officers. They want to make sure that we have green urban spaces, from parks and gardens to green roofs and urban farms. This provides benefits for people and a refuge for nature.
Active are also Farmers and producers, because biodiversity affects every step, from our fields to our food. And the most advanced ones have already embraced it. They deploy precision agriculture, organic farming, or low-intensive permanent grasslands. By doing so, they help us bring nature back and preserve biodiversity.
Active are also Businesspeople and leaders, because biodiversity has a huge potential in terms of jobs and opportunities for our economy and the society as a whole. The most active ones have already invested time, energy and money in this promising field. They know, that restoration can lead to a significant creation of employment in sectors, such as construction and landscaping work. And natural capital investment, including restoration of carbon-rich habitats and climate-friendly agriculture, is among the five most important fiscal recovery policies.
They have understood that there is no choice between nature on the one hand and the economy on the other. What is good for nature is good for the economy. The need to act has never been clearer. This is what is driving me as President of the European Commission. That is why we presented the European Green Deal, last December, after just 11 days in office.
The European Green Deal is our vision and roadmap for making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. In March, we proposed the first ever climate law.
Then came the pandemic. Now, should we stop our course because of the pandemic? Of course not. To the contrary.
This is why we also presented our ‘EU biodiversity strategy for 2030’ in May. It will scale up our work on this.
When we give a chance to nature, see what positive return we get.
Today, we are calling on all to join our action to halt biodiversity loss.
You are numerous, coming from all parts of Europe, public and private sectors, small villages and big cities, start-ups, SMEs and multinationals.
We are teaming up. We are providing leadership to help us agree on a new Global Biodiversity Framework in Kunming next year.
Global rules that are clear, measurable that allow us, to hold each other accountable.
Let us act, each of us, with no delay.
