Updated on: 2025-08-07

Deadline: 2030

Summary: Under the EU Nature Directives, EU Member States must designate Natura 2000 sites to protect certain species and habitats of EU importance. The obligation to complete the Natura 2000 network will also contribute to the protection targets set by the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (see Action 1). The establishment of the terrestrial Natura 2000 network is almost complete. There are still significant gaps for marine areas. The Commission promotes compliance, including through bilateral Nature Dialogues with Member States, and takes enforcement action as necessary.

Links:

• Designating Natura 2000 sites
• The Natura 2000 protected areas network - EEA

Process: The Member States are the main actors, with guidance, enforcement action and compliance promotion activities by the Commission, including through the bilateral “Nature Dialogues”.

Updated on: 2025-12-11

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) have provided a tool for Member States to report their pledges for the designation of protected areas towards the nature protection targets set in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (see also action 5). In 2023 and 2024, the content of the national pledges was discussed with authorities and stakeholders in the frame of biogeographical region-level seminars. The aim is that the EU nature protection targets are met by 2030, both on land and at sea. In this process, attention is also given to ensuring the effective management of all protected areas.

Links:

• Natura 2000 biogeographical process

Aim and Content: In addition to Natura 2000 sites, Member States have designated different types of national and regional protected areas. Considering the partial overlap of Natura 2000 and nationally protected areas, the protected area coverage at EU and biogeographical region-level is currently being assessed against the criteria to be defined under Action 1, in order to clarify the baseline and identify the magnitude of the remaining gaps.

Process: The pledges have been discussed at 4 terrestrial (Atlantic, Boreal, Macaronesian and Mediterranean) and 3 marine (Baltic, Atlantic/North sea/Macaronesian, Mediterraean/Black see) Biogeographical seminars. One additional seminar, covering the Continental, Alpine, Pannonian, Black sea and Steppic regions, is scheduled for 25-27 June in Prague. COM will provide an update on the pledges, and will discuss with Member States how to continue the process, at the upcoming NADEG meeting and at the Nature Directors’ meeting in May 2024.

Updated on: 2025-09-16

Deadline: 2024

Summary: By 2023, the EU Member States have to demonstrate significant progress in designating new protected areas. To date, eight Member States have submitted pledges for the protection and/or strict protection targets (see Action 5). This limited number does not allow for an assessment of the collective ambition. The process and content of pledges are being discussed with authorities and stakeholders in a series of EU biogeographical region-level seminars. The Commission also continues to promote the completion of the Natura 2000 network through structured bilateral Nature Dialogues, and it has taken enforcement action as necessary.

Links:

• Natura 2000 biogeographical process
• Mid-term review of the 8th Environment Action Programme
• Reporting pledges for protected areas and conservation status improvement targets

Aim and Content: Assessment of progress to the BDS protection target and, if needed, of additional measures to step it up.

Process: Overview of pledges submitted to the online reporting tool. Update in the 8th EAP mid-term review Contract to define effective MPAs and propose distribution Collaboration with EEA in new categorisation of level of protection and effectiveness. EIR country reports in Q1 2025

Updated on: 2026-02-18

Deadline: 2030

Summary: Strategically planned green infrastructure can increase ecological connectivity, ecosystem health and resilience, harness the multiple benefits of healthy ecosystems and contribute to the overall coherence of the EU Natura 2000 Network. The EU has provided opportunities to support investments in green and blue infrastructure and nature-based solutions via several funding instruments under the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. The Commission has further invited Member States to plan, in their Prioritised Action Frameworks, investments in green infrastructure to underpin the functioning of the Natura 2000 network. The Commission published, in 2023, an EU assessment of investment needs and priorities for Natura 2000 and green infrastructure. The European Investment Bank report” Investing in nature-based solutions: State-of-play and way forward for public and private financial measures in Europe” explores financial barriers and opportunities to scale up green actions that protect or restore natural ecosystems, while helping to mitigate floods, coastal erosion, overheating cities and other challenges. The revised EU Pollinators Initiative has proposed the establishment of ecological corridors – “buzz lines” – to enable the movement of pollinator species in search of food, shelter, nesting and breeding sites and to provide migration routes for species impacted by climate change. In June 2025, the European Commission published a Water Resilience Strategy that aims to work towards water resilience, including by restoring and protecting the water cycle from source to sea, and encourages green infrastructure development. Furthermore, in May 2025, the EU Knowledge Centre on Earth Observation published a Deep Dive assessment on Climate adaptation in urban areas, which analysed how Earth Observation products and services can support cities and regions in adapting to climate change impacts, with a focus on tackling the urban heat island effect and flooding vulnerabilities, as well as green infrastructure.

Links:

• EU Green Infrastructure Strategy
• EU Water Resilience Strategy (June 2025)
• Financing Natura 2000 - EU Funding Opportunities in 2021-2027
• EU Guidance on strategic EU level green and blue infrastructure
• Conceptual development and implementation of Key Pollinator Areas (KPAs) and Buzz Lines in Europe (2025)
• Investing in nature-based solutions: State-of-play and way forward for public and private financial measures in Europe (EEA, June 2023)
• Deep Dive on Climate Adaptation in Urban areas (KCEO, May 2025)

Aim and Content: Strategically planned green infrastructure can increase the resilience of healthy ecosystems and harness their multiple benefits, while contributing to the ecological connectivity and overall coherence of the EU Natura 2000 Network. This action builds on the EU Green Infrastructure Strategy and the EU Guidance on the deployment of strategic EU level green and blue infrastructure. Regional cooperation and projects around OR and OCT are also relevant for this action (ex Caribbean Biological Corridor and Amazon countries neighbouring French Guyana).

Process: To be achieved through mainstreaming of GI across EU funding instruments and Member States’ programming documents.

Updated on: 2025-12-11

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The EU Biodiversity Strategy aims to protect and restore the exceptional biodiversity of the EU's Outermost regions (OR). The Commission has strengthened the biodiversity dimension in the Strategy for the EU’s Outermost regions adopted in May 2022. It has also encouraged Member States to include OR in the EU Natura 2000 network, and provided guidance on support opportunities for protected areas and green infrastructure in the OR under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). Similarly, the Commission encourages Member States to seize biodiversity support opportunities under InvestEU, Horizon Europe and the Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE). The BESTLIFE2030 project (2023 - 2031), with a total EU contribution of EUR 32 million, has established a grant facility to build stakeholder capacities in the OR and OCT, and supports dozens of biodiversity conservation, restoration and sustainable use projects.

Links:

• BESTLIFE2030
• LIFE Calls for proposals 2023
• Strategy for the EU Outermost Regions
• Report on State of Data Collection and Scientific Advice in the EU ORs

Aim and Content: All of the above actions will contribute to the protection and restoration of tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems in the Outermost Regions covered by the Nature Directives (ES and PT). For the other Outermost Regions (in FR), the Commission strongly encourages setting up the same goals.

Process: The 2nd Life4BEST call for proposals was launched in September 2020. A new call was launched under the LIFE Programme in 2021 to set up the grant facility. Following this call the BESTLIFE2030 project, of which IUCN is the coordinator, was awarded. It will run until 31/01/2031 and will benefit from a total EU contribution of EUR 32 million. The project’s kick-off took place in June 2023 in Brussels and the first call for small grants should be published in the last quarter of 2023. In the context of COM Action Plan for OR, MARE published in March 2022 a study mapping the state of data collection and scientific advice on fisheries in the EU ORs, which will allow to identify data gaps in the OR and help to establish the biological indicators used for the analysis of the fleet capacity. Based on the results of this study, MS will be encouraged to take further steps to improve data collection in support of fisheries management decisions. Contribution of EMFAF to climate and biodiversity targets will be monitored also for OR (see Action 69).

Updated on: 2026-02-18

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The EU Member States will be in charge of restoring protected species and habitats, in line with the Nature Restoration Regulation's restoration targets, the Guidance on the selection and prioritisation of species and habitats for restoration (Action 11) and related Biodiversity Strategy restoration commitments. Progress to this target will be measured through the six-yearly reporting on status and trends of species and habitats, which all Member states need to submit under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive and Article 12 of the Birds Directive. Based on the national reports that were due in 2025, the EEA will provide a first indication of the progress achieved under these targets in the next State of Nature Report, due in late 2026.

Links:

• State of Nature in the EU 2020 (EEA)

Aim and Content: Restore ecosystems, species and habitats in line with the (future) EU restoration targets and related Biodiversity Strategy restoration commitments.

Process: MS will be in charge of implementation following the adoption of binding EU restoration targets (Action 10) and the Guidance on the selection and prioritisation of species and habitats for restoration (Action 11).

Updated on: 2026-05-29

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The EU Pollinators Initiative, revised in January 2023, aims to (i) improve knowledge of pollinator decline, its causes and consequences; (ii) improve pollinator conservation and tackle the causes of pollinator decline and (iii) mobilise society and promote strategic planning and cooperation at all levels. Work is ongoing to implement the short-term actions and longer-term objectives (2030) of the EU Pollinators Initiative. Progress and deliverables include an update of the European Red List for bees and the publication of the European Red List for hoverflies, complementing the existing European Red List for butterflies. A European Red List for moths is being finalised. The Commission also published a European Red List of insect taxonomists highlighting existing coverage and gaps in expertise on insect species across the EU. Progress has been made in extending butterfly monitoring to a greater number of EU Member States, extending the EU Grassland Butterfly Index through the EMBRACE project, and in developing and field-testing an EU-wide pollinator monitoring scheme, which is to be based on a harmonised and scientifically robust methodology. Drivers for pollinator decline are being studied, amongst others with the Insignia project, which monitored pesticide presence in samples collected by honeybees, and the EMBAL project, which monitored the ecological quality of agricultural habitats. In June 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) completed the review of the Guidance Document on the Risk Assessment of Plant Protection Products on Bees. The EU Nature Restoration Regulation includes a binding target for Member States to reverse the decline of pollinators by 2030. Member States are also required to set up robust monitoring schemes to collect data on the abundance and diversity of pollinator species and for assessing pollinator population trends, based on a harmonized methodology set out in a Commission Delegated Regulation. The Commission supports capacity building for taxonomic knowledge in key pollinator groups with the European Pollinator Identification Courses - EPIC - and the ORBIT and Taxofly projects.

Links:

• EU pollinator action plans
• Pollinators site on Europa
• EU Pollinators Information Hive
• Pollinator Park virtual reality game
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2188
• EU Grassland Butterfly Index
• EMBRACE project
• Insignia project
• EMBAL project
• European Pollinator Identification Courses (EPIC)
• ORBIT project
• Taxofly project

Aim and Content: (i) improve knowledge of pollinator decline, its causes and consequences; (ii) improve pollinator conservation and tackle the causes of pollinator decline and (iii) mobilise society and promote strategic planning and cooperation at all levels. Work is ongoing to fully implement the short-term actions and longer-term objectives (2030) of the EU Pollinators Initiative.

Process: Recent progress includes the publication of European Red Lists for Hoverflies complementing existing European Red Lists for bees and butterflies. A European Red List for Moths is in preparation. The Commission also published a European Red List of insect taxonomists highlighting existing coverage and gaps of expertise on insect species across the EU. Progress has been made in extending butterfly monitoring to a greater number of EU Member States and in developing and field testing a future EU-wide Pollinator Monitoring Scheme, which is to be based on a harmonised and scientifically robust methodology. Drivers for pollinator decline are being studied, amongst others with the Insignia project which monitors pesticide presence in samples collected by honeybees, and the EMBAL project, which monitors the ecological quality of agricultural habitats.

Updated on: 2026-02-23

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The EU farm-to-fork and biodiversity strategies (2020) aim to achieve a 50% reduction in the use and risk of chemical pesticides, and a 50% reduction in the use of more hazardous pesticides. These targets are mirrored in the Zero Pollution Action Plan (2021), as part of the overall ambition to create a toxic-free environment by 2050. They also contribute to achieving Target 7 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022). The revised EU Pollinators Initiative (2023) aims, amongst other objectives, to mitigate the impacts of pesticide use on pollinators. The Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience (2025) aims to achieve healthy soils by 2050, including by reducing soil contamination to levels no longer considered harmful to human health and the environment. Progress to achieving these targets can be supported by a range of measures. The Commission encourages improved use of integrated pest management (including under the CAP) and increased efficiency of pesticide use, as well as improved data collection. To increase the availability of alternatives to chemical pesticides, the Commission has adopted proposals for implementing regulations under the Plant Protection Products Regulation revising data requirements, approval criteria and assessment methodologies for the authorisation of biological pesticides containing micro-organisms to accelerate their access to the market. Pesticide risk assessment is currently in the process of being strengthened by implementing more stringent risk assessment procedures for bees and other organisms. The Commission has further supported a range of projects aimed at pesticide reductions and integrated pest management (e.g., IPM toolbox, SMARTPROTECT, IPM Works, AdvisoryNetPest, EU-FarmBook, Agrowise) under Horizon Europe, the LIFE Programme and other instruments, including the EU CAP Network and EIP-AGRI operational groups. As part of the simplification omnibus on food and feed (2025), a proposed Regulation on the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements would, amongst others, facilitate biocontrol in farming. The 2nd Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook (2025) provides an overview of progress to the EU’s pesticide reduction targets. Based on updated figures, in 2023, the quantity of pesticides sold in the EU dropped by 9% compared to 2022, and by 18% compared to 2021. Existing EU indicators show an overall decrease at EU level of 58% in the use and risk of chemical pesticides, and a decrease of 27% in the use of more hazardous pesticides between the reference baseline period 2015-2017 and the period 2018-2023. However, these indicators do not adequately assess risks for biodiversity. A new headline indicator on Aggregated Total Applied Toxicity (ATAT) under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework, pending finalisation of its global methodology, will fill this gap. Exceedances of pesticides thresholds are still found in 12% in groundwater and 23 % of river water bodies (2023 data, EEA). The Mid-term review of the Zero Pollution Action Plan outlines the need for further implementation efforts, investments and integration as well as innovation, digitalisation and skills.

Links:

• Zero Pollution Action Plan
• Action Plan on Chemicals (2025)
• Pesticide reduction targets - progress
• Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive
• Mid-term review of the Zero Pollution Action Plan (2026)
• Second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook Report (2025)
• EU trends in the use of more hazardous pesticides indicator
• Legislation on placing plant protection products on the market
• Pesticides in rivers, lakes and groundwater in Europe (EEA, 2023 data

Aim and Content: Progress towards the target to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides in general and the use of more hazardous pesticides will be measured using a methodology based on Harmonised Risk Indicator 1 established under Directive 2009/128/EC. Progress towards these targets will be measured using sales data which Member States report to the Commission under Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009. In both cases, ESTAT will perform the calculations. These reductions of the use and risk of chemical pesticides, and in the use of the more hazardous pesticides, can be achieved by inter alia fully implementing the Sustainable Use Directive, in particular as regards Integrated Pest Management, and by promoting agricultural practices such as agro-ecology and organic farming.

Process: The Farm to Fork Strategy sets the targets to reduce the overall use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% and the use of more hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030 (mirroring the BDS 2030 target). Progress in implementation at the Member State level will be monitored by the Commission on an annual basis. Cross-link to F2F tracking and monitoring of the related actions.

Updated on: 2026-02-23

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the main contributor towards the target on high-biodiversity landscape features. Standards for good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC) under the CAP for the period 2023-2027 require the retention of landscape features. CAP Pillar 1 eco-schemes and Pillar 2 rural development interventions also include support measures for the creation and maintenance of landscape features. These conditionality requirements and interventions to support voluntary measures are set out in Member States’ CAP Strategic Plans that have been running since January 2023. Under the Nature Restoration Law (2024), Member States are required to put in place measures to achieve an increasing trend in at least two out of these three indicators for agricultural ecosystems: (i) grassland butterfly index, (ii) stock of organic carbon in cropland mineral soils and (iii) share of agricultural land with high-diversity landscape features (see also action 10). Under the Regulation, EU Member States are to develop national restoration plans and submit them to the Commission within two years of the Regulation coming into force, i.e. by September 2026. Member States must also monitor and report on their progress in implementing the regulation, based on EU-wide biodiversity indicators. To support these efforts, the Commission published, in 2025, EU guidance on developing methodologies to monitor high-diversity landscape features. In 2022, the share of agricultural area under landscape features at EU scale was estimated at 5.6%, with different Member States’ shares ranging from 3.4% to nearly 9%. While data on the share of high-diversity landscape features is not yet available, just under 21,000 farms (0.21% of the total) have received support for non-productive investments for the restoration of landscape features (such as, for example, hedges, trees and small woodlands, ponds, wetlands and dry-stone walls). The EU Roadmap towards Nature Credits outlines a step-by-step approach to support the development of high-integrity nature credit schemes that aim to encourage nature-positive action – such as restoring wetlands, maintaining high-diversity landscapes or enhancing soil and pollinator health – and channel funding towards actors on the ground, such as farmers, foresters, fishers, land managers, landowners and local communities.

Links:

• Commission Recommendations on the CAP Strategic Plans
• Commission Observation Letters on the CAP Strategic Plans
• Guidance on a framework for developing methodologies to monitor high-diversity landscape features
• EU Roadmap towards nature credits
• Implementation of the CAP Strategic Plans in 2023-2024 - Commission report (2024)

Aim and Content: The CAP is the main policy to ensure that 10% of agricultural land is devoted to high biodiversity landscape features. This will be ensured through conditionality (GAEC 9) and incentives (CAP Pillar 1 and Pillar 2) that 10% of agricultural land is devoted to high-biodiversity landscape features.

Process: Trilogues on the CAP reform proposal reached agreement in June 2021. CAP SP to be presented by MS after adoption of CAP legislation. Commission exchanges with the MS to ensure that CAP Strategic Plans integrate high-diversity landscape features.

Updated on: 2026-02-23

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Commission is constantly reviewing progress on the target of 10% high-diversity landscape features on agricultural land and, if necessary, it may take measures to mitigate against undue impact on biodiversity, food security and farmers' competitiveness. In 2023, in the context of the war of aggression in Ukraine, the Commission authorised Member States to derogate from the first requirement of GAEC 8 (retention of landscape features) and from GAEC 7 (crop rotation), allowing farmers to produce food crops on areas which would otherwise be fallow under GAEC 8. The purpose was to avoid reducing the Union production capacity at a moment of high uncertainties with regard to global food security. Most Member States made use of this derogation. The CAP simplification package retains certain compulsory common elements under GAEC 8 (such as the obligation to preserve existing landscape features) and replaces the obligation to maintain non-productive areas and features with a support mechanism for farmers, giving them the opportunity to be compensated for leaving land unproductive.

Aim and Content: Mitigate against undue impact on biodiversity, food security and farmers' competitiveness.

Process: ENV to contribute with the support of a consultant to assessment of ENV-related objectives and measures of CAP SP presented by the MS. This shall ensure that CAP SP lead to achieving ENV objectives (based on ENV legislation + EGD targets).

Updated on: 2025-08-07

Deadline: 2027

Summary: The Commission has been working with the Member States to promote agroforestry in their CAP strategic plans and most plans include afforestation and agroforestry management commitments (see also action 21).

Aim and Content: The Commission will encourage Member States to promote agroforestry in their CAP strategic plans and will ensure, when assessing these plans, that sufficient agroforestry measures are included.

Process: MS measures with support by the Commission. Country-specific recommendations for the MS including on environmental issues - December 2020.

Updated on: 2026-02-19

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Forest Information System for Europe (FISE) was launched in 2020, with the aim to make it Europe’s knowledge tool to monitor the state, health and sustainability of Europe’s many forests. It will also be a key tool in monitoring the implementation of the European Green Deal objectives in relation to forests. The Commission outlined the further development of FISE as part of the new EU Forest Strategy and will work with the Member States to further develop FISE so that it can capture all elements of forest pressures, status and changes in quality and quantity. Since its launch, FISE has been updated to include new thematic sections on forest health, forest management or forest soils. Moreover, FISE has been providing regular updates of relevant research related to forests and summarizing the latest scientific research on specific topics such as forest disturbances, forest-based climate mitigation or others. Following the announced withdrawal of the proposed Regulation on a monitoring framework for resilient European forests, FISE will continue to play its role as a repository of the best available data on forests in the EU. To this end, further actions such as providing summarizing data dashboards (including based on Earth Observation data) and deeper cooperation with Member States will be needed. EU-level work on additional indicators and thresholds for sustainable forest management is in an early preparatory phase.

Links:

• Forest Information System for Europe
• Development of EU forest observation framework
• Proposal for a Regulation on a monitoring framework for resilient European forests

Aim and Content: FISE is intended to become Europe’s knowledge tool to monitor the state, health and sustainability of Europe’s many forests. It will also be a key tool in monitoring the implementation of the European Green Deal in forests. FISE has been better equipped to capture all elements of forest pressure, status and changes in quality and quantity but gaps remain in ensuring that FISE provides the best available data on forests in the EU.

Process: FISE 1.0 was launched on 5 February 2020.The further development of FISE will be presented as part of the new EU Forest Strategy.

Updated on: 2026-03-26

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The EU Forest Strategy as well as the Communication on Integrated wildfire risk management, published in March 2026, seek to put due emphasis on increased wildfire prevention and climate resilience of forests and wider landscapes. The European Forest Fire Information System - EFFIS - provides near-real-time information on forest fires in Europe, and on wildfire risk. The Commission publishes annual forest fire reports for Europe, Middle East and North Africa. The Commission is working with the Member States to ensure that afforestation and reforestation measures support biodiversity and promote closer-to-nature forestry practices and integrate relevant wildfire prevention and recovery measures in the Member States’ CAP strategic plans.

Links:

• EU Forest Fire Prevention
• Europen Forest Fire Information System - EFFIS
• Factsheet - Integrated wildfire risk management
• Communication on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management

Aim and Content: Support Member States in ensuring that afforestation and reforestation measures support biodiversity and promote closer-to-nature forestry practices.

Process: The appropriateness and sufficiency of measures to prevent forest fires will be taken into account by the Commission when assessing the CAP strategic plans to be submitted by the Member States.

Updated on: 2025-08-04

Deadline: 2027

Summary: The Commission will work with the Member States to scale-up the adoption of sustainable soil management practices by land managers. This role of the farmer advisory services in accompanying the transition will be strengthened. The EU will also support research to fill current knowledge gaps on best practices, benefits and trade-offs for society and farmers. This action will be implemented as part of the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy and the new EU Soil Strategy.

Links:

• Healthy Soil
• Farm advisory system

Aim and Content: As part of the new CAP implementation and the New EU Soil Strategy.

Process: Aligned with the timeline for the new CAP adoption, CAP SP development and implementation and the New EU Soil Strategy .

Updated on: 2026-05-06

Deadline: 2030

Summary: As set out in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Member States will need to identify contaminated soil sites, restore degraded soils and improve soil monitoring. The Commission and the Member States are working to integrate objectives and measures to this end in relevant EU instruments, to define the conditions for good ecological status of soil, introduce restoration objectives and take action to improve the monitoring of soil quality. In recognition that funding is vital to enable a transition to healthy soils, the Commission also adopted a guidance on EU funding opportunities available for the protection, sustainable management, and restoration of soils. Furthermore, it also contributes to the Soil Strategy’s aim of increasing soil literacy, engagement and awareness among a wide range of stakeholders, including practitioners, public authorities, academia and others.

Links:

• Soil and Land
• Guidance on EU funding opportunities for healthy soils

Aim and Content: Address soil contamination, restore degraded soil and improve monitoring; integrate objectives to this end in relevant EU policy instruments, notably the revision of the Soil Thematic Strategy, the Zero Pollution Action Plan for air, water and soil, the Strategy for a Sustainable Built Environment and the IA and proposal for legally binding nature restoration targets.

Process: Aligned with the adoption and implementation of the new Soil Strategy

Updated on: 2025-08-01

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The main goal of the Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe' is to establish 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition towards healthy soils by 2030. The Mission leads the transition towards healthy soils by: • funding an ambitious research and innovation programme with a strong social science component; • putting in place an effective network of 100 living labs and lighthouses to co-create knowledge, test solutions and demonstrate their value in real-life conditions; • developing a harmonised framework for soil monitoring in Europe; • raising people’s awareness on the vital importance of soils. The 8 Mission objectives are: (1) reduce desertification, (2) conserve soil organic carbon stocks, (3) stop soil sealing and increase re-use of urban soils, (4) reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration, (5) prevent erosion, (6) improve soil structure to enhance soil biodiversity, (7) reduce the EU global footprint on soils, (8) improve soil literacy in society. The Mission will support the EU’s ambition to lead on global commitments, notably the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and contribute to the European Green Deal targets on sustainable farming, climate resilience, biodiversity and zero-pollution. It is also a flagship initiative of the long-term vision for rural areas.

Links:

• Mission Soil Platform
• EU mission: A Soil Deal for Europe

Aim and Content: ENV contribution to the Horizon Europe mission in the area of soil health and food in line with the objectives and targets of the EU Green Deal and BDS/F2F Strategies.

Process: The Horizon Europe mission in the area of soil health and food has been validated by the Commission’s Project Group and will proceed to a preparatory phase (6-12 months) before its implementation. The DDL has been aligned with the time span of Horizon Europe.

Updated on: 2024-07-24

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Commission regularly assesses the current and future sources and uses of biomass from all primary production sectors in the EU, and related sustainability with the aim to better understand and monitor the potential climate and biodiversity risks, and to support the design and implementation of policy measures. This is a long-term mandate that started in 2014. The Commission publishes a report every two years. For a full list of publications, see the dedicated page on the Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy (link below).

Links:

• Dedicated page on the Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy

Aim and Content: Support the design and implementation of policy measures, through an assessment of the current and future sources and uses of biomass from all primary production sectors.

Process: Long term mandate that started in 2014. It is a continuous process. Every year a progress report is submitted. One year out of two a public report is published. The 2021 report will be internal. This year the study "The use of woody biomass for energy production in the EU (2021)" was published. see webpage: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/projects-activities/jrc-biomass-mandate_en.

Updated on: 2026-01-12

Deadline: 2030

Summary: In line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Nature Restoration Regulation (see action 10) sets a binding target for Member States to identify and remove barriers that prevent the connectivity of surface waters, so that at least 25 000 km of rivers are restored to a free-flowing state by 2030 in comparison to 2020. Member States are responsible for implementation.

Links:

• Criteria for identifying free-flowing river stretches - Guidance document No 41 from the Common Implementation Startegy for European Union Water law

Aim and Content: As set out in action 42 above.

Process: Member States are responsible for implementing this action. As this target is related to the Nature Restoration Regulation, the electronic reporting of the implementation of National Restoration Plans in 2028 and 2031 will allow to assess the progress towards the achievement of this action; ECOSTAT Working Group - regular exchanges; Strategic Coordination Group – regular exchanges; ECOSTAT core group on Free-flowing Rivers : established criteria to be able to count stretches of rivers as free-flowing in 1Q/2024, these criteria were then updated and published as a guidance endorsed by Water Directors in 4Q/2025; Progress review of the BDS Strategy in 4Q.2024.

Updated on: 2025-08-08

Deadline: 2027

Summary: By 2027, ecological flows should have been defined and implemented to achieve good status or potential of all surface waters and good status of all groundwater, as required by the Water Framework Directive, including through a review of national abstraction and impoundment permits.

Aim and Content: The review of water abstraction and impoundment permits, to be performed by MS, will contribute to ensure appropriate ecological flows to achieve good status or potential of all surface waters and good status of all groundwater by 2027, as required by the Water Framework Directive, and taking into account climate impacts.

Process: 3rd RBMP assessments – Q3 2024; PoMs – 4Q 2026; 4th RBMP assessments – 2030; ECOSTAT Working Group - regular exchanges; Strategic Coordination Group – regular exchanges.

Updated on: 2026-02-23

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Commission will work with the Member States to step up implementation of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and other relevant legislation and international instruments. The aim is to ensure that the introduction and establishment of invasive alien species in the EU environment is minimised and where possible is eliminated, while established invasive alien species are managed. A review of the application of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species was published in 2021. The list of IAS of Union concern was updated in August 2022 and July 2025. There are currently 114 species listed as IAS of Union concern.The European Commission has established the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) to support the implementation of the IAS Regulation. The Commission has funded several projects on managing and eradicating IAS through the LIFE programme, including several projects on island ecosystems such as in the EU’s Overseas Countries and Territories. It has further tasked the IUCN with the setting up of a rapid response fund to provide small grants for rapid IAS eradication actions. Two Horizon Europe projects have been launched to strengthen monitoring and modelling of IAS in the EU, both in terrestrial and in aquatic ecosystems. Finally, a horizon scanning study published in April 2025 aims to identify which IAS are a priority for future listing. Several workshops have been organised to provide Member States with management experiences to facilitate eradication and management actions. Member States reported in June 2025 on their implementation of the IAS Regulation and on activities they have conducted up to December 2024. The Commission will publish an EU-level analysis of these reports in 2026.

Links:

• 2025 IAS Horizon Scanning study
• European IAS Rapid-Response Fund
• Invasive Alien Species policy page
• Commission report on the review of the application of the EU IAS Regulation
• EASIN - European Alien Species Information Network

Aim and Content: The implementation of the EU IAS regulation and other relevant legislation and international instruments should ensure that introduction and establishment of alien species in the EU environment is minimised and where possible is eliminated, while established invasive alien species are managed. ENV.D2 with support of JRC and EEA are responsible for the implementation of the EU IAS Regulation (e.g. update of the list of IAS of Union concern) as well as of international IAS aspects in CBD and Bern Convention. Relevant legislation and international agreements relate mainly to the minimisation of introduction of alien species into the EU environment by regulating pathways of introduction of IAS: ENV (regional sea conventions), SANTE (Animal and Plant Health, Directive on undesirable substances in animal feed, biological control, biocides and internationally IPPC, OIE. There is also need to look into unaddressed pathways of introduction of IAS, e.g. insects as food / feed, introduction of alien macro-organisms as biological control agents, pets), AGRI (CAP), AGRI/ENER (biomass etc.), MARE (aquaculture), CONNECT (e-commerce), TRADE (trade agreements), MOVE (IMO ballast water convention and biofouling guidelines). Member States have to implement all relevant legislation and achieve effective coordination and cooperation of the different authorities involved.

Process: Work on stepping up the implementation of the IAS Regulation is ongoing with a review of its application (but not a complete evaluation nor a proposal for its amendment) has been published in 4Q 2021, the last update of the list of IAS of Union concern was August 2022 and will be updated afterwards about every two years. The infringement procedures continued with an initial assessment of the replies to the Letters of Formal Notices sent earlier in 2021, after assessment the Commission send a reasoned opinion to 16 Member States by the end of 4Q 2021. In 2023 6 Member States have been referred to court. There is a need to coordinate with other services, they should inform ENV of opportunities e.g. amendments or new legislation.

Updated on: 2026-02-19

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Commission has increased policy implementation and enforcement efforts to reduce by at least 50% nutrient losses from nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers, in line with the targets set by the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, while ensuring that there is no deterioration in soil fertility. About 90% of the actions announced in the Zero Pollution Action Plan (2021) have been completed (see action tracker). The 2nd Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report (EEA, 2025) provides an overview of progress. The Vision for Agriculture and Food (2025) highlights the importance of tackling nutrient (and other) pollution and sets out a number of additional measures, such as support to farmers. Under the EU Water Framework Directive, the implementation report for the 3rd River Basin Management Plans (2025) recommends actions that Member States should take to, inter alia, reduce nutrient pollution. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the implementation report on the 2nd programme of measures (2025) recommends actions that Member States should take to, inter alia, reduce excess nutrient loading in enclosed marine ecosystems. The European Water Resilience Strategy (2025) announces many flagship actions aiming to restore and protect the water cycle, including the launch, by 2027, of an Assistance Toolbox to support Member States’ actions to reduce nutrients pollution, including through enhanced modelling, interactive maps and exchanges of best practices. The Commission has launched an evaluation of the EU Nitrates Directive which lays down rules to reduce water pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources, and to prevent further such pollution. The Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive concerns the collection, treatment and discharge of urban wastewater and the treatment and discharge of wastewater from certain industrial sectors. The recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (2024), will contribute to further reducing nutrient releases from non-agricultural sources, and will include more stringent limit values to treat nitrogen and phosphorus. The amended Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive (IED 2.0) (2025) is the main EU instrument to reduce emissions into air, water and land, and to prevent waste generation from large industrial installations and intensive livestock farms (pig and poultry). The second Commission report on the implementation of the National Emission Reduction Commitments (NEC) Directive, and the evaluation of the Directive, were published in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Overall, Member States are partially on track of meeting their reduction commitments with most compliance challenges still relating to reducing ammonia emissions.

Links:

• Zero Pollution Action Plan
• Zero Pollution Action Tracker
• Second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook Report (2025)
• Mid-term review of the Zero Pollution Action Plan (2026)
• Vision for Agriculture and Food (2025)
• European Water Resilience Strategy (2025)
• WFD Implementation Report for the 3rd River Basin Management Plans (2025)
• Implementation report on the 2nd programme of measures under the MSFD (2025)
• Evaluation of the Nitrates Directive
• Recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (2024)
• Amended Industrial adn Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive (IED 2.0) (2025)
• Second Commission Report on the implementation of the NEC Directive (2024)

Aim and Content: Increase implementation and enforcement efforts on current environmental legislation; without prejudice to possible additional measures to be developed in the Zero Pollution Action Plan and the Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan

Process: Ongoing activity under F2F to reduce nutrient losses by at least 50%, while ensuring that there is no deterioration in soil fertility + Zero Pollution AP + integrated nutrient management AP (see below).

Updated on: 2024-07-12

Deadline: 2030

Summary: This action can be taken up by sub-national authorities in the Member States. The aim is to ensure that urban planning processes systematically incorporate and promote green Infrastructure thinking and nature-based solutions. Such approaches have been incorporated into the guidance for preparing Urban greening plans and delivered via the Urban Greening Platform.

Links:

• EU Urban Greening Platform
• Commission guidance on urban greening plans

Aim and Content: The aim here is to ensure that urban planning processes systematically incorporate and promote Green Infrastructure thinking (so proper mapping and linking up of biodiversity/green spaces etc in urban and peri-urban areas) and Nature Based Solutions (for example to reduce the impacts of climate change). This thinking will be incorporated into the recommended process and guidance for the preparing Urban Greening Plans and therefore delivered via the Urban Greening Platform / Green City Accord process. The Urban Greening Plans will reflect the commitment and measures which cities will take under the GCA on biodiversity - in other words, the Urban Greening Plans will be the GCA’s biodiversity component. This component will include measures/actions which city administrations will undertake to green their cities.

Process: Urban Greening Plans in place by Q3/Q4 2020 . The key actors for the development and implementation of Urban Greening Plans will be sub-national authorities in the EU Member States, with support from the Commission. A system for allowing cities to sign-up and register their interest will be available through the GCA as of the first quarter of 2021. (See also Urban Greening Platform).

Updated on: 2026-02-18

Deadline: 2030

Summary: This action is linked to the action on fisheries management measures, and to the action plan to conserve fisheries resources and protect marine ecosystems. The objectives are partially achieved, for most fish stocks with MSY advice in the northeast Atlantic (including the North Sea, Channel, Celtic Seas and the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Atlantic coast, although some stocks are above and some are below the target rate. Conditions in the Baltic Sea remain very challenging. In the Mediterranean Sea the current rate has decreased in recent years and has for the first time reached an average below the target rate. For the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the Fisheries Council decided on a 66% reduction of fishing effort for 2025 in Spanish and French waters and by 38% in French and Italian waters. The Fisheries Council also agreed to continue the use of the compensation mechanism that was established for the first time for 2022, allocating additional days to trawlers that opt for more selective gear or that are covered by a national conservation measure. The latest Communication on the state of EU fisheries (June 2025) indicates that overall, more fish stocks are being fished at sustainable levels but that further efforts are needed to ensure resilient and sustainable fisheries.

Links:

• Communication Sustainable fishing in the EU state of play and orientations for 2026 (2025)

Aim and Content: Mediterranean and Black Sea: the Fisheries Council of December 2024 decided on a 66% reduction of effort for 2025 in Spanish and French waters and by 38% in French and Italian waters following the objectives of the Western Mediterranean MAP. The Fisheries Council also agreed to continue the use of the compensation mechanism that was established for the first time for 2022, allocating additional days to trawlers that opt for more selective gear or that are covered by a national conservation measure. Linked to action on fisheries management measures and action 55 on the action plan to conserve fisheries resources and protect marine ecosystems.

Process: Objective achieved, on average, for fish stocks with MSY advice in the northeast Atlantic (including the North Sea, Bay of Biscay and Iberian-Atlantic waters, the Channel, and the Celtic Seas, though some stocks are above and some are below this rate. In the Mediterranean Sea the current rate has for the first time reached an average below the target rate. Although there has been some improvement in the last few years more needs to be done, notably with the implementation of the western Mediterranean MAP and the MedFish4Ever and Sofia Declarations.

Updated on: 2025-09-16

Deadline: 2030

Summary: Marine protected areas need to be designated and effectively managed to protect habitats and species protected by the Birds and Habitats Directives as well as to achieve good environmental status of marine ecosystems under the MSFD. Management of a given MPA may require regulating fishing activities. Since the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy (CFP) is an exclusive competence of the European Union, it is up to the EU to take any fisheries-related measures. The CFP provides for a toolbox for taking fisheries conservation measures and gives also Member States the chance to play an active role in designing fisheries measures through the so-called regionalisation.

Aim and Content: Marine protected areas need to be designated and effectively managed to protect habitats and species protected by the Birds and Habitats Directives as well as to achieve good environmental status of marine ecosystems under the MSFD. Since the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy (CFP) is an exclusive competence of the European Union, it is up to the EU to take any fisheries-related measures. Such measures should follow an "ecosystem approach to fisheries management" and be based on scientific advice. The CFP provides for a toolbox for taking fisheries management measures for conservation purposes, including those for complying with environmental legislation and the technical measures under the Technical Measures Regulation and the Mediterranean Regulation, among others. The CFP gives also Member States the chance to play an active role in designing fisheries measures through the so-called regionalisation. Member States having a direct management interest may submit joint recommendations for fisheries conservation measures deemed necessary to comply with the environmental obligations under relevant EU environmental legislation (Birds and Habitats Directives, MSFD). The Commission can then adopt legislation on the basis of those joint recommendations, effectively turning them into binding EU law. MPAs where fishing activities are restricted or banned are beneficial for reducing or eliminating adverse impacts from fishing on the species or habitats, and for their recovery in a medium or longer term. There are also important socio-economic benefits for fisheries from the protection of important fish nursery and spawning areas, increased egg and larval production, or the spill-over of mobile juveniles and adults.

Process: WORK ONGOING // Establishment of fisheries conservation management measures under Article 11 of the common fisheries policy (Regulation 1380/2013) through adoption of the delegated acts based on Member States joint recommendations or Member State measures under Articles 11 and 20 of the CFP and/or via joint recommendations under the Technical Measures Regulation No 2019/1241 for adoption by the Commission

Updated on: 2025-09-16

Deadline: 2027

Summary: This action is about providing financial support for the transition to more selective gear and less damaging fishing techniques through the actions supported by the European, Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Programmes. In March 2023, the Commission completed the adoption of the national EMFAF Programmes, in which Member States have formulated strong commitments. The Commission will now ensure that the implementation of the EMFAF by Member States concretely contributes to the achievement of the overall environment, climate and biodiversity targets established in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 through a series of actions, including the promotion of sustainable, low-impact and low-carbon fishing activities. The Commission will also implement EMFAF actions directly (under ‘direct management’) to support the promotion of clean and healthy seas and oceans.

Links:

• National EMFAF programmes

Aim and Content: This action is about financial support for the transition to more selective gear and less damaging fishing techniques through the actions supported by EMFAF programmes under shared management. In its ongoing negotiations with Member States, the Commission is ensuring that EMFAF programmes will contribute to the achievement of the overall environment, climate and biodiversity targets established in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 through a series of actions for the promotion of sustainable, low-impact and low-carbon fishing activities (e.g. collection of scientific data, elimination of discards, protection of sensitive species and habitats, improved energy efficiency of fishing vessels, etc.). For this purpose, each EMFAF programme will be monitored through a system of pre-defined climate and environmental markers attached to the different types of interventions (0%, 40% or 100%), measuring the overall contribution of the operations supported by EMFAF to climate and environmental objectives and targets set at EU level. In addition, the Commission has developed a tracking methodology to measure the contribution to biodiversity across all EU programmes in support for the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which will be applicable to EMFAF and help track expenditure under the programme with a focus on biodiversity conservation and restoration. The Commission expects to have all EMFAF programmes adopted by the end of 2022.

Process: Under Common Fisheries Policy, EMFAF 2021-2027 programming and implementation process.

Updated on: 2025-11-11

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The by-catch of species threatened with extinction must be eliminated or reduced to a level that allows their full recovery. This should also be the case for species in bad conservation status or not in good environmental status under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Furthermore, by-catch of other species must be eliminated or, where this is not possible, minimised so as not to threaten their conservation status. To support this, data collection on by-catch for all sensitive species needs to be stepped up. The marine action plan adopted on 21 February 2023 contributes to delivering on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, in particular by committing to minimise fisheries impacts on sensitive species through concrete measures to be taken by the Commission and the Member States.

Links:

• Marine Action Plan

Aim and Content: The by-catch of species threatened with extinction must be eliminated or reduced to a level that allows their full recovery. This should also be the case for those species in bad conservation status or not in good environmental status under the MSFD. Furthermore, the by-catch of other species must be eliminated or, where this is not possible, minimised so as not to threaten their conservation status. To support this, data collection on by-catch for all sensitive species needs to be stepped up. Data collection and management under the DCF is co-financed under EMFF/EMFAF.

Process: CFP implementation + ENV.D3 and ENV.C2 MSFD ongoing work to follow up and promote better monitoring of by-catch + Implementation of RFMO-adopted measures to reduce and mitigate by-catch

Updated on: 2025-08-07

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Commission and the Member States will work to increase political support, financial and human resources in order to ensure that environmental-related legislation with an impact on biodiversity (in particular the EU Nature Directives and other key biodiversity legislation, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Water Framework Directive) is implemented, enforced and - where necessary - reviewed and revised. Capacity building support for implementation is available to authorities in the Member States under several EU instruments, including the Technical Support Instrument (TSI), TAIEX Peer 2 Peer, GreenAssist and others.

Links:

• TAIEX-EIR Peer2Peer tool
• GreenAssist
• Technical Support Instrument

Aim and Content: Ensure that environmental-related legislation with an impact on biodiversity (in particular the EU nature and biodiversity legislation) is better implemented, enforced and - where necessary - reviewed and revised.

Process: Part of the ongoing work on enforcement of the nature directives. Full implementation of MSFD - latest enforcement strategy to look at non-reporting plus lack of regional cooperation. The implementation report highlights the main challenges; discuss with MSs and stakeholders. MSFD review is to be published by 2023 - though not mentioned in the examples in the footnote, the review and possible revision has obvious impacts on marine biodiversity.

Updated on: 2025-10-01

Deadline: 2030

Summary: Under the Action Plan on environmental compliance assurance, the Commission supports the EU Member States to ensure proper implementation and compliance with Union environmental legislation, including on nature and biodiversity. The activities include preparation of guidance documents and training materials, collection and sharing of good enforcement practices, promotion of the use of geo-spatial intelligence for compliance assurance purposes. The Environmental Compliance and Governance Forum. Close was established as a Commission expert group to serve as a platform for strategic exchanges on wider environmental governance issues. In the auspices of the Forum, a Summary Guide and a Vademecum on environmental compliance assurance in rural areas were prepared and published online. A Guidance and a Summary guide on combating environmental crimes and related infringements, focussing on wildlife and waste crime, were published. The activities are undertaken in close cooperation with the EU-level networks of environmental enforcement practitioners, such as ENPE (prosecutors), IMPEL (inspectors), EUFJE (judges) and EnviCrimeNet (police and other enforcement officers) that work together with the Commission’s support on environmental compliance assurance and effectively tackling environmental crime, including wildlife crime.

Links:

• Environmental Compliance assurance on Commission website
• The European Union Network for Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL)
• EnviCrimeNet
• The European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment
• The EU Forum of Judges for the Environment

Aim and Content: The 2018 Action Plan on environmental compliance assurance and the Environmental Compliance and Governance Forum aim to support and promote legal compliance and combat environmental crime. In April 2020, a Good practice document on combatting environmental crime was published, in addition to several other actions aimed at reinforcing the capacities of national environmental inspectors, police, prosecutors and judges working on nature-related infringements and crimes. This includes work on training, national complaint-handling mechanisms, and geospatial intelligence. The work will be conducted with the EU-level networks of environmental practitioners, such as ENPE (prosecutors), IMPEL (inspectors), EUFJE (judges) and EnviCrimeNet (police and other enforcement officers) that work together with the Commission’s support on effectively tackling environmental crime, including wildlife crime.

Process: EU-level networks, with the Commission’s support, work on effectively tackling environmental crime including wildlife crime.

Updated on: 2025-12-16

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Commission will continue to support and cooperate with networks of businesses (corporates and investors) working to integrate biodiversity and natural capital considerations into their decision making. The Commission will continue to facilitate the sharing and mainstreaming of best practices by businesses as well as business-driven initiatives and frameworks for measuring and accounting for natural capital impacts and dependencies.

Links:

• European Business & Biodiversity Platform

Aim and Content: Support of and cooperate with networks of businesses (corporates and investors) for better integrating biodiversity and natural capital into their decision making through sharing and mainstreaming best practice by businesses and facilitate business driven initiatives and frameworks for measuring and accounting for natural capital impacts and dependencies. The aim is to promote and mainstream integrating biodiversity and natural capital into corporate decision making as a new normal and to develop generally accepted accounting principles and methodologies for natural capital and biodiversity for businesses; fostering of and cooperation with front running corporate information sharing and cooperation and Support for Complete.

Process: Reinforce the EU Business@Biodiversity Platform as network of business networks and intensify the platforms cooperation with the growing number of pertinent networks such as Business for Nature, value balance alliance, WeValueNature, The_Shift, Capitals Coalition, UNEP WCMC, the Global Partnership Business and Biodiversity (GPBB under the CBD) or WBCSD with work streams concentrating on Natural Capital and Biodiversity measurement, connecting pioneering companies and Mainstreaming. Also connecting and supporting the existing national B&B networks in the EU member states. Engage in dedicated projects with businesses on their practice on natural capital accounting and biodiversity measurements fostering networks of corporates cooperating on natural capital aiming at internationally aligning management accounting principles for natural capital and biodiversity.

Updated on: 2026-01-06

Deadline: 2030

Summary: Launched in 2020, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 sets ambitious restoration and conservation objectives to put the European Union on the path to nature and biodiversity recovery. In May 2022, the Commission released a study which finds that the scale of financing needs to deliver the Strategy, including baseline expenditure, is estimated at around EUR 48 billion annually between 2021 and 2030, i.e. a significantly higher amount than the EUR 20 billion/year highlighted in the Biodiversity Strategy. It also estimates expenditure on biodiversity at ca. EUR 29 billion annually over 2021-2030, from EU, Member States national budgets and private financing altogether. The remaining financing gap is estimated at ca. EUR 19 billion per year from 2021 to 2030. The Commission’s 2025 Environmental Implementation Review estimated the annual investment gap for biodiversity and ecosystems (including soil ecosystems) to amount to EUR 37.4 billion. Unlocking the necessary funding to implement the EU Biodiversity Strategy will require increased financing from public budgets and private actors at national and EU level. The Commission is fully committed to the investment objectives agreed within the Kunming Montreal Protocol, namely to substantially and progressively increase the level of financial resources from all sources, with a view to mobilize at least USD 200 billion per year by 2030. This represents approximately a doubling from the baseline of ca. USD 100 billion per year in 2020. The EU contribution to the implementation of this global commitment will require further efforts from the EU and its Member States in terms of domestic and international biodiversity spending as well as enabling increased contributions from other sources. The EU has established a methodology to track biodiversity spending under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The EU implemented this action in support of the ambition to dedicate 7,5% in 2024 (achieved), and 10% in 2026 and 2027, of the MFF to biodiversity. EU financing for biodiversity can be found in no less than 10 different EU programmes, with the Common Agriculture Policy being the main support instrument in terms of volumes. The biodiversity spending trajectory in the current MFF has been steadily increasing, from 3,5% in 2021 to a forecast 7.9% in 2027, according to the Draft Budget 2026 (Statement of Estimates). However, more efforts are needed to meet our ambitious targets. For the next budget of the Union over the 2028-2034 period, the Commission has proposed to establish a spending target which encompasses all environmental objectives, including climate, biodiversity and circular economy. Set at 35%, it will enable to mobilise around EUR 700 billion. It is more than under the current EU budget, and aims at better capturing synergies between climate and environment policies and actions. This ambition is supported by a consistent application of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle across the EU budget. The Commission is also looking into creating new markets with the development of innovative instruments. The initiative for nature credits establishes a roadmap to build a market infrastructure where private investment flows can be exchanged to finance restoration and maintenance actions. Nature credits are market-based instruments designed to reward certified nature-positive actions and to complement, not substitute public resources with private money to help filling the investment gap for biodiversity.

Links:

• Biodiversity Financing
• Biodiversity Mainstreaming
• Proposals for 2028-2034 EU budget
• Roadmap towards Nature Credits Communication
• Study on biodiversity financing and tracking
• New biodiversity tracking methodology for each programme

Aim and Content: This will require significant work to ensure effective mainstreaming and tracking of biodiversity in relevant EU funds (in particular under the CAP, CF and ERDF, EMFAF, Horizon Europe, NDICI, InvestEU etc.), both under the 2021-2027 MFF and Next Generation EU (in particular RRF) in line with the Commission Communication 'Europe's moment: Repair and Prepare for the Next Generation'. Implementation of this action will be supported by the ambition to dedicate 7,5% in 2024, and 10% in 2026 and 2027, of MFF to biodiversity. This target was reflected in most regulations pertaining to individual EU funds. The new biodiversity tracking methodology in MFF programmes supports this exercise.

Process: Ongoing programming (e.g. under CAP, Regional Funds, Horizon Europe, EMFAF, LIFE, NDICI, IPA III, InvestEU etc) will be key to ensure appropriate uptake in order to meet the above-mentioned ambition. Note ARES(2021)1013729 of 5/02/21 encourages relevant DGs to ensure appropriate mainstreaming and tracking. Several meetings were organized since 2020, including within the Commission (in particular through the ISWG on green priorities in the EU budget) and with MS, EP and external stakeholders (EU Biodiversity Platform, expert group on greening the European Semester etc) to raise awareness and mobilize actors. Further work is needed to assess the implications of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its finance targets on the current and next MFF, including the commitment to double global biodiversity finance (public and private, domestic and international) from USD 100 billion per year in 2020 to USD 200 billion per year in 2030, including the commitment to increase international biodiversity finance from USD 10 billion per year in 2020 to USD 20 billion per year in 2025 and USD 30 billion per year in 2030.

Updated on: 2026-02-26

Deadline: 2022

Summary: The Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle was introduced for the first time in the Taxonomy Regulation. It operationalises the ‘do no harm’ notion of the European Grean Deal. It is interpreted within the meaning of Article 17 of the Taxonomy Regulation. This article defines when an economic activity constitutes ‘significant harm’ for any of the six environmental objectives covered by the Taxonomy Regulation. Thus, it provides a framework for the application of the DNSH principle. In 2020, the DNSH principle was integrated into the Interinstitutional Agreement accompanying the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021–2027, and deployed across several funding instruments and the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The revised EU Financial Regulation (2024) requires the DNSH principle to be implemented in all programmes and activities financed under the MFF. The Commission has developed guidance documents on the application of the DNSH principle to EU funding instruments including, more recently, a DNSH guidance document for the Social Climate Fund 2026-2032. As part of its package of proposals for the 2028-2034 MFF, the Commission Proposal for a Performance Regulation for the 2028-2034 MFF lays down common rules for the purpose of implementing the DNSH principle through a single and simplified guidance, which the Commission is currently preparing. The 2023 Technical Support Instrument (TSI) included a flagship measure to support Member States in the application of the DNSH principle. In 2023, the Commission’s Joint Research Centre published an analysis of the application of the DNSH principle across EU instruments (the EU taxonomy, Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Rural Development Fund and Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and InvestEU). Additionally, as part of its work on environmentally harmful subsidies, the European Commission published, in 2022, a study proposing a toolbox and a methodology for reforming environmentally harmful subsidies in Europe. This toolbox investigates the range of environmentally harmful subsidies and those that could be reduced or eliminated relatively easily, while generating significant environmental and net fiscal benefits.

Links:

• Toolbox for reforming environmentally harmful subsidies in Europe
• Applying the DNSH principle under the Social Climate Fund - technical guidance (2025)
• RRF technical guidance
• Revised EU financial regulation (2024)
• Sustainability proofing for Invest EU - technical guidelines (2021)
• Phasing out Environmentally Harmful Subsidies
• DNSH implementation in selected EU instruments (JRC, 2023)
• Proposal for a Performance Regulation for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework
• 2023 TSI Flagship on DNSH
• European Green Deal Communication (2019)
• EU Taxonomy Regulation (2020)

Aim and Content: The implementation of this action will consist in operationalising the 'do no harm' principle under the MFF and NGEU. Biodiversity was addressed in the Commission checklist developed in the context of MS Recovery and Resilience Plans evaluation. It will also require ensuring that the biodiversity provisions of the 'sustainability proofing guidelines' developed in the context of InvestEU are meaningful implemented.. Operationalizing this action will also require implementing the DNSH principle to cohesion funds (REGIO is in the lead) and in the CAP. ENV.01 also carried out a study providing stakeholders with a toolbox for identifying environmentally (including biodiversity) harmful subsidies and identifying the social, economic and environmental impacts of their phasing out.

Process: Ongoing

Updated on: 2023-04-19

Deadline: 2030

Summary: This action is about ensuring the full implementation of the Polluter Pays Principle, with markets reflecting biodiversity externalities and providing a full incentive to avoid biodiversity damage. A study funded by the European Parliament was completed at the end of 2021 to inform and support actions by stakeholders and the Member States. A fitness check on the Polluter Pays Principle is ongoing, and will lead to recommendations in 2024. The action will also be supported via the European Semester process.

Links:

• Study on Green Taxation and other economic instruments
• News article - release of Study on Green Taxation
• Have your say: Polluters Pay Principle Fitness Check
• Toolbox for reforming Environmentally Harmful Subsidies

Aim and Content: This action is about ensuring the full implementation of the Polluter Pays Principle, with markets reflecting biodiversity externalities and providing a full incentive to avoid biodiversity damage. Being undertaken through a study funded by EP to support stakeholders in MS actions and also through the European Semester process.

Process: Ongoing.

Updated on: 2026-02-25

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The aim of this action is to support the use of criteria and methods to support decision-making in the public and business sectors and further develop natural capital accounting . This will include support to business-driven developments of principles and methods, as well as setting standards and regulation. The aim is also to integrate biodiversity into the Product Environmental Footprint and Organisations Environmental Footprint methodology. In December 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/3024 entered into force introducing new environmental economic account modules. These comprise a set of accounts on the extent and condition of ecosystems and the services they provide to society and the economy, in line with the SEEA Ecosystem Accounting. The amended Regulation mandates EU Member States to compile ecosystem services accounts at the national level. Starting in 2026, Member States will be reporting to Eurostat data on ecosystem extent accounts, seven ecosystem services accounts and ecosystem condition accounts for five types of ecosystems, using nine indicators, common definitions - as specified in the legal text - and common methods - as developed by the Task force on ecosystem accounting and published at Eurostat's methodological website on the environment, under tab 'Ecosystem accounts'. Based on this, the first official EU-wide data stream on ecosystem accounts will become available as of 2027 and will be updated annually thereafter.

Links:

• Environmental Footprint
• EU Guidance on integrating ecosystems and their services into decision-making
• 2024 Regulation introducing new environmental economic account modules
• Eurostats methodological website on the environment

Aim and Content: Support the use of criteria and methods to support decision-making in the public and business sectors (including natural capital accounting, footprinting and others). This will include working with business driven bottom up methods towards consensus and generally accepted principles and methods, as well as the commission steering development and setting standards and regulation. Specific areas include: Building on existing business practice on natural capital accounting, support the bottom-up business driven development ofgenerally accepted accounting principles and methodologies for natural capital and biodiversity for businesses. Integrate biodiversity into the Product Environmental Footprint and Organisations Environmental Footprint methodology.Work will be done under the AA JRC on Consumption Footprint and in the context of the discussions of the Technical Advisory Board on Environmental Footprint and the Agricultural Modelling Working Group.

Process: (i) Further implement the Guidelines on integrating ecosystem services into decision making, consolidate various criteria into a common reference and further develop natural capital accounting with INCA and the work of the Business and Biodiversity Platform. The European Commission is working on sustainability proofing guidelines in the context of InvestEU to ensure that environmental considerations are better taken into account. (ii) Under the Environmental Footprint methods, drivers of biodiversity loss are so far indirectly covered by 8 out of 16 impact categories. A comprehensive analysis will be made by the Technical Advisory Board for Environmental Footprint, through a dedicated Agricultural Modelling Working Groups (kick-off meeting took place in September 2020). The goal of this work is to characterize biodiversity impacts as an impact category. The foreseen steps include a mapping of existing methodologies, choosing suitable options and testing them, and finally making a proposal. (iii) Screen the PEF and OEF methodology against the biodiversity criteria, and review where necessary. Integrate to any future legislative proposal on green claims. Further develop LCA Biodiversity Footprint Indicator (JRC). Launch with F1 another AA to further develop this. Link to F2F on fisheries and aquaculture and Guidelines on ecological approaches to Bioeconomy (forests, agriculture, aquaculture). (iii) The Agricultural Modelling Working Group and its sub-groups meet regularly.

Updated on: 2024-05-31

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Commission is supporting business and their stakeholders aiming at standardizing natural capital management accounting practices in the EU and globally. It provide LIFE support to the Transparent project --an consortium led by the Value Balancing Alliance – consisting of international companies and large professional services firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG & PwC), including the Capitals Coalition – a global collaboration of more than 370 organizations, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development to develop a set of generally accepted environmental accounting principles.

Links:

• LIFE Transparent Project

Aim and Content: The Commission is supporting business and their stakeholders aiming at standardizing natural capital management accounting practices in the EU and globally. It provide LIFE support to the Transparent project --an consortium led by the Value Balancing Alliance – consisting of international companies and large professional services firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG & PwC), including the Capitals Coalition – a global collaboration of more than 370 organizations, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development to develop a set of generally applicable accounting principles for measuring and valuing total environmental impacts (climate, air, water, land, and biodiversity) associatedswith corporate business models across the global supply chains.

Process: The Commission provided LIFE support to the Transparent project --an consortium led by the Value Balancing Alliance – consisting of international companies and large professional services firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG & PwC), including the Capitals Coalition – a global collaboration of more than 370 organizations, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Transparent delivered a first standardized methodology and guidelines. Whilst representing a signifcant step forward, it did not adequately cover biodiversity related impacts and dependencies. It also stopped short of providing specific guidance on data sources to be used for implementing the method, instead pointing at various options. As a result, it makes the method suitable for large companies but less so for SMEs which remains a concern. More synergies have to be build with the outcomes of a related project called “Aligning biodiversity metrics for business and support for developing generally accepted accounting principles for natural capital” launched in 2021. To better address the needs of SMEs, further efforts will draw on experience gained from related strategic impact measurement and valuation piloting projects adapted to SME specific circumstances. New public private partnerships will be pursued in the period 2025-2030 to share the cost of data collection and ensure publicly available methods and data.

Updated on: 2026-06-02

Deadline: 2027

Summary: Horizon Europe, amongst others, aims in contributing in the effort in halting biodiversity decline and restoring ecosystems by focusing on: (i) understanding & addressing biodiversity decline, (ii) assessing, valuing and restoring ecosystems and natural capital, (iii) nature-based solutions, (iv) transformative change, (v) connecting research for better policies, (vi) biodiversity and human health. Under Horizon Europe, the Commission is working to establish a long-term strategic research agenda for biodiversity and established a science policy mechanism for research-based options for ratcheting up the implementation of biodiversity commitments (Science Service for Biodiversity, within the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity).The successive Horizon Europe Work Programmes part on Cluster 6 ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’ include a Destination “Biodiversity” which addresses the biodiversity crisis. In addition, biodiversity is mainstreamed in all parts of Horizon Europe Work Programmes, with a target of 10% of the expenditure in 2026-2027. EU Missions launched under Horizon Europe (the Mission Restore our ocean and waters by 2030, the Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, the Cities Mission and the Climate Adaptation Mission) strongly support biodiversity objectives.

Links:

• Mission Soil Platform
• Mission Oceans and Waters
• EU Missions in Horizon Europe
• EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
• EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change Portal
• Science at the service of biodiversity-publication
• Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 WP9 Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment
• Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-24 WP9 Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment
• Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-22 Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Aim and Content: Cluster 6 will include a long-term strategic research agenda for biodiversity. One of Horizon Europe’s objectives is halting biodiversity decline and restoring ecosystems by focusing on: (i) understanding & addressing Biodiversity decline, (ii) assessing, valuing and restoring ecosystems and natural capital, (iii) nature-based solutions, (iv) transformative change, (v) connecting research for better policies, (vi) biodiversity and human health. With a 2030 horizon, Mission ocean and waters addresses three main targets: o protect 30% of the EU’s sea and its biodiversity; restore marine ecosystems and achieve 25.000 km of free-flowing rivers; o prevent and eliminate pollution by reducing plastic litter at sea, nutrient losses and use of chemical pesticides by 50%; o make the blue economy climate-neutral and circular with net-zero maritime emissions. These policy objectives are coupled by two enablers: 1) the development of the Digital Twin Ocean, supporting Mission Ocean and waters knowledge system; 2) public mobilisation and engagement.

Process: The long-term strategic biodiversity research agenda will be part of Horizon Europe and will be be co-created with the Biodiversity Partnership, MS and other stakeholders. The Biodiversa+ SRIA was published in November 2021.Mission ocean and waters is implemented through calls for proposals under Horizon Europe. Mission ocean and waters objectives are supported and complemented by several other programmes, both at EU level (e.g.: EMFAF, LIFE, INTERREG, Horizon Europe partnerships etc.) and through national local programmes and initiatives. The Charter aim at teaming up and join efforts to address the Mission objectives.

Updated on: 2026-06-02

Deadline: 2030

Summary: In international negotiations, the EU should advocate that marine minerals in the international seabed area cannot be exploited before the effects of deep-sea mining on the marine environment, biodiversity and human activities have been sufficiently researched, the risks are understood and the technologies and operational practices are able to demonstrate no harm to the environment, in line with the precautionary principle and taking into account the call of the European Parliament. However, the role of the European Commission at the Council meetings of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) so far has been limited to its capacity of observer. In June 2025 the European Commission adopted the European Ocean Pact, a comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. In this Pact the Commission reiterated its precautionary stance on deep-sea mining, emphasising the need for more research into its potential environmental, biodiversity, and socio-economic impacts. The Commission calls for such precautionary pause until sufficient scientific evidence is available to confirm that deepsea mining poses no threat to the marine ecosystems. The Commission will advocate for a rules-based approach at the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

Links:

• Communication on The European Oceans Pact
• Setting the course for a sustainable blue planet - Joint Communication on the EU’s International Ocean Governance agenda
• Proposal for a Council decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the meetings of the Council and the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority

Aim and Content: In international negotiations, the EU advocates that marine minerals in the international seabed area cannot be exploited before the effects of deep-sea mining on the marine environment, biodiversity and human activities have been sufficiently researched, the risks are understood and the technologies and operational practices are able to demonstrate no serious harm to the environment, in line with the precautionary principle and taking into account the call of the European Parliament. However, the role of the European Commission so far at the Council meetings of the ISA has been limited to its capacity of observer. A mapping of EU competences in the draft mining code shows that the EU can claim competence on the parts of the regulations dealing with the protection of the marine environment. It also shows that the EU acquis (particularly in relation to EU secondary legislation in the field of environment and to international agreements to which the EU is a contracting party to) is covered or may be affected by parts of the draft regulations, giving the EU shared competence on those specific parts.

Process: Proposal for a Council Decision adopted in December 2020 by the College. Discussions took place in the Council COMAR Working Party in 2021. However, the required majority for adoption of a formal Council Decision could not be reached. The discussions on this proposal are still blocked in Council. The negotiations on the draft regulations on exploitation of mineral resources in the Area have continued at the ISA Council in the context of the “two-year” rule triggered by Nauru in 2021 that requests the ISA Council to complete the adoption of the regulations for exploitation within two years, meaning by 9 July 2023. The last ISA Council meeting took place in, Kingston, Jamaica, from 15 to 26 July 2024 and concluded a first reading of the draft exploitation regulations. It was decided to cancel the thrid session of the Council originally scheduled for November 2024. Inter-sessional work will continue and a second consolidated version will be presented in view of a ‘second reading’ during the first 2025 Council session in March 2025. The ISA Assembly elected a new Secretary General with the first formal vote in ISA’s history, overwhelmingly won by the Brazilian candidate, Leticia Carvalho. The moratorium/precautionary pause is at the moment supported by 32 countries, 11 of which are EU MS.

Updated on: 2025-09-30

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The EU proposes specific biodiversity provisions through the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter of its trade agreements . Therein the parties recognise the importance of conserving and sustainably using biological diversity, and the role of trade in pursuing these objectives, consistent with relevant multilateral environmental agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The agreements provide for a platform of cooperation and contain binding commitments on the effective implementation of relevant multilateral agreements, which are as a matter of last resort enforceable through the dispute settlement mechanism. Biodiversity features regularly in the government-to-government discussions as well as in the context of the exchanges with and between Domestic Advisory Groups and civil society at large, which play an important role in supporting the monitoring and implementation process. Recent agreements, which entered into force, with dedicated biodiversity provisions include those with Kenya, Chile and New Zealand.

Aim and Content: Implementing this action requires establishing better linkages between the ongoing dialogue and cooperation on biodiversity with FTA partner countries at bilateral (political dialogue) and multilateral level (CBD) and the implementation of TSD provisions. This will also be supported by the Knowledge Centre on Biodiversity, including in terms of monitoring the impacts of trade on biodiversity and partner countries' implementation of commitments under the CBD (JRC, TRADE and ENV are actively working on how to operationalize this support from KCB).

Process: (i) Discussions with partner countries on the implementation of the Trade and Sustainable Development Chapters, including on biodiversity, of their FTAs with the EU. (ii) The Commission, and each of the EU Domestic Advisory Groups under the trade agreements with a TSD Chapter, hold regular meetings throughout the year to inform stakeholders about progress and challenges in implementation of commitments on trade and sustainable development, and get their perspectives. The JRC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity wish to be closely associated to this process. (iii) The EU publishes yearly a report on the implementation of FTAs, including the TSD Chapters. (iv) Facility planned by DG ENV to support negotiation and implementation of FTAs as a tool for greener trade, by assessing what provisions in selected EU FTAs are best suited to promote global environmental objectives: 2021.

Updated on: 2025-09-30

Deadline: 2030

Summary: A study has been published in 2021 on developing a methodology to assess trade liberalization impacts on biodiversity. This methodology is used in trade agreements evaluations and will help to identify actions to strengthen the biodiversity provisions of trade agreements. This methodology is used in both ex-ante and ex-post evaluations of trade agreements. For example, the June 2025 ex-post assessment report of CETA specifically analyses the impact of the agreement on biodiversity (Ex-post evaluations: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/analysis-and-assessment/ex-post-evaluations_en). The impact of trade liberalisation on biodiversity plays an important role in assessments of trade agreements. In line with the Communication on “The power of trade partnerships: together for green and just economic growth” (June 2022), environmental priorities should be developed involving civil society. They already feature in the impact assessment preceding the launch of negotiations, but are to be further refined during the sustainability impact assessment, and assessed in ex-post analysis during implementation. A study on the impact of EU FTAs on key environmental aspects including climate, published in February 2025 (Ex-post evaluations: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/analysis-and-assessment/ex-post-evaluations_en), concludes that EU agreements contribute to alliance-building, supporting informal and multilateral cooperation on biodiversity, climate, circular economy, and deforestation.

Links:

• Trade and biodiversity: new methodology to better assess impacts
• Ex-post evaluations

Aim and Content: The study on developing a methodology to assess trade liberalization impacts on biodiversity allows for the creation of a handbook to be integrated in TRADE's toolbox for Sustainability Impact Assessments and ex-post evaluations. Efforts focus on effective implementation of this new methodology in SIAs and ex-post evaluations of existing trade agreements, as well as to analyse relevant conclusions and propose actions to strengthen the biodiversity provisions of trade agreements.

Process: Study released on 17 May 2021. Methodology has been implemented in the context of the ex post evaluations of the Andean FTA and of the Central American FTA. It has also been more recently applied in the June 2025 ex-post assessment report of CETA specifically analyses the impact of the agreement on biodiversity

Updated on: 2025-09-22

Deadline: 2030

Summary: Aid for Trade (AfT) is a 2005 WTO-led initiative; it encompasses a third of EU projects and programmes in support of trade and productive capacities in EU partner countries. The aim is to mobilise AfT to facilitate the transition towards more environmentally sustainable development and growth models, including by supporting biodiversity-friendly trade. This can fit within the broader AfT objective of assisting countries’ transition to low carbon and climate change resilient economies.

Links:

• Aid for Trade (WTO website)

Aim and Content: Facilitate the transition towards more environmentally sustainable development and growth models, including by supporting biodiversity-friendly trade. This can fit within the broader AfT objective of assisting countries’ transition to low carbon and climate change resilient economies. Aid for Trade (AfT) is a 2005 WTO-led initiative; it encompasses a third of EU projects and programmes (100 out of 230 DAC codes are relevant for AfT) in support of trade and productive capacities in EU partner countries. This allows disseminating improved practices that make the most of EU policy instruments and tools, including ODA, FTAs, or the External Investment Plan (EIP).

Process: Programming phase started with the approval of the new MFF, with a more systematic use of relevant dialogues and platforms with partner countries to promote biodiversity as part of AfT; EU Aid for Trade Progress Report 2021 (summer 2021).

Updated on: 2025-09-22

Deadline: 2030

Summary: EU external action and cooperation on biodiversity includes direct support to conservation, sustainable use, restoration, sharing of benefits, the mainstreaming of environmental protection across development sectors and policies and the transition in development and investment models towards more biodiversity and ecosystem friendly pathways. The EU will continue to support the multilateral biodiversity agenda and the preparation of the future global biodiversity framework. This will include continued financial support through the Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation - Global Europe Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe). The President of the Commission announced in the State of the Union speech (September 2021) that the EU would double its external funding for biodiversity, in particular for the most vulnerable countries. The Commission is working on the operationalization of this commitment.

Aim and Content: Development cooperation for biodiversity includes direct support to conservation, sustainable use, restoration, sharing of benefits, the mainstreaming of nature across development sectors and policies and the transition in development and investment models towards more biodiversity and ecosystem friendly pathways. Mobilising more resources for biodiversity will be a necessary condition to be able to adopt an ambitious post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework at CBD CoP15 and for EU leadership in that regard. Many partner countries are calling for additional biodiversity-related funding and a new global fund dedicated to biodiversity (the idea of a new fund is not supported by the EU at this stage). The EU will continue to support the multilateral biodiversity agenda (MEA implementation, measures against global wildlife trafficking, etc.), and the preparation of the future global biodiversity framework. This will include continued financial support through the Global Challenges Programme of NDICI to UNEP and UNEP-administered MEAs.

Process: The NDICI will be the primary financial instrument under the 2021-2027 MFF to support EU external action on biodiversity. The NDICI will contribute to the MFF targets for biodiversity, which states that all instruments will contribute to the objective of having 7.5% of the entire annual EU budget dedicated to biodiversity objectives by 2024 and 10% in 2026 and 2027 in the new MFF. More than half of the Team Europe Initiatives accepted have a strong biodiversity component and the national and regional Multiannual Indicative Plans are being finalized (deadline for submission is 15 June). INTPA, in coordination with ENV, has initiated an assessment of how much biodiversity funding can be expected from NDICI based on the preliminary results of programming, and what a Commission financial commitment could be in view of CoP15 (results expected for mid-July).

Updated on: 2025-09-22

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The aim is to bring all EU neighbourhood countries on board in the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, particularly those aspiring for EU membership. In addition to the Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) and the new Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III), new facilities for Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and Moldova, will support enlargement partners in accelerating their green transition and alignment with the EU environmental standards through reforms and investments under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). In September 2021 State of the Union Address, Commission President Von Der Leyen announced that the EU would double its external funding for biodiversity, especially for the most vulnerable countries. New facilities will contribute to the fulfilment to this commitment.

Aim and Content: Bring all EU neighbourhood countries on board in the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, particularly those aspiring for EU membership. The NDICI and the new Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) will be the primary financial instrument under the 2021-2027 MFF to support the EU neighbourhood and Western Balkans, including sustainable management of natural resources. At least 7.5% of annual spending should be dedicated to biodiversity objectives from 2024 and 10% from 2026 onwards in the next MFF as a whole. As nature will make a major contribution to climate objectives, part of the current 25% target under the NDICI dedicated to climate-related action will also benefit biodiversity and ecosystems.

Process: In line with the EU ambition to become climate-neutral by 2050, the Western Balkan region has also committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and to aligning with the European Green Deal’s key elements by endorsing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkan (GAWB) at the Summit in Sofia in 2020, and subsequently the GAWB Action Plan in October 2021. Since 2021, the European Commission has committed €1.25 billion to support the implementation of the GAWB. Further investments and grants under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) also support the green transition. The EU4Green programme is supporting the region in targeted biodiversity actions, focusing on biodiversity objectives and measures for floodplains in protected areas. In the Eastern Partnership countries, the EU is implementing the EU4Environment programme, supporting the partner countries to preserve their natural capital and increase people’s environmental well-being.The programme is providing assistance for improving the management of sites within the framework of the Emerald Network and promotes sustainable forestry, with a focus on forestry-dependent communities. Nature-based solutions are promoted in conjunction with an improved river basin management and a guide will be soon published to showcase such solutions. In Ukraine, the EU is supporting efforts to monitor and document the biodiversity and environmental losses caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine through the Rapid Damage Needs Assessment (RDNA); Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) of the Kakhovka dam breach; and establishment of a dedicated web application for recording the environmental damages. In 2023, the EU in cooperation with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) community established the PHOENIX Dialogues on the environmental acquis, which have focused on sustainable and climate neutral construction and urban biodiversity preservation. Moreover, the EU has opened the LIFE programme for Ukraine, with dedicated projects to support the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directive and Natura 2000, based on their current Emerald network of sites. The Ukraine Plan, to be adopted by the end 2023, will contain policy reforms connected with the environment, climate, biodiversity and sustainable forestry. 42 Member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) adopted in October 2021 the second Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Climate Action, coming with a common agenda named “Towards 2030: Agenda for a GreenerMed - Contributing to Achieving the Environmental SDGs in the Mediterranean”. The EU has continuously supported the GreenerMed agenda priorities (green & circular economy; pollution prevention; biodiversity/ecosystem restoration), in particular through the EU-funded (4 MEUR) IMAP-MPA project, implemented by UNEP-MAP, related to the creation of new Protected Marine Areas in the Mediterranean and to the promotion of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme for their sustainable management. This project is continued by the SEMPA project from 2023 (4 MEUR). On 25 January 2023, the Operational Board of the European Fund for Sustainable Development plus (EFSD+) endorsed a package of 24 guarantee programmes worth 2.4 billion Euro to support up to 17 billion Euro investments in the EU's neighbourhood and enlargement countries in priority sectors. Several of the approved guarantee programmes target investments into green and sustainable solutions. For example the promotion of green finance via green bonds issued in emerging markets will support investments in biodiversity conservation and environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources and land use, as well as for sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The pertaining EFSD+ Guarantee Agreements are currently under negotiation between the Commission and the IFIs, with the objective to sign Agreements by early 2024.

Updated on: 2025-09-22

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The NaturAfrica initiative identifies key areas and landscapes in Sub-Saharan Africa for EU action to tackle biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation while enabling sustainable green development and bringing multiple benefits to local communities, partner countries and the EU. In the short term, it will develop actions in key landscapes for conservation and development, building on the positive benefits that protected areas bring to society and the economy, encouraging networks of protected areas and knowledge-sharing. In the medium term, it will extend support beyond key landscapes to address the root causes of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation while mainstreaming biodiversity and improving governance. Multiple initiatives linking action on biodiversity and ecosystems to sustainable green development and benefits to / participation of local communities are being prepared in other regions as part of Multiannual Indicative Programs, with a strong Team Europe Dimension (targeting for instance Sahel, Amazon or the Pacific) including an increasing focus on action in support of cross-border landscapes.

Links:

• NaturAfrica (EC website)

Aim and Content: The NaturAfrica initiative identifies key areas and landscapes in Sub-Saharan Africa for EU action to tackle biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation while enabling sustainable green development and bringing multiple benefits to local communities, partner countries and the EU. The objective of NaturAfrica is to link biodiversity conservation (in protected areas and in viable ecological corridors) with green economic activities, renewable energy (hydropower plants, solar), sustainable agriculture and natural resources value chains (agroecology, organic farming and other innovative practices, sustainable forestry, ethical fashion, livestock, fisheries, tourism, handicraft, natural products…) in larger landscapes and watersheds. Similar approaches, based on territorial development supported by protected areas, are also proposed in the Team Europe Initiatives presented by EU delegations in Asia/Pacific and in Latin America/Caribbean.

Process: Numerous actions under the NaturAfrica approach and similar initiatives in other regions are under preparation through the Team Europe Initiatives and national and regional MIPs.

Updated on: 2025-09-22

Deadline: 2030

Summary: None

Aim and Content: tbc

Process: tbc

Updated on: 2026-02-23

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The considerations for implementing of the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework highlight the urgent need to reduce pressures on biodiversity and decrease environmental degradation to reduce risks to health, and, as appropriate, develop practical access and benefit-sharing arrangements. The Commission supports the adoption of a Global action plan for biodiversity and health. It applies the One Health approach when dealing with zoonotic as well as non-communicable diseases. Specific financial support to One Health activities is provided by the EU4Health Programme (2021-2027). It defines the ‘One Health approach’ as a multisectoral approach which recognises that human health is connected to animal health and to the environment. Under EU4Health, the Commission has supported coordinated action for scaling up national vector threat detection systems and control capacities to improve the surveillance and control in the EU of invasive mosquito species, which are largely responsible for the rise in cases of vector-borne diseases in recent years.

Links:

• Regulation 2021/522 establishing the EU4Health Programme

Aim and Content: tbc

Process: tbc

Updated on: 2025-09-22

Deadline: 2030

Summary: The Commission is actively working to mainstream biodiversity throughout a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements. The Commission is promoting such mainstreaming for example in the World Trade Organization (WTO) context. In December 2021, the EU and other 70 members of the WTO adopted a Ministerial Statement on Trade and Sustainable Development Structured Discussions (TESSD), an initiative to discuss trade related measures and policies that can best contribute to climate and environmental goals. This could potentially include trade aspects linked to protecting and conserving biodiversity and halting its loss. Furthermore, the 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO met in June 2022 and adopted an outcome document recognising the loss of biodiversity as a global challenge, along with climate change and pollution. It is the first time ever that WTO Ministers make such a consensual statement.

Aim and Content: Contained in action title.

Process: Ongoing.