Europe will damage its ability to deliver on an international biodiversity deal if it fails to pass a flagship law to restore nature, the EU's environment chief said ahead of what officials expect to be a tight vote next week.
The European Parliament votes on Wednesday on a beleaguered European Commission proposal for a law to restore damaged environments. The parliament's biggest lawmaker group has said it will reject the bill, sparking a fierceThe European People's Party, the EU Parliament's biggest lawmaker group, opposes the draft law, saying it would take farmland out of production and endanger food security.
"We were the force behind the ambition at COP15. We were negotiating, we were pushing the ambition further and higher. And then to be the first ones backtracking, that would be a truly shameful moment," Sinkevicius told Reuters.in December, countries agreed 23 targets to boost biodiversity, including a goal to have 30% of degraded ecosystems under restoration measures by 2030.
That is echoed in the EU's proposal, which would require countries to introduce measures to restore nature in 30% of certain habitats, such as by reviving dried peatlands or introducing more insect and bird-friendly hedgerows on farms. Sinkevicius said without the bill, which needs to win majority support in next week's vote to survive, Europe would struggle to deliver the international restoration goal.Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, said the EU had been a "strong voice" in the biodiversity talks - but the deal's success rested on whether countries followed up with measures to deliver it.
"The EU's restoration law would not only address the continued loss of nature and biodiversity ... but it would also show global leadership," she said.Reporting by Kate Abnett; Editing by Alexander Smith
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Watch lightning crackle over Europe and Africa in stunning video from powerful new weather satelliteCameras mounted on Europe's new weather satellite will keep an eye on thunderstorms in Europe and Africa like never before.
Read more »
Samsung brings the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro’s advanced ambient sound to EuropeAfter rolling out the Advanced Ambient Sound feature in South Korea back in May, Samsung is now expanding the availability of the update to European countries.
Read more »
Amazon’s first Rivian-made electric vans to arrive in EuropeAmazon.com Inc. said late Monday that the first of its new, custom electric delivery vans made by Rivian Automotive Inc. are arriving in Europe, rolling out...
Read more »
Crypto Giant Binance Struggles in EuropeBinance is struggling in Europe, with the Netherlands and Belgium barring the crypto exchange, Germany holding back an operating license and French prosecutors investigating it
Read more »
Europe stocks set for mixed open as investors await data releasesEuropean stock markets were set for a mixed open Tuesday with investors in wait-and-see mode.
Read more »
Amazon and Rivian bring modified electric van to Europe | AutocarAmazon and Rivian have brought a bespoke electric van to Europe with adaptations for dense Continental cities
Read more »