Zuhal Demir supports the European strategy for biodiversity protection

“No one can deny that there is an interaction between climate change and biodiversity loss.” Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir fully supports the European Union’s biodiversity strategy. The EU wants to designate at least 30% of the EU’s surface area as protected zones. Zuhal Demir is also calling for a higher budget. “Flanders is determined to tackle the biodiversity crisis to the greatest extent possible.”

Last month, the European Commission launched its biodiversity strategy for the next ten years, together with the Farm-to-fork strategy. It advocates, among other things, the importance of sustainable agriculture for nature conservation and vice versa. However, the EU budget proposal presented by the Commission does not commit even a penny for its own biodiversity strategy. Natuurpunt, WWF Belgium and many other organisations have already denounced this situation.

Ambitious biodiversity strategy requires substantial funding

Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir endorses this position. The EU is currently allocating EUR 5.45 billion to the LIFE programme for the 2021-2027 period. “That may well be an increase compared to the past, but it’s not much compared to other expenditures. An ambitious biodiversity strategy will only be credible if it is heavily financed,” says Zuhal Demir, who argued on behalf of Belgium at the Council for a further increase in funding for the LIFE programme. Zuhal Demir is supported in this by both her Walloon and Brussels counterparts.

Interaction between climate change and biodiversity

“No one can deny that there is an interaction between climate change and biodiversity loss. For example, the fight against drought is important to protect our fauna and flora and not to lose biodiversity. Conversely, healthy ecosystems can contribute to better absorption of CO2 from the air. The restoration of peatlands, wetlands, grasslands, forests and marine ecosystems is crucial to halt biodiversity loss and make our ecosystems more resilient,” Zuhal Demir says.

Flanders is determined

Earlier this week, Zuhal Demir already announced two nature development projects that will, among other things, provide for raised water levels and more carbon storage in the De Liereman nature reserve in the Kempen region and in the Zwarte Beekvallei in Limburg. “Flanders is determined to tackle the biodiversity crisis to the greatest extent possible,” says Zuhal Demir.