Press Release

Media Briefing: EEB comments on upcoming EU Environment Council meeting, 15th March 2010

[Brussels, 8th March 2010] - The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) has written to EU Environment Ministers ahead of their Council meeting on 15th March urging them to take bold steps on biodiversity, climate, and in their debate on the EU 2020 Strategy.

In the letter, John Hontelez, Secretary General of the EEB, told Ministers that given the failure to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010: “the only way forward for the EU to save credibility is the commitment to not only halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem decline but also to make significant progress in restoration plus a substantial increase of the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss.”

The EEB called for a significant increase in EU’s financing for biodiversity. Currently theoretically 3 billion Euro/year could go to Natura 2000 support from EU funding, but in practice this is not happening due to the voluntarism of that agreement.

The EEB also urges Ministers to re-ignite the EU’s ambition on climate change to regain the role as a key player at international discussions. This includes making ambitious reduction targets and preparation for the EU’s funding contribution to developing countries.

Hontelez told Ministers that the EEB welcomes the Spanish Presidency’s commitment to reach a deal on the soil framework directive. Hontelez told Ministers: “It is vital that this succeeds, after three years of failed attempts by previous Presidencies. Even the Member States who are against a Directive on grounds of principle cannot deny the vital importance of soil in matters such as climate and food security and the delivery of ecosystem services.”

Also, the EEB today wrote to Ministers separately urging them to underline the importance of continuing a strong EU mercury strategy, and to help clear a way forward for the EU to lead discussions towards a robust global mercury treaty.

Concerning the EU-2020 Strategy, the EEB will write the Ministers later this week. It gave its first response in a press-release on the 3rd March.

Contacts:
John Hontelez, Secretary General of the EEB, +32 2289 1091 (direct) Hontelez@eeb.org
Simon Nazer, EEB Press Officer, +32 496438469, press@eeb.org

EEB letter to Ministers can be found here and letter to Ministers concerning mercury here.