Policy Frameworks and Ecological Compensation Models for a Sustainable Future
Biodiversity loss is a growing concern globally, with ecosystems and wildlife facing unprecedented threats from habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and other human activities. The scale of the problem is enormous, with estimates suggesting that we may be facing a mass extinction event on par with those seen in previous geological eras (1). This loss of biodiversity has significant implications for human well-being, including impacts on food security, human health, and economic prosperity.
In Europe, biodiversity loss is also a significant challenge, with a wide range of ecosystems and species under threat from a range of human activities (2). This loss of biodiversity has been driven by factors such as habitat destruction, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change, which have all had significant impacts on Europe's flora and fauna.
The recent Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity has highlighted the urgent need to address biodiversity loss, warning that the current economic system is driving unsustainable levels of consumption and putting our natural resources at risk (3). The report argues that we need to rethink our economic systems to better account for the value of nature and biodiversity, and to develop more sustainable models of production and consumption.
To address this issue, the European Union has developed a number of policy frameworks and initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring biodiversity. One such initiative is the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which sets out ambitious targets to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030 (4). This strategy includes a range of measures such as increasing the protection of habitats and species, promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry, and mainstreaming biodiversity considerations into other policy areas.
Another important policy framework is the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities, which provides a classification system for economic activities that contribute to environmental objectives such as climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation (5). The taxonomy aims to provide a common language for investors, companies, and policymakers to identify sustainable economic activities and encourage investment in them.
At biodiversity.fi, we are committed to promoting biodiversity conservation and restoration through our ecological compensation model, which helps to increase pollinator populations and restore degraded agricultural land. Our model is based on an area-based compensation approach, which enables us to quantify the net benefits of our restoration activities and provides a clear and measurable way for companies to contribute to biodiversity conservation.
In summary, biodiversity loss is a significant challenge globally and in Europe, with a range of human activities contributing to the problem. The Dasgupta Review has highlighted the urgent need to address this issue and to rethink our economic systems to better account for the value of nature and biodiversity. To address this challenge, the European Union has developed a number of policy frameworks and initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring biodiversity, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities. By working together, we can help protect and restore the diversity of life on Earth and ensure a sustainable future for all.
References:
- IPBES. (2019). Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Retrieved from https://ipbes.net/global-assessment-report-biodiversity-ecosystem-services.
- European Environment Agency. (2020). State of Nature in the EU. Retrieved from https://www.eea.europa.eu/soer-2020/europe/biodiversity.
- Dasgupta, P. (2021). The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review.
- European Commission. (2020). EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Retrieved from https://