EU Environment Council adopts mandate for ambitious global biodiversity framework

At the EU Environment Ministers meeting, Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke successfully pushed for the EU to champion ambitious results at the upcoming CBD COP 15 in Montreal. Today, the 27 member states laid down shared principles for the COP 15 negotiations taking place from 7 to 19 December. The EU can now participate in the negotiations with a strong mandate for an ambitious global biodiversity framework. The goals it supports include effectively conserving at least 30 percent of global land and 30 percent of oceans by 2030.

Minister Lemke commented: "Alongside the climate emergency and pollution, the loss of biodiversity is one of the three existential environmental crises. With a new global biodiversity framework, we want to reverse the trend in species extinction and destruction of natural ecosystems worldwide. At COP 15 we must show that, despite multiple crises, the international community is still capable of action. It is imperative that we not only adopt goals but also start to act. Implementation of the global targets needs effective monitoring and a mechanism for raising ambition if these targets are not achieved."

For successful implementation of the global biodiversity framework, the industrialised countries need to increase their pledges for international funding at COP 15. Germany has already sent a signal for Montreal by doubling its present investment to an annual 1.5 billion euros from 2025 at the latest. These funds will be available for measures to conserve, sustainably use and restore biodiversity.

As well as conclusions on CBD COP 15, the Environment Council also discussed the EU negotiating mandate for the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 27). Jennifer Morgan, the Special Representative of the Federal Government for International Climate Action, therefore joined Federal Environment Minister Lemke at the Environment Council. The climate crisis is closely connected to biodiversity loss and the destruction of nature. The German government supports leveraging strong synergies between the two conferences.

The Environment Council also approved the common charger directive. USB-C will be the new standard for mobile phones and tablets from the end of 2024, and for laptops from 2026. This will substantially reduce electrical waste. The Federal Consumer Protection Ministry successfully advocated expanding the scope of this provision to cover many other devices besides smart phones, such as tablets, e-readers, digital cameras, headphones and gaming consoles.

Federal Minister Steffi Lemke: "This makes life easier for consumers, saves people money and protects the environment. At last we can say goodbye to cable clutter. I am very pleased that, from the end of 2024, only the sale of standard chargers with a USB-C port will be allowed for mobile phones and many other devices."