The EU is making significant progress towards its global biodiversity targets, according to a new report, yet a swifter response is vital to protect the natural systems that underpin our water, food, and economy.
The EU’s 7th National Report on Biodiversity, published today, finds that the EU has made progress toward the 45 targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), with two already achieved.
The assessment also highlights the importance of scaling up implementation across Member States to ensure delivery of all EU targets by 2030.
A detailed, target-by-target assessment of EU progress towards the 2030 biodiversity targets is set out in Annex III of the Staff Working Document and will be uploaded to the CBD’s online reporting tool in the coming days.
The EU’s targets, which were submitted to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in August 2024, reflect EU legislation and policies and are fully aligned with the 23 global targets in the KMGBF adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties (CBD COP15) in 2022.
All Parties to the CBD, including the EU and its Member States, are due to report on their progress by the end of February. These reports will feed into a Global Review of Implementation at the CBD COP17 in Armenia this October, which should encourage Parties to step up their efforts where needed.
“This assessment shows that the European Union has put a strong framework in place to protect and restore nature, but it also makes clear that implementation must now accelerate. The Nature Restoration Regulation will help turn commitments into real improvements for people and businesses, from healthier soils and cleaner water to stronger protection against climate risks
Investing in biodiversity is not a cost – it is an investment in Europe’s prosperity, resilience and security.”
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy
Key findings
The assessment confirms that the EU – together with Member States – continues to play a leading role in financing global biodiversity action. The EU has also made a major effort to implement, supported by a comprehensive legislative and policy framework for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of ecosystems within the EU.
But policies alone are not enough. Delivering results – from restored wetlands to healthier forests and more resilient farmland – will be decisive to safeguard citizens’ quality of life, economic stability and climate resilience.
For example, the Nature Restoration Regulation, now in force, is translating one of the EU’s key biodiversity targets into concrete action – restoring ecosystems to improve water and food security, protect communities from climate risks and support Europe’s long-term resilience and prosperity.
Stepping up action
To support delivery, the EU has launched a series of new initiatives in 2025, including:
The EU Water Resilience Strategy, to protect and restore the water cycle;The European Ocean Pact, bringing together EU ocean policies to restore ocean health;The new Bioeconomy Strategy, promoting a clean, competitive and resilient bio-based economy across agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture and biotechnologies, as well as sectors depending on them, such as food processing and retail, and;A Roadmap towards nature credits to incentivise and reward private investment in nature.
Implementation of existing legislation has been reinforced through support to Member States, e.g. to implement the Nature Restoration Regulation and prepare national restoration plans, creating new opportunities for nature-positive investment and innovation, and strengthened engagement with businesses through the EU Business and Biodiversity Platform. EU funding programmes, including agricultural, fisheries, regional and research funds, continue to support restoration, innovation and nature-positive business models.
Global leadership and financing
The implementation of existing legislation has been reinforced through support to Member States, e.g. to implement the Nature Restoration Regulation and prepare national restoration plans, create new opportunities for nature-positive investment and innovation, and strengthen engagement with businesses through the EU Business and Biodiversity Platform.
EU funding programmes, including agricultural, fisheries, regional and research funds, continue to support restoration, innovation and nature-positive business models.
Background
In 2022, countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15). The framework sets four global goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss worldwide. The 45 EU targets address all elements of these 23 global targets.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), brings together 196 Parties, including the EU and all its Member States, to conserve biodiversity, ensure its sustainable use and promote fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
By February 2026, Parties are required to report on their progress. These reports will feed into a global review of implementation of the KMGBF at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17) in October 2026.
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