Activities of Jessica POLFJÄRD related to 2020/2273(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives (debate)
Amendments (61)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2020 on the new EU Forest Strategy1a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P9_TA(2020)0257
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the report of FOREST EUROPE of 17 December 2020 on the State of Europe's Forests;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 15 November 2017 on an Action Plan for nature, people and the economy1a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0441
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
Citation 10
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Parliament has declared a climate and environmental emergency and approved an ambitious Climate Law report; whereas biodiversity loss and climate change represent equal threats to life on our planeapproved an ambitious Climate Law report;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas agriculture supports 9.6 million jobs in Europe, Natura 2000 has been estimated to support 52 000 direct and indirect jobs in conservation management, and 3.1 million (a quarter) of tourism jobs have links to protected areas;1a _________________ 1aIEEP(2017). Natura 2000 and Jobs Scoping Study. Executive summary.
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the security of supply of food and the production of renewable energy has to be ensured when setting new targets on the Biodiversity Strategy;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas Europe accounts for more protected areas than any other region of the world and the last decades saw a great increase in both the number of protected areas and the total surface area that has received protected status;1a _________________ 1aEuropean Environment Agency (2012). Protected Areas in Europe – an Overview.
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 is one of the key initiatives of the European Green Deal, which aims at making the EU’s economy sustainable and climate-neutral by 2050, protecting, conserving and sustainably using biodiversity, improving the health of citizens and ensuring the sustainability, circularity and inclusiveness of our economy;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas the successful implementation of the Strategy requires an effective cooperation at EU and Member States level including civil society, public authorities and business, in particular stakeholders specifically affected by the measures foreseen in the Strategy, especially in the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and extractive sectors;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its level of ambition; recognises, however, the need for a realistic and balanced approach in the implementation of the Strategy in which all three dimensions (Society, Environment and Economy) of sustainability are acknowledged;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its level of ambition; stresses, however, that it has to respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and to maintain balance of all three dimensions of sustainability; calls for a thorough impact assessment for any legislative proposal from the Commission and a very careful approach towards any new legally binding instruments;
Amendment 159 #
1b. Takes note of the fact that there already exists a substantial network of protected areas within the Union; welcomes the fact that the Union is a global leader when it comes to environmental protection;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Points out that numerous protected areas and habitats only emerged through human use; stresses that for the preservation of these protected areas and habitats further management is essential;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Calls on the Commission to establish regular evidence-based evaluations of the implementation of the Strategy, in order to adjust the measures and targets to a more restraint or ambitious approach; stresses the importance of appropriate target-related measures taking into account active market demand; calls on the Commission to submit mid-term reviews for every legislative proposal corresponding to the strategy;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 e (new)
Paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Stresses that biodiversity is also crucial for safeguarding food security in the EU; highlights the important role of the European agricultural sector regarding the production of healthy, safe and affordable foods;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes the significant achievements of sustainable forest management (SFM) since the 1990s in increasing the land- area covered by forests in Europe by 9 per cent and simultaneously strengthening of carbon storage in the European forests by 50 per cent, while maintaining the populations of common bird species (State of Europe's Forests 2020); highlights the importance of long-term sustainable management and use of peatlands and forests, as well as protection; considers that SFM is an effective way to maintain and enhance biodiversity, the vitality of forests and the adaptation to changing conditions, as well as to prevent damages, such as pests, non-native species and diseases, also in the protected areas;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses the need for a well- balanced Biodiversity Strategy taking into account both environmental, economic and health aspects;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Regrets that while the Union has neither fully met the 2020 biodiversity strategy objectives nor the global Aichi Biodiversity Targets, good progress has been achieved in protecting and sustainably using biodiversity both in marine and terrestrial areas1a; _________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press/sustai nable-fisheries-commission-takes-stock- progress-implementation-eus-common- fisheries_en
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Emphasises the role of climate change as a key driver behind biodiversity loss;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Recognises the efforts made until now by the EU Member States and by different sectors and stakeholders, especially in agriculture and forestry; highlights the fact that sustainable and effective management of natural processes is of the utmost importance for maintaining biodiversity, particularly in relation to the negative impact of climate change; acknowledges that the EU already has the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Notes the significant achievements of sustainable forest management since the 1990s in increasing the land-area covered by forests in Europe by 9 % and simultaneously strengthening carbon storage in the European forests by 50 %, while maintaining the populations of common bird species1a; highlights the importance of long-term sustainable management and use of peatlands and forests, as well as protection; considers sustainable forest management as an effective way to maintain and enhance biodiversity, the vitality of forests and the adaptation to changing conditions, as well as to prevent damages, such as pests, non- native species and diseases, also in the protected areas; _________________ 1a State of Europe's Forests 2020
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the pandemic has demonstrated the importance of the ‘One Health’ principle in policy-making and that transformative changes in the lifestyle of the whole society are needed; calls for an urgent rethinking of how to align the Union’s current policies with the changes needed; highlights how the pandemic has also demonstrated the importance of a resilient food system to ensure that European citizens have access to safe, affordable and high quality products even under challenging conditions and this should not be taken for granted;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the pandemic has demonstrated the importance of the ‘One Health’ principle in policy-making and that transformative changes are needed; calls for an urgent rethinking of how to align the Union’s current polici throughout society; emphasises the need to align the Union’s biodiversity initiatives with other changes neededlimate and environmental policies;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to carry out an Impact Assessment on every single target set within the Biodiversity Strategy, to ensure that every measure set increases biodiversity by itself;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recommends that a thorough scientific investigation be carried out at EU level to assess the effectiveness and enforcement of EU legislation in the fight against wildlife trafficking and the measures taken against it; calls for a broad international approach and cooperation on pandemic prevention and for enhanced law enforcement on all aspects of the illegal wildlife trade;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Points out that achieving the EU´s goals for the environment, climate and biodiversity will never be possible without forests that are multifunctional, healthy and sustainably and managed applying a long-term perspective, together with viable forest-based industries;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls on the Commission to carry out holistic and cumulative impact assessments of the implementation of the strategy’s measures and targets on the social and economic sustainability of agriculture and forestry in and outside of the EU, and on food security and prices;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Points out the need to develop a coherent approach to bring together biodiversity protection and climate protection in a thriving forest-based sector and bio-economy;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses strong support forNotes the targets of protecting at least 30 % of the Union’s marine and terrestrial areas, and of strictly protecting at least 10 % of these areas, including primary and old-growth forests; stresses that these should be binding and implemented by Member States in accordance with science-based criteria and biodiversity needs; underlines that in addition to increasing protected areas, the quality of protected areas should be ensured and clear conservation plans implemented; stresses that these targets must be preceded by the establishment of clear criteria and definitions and implemented in accordance with science-based criteria;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Underlines that for the successful conservation of protected areas, including strictly protected areas, decision-making at the site level together with the Member States should be promoted, taking into account regional characteristics within the EU and the international obligations resulting from the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework to be agreed at the upcoming 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity;
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recognises the positive impact of sustainable forest management has on European forest biodiversity; notes that forest protection and production are not in contradiction, but rather complementary goals and can be coupled;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Expresses its concern about a possible common EU-level definition on old-growth forests;
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Recalls the European Parliament Resolution of 15 November 2017 on an Action Plan for nature, people and the economy and reiterates its call to the Commission to fully implement the Habitats Directive by developing an assessment procedure to enable the protection status of species in particular regions to be amended as soon as the desired conservation status is reached;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Stresses that the promotion of sustainable forest management in the EU has had a positive impact on forests and forest conditions and on livelihoods in rural areas, as well as on the biodiversity of forests in the EU;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Emphasises that any forthcoming initiatives must respect fundamental legal principles such as land and forest ownership rights;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Recognises that long-term public and private investments in a reinforced sustainable forest management which places equal focus on the social, environmental and economic benefits of forests can help ensure forests´ resilience and adaptive capacity, as well as achieving the transition to a circular bio- economy and the promotion of biodiversity;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Emphasises that many Member States have a long history of sustainable human activities in protected areas; is of the opinion that new targets for designated protected areas should reflect this fact;
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Notes with concern the current direction of processes in the Commission to define strictly protected areas; in particular, opposes the draft proposal to define fishing and hunting activities as 'extractive activities';
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 e (new)
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4e. Is of the opinion that recreational activities such as hiking and sustainable recreational fishing and hunting are compatible with the protection and conservation of the environment, even in strictly protected areas; emphasises that public access to and interest in Europe's nature is an important part of a successful implementation of the Union's environmental and biodiversity objectives;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses that the protection targets and associated measures should take into account the precise conditions and opportunities of each country;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Calls for the development of definitions and criteria for the designation of “protected areas” as well as “strictly protected areas”; highlights in this respect that in protected areas sustainable agriculture and forestry could be performed and in areas with a stricter level of protection certain human activities may be allowed, which are essential to maintain cultural landscapes and which stand in line with the conservation objectives of the protected area;
Amendment 463 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that the EU has committed to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030, but that this target is unlikely to be achieved; sees forestry as a demonstrator for a green infrastructure that provides indispensable ecosystem services for people, nature and the economy and delivers the preconditions for a smart green and regional economy; calls on the Commission, therefore, to present an EU- level strategy on desertification and land degradation;
Amendment 515 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Expresses its support for the 2030 targets of bringing at least 25 % of agricultural land under organic farm management, which should become the norm in the long term, and ensuring that at least 10 % of agricultural land consists of high-diversity landscape features, which should be implemented at farm level, targets which should both be incorporated into EU legislationTakes note of the growing demand for organic agricultural products and expresses its support for the ambition to help European farmers and producers to meet this demand; considers it imperative that farmers receive support and training in the transition towards agroecologicalmore sustainable practices;
Amendment 542 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses that many Member States already follow as many ecological practices as possible; underlines that it must be taken into account that not all farmers have the possibility to switch to organic farming; mentions that conventional farming can also contribute to increasing biodiversity;
Amendment 651 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that the new EU Forest Strategy must be fully aligned with the Climate Law and the Biodiversity Strategystand-alone; calls for the inclusion in the Nature Restoration Plan of specific binding targets for the protection and restoration of forest ecosystems, which should also be incorporated into the new Forest Strategy;
Amendment 658 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Underlines that the new EU Forest Strategy must be stand-alone, holistic and a coherent enabler for forest-related policies, including the Climate Law and the Biodiversity Strategy; urges the Commission to address the forest-specific measures of the European Green Deal in the Standing Forestry Committee with a strong mandate from the EU Forest Strategy; reiterates that Member States continue to decide, as highlighted in the views of the Council and the Parliament on the EU Forest Strategy, on policies on forestry and forests;
Amendment 671 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that the Union’s tree planting initiatives should be based on proforestation, the multifunctionality of forests, sustainable reforestation and the greening of urban areas; calls on the Commission to ensure that these initiatives are carried out only in a manner compatible with and conducive to the biodiversity objectiveeconomic, social and ecological, including climate change and the biodiversity objectives related to Europe's forests;
Amendment 672 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that the Union’s tree planting initiatives should be based on proforestationthe multifunctionality of forests, sustainable reforestation and the greening of urban areas; calls on the Commission to ensure that these initiatives are carried out only in a manner compatible with and conducive to the biodiversity objectiveeconomic, social and ecological objectives related to Europe's forests;
Amendment 697 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to urgently present a proposal for an EU legal framework based on mandatory due diligence that ensures sustainable and deforestation-free value chainReiterates its call to the Commission to present an impact assessed proposal to take action favouring the restoration of forests globally and for sustainable and deforestation-free value chains, while ensuring competitiveness of EU based businesses, especially SMEs;
Amendment 715 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its concern that the majority of the ranges of terrestrial species will decrease significantly in a 1.5 to 2°C scenario; highlights, therefore, the need to prioritise environmentally friendly and nature-based solutions in meeting climate mitigation goals and in adaptation strategies and to increase the protection of natural carbon sinks in the EU, while ensuring to use the full potential of biogenic resources in order to achieve the phasing-out of fossil fuels as fast as possible in order to achieve the objective of the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 728 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its concern that the majority of the ranges of terrestrial species will decrease significantly in a 1.5 to 2°C scenarioif nothing is done to halt climate change; highlights, therefore, the need to prioritise nature-based solutionsustainable management of natural resources in meeting climate mitigation goals and in adaptation strategies and to increase the protection ofmaintain and strengthen natural carbon sinks in the EU;
Amendment 752 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to prepare a long-term EU action plan on climate and biodiversity thatBelieves that the European Green Deal should be the framework to improves coherence and interconnections for future actions, and integrates commitments under the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 755 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Considers that sustainably managed forests and resulting wood- based products are essential in achieving the UN SDGs and European Green Deal targets and in tackling climate change by strengthening carbon stocks in forests and wood-products and by facilitating material substitution; Emphasises that to ensure consistency, these benefits should be horizontally recognised in EU's forest- related policies, including those on biodiversity;
Amendment 791 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission’s targets of reducing the use of more hazardous and chemical pesticides by 50 %, the use of fertilisers by at least 20 % and nutrient losses by at least 50 % by 2030, which should be made binding; considers that the derogation envisaged in Article 53(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 should be clarified and must only be applied for heal; considers that proposals for restrictions and reductions should be based on comprehensive and holistic risk evaluations rather th and environmental reason on arbitrary targets;
Amendment 815 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Underlines that European farmers play a crucial role in the protection of nature and make important contributions to biodiversity;
Amendment 1015 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Commission to reinforce biodiversity within Union youth programmes such as the European Voluntary Service, and to launch a Green Erasmus programme focused on restoration and conservation; reiterates its calls for a specific mission and funding dedicated to biodiversity within future research programmes;
Amendment 1027 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls on the Commission to facilitate agricultural innovation and the access to these technologies for European farmers in the pursuit of further protecting biodiversity by incentivising technologies, including biopesticides and digital tools with a proportionate and evidence-based regulatory framework which can support the need for monitoring and decision-making;
Amendment 1208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls on the Commission to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the recent revision of the Renewable Energy Directive and continue to assess the use of biomass for biofuels as part of the upcoming review; stresses that the use of wood, especially of damaged wood, for bioenergy should increase the size and sustainability of the EU’s and the world’s forests in the light of the rising demand for energy from renewable sources;