Brussels, Belgium (December 13, 2019) – Conservation International Europe Vice President Herbert Lust released the following statement on the European Union’s Green Deal, which proposes a continental carbon neutrality target by 2050 and halving emissions
by 2030.
“We congratulate President von der Leyen and the European Commission for taking this bold step to tackle the climate emergency head-on,” said Lust. “The focus on biodiversity and international cooperation, such as standardizing natural
capital accounting practices and a carbon border tax, is especially important as it provides a comprehensive policy framework for change at scale the EU has needed.
“That said, to create the transformational change we need, we must step up action to address Europe’s carbon emissions from the goods it imports and mobilize investment in critical tropical forests, such as the Amazon.”
“We must go further to work in partnership with developing countries to align policies that will reduce pressures on forests, empower indigenous peoples and local communities who depend on them and make supply chains truly ‘deforest–proof.’
“The Commission needs to look at actions such as creating mandatory due diligence for companies, new requirements for financial institutions and public procurement policies to make this commitment real.”
The science is clear, said Lust. “We have 10 years to alter the trajectory of our planet. We call on the EU Parliament and member states to show strong support for ambitious policies to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss and show global
leadership on ending deforestation in the world.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Fanny Gauttier, Manager, EU Policy and Sustainable Production, Conservation International at fgauttier@conservation.org or +32470338873.
About Conservation International
Conservation International uses science, policy and partnerships to protect the nature that people rely on for food, fresh water and livelihoods. Founded in 1987, Conservation International works in more than 30 countries on six continents to
ensure a healthy, prosperous planet that supports us all. Learn more about Conservation International,
the groundbreaking "Nature Is Speaking" campaign and
its series of virtual reality projects: “Drop in the Ocean,”
"My Africa," “Under the Canopy"
and "Valen's Reef." Follow
Conservation International's work on Conservation News, our blog,
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
