Closing Remarks by European Commission President von der Leyen at the Leaders Pledge for Nature: Transformative Action for Nature and People

22.09.2021

22 September 2021 – Closing Remarks (Video Message) by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the United Nations General Assembly Event on the Leaders Pledge for Nature – Transformative Action for Nature and People

 

Dear Excellencies,

Dear friends,

 

One year ago, I joined 64 other leaders from around the world to launch the Leaders Pledge for Nature.

 

We committed to turning the tide of biodiversity loss already in this decade.

 

Today’s interventions have been encouraging. They demonstrate that awareness is rising, expectations are growing, and progress is happening - around the world.

 

The European Green Deal is how we, Europeans, intend to fix our relationship with nature. Reconciling economic growth with the health of our planet. The European Green Deal is about making Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050.

 

But there is much more in it.  We want to protect at least 30% of Europe’s land and sea area. In the coming months, we will also propose legally binding European targets for nature restoration.

 

And today, I would like to offer to all our partners to step up our cooperation on protecting nature and biodiversity.

 

I am proud to announce that the European Union will double its funding for biodiversity, in particular for the most vulnerable countries, in our new seven-year budget.

 

This will support an ambitious and more effective new Global Biodiversity Framework.

 

We want to work with our international friends on a new generation of green alliances and partnerships.

 

We aim to jointly step up our climate and biodiversity commitments across the globe.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

 

It is time to Make Peace with Nature.

 

The future of humanity depends on how we treat our common home, and the other species that share this planet with us.