On the International Year for Biodiversity, it is high time for the EU to move beyond rhetoric and good words to action. It needs to take account of lessons learned from previous efforts, recent studies such as the EU-financed TEEB and experience from the country and regional levels including local voices on the ground in developing countries.

 

Improved integration of biodiversity and natural ecosystems in EU development cooperation is critical to ensure the new EU 2020 Biodiversity target is reached, progress in tackling poverty does not slip backwards, the MDGs are met and resilience to deal with climate change is built.

 

This must happen now.