22 
 
policies. In addition, by integrating policy coherence for sustainable development in all 
its policies, the EU will reduce the pressure on biodiversity worldwide. In all of it s 
international cooperation, the EU should promote sustainable agricultural and fisheries 
practices and actions to protect and restore the world’s forests. Particular attention will 
also be paid to sustainable water resource management, the restoration of degraded land, 
and the protection and restoration of biodiverse areas with high ecosystem services and 
climate mitigation potential. A better protection of natural ecosystems, coupled with 
efforts to reduce wildlife trade and consumption, will also help pr event and build up 
resilience to possible future diseases and pandemics . The EU will enhance its support to 
global efforts to apply the One Health  approach83, which recognises the intrinsic 
connection between human health, animal health and healthy resilient nature. 
The EU will step up support to partner countries across the world to achieve the new 
global targets, fight environmental crime, and tackle the drivers of biodiversity loss.  In 
Africa, the EU will launch the NaturAfrica initiative to protect wildl ife and key 
ecosystems while offering opportunities in green sectors for local populations. Similar 
projects will be developed in other regions.  The EU will also support the Western 
Balkans and EU Neighbourhood countries in their efforts to protect biodiversity.   
In all of its work, the EU will strengthen the links between biodiversity protection and 
human rights, gender, health, education, conflict sensitivity, the rights -based approach, 
land tenure and the role of indigenous peoples and local communities.  
As part of its global efforts, the EU will promote biodiversity coalitions with partners and 
civil society around the world. For example, in March 2020 , the Commission launched 
the Global Biodiversity Coalition of national parks, aquariums, botanic gardens, zoos, 
natural history and sciencemuseums to help raise awareness around the world on the need 
to protect and nurture biodiversity. The Commission will consider launching or joining 
other High Ambition Coalitions to help develop the post-2020 framework. 
5. CONCLUSION 
Protecting and restoring biodiversity is the only way to preserve the quality and 
continuity of human life on Earth. The commitments proposed in this strategy pave the 
way for ambitious and necessary changes – changes that will ensure the wellbeing and 
economic prosperity of present and future generations in a healthy environment. The 
implementation of these commitments will take into account the diversity of challenges 
across sectors, regions and Member States, recognise the need to ensure  social justice, 
fairness and inclusiveness in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, and will 
require a sense of responsibility and strong joint efforts from the EU, its Member States, 
stakeholders and citizens. 
The Commission invites the Europea n Parliament and the Council to endorse this 
strategy ahead of the 15 th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological 
Diversity. To ensure full political ownership of this strategy, the Commission will 
suggest a standing progress point at the C ouncil and at the European Parliament. It will 
review the strategy by 2024 to assess progress and whether further action is needed to 
meet its objectives. 
                                                 
83  https://www.who.int/features/qa/one-health/en/