Europe faces credibility gap on biodiversity ahead of COP17

The European Commission’s recent progress report paints a stark picture of internal struggle: of 45 defined targets, only two have been fully achieved, while 25 remain stalled. Although the EU boasts a robust legal framework, including the Nature Restoration Regulation, the practical application is lagging. The deadline for national restoration plans passed on 1 September with only nine member states complying, leaving the bloc without a clear estimate of the resources required to meet its environmental commitments.

Budgetary contradictions and the path forward

The tension is most visible in the proposed 2028-2034 financial framework. While the Commission aims to dedicate 35 percent of the budget to combined climate and environmental goals, it has removed the specific 10 percent target previously earmarked for biodiversity. By folding nature funding into broader categories, the EU risks diluting its focus and losing the transparency necessary for democratic oversight. For the European Parliament delegation in Yerevan, the mission is to reconcile these domestic funding gaps with the global goal of mobilizing $200 billion annually by 2030. Success at the summit will depend on the EU’s willingness to phase out environmentally harmful subsidies and secure dedicated, visible resources for nature protection, proving that its leadership extends beyond mere legislative ambition.