The European Union (EU) Summit, 2001, in Gothenburg, Sweden, in the guest presence of George W. Bush morphed into a joint EU-US argument over biodiversity and ensuing environmental commitment i.e. 2010 Biodiversity Target. The World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002 confirmed these targets and demanded “the achievement by 2010 of a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biological diversity.” The doubt over feasibility has blindfolded the EU and the world as well and it is presently running off target, I fear.
Main Points of the Communiqué:
In order to ensure efficient achievements of the targets, pictured above, the Consortium laid some firm principles. Lest we go amiss, the entire working hoped to revolve around science-based, practical conservation practices. Processing and decision-making on various issues like public access to information, individual privacy and institutional confidentiality catered to transparency in everything. The specially established Countdown 2010 Secretariat took charge of activities at the local, national, regional and multi-regional level. Most notably, the Countdown had some Executive and Steering groups to guarantee its autonomous stature.
Pros of the contention:
Unsatisfactory implementation spurs unease:
Weighing the pros and cons of targets clearly shows that it might take another 100 years to achieve them. Having taken the wrong direction, Europe, from hereon, needs to be more serious than ever before. Asian and African countries having developed comprehensive national action plans to uphold biodiversity can serve as the moral boosters for the European Union.