European Parliament highlights nature and animals as allies against climate change

Shortly after the EU elections at the beginning of June, the European Parliament started to work on its own resolution for COP29 to present its priorities for this important conference—namely, that all member states contribute financially to climate action. Regardless of the political turmoil caused by the election results, the final resolutions reflect the EU’s long-term priorities and commitments.   

IFAW welcomed the adopted text, which is in line with science and reflects the undisputable benefits of animals. The resolution hails not only the climate mitigation and adaptation benefits of high-carbon ecosystems, such as forests, peatlands, and mangroves, but also the species that enable these ecosystems to function. The European Parliament rightly calls for actions to maximise the ability of nature to help mitigate and adapt to climate change and to minimise its negative impacts on biodiversity. We must stress the fact that conserving ecosystems on land and in the ocean is the most cost-effective nature-based solution to tackle climate change. 

IFAW hopes that the resolution will help decision-makers finally realise the crucial role of animals and the importance of maximising the benefits they bring to ecosystems and to our struggle against climate change—especially since COP16 also recognised the positive role of wild animals in climate mitigation. Animals and nature are our allies in the fight against climate change, and their conservation should be among our top priorities. Wild animals should be seen not as passive bystanders but as active actors who can, if appropriately protected, help massively.