National Biodiversity Strategy 2030 — Combining Biodiversity Conservation and Industrial Development Together
Biodiversity is a topic of increasing importance to German industry. A variety of factors play a decisive role here, including resource security, the development of new business opportunities, risk management and regulatory requirements. Biodiversity and the associated ecosystem services are of strategic importance to companies. The protection and sustainable use of biodiversity not only contribute to the long-term success of companies but are also crucial to the long-term sustainability and resilience of our economic systems.
Economics as part of Sustainability
In line with the three pillars of sustainability—ecology, economy, and social issues—the new, ambitious goals of the National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) 2030 should not result in economically unreasonable restrictions or conflicts of use for companies in Germany. When setting these goals, both at the planning and policy levels, the current situation in the industrial sector must be given due consideration. BDI supports the goal of preserving and strengthening biodiversity in Germany. Intact ecosystems and biodiversity are a vital foundation for economic value creation, security of supply, and the long-term resilience of companies. At the same time, the NBS 2030 must be designed in such a way that it reconciles ecological goals with the requirements of a competitive industrial location.
Less bureaucracy and close coordination with existing guidelines
From BDI’s perspective, the proposed measures must not place a disproportionate burden on companies. The strategy should be closely aligned with the goals agreed upon at the European and international levels and should not include any additional national restrictions beyond those goals. In particular, the repeated reference to the EU Nature Restoration Regulation—which had not yet been adopted at the time—should be viewed critically. National targets should only be specified once the European legislation has been finalized. Furthermore, BDI warns of additional bureaucracy and duplicate regulation. Companies are already subject to extensive European reporting requirements on sustainability and biodiversity. New requirements should therefore be thoroughly assessed for their necessity and coordinated with existing regulations. Voluntary contributions by the business community to biodiversity conservation should be strengthened and not hindered by additional burdens.
Considering Industrial Applications
BDI calls for protected areas, restoration measures, and habitat networks to be planned with due consideration for existing industrial uses. New conservation zones must not lead to conflicts with industrial, infrastructure, energy, or raw materials projects. Transparent criteria, reliable data, and the early involvement of all affected stakeholders are essential. From an industrial perspective, practical exemptions for necessary economic activities are particularly important. Restoration measures and nature conservation requirements must ensure planning certainty and must not hinder the transformation of the economy and energy supply. At the same time, responsibility for national biodiversity targets should lie with the government and not be unilaterally transferred to companies or project developers.
Nationaler Wiederherstellungsplan (NWP) – mehr Planungssicherheit und Augenmaß benötigt
Der BDI sieht im Entwurf des Nationalen Wiederherstellungsplans (NWP) zur Umsetzung der EU-Verordnung zur Wiederherstellung der Natur (W-VO) erheblichen Nachbesserungsbedarf. Zwar unterstützt die deutsche Industrie die Ziele des Natur- und Biodiversitätsschutzes grundsätzlich, der vorliegende Entwurf bleibt jedoch in vielen Bereichen zu unkonkret und schafft erhebliche Unsicherheiten für Unternehmen und Investitionen.
BDI-Stellungnahme zur Nationalen Strategie zur biologischen Vielfalt in Deutschland
Das Themenfeld Biodiversität ist für die deutsche Industrie von großer Bedeutung. Eine Vielzahl von Faktoren spielen hier eine entscheidende Rolle, darunter die Sicherheit von Ressourcen, die Erschließung neuer Geschäftschancen, das Risikomanagement, die regulatorischen Anforderungen und das wachsende Interesse von Verbraucherinnen und Verbrauchern, Investorinnen und Investoren und anderen Interessengruppen an der Nachhaltigkeitsleistung von Unternehmen. Der Schutz und die nachhaltige Nutzung der biologischen Vielfalt tragen nicht nur zum langfristigen Erfolg von Unternehmen bei, sondern sind auch entscheidend für die langfristige Nachhaltigkeit und Resilienz unserer Wirtschaftssysteme.