Funding for nature conservation in the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework

The effective implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) and other binding biodiversity targets requires sufficient and reliable funding from both the European Union and the Member States. This paper examines whether the Commission’s proposal for the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the seven-year period from 2028 to 2034 can and will make the necessary contributions to this end. It summarises the first available estimates of the expected financial requirements for nature conservation in the EU and in Germany, and develops scientifically grounded key principles for sustainable biodiversity financing. Drawing on recent studies, the paper demonstrates that the currently planned structure and funding levels of the future EU budget, as well as the 35% mainstreaming target for climate and the environment, remain wholly inadequate and vulnerable to counterproductive greenwashing. Key findings and demands are: (1) the phasing out of environmentally harmful subsidies; (2) the raising and clarification of the spending target (at least 43% for climate and the environment, 10% evidence-based for biodiversity); (3) a consistently impact-oriented use of funds; (4) a CAP design more strongly focused on nature restoration and public goods, and (5) the binding retention and significant expansion of the LIFE programme. Without such a restructuring of the financial architecture, the EU risks failing to meet its legally binding nature and climate targets. The consequences will be considerable long-term ecological and economic damage.