Denmark: 2010 biodiversity target is a major political landmark
9 February 2007, Copenhagen, Denmark. The Danish Minister for the Environment, Connie Hedegaard, today confirmed Denmarks commitment to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010. Signing the Countdown 2010 declaration today, Minister Hedegaard announced a substantial increase in funding for nature restoration, and the involvement of civil society and local authorities in the conservation of nature. Denmark is the fourteenth country to join Countdown 2010.
“The 2010 biodiversity target is a major political landmark, and we have to take concrete and tangible steps towards it. It is therefore that we are joining this growing alliance by enforcing our investment in nature, with concrete water and nature projects and local green partnerships”, explains Connie Hedegaard, Danish Minister for the Environment.
The Danish Government has allocated additional DKK 558 million (EUR75 million) through 2007- 2009 for nature restoration projects. The allocation will provide funding for the framework for water and nature restoration work, with a number of major projects aiming at improvement of the aquatic environment and protection of nature in eleven geographic regions in Denmark.
“The 2010 biodiversity target is a global commitment, but achieving it requires local action. The Danish contribution to Countdown 2010 will stimulate activities to save biodiversity”, said Sebastian Winkler, Head of Countdown 2010. “With only few years to go until 2010, all countries now need to take bold steps towards the target.”
Hosted by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), Countdown 2010 is a powerful network of more than 170 active partners all over Europe working together to achieve the 2010 biodiversity target. In addition to Denmark, the governments of Austria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, The Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom use its framework to honour their commitment to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010, made at the EU Summit in Gothenburg 2001.
