More than 1,750 scientists, researchers and academics have signed an open letter urging the European Commission to close the growing biodiversity funding gap in the upcoming EU budget. The letter, initiated by Scientists for Future Austria, warns that without major financial support, Europe’s nature and future are at serious risk.
In an online press briefing, on June 26, leading scientists stressed the urgent need for biodiversity to be prioritised in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034). The European Commission is set to publish its draft on 16 July, and many fear biodiversity will again be overlooked.
Carla Freund from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis said the next few years will decide whether the EU meets its key Green Deal targets. She warned that the EU’s main biodiversity programme, LIFE, faces an uncertain future due to low funding.
Franz Essl, from the University of Vienna, highlighted the dramatic decline in European habitats and species. He explained how poor ecosystem health increases disaster risks like flooding, and affects food security by threatening pollinators vital to crops.
Both experts stressed that restoring nature also creates jobs and strengthens communities. However, current EU funding remains far too low to meet biodiversity goals, despite long-term economic and social costs of inaction being far higher.
The scientists called on EU leaders to act decisively. Without stronger investment in nature, Europe will fall short of its environmental commitments and lose crucial resilience for the future.
