EU pledges to raise €20bn a year to boost biodiversity

New strategy to protect nature includes far-reaching habitat protections, and restrictions on pesticide use - but campaigners warn enforcement is key

The European Commission has committed to protecting 30% of the EU's land and oceans by 2030 as part of the European Green Deal, in a plan tentatively welcomed by environment groups who warned far-reaching ambitions must not only exist on paper".

The 10-year plan, published on Wednesday, includes commitments to reduce the use of chemical pesticides by 50%, plant 3bn trees by 2030 and reverse the decline in pollinators. Within the 30% protected areas, a third of land and sea will be under strict protection", meaning there should be no human intervention besides minimal management to keep the area in good condition for wildlife.