A small compilation of the 10 good ecological news stories of 2023

Reducing deforestation in Amazonia

According to figures from the Brazilian Institute for Space Research (INPE), deforestation in the Amazon has fallen by 22.3% in one year to its lowest level for five years, avoiding the emission of 133 million tonnes of CO2. At the same time, President Lula has pledged to achieve zero deforestation in Brazil by 2030.

The European Commission announces the end of bottom trawling in marine protected areas by 2030

In Europe, because of its harmful impact on biodiversity and its greenhouse gas emissions, the European Commission has announced that it will stop bottom trawling in marine protected areas by 2030. Member States are called upon to phase out this fishing technique according to a set timetable, and the Commission is encouraging the extension of marine protected areas to gradually achieve the objective of protecting 30% of marine space (as defined in the European Biodiversity Plan), in addition to imposing limits on by-catches to preserve vulnerable species.

The historic ban on imports of products linked to deforestation in the European Union

On 19 April, MEPs formalised the ban on importing products linked to deforestation into the European Union, an agreement reached between the Parliament and the Member States in December 2022. MEPs also voted in favour of rigorous border controls on many products, recognising that 16% of global deforestation is attributable to EU imports. This ban is intended to reassure consumers that their purchases are not contributing to the destruction of natural carbon sinks in Asia, Africa or America. Deforestation and forest degradation are responsible for 15-17% of global CO2 emissions, contributing to global climate change.

Nature restoration law adopted by MEPs in July

MEPs have approved the Nature Restoration Act, imposing legally binding targets on Member States for preserving biodiversity and restoring degraded land and sea areas. The legislators agreed on a European target of restoring at least 20% of land areas and 20% of sea areas by 2030. Through an open, transparent and inclusive process, Member States will be required to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.

A historic turning point: COP28 in Dubai includes the abandonment of fossil fuels in its final agreement

For the first time in the history of climate negotiations, the final agreement of the 28ème
Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai includes the need to abandon fossil fuels. Although less ambitious than the immediate phase-out advocated by 130 countries, this marks a step forward from the previous version of the text, which merely mentioned a reduction in fossil fuel consumption. The text stipulates that the phase-out must be "fair and orderly", taking account of national realities, but developing countries are calling for greater precision and for the richest nations to set an example by abandoning fossil fuels first. A first test is scheduled for 2025 in Brazil, with the revision of the nationally determined contributions.

A 2.9% fall in greenhouse gas emissions in the first quarter of 2023

Eurostat has reported a 2.9% decrease in the European Union's greenhouse gas emissions in the first quarter of 2023 compared with the previous year. Of the 27 member countries, 21 managed to reduce their emissions, with the biggest falls recorded in Bulgaria (-15.2%), Estonia (-14.7%) and Slovenia (-9.6%), while in France the decrease was 1%.

Ozone layer expected to recover in four decades

A report by experts backed by the United Nations, published on 9 January, indicates that the ozone layer, which has had a hole in it since 1975, should recover over the next four decades.

EU targets 42.5% renewable energy by 2030

In March, the European Union agreed a new target of 42.5% renewable energy in final energy consumption by 2030. This target represents a ten-point increase on the 2018 decision and is twice as high as the current share of consumption (22% in Europe and 19% in France).

Sharks and sea turtles granted legal status in New Caledonia

In June, the Environmental Code of the Loyalty Islands province in New Caledonia granted legal status to sharks and sea turtles, animals that are emblematic of Kanak culture. This recognition will enable them to be defended as "natural legal entities", a first in France, without having to rely solely on their ecological interest.

A 5% increase in the rhino population by 2022 thanks to anti-poaching measures

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has announced a 5% increase in the African rhino population in one year, to over 23,000 individuals by 2022, thanks to anti-poaching efforts and breeding initiatives.