At EU level, several processes have been put in place over the years for the tourism sector to reduce its ecological footprint: the introduction of the European eco-label and EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), the promotion of sustainable and intelligent mobility through a strategy and action plans, encouraging the tourism sector to contribute to the objectives of the EU biodiversity strategy, as tourism depends on healthy ecosystems and their rich resources (e.g. ecotourism has close links to protected areas, such as Natura 2000 sites on land and in the sea).

With the new Sustainable Finance Strategy of 6 July 2021, the EU has made significant progress on the regulation of sustainable finance over the past two years. The EU taxonomy is a cornerstone of the EU framework for sustainable finance and an important tool for market transparency. It allows investments to be targeted at the economic activities most needed for transition, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal. In November 2023, a delegated act establishing technical selection criteria for substantial contribution to the environmental objective "protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems" was adopted. In addition, the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) have established a disclosure and reporting system for financial institutions and companies, respectively, that will ensure greater transparency on the impacts of these actors on the environment, as well as the (financial) risks arising from environmental degradation for these actors. Further progress can be expected in the area of sustainable finance and biodiversity, with the Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) having recently adopted its first set of recommendations.

Mining has increased dramatically due to the demand for mineral resources, mainly from industries such as construction, transport and defence, but also from other sectors such as energy production, information and communication technology and agri-food. European legislation on critical raw materials aims to promote more sustainable exploitation by setting clear standards and targets for the extraction and recycling of these essential materials. By including sustainability requirements in mining practices, the regulation encourages the use of less polluting technologies, the protection of ecosystems and the minimisation of social impacts. The regulation sets requirements for the sustainable sourcing of critical raw materials, whether locally produced or imported. It came into force on 23 May 2024 and must be properly transposed at the national level.

Deep-sea mining raises major questions because of its potential impact on marine biodiversity and fragile ecosystems. Mineral resources on the seabed, such as polymetallic nodules, hydrothermal sulphides and cobalt crusts, are increasingly attracting the attention of extractive industries. In this context, regulation of mining activities is essential, given the gaps in regulation and scientific uncertainties about the long-term effects of exploitation. Belgium favours a rigorous approach and advocates in-depth research to better understand these unique ecosystems and strict regulation, including environmental targets, accompanied by full impact assessments prior to any authorisation. Moreover, Belgium strongly supports the goal of protecting 30% of the oceans, a priority that must be achieved before even considering the development of deep-sea mining activities.

To address this issue holistically, it is essential to integrate biodiversity considerations across all sectors (see Goal 5). In line with Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recommendations, each sector should undergo a thorough assessment of its current practices, commonly known as the "business as usual" approach. This assessment process should be combined with in-depth research on best practices based on national and international experience. Policies should then be implemented to promote sustainability, taking into account the specific social and economic context of each sector.

Effective communication and awareness-raising on the importance of biodiversity conservation are an integral part of this process and promote stakeholder engagement at all levels. In addition, technology and innovation offer significant opportunities to move these sectors towards sustainability. By using cutting-edge developments, negative impacts on biodiversity can be reduced.