Nature Conservation & Biodiversity
The European Union stretches from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean. It includes a vast range of natural habitats and a great diversity of flora and fauna. Despite improved conservation policies introduced in the former 25 Member States of the EU, biodiversity continues to be under serious threat. The EU has estimated that 42 per cent of our native mammals, 15 per cent of birds, 45 per cent of butterflies, 30 per cent of amphibians, 45 per cent of reptiles and 52 per cent of freshwater fish are threatened, and some species are under imminent threat of extinction. Intensification of farming, economic development and climate change constitute the main agents of loss and 'modernisation' of wildlife - rich new member states Romania and Bulgaria are of increasing concern.
Under the Sustainable Development Strategy launched by EU leaders in Gothenburg in 2001, halting the loss of biodiversity in the EU by 2010 is a priority, and similar 2010 targets also exist at the international and pan-European levels. In order to meet these targets, it will be vital that robust policies are in place to support Member State actions, and also that existing policy instruments are being effectively implemented.
IEEP undertakes work on a number of areas of relevance to nature and biodiversity, including:
- the Common Agricultural Policy - aiming to promote biodiversity conservation, avoid land abandonment and combat climate change;
- funding of nature conservation - to enable effective conservation actions, sufficient funds must be made available. IEEP has worked on specific projects related to Article 8 of the Habitats Directive, and has advised Member States on funding available from EU sources;
- marine implementation - the next major challenge for the nature Directives will be their effective implementation in the marine environment;and
- assessment of progress to 2010 - Europe's 2010 goal is ambitious and approaching fast. IEEP is a member of the Steering Group of IUCN's Countdown 2010 programme, and has been involved in assessing progress in implementation of the nature Directives.
We offer in depth expertise across the biodiversity and nature conservation field and undertake work for a range of clients including the European Commission, central government departments and agencies, and non-governmental organisations. IEEP contributes to IUCN's Regional Office for Europe newsletter, through an insert called Brussels in Brief, summarising EU policy developments of relevance to nature conservation and biodiversity. For a complete list of our reports that relate to nature and biodiversity, including the IUCN newsletter, please select 'nature', 'biodiversity' or 'IUCN' in the quick search menu on our publications page.
For interviews, comment and articles, please contact our policy specialists Graham Tucker, Marianne Kettunen, Sonja Gantioler and A.J. McConville