Biodiversity

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Invasive alien species (IAS), non-native species that pose a threat to biodiversity outside their natural range, are considered to be the second most important cause of biodiversity loss after habitat loss and destruction. The rate of introductions of alien species has grown exponentially in recent years due to increased trade and travel, and their impacts are likely to be exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

IAS present a particularly difficult set of challenges for EU Member States as close cooperation across borders and between various policy areas, economic sectors and stakeholders is necessary to deal with the threats posed. There is, therefore, a clear rationale for EU leadership on the issue, and consequently high hopes are pinned on the EU Strategy on IAS, which is expected to be adopted in early 2011.

IEEP has been involved in IAS issues from an early stage and has been instrumental in supporting the Commission’s work on developing IAS policy measures. We have prepared several key reports for the Commission that outline the impacts of IAS in Europe and set out policy options for tackling the issues posed. Our goal is to support the finalisation of the EU Strategy on IAS and to increase overall awareness of the issue amongst experts and policy-makers alike.

Key work in this area:

Policy options to minimise the negative impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity in Europe and the EU This assessment identifies policy measures available to minimise damage of invasive alien species to European biodiversity in an efficient and cost-effective manner. It also provides preliminary insights on the feasibility of different policy approaches in the EU context.

Recommendations on policy options to minimise the negative impacts of IAS on biodiversity in Europe and the EU. This report summarises the key findings of the IEEP-led project supporting the development of the EU Strategy on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in 2008-09. It also provides conclusions and recommendations on IAS policy options to the Commission.

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Invasive Alien Species

IEEP supports development of Finnish Strategy on Invasive Alien Species

After two years of work by over a hundred experts the Finnish Strategy on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has been published. IEEP’s Marianne Kettunen played a central role in supporting the development of the Strategy.
Assessment to Support Continued Development of the EU Strategy to Combat Invasive Alien Species

This report sets out a suggested outline for key components of the future EU Strategy on Invasive Alien Species. It also provides an initial assessment of the possible scale of costs and benefits associated with EU policy action on IAS.
Assessment of the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) in Europe and the EU

This assessment provides a picture of the different environmental, social and economic costs and benefits of invasive alien species (IAS) in Europe, constituting the first full assessment of all types ...
Analysis of the impacts of policy options and measures to address invasive alien species (IAS)

This assessment presents and analyses existing data on the costs and benefits of different policy measures and actions related to the prevention and control of invasive alien species (IAS). The report ...
IEEP review on Invasive Alien Species receives wide support from the European scientific community

IEEP recently conducted a project for the European Commission reviewing the EU legal and policy framework for invasive alien species (IAS). The outcomes of this project were presented in the fourth International ...
Scope Options for EU Action on Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

The IEEP report 'Scope options for EU action on invasive alien species (IAS)' presents the outcomes of the project analysing the EU legal and policy framework for IAS, at both the Community and Member ...
IEEP speaking at international conference on biological invasions

The fourth International Conference on Biological Invasions (NEOBIOTA conference) will take place in Vienna on 27-29 September. The conference will bring together a wide range of international and European ...

Highlights

Assessment to Support Continued Development of the EU Strategy to Combat Invasive Alien Species

This report sets out a suggested outline for key components of the future EU Strategy on Invasive Alien Species. It also provides an initial assessment of the possible scale of costs and benefits associated with EU policy action on IAS.
Scope Options for EU Action on Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

The IEEP report 'Scope options for EU action on invasive alien species (IAS)' presents the outcomes of the project analysing the EU legal and policy framework for IAS, at both the Community and Member ...
Analysis of the impacts of policy options and measures to address invasive alien species (IAS)