nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 1

Nature and Biodiversity Newsletter Number 48 | July 2020

NATURA 2000 ISSN2443-7727

EU biodiversity strategy for 2030

Environment 2 nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 © Jennifer Jacquemart /EC – Audiovisual Service – Audiovisual /EC Jacquemart © Jennifer Natura 2000 nature and biodiversity newsletter July 2020 Contents 3–5 EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 6–7 Restoring ecosystems across land and sea 8–9 Natura2000 barometer – update June 2020 10–13 The new Farm to Fork Strategy 14–16 Natura News © Suzi Eszterhas/naturepl.com © Suzi Editorial

Over the past few months, COVID-19 has caused major disruption to our society, economy and taken a heavy toll on lives and livelihoods. We are now beginning to come to terms with the true scale of its impact, and finding ways to kick-start recovery in Europe and around the globe. © Jan ©Skriver Jan We will draw many lessons from the pandemic. But one thing has become abundantly clear – the intimate connection that exists between our health, our economy, and the natural environment. Our new Strategies for Biodiversity and Farm to Fork, launched in May as part of our wider European Green Deal, acknowledge these connections, and will help rebuild society with a new drive to protect and strengthen the natural world we depend on.

The Recovery Package proposed by the Commission one week after the adoption of the new strategies follows the same logic, and enjoys the same level of ambition. It marks a new determination to build back

© iStock better, basing the strength and competitiveness of our economy on its sustainability, and opening the way to a future that is circular, climate-neutral, digital and socially just.

I am truly proud of the two new Strategies. They are comprehensive, ambitious, and achievable. And they reinforce each other, bringing together nature, farmers, business and consumers in a common effort to deliver greater sustainability.

Implementation of the Strategies needs to be inclusive, and I will strive to create a common sense of ownership, for the young and the old, those living in cities and those in the countryside, NGOs and industry, environmentalists, as well as farmers, fishers and foresters. We will all benefit, collectively, when we bring © Klein & ©Hubert/naturepl.com Klein nature back into our lives.

There is plenty of work ahead, and I am counting on you and your support, your ideas and input as we travel this path together. By striking the right balance, we will deliver a greener, healthier, more resilient society.

Cover: Field of poppy flowers, Málaga province, Andalusia, Spain. Virginijus Sinkevičius © Alamy European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 3 © robertharding/Alamy Stock Photo Photo Stock © robertharding/Alamy

The slopes of the Vrsic pass in the Julian Alps, Gorenjska, Slovenia. The Biodiversity Strategy calls for the strict protection of all the EU’s remaining primary and old-growth forests. EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Bringing nature back into our lives

“ The EU Last December, the European pandemic has illustrated just world has already lost €3.5 – Commission launched its how intricate the link is between 18.5 trillion per year in ecosystem Biodiversity ambitious European Green Deal. our own health and that of our services from 1997 to 2011 due (see previous issue). The Deal natural environment. It has to land cover change alone. Strategy will maps out a new, sustainable become increasingly clear that Restoring and protecting also help kick and inclusive growth strategy to protecting and restoring Europe’s nature will also be a vital ally in boost Europe’s economy, improve biodiversity is essential for re- the fight against climate change. start Europe’s people’s health and quality of enforcing our own resilience to Many of the problems facing economic life, and turn Europe into the future pandemics. climate and biodiversity are world’s first climate neutral The EU Biodiversity Strategy intrinsically linked. But just as recovery after continent by 2050. will also help kick start Europe’s the crises are linked, so are the Five months later in May, the economic recovery after solutions. COVID-19. ” Commission published its new COVID-19. Investing significantly To address all these issues, EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030. in nature restoration and nature the new Biodiversity Strategy It forms an integral part of the based solutions will create new sets as a headline target to Green Deal and, together with the jobs and provide fresh business ensure that ‘by 2050 all of the Farm to Fork Strategy announced opportunities for many sectors of world’s ecosystems are restored, the same day, aims to bring the economy. resilient and adequately nature back into our lives. The economic case for protected’, in line with the The two new strategies set out restoring biodiversity is truly 2030 Agenda for Sustainable a comprehensive package of EU- compelling. The World Economic Development and the Paris wide actions and commitments Forum recently stated that Agreement on Climate change. to put Europe’s biodiversity back biodiversity loss and ecosystems The four main pillars of the on the path to recovery by 2030, collapse are among the biggest new EU Biodiversity Strategy and transition towards a more threats facing humanity in the are to protect nature, to restore sustainable food system. next decade, threatening the nature, to enable transformative The timing couldn’t be more very foundations of our economy. change and to set an ambitious appropriate. The recent COVID-19 According to their estimates, the Global Agenda. 4 nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020

new impetus to this work by Finally, as the Overseas 1. Nature protection: Key commitments to 2030 improving implementation and Countries and Territories also • Legally protect at least 30% of the EU’s land area and 30% increasing resources. host important biodiversity of its seas The Biodiversity Strategy also hotspots, the Commission will • Strictly protect at least a third of the EU’s protected areas, goes one step further in calling encourage relevant Member including all remaining primary and old-growth forests for an increase in protected area States to consider promoting • Create ecological corridors as part of a true Trans European coverage so that more areas biodiversity rules and regulations Nature Network of high biodiversity value or that match those already Effectively manage all protected areas potential can be safeguarded. applicable in the EU. • The target is to protect at least 30% of the land and 30% of the A new Nature Restoration surrounding seas. Plan for Europe 2. Restoring nature: Key commitments to 2030 Additionally, the new Strategy The second pillar of the new • Legally binding targets to be proposed in 2021 calls for at least one third Biodiversity Strategy focuses • Ensure no deterioration in any protected habitats and of these protected areas – on restoring nature across species by 2030, and a favourable status or strong positive representing 10% of EU land and significant parts of the European trend for at least 30% 10% of EU seas – to be strictly territory. Recognising that • At least 25% of agricultural land to be Organically farmed protected. In particular, all the restoration efforts up to now • At least 10% of agricultural land to be transformed into of EU’s remaining primary and have been somewhat piecemeal biodiverse landscape features old-growth forests should be and small-scale, the strategy • Reduce use of pesticides and fertilisers by 20% mapped, monitored and strictly proposes two strands of actions • Plant 3 billion additional trees respecting ecological principles protected, along with significant to strengthen the EU legal • Reverse decline in pollinators areas of other carbon-rich framework for nature restoration. • Remediate contaminated soil sites ecosystems, such as peatlands, Firstly, and subject to an • Restore 25,000km free flowing rivers; grasslands, wetlands and impact assessment, the • New Urban Greening Platform: the Green City Accord; seagrass meadows. Commission will put forward • Halve the number of ‘red list’ species threatened by Invasive It will be up to the Member a proposal for legally binding Alien Species States to designate the EU nature restoration targets • Reduce damage to seabed and through bycatch additional protected and strictly in 2021 to restore degraded protected areas. Designations ecosystems, in particular those should either help to complete with the most potential to Protecting Nature in the EU Whilst this is a remarkable the Natura 2000 network or capture and store carbon and to The EU already has a robust achievement in its own right, it be under national protection prevent and reduce the impact of legal framework in place to is clear that further efforts are schemes. All areas will also natural disasters. protect its most valuable, rare needed to ensure the effective need to have clearly defined This will identify the conditions and threatened species and conservation and management conservation objectives.. in which the targets must habitats under the Habitats and of the Natura 2000 sites within To assist in this process, the be met, as well as the most Birds Directives. Thanks to this, the network, and to bring the Commission will put forward effective measures to reach the EU has succeeded in building species and habitats they protect criteria and guidance for them. The impact assessment an extensive EU-wide Natura up to a favourable conservation identifying and designating will also look at the possibility 2000 network that covers around status across their natural range additional sites later in the year. of an EU-wide methodology to 18% of its land and 8% of its in the EU. The new Biodiversity This will include a definition map, assess and achieve good surrounding seas. Strategy will give an important of strict protection, as well condition of ecosystems so as guidance for appropriate they can deliver benefits such

© iStock management planning. as climate regulation, water In addition to increasing regulation, soil health, pollination the area under protection, the and disaster prevention and Biodiversity Strategy also calls protection. on Member States to create Secondly, the Commission ecological corridors between will request Member States protected sites to prevent genetic to improve the level of isolation, allow for species implementation of existing migration, and maintain and legislation within clear deadlines. enhance healthy ecosystems. The It will in particular request aim is to build a truly coherent Member States to ensure no Trans-European Nature Network. deterioration in conservation To support this work, EU trends and status of all protected investments in green and blue habitats and species by 2030. infrastructure and cooperation Member States will also have across borders among Member to ensure that at least 30% of States will be further promoted species and habitats protected Connemara Bog, Ireland. and supported. under the EU nature Directives - nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 5

and not currently in favourable addition, the Commission will Eszterhas/naturepl.com © Suzi status - are in that category or reinforce its biodiversity-proofing show a strong positive trend by framework to ensure that EU 2030. Further guidance will be funding supports biodiversity- provided to Member States later friendly investments. in the year on how to select and A range of other financial prioritise species and habitats. and fiscal measures are also Beyond these two general foreseen, for instance to reflect measures, the Biodiversity environmental costs, including Strategy proposes a further biodiversity loss, and to boost nine targeted actions to nature-based investments. restore nature within particular A third key element of the ecosystems and in order to improved governance structure address other threats to Europe’s will focus on promoting an biodiversity (see pages 6-7). integrated and whole-of- society approach to biodiversity Enabling transformative conservation that actively change engages businesses and all For the actions proposed other economic sectors in The Sunda Pangolin. The EU will aim to curb wildlife trafficking. under the new EU Biodiversity safeguarding and applying Strategy to reach their full nature-based solutions to their biodiversity outside Europe and ec.europa.eu/environment/ potential, it will be important day to day activities. to combat illegal wildlife trade. nature/biodiversity/strategy/ to create the right conditions Significant efforts will also For full details go to: https:// index_en.htm for their implementation. Such be made to improve knowledge, an enabling environment is education and skills through essential if we are to change for instance the New Skills 3. Improving governance: Key commitments to 2030 the way biodiversity is perceived Agenda and the Horizon Europe • Set up a new European biodiversity governance framework and integrated into the wider EU Research programme. • Ensure the full implementation and enforcement of EU policy framework. Several actions In 2020, the Commission environmental legislation are therefore foreseen under the will create a new Knowledge • Create a new sustainable corporate governance initiative new strategy to facilitate this. Centre for Biodiversity working • Strengthen the EU’s biodiversity proofing framework To start with, a new European in close cooperation with • Unlock at least €20 billion a year for investments in Natura biodiversity governance the European Environment 2000 and green infrastructure framework will be established Agency to track and assess • Renew the Sustainable Finance Strategy to help map obligations and progress in the implementation • Establish a common classification for biodiversity related commitments and set out of biodiversity related activities under the Taxonomy Regulation a roadmap to guide their international instruments; foster • Better integrate biodiversity considerations into public and implementation. This will ensure cooperation and partnership, business decision-making and to measure the environmental co-responsibility and co- including between climate and footprint of products and organisations ownership by all relevant actors biodiversity scientists; and • Promote an international natural capital accounting initiative in meeting the EU’s biodiversity underpin policy development. • Improve education and skills commitments. It will also support • Establish a new Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity administrative capacity building, Raising the level of ambition • Include a long-term strategic research agenda for transparency, stakeholder and commitment worldwide biodiversity in the Horizon Europe programme dialogue, and participatory The final cornerstone of the EU governance at different levels. Strategy deals with the EU’s The implementation and ambition to lead the way on enforcement of EU environmental biodiversity in the international 4. A Global biodiversity agenda: Key commitments legislation will also be stepped arena. The EU will work with to 2030 up and will be accompanied by like-minded partners to agree • Broker an agreement for an ambitious new global increased finances and human an ambitious new global framework for post- 2020 at the 15th Conference of the resources. The Commission will framework for post- 2020 at Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. aim to unlock at least €20 billion the upcoming 15th Conference • Broker an agreement on marine biological diversity of areas a year for Natura 2000 and of the Parties to the Convention beyond national jurisdiction and on the designation of three green infrastructure through on Biological Diversity and vast Marine Protected Areas in the Southern Ocean different EU programmes and via to set ambitious global 2030 • Assess the impact of trade agreements on biodiversity with public private partnerships targets that are in line with EU follow up where needed A significant proportion of commitments. • Introduce measures to avoid placing products associated the 25% of the EU budget It will also use its wide with deforestation on the EU Market dedicated to climate action will ranging external policies, trade • Revision of the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking also be invested in biodiversity agreements and bilateral Proposal for tightening the rules on EU ivory trade and nature-based solutions. In programmes to promote • 6 nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 © iStock

Crystal clear water in the Adriatic Sea, Croatia. Restoring ecosystems across land and sea As part of its restoration agenda, the new Biodiversity Strategy proposes nine targeted actions to restore nature within particular ecosystems to address the key threats to Europe’s biodiversity. © iStock © iStock 1. Farmland 3. Freshwater habitats The first of these concerns agricultural land. Recognising that greater efforts are needed Together with the Farm to Fork Strategy and to restore freshwater ecosystems and the the new Common Agricultural Policy, the natural functions of rivers, the Strategy Commission will support and incentivize the calls for at least 25,000 km of rivers to be transition to fully sustainable agricultural restored into free-flowing rivers by 2030 practices across Europe. As set out in the primarily through the removal of obsolete Farm to Fork Strategy, it will take action to reduce by 50% the overall barriers and the restoration of floodplains and wetlands. Technical use of – and risk from – chemical pesticides by 2030 and reduce by 50% guidance and support to the Member States to identify sites and the use of more hazardous pesticides by 2030. help mobilise funding will be provided by the Commission in 2021, in consultation with all relevant authorities. To provide space for wild animals, plants, pollinators and natural pest regulators, the Biodiversity strategy also aims to transform at least 10% Member State authorities will also need to step up their implementation of agricultural area into high-diversity landscape features. These include, of the Water Framework Directive. This includes reviewing water inter alia, buffer strips, rotational or non-rotational fallow land, hedges, abstraction and impoundment permits to implement ecological flows.. non- productive trees, terrace walls, and ponds. In doing so, Member States will need to pay particular attention to creating ecological corridors and ensuring connectivity among different habitats. © iStock 4. Marine ecosystems In addition, the strategies call for at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural Achieving good environmental status of land to be organically farmed by 2030. The Commission will put forward marine ecosystems, including through an Action Plan on organic farming in 2021, to help Member States strictly protected areas, must involve the stimulate both supply and demand of organic products. restoration of carbon-rich ecosystems as well as important fish spawning and nursery Lastly, the strategy aims to ensure the full implementation of the EU areas. In this regard, the full implementation Pollinators Initiative as well as reverse the decline of genetic diversity by of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, the Marine Strategy Framework facilitating the use of traditional varieties of crops and breeds. Directive and the Birds and Habitats Directives is essential. To further support this, the Commission will propose a new action plan © iStock 2. Forests to conserve fisheries resources and protect marine ecosystems by 2021. Where necessary, measures will be introduced to limit the use of The second set of targeted actions fishing gear that is most harmful to biodiversity. It will also look at how focuses on improving the health, resilience to reconcile the use of bottom-contacting fishing gear with biodiversity and coverage of forest ecosystems. To goals, given it is now the most damaging activity to the seabed. The facilitate this, the Commission will propose European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will also be called upon to support a dedicated EU Forest Strategy in 2021. the transition to more selective and less damaging fishing techniques. This will include a roadmap for planting at least 3 billion additional trees across the EU by 2030, in full respect The by-catch of vulnerable species must also be eliminated or, where this is of ecological principles. Afforestation, reforestation and tree planting to not possible, minimised so as not to threaten their conservation status and support biodiversity and ecosystem restoration will also be promoted to allow for full recovery of species threatened with extinction. To support through the CAP Strategic Plans, and the Cohesion Policy funds. this, data collection on by-catch for all sensitive species will be stepped up. The share of forest areas covered by management plans should also be In addition, the strategy calls for fisheries-management measures increased to cover all managed public forests and an increased number to be established in all marine protected areas according to clearly of private forests, giving special attention to promoting biodiversity- defined conservation objectives and on the basis of the best available friendly practices such as closer-to-nature-forestry. scientific advice. nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 7

© iStock 5. Green urban spaces risks, the Commission is currently assessing the EU and global biomass supply and demand and related sustainability. As part of its increased The recent lockdowns during the COVID-19 ambition to protect and restore forest ecosystems, the Commission will pandemic have shown the value of green publish the results of this work on the use of forest biomass for energy urban spaces. But, while protection of some production by the end of 2020. urban green spaces has increased, green spaces often lose out to grey spaces in the This will inform the Commission’s policy-making, including the review competition for land, as the share of the and revision, where necessary, of the level of ambition of the Renewable population living in urban areas continues to rise. The strategy aims to Energy Directive, the Emissions Trading Scheme, and the Regulation on reverse these trends and stop the loss of green urban ecosystems by land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) set for 2021. promoting the systematic integration of healthy ecosystems, green In line with the Renewable Energy Directive, the Commission will also infrastructure and nature-based solutions into all forms of urban planning. develop operational guidance in 2021 on the new sustainability criteria To bring nature back to cities and reward community action, the on forest biomass for energy. In addition, it will review in 2021 the data Commission will also call on all European cities of 20,000 inhabitants on biofuels with high indirect land-use change risk and establish a and above to develop ambitious Urban Greening Plans by the end of trajectory for their gradual phase-out by 2030. 2021. These should include measures to create biodiverse and accessible urban forests, parks and gardens; urban farms; green roofs and walls; © iStock tree-lined streets; urban meadows; and urban hedges. They should also 8. Reducing pollution help improve connections between green spaces, eliminate the use of Pollution is a key driver of biodiversity loss pesticides, limit excessive mowing of urban green spaces and other and has a harmful impact on our health and biodiversity harmful practices. environment. As part of the Commission’s To facilitate this work, in 2021 the Commission will set up an EU Urban Zero Pollution Ambition for a toxic-free Greening Platform, under a new ‘Green City Accord’ with cities and mayors. environment, a new EU Chemicals Strategy This will be done in close coordination with the European Covenant of for Sustainability will be put forward along Mayors. The Urban Greening Plans will have a central role in choosing the with a Zero Pollution Action Plan for Air, Water and Soil. European Green Capital 2023 and European Green Leaf 2022. The Commission will also promote the goal of zero pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus flows from fertilisers through reducing nutrient

© iStock losses by at least 50%, while ensuring that there is no deterioration in 6. Soil ecosystems soil fertility. This will result in the reduction of use of fertilisers by at Soil is a hugely important non-renewable least 20%. resource. It is therefore essential to step up The Commission will work with Member States to develop an Integrated efforts to protect soil fertility, reduce soil Nutrient Management Action Plan in 2022. The Farm to Fork strategy will erosion and increase soil organic matter. To address the reduction in the use and risk of pesticides and support wider address these issues in a comprehensive implementation of Integrated Pest Management. As part of this, the way and help to fulfil EU and international environmental risk assessment of pesticides will also be strengthened. commitments on land-degradation neutrality, the Commission will update the EU Soil Thematic Strategy in 2021. © iStock The Zero Pollution Action Plan for Air, Water and Soil that the Commission 9. Addressing invasive alien intends to adopt in 2021 will also look at these issues. Soil sealing and species rehabilitation of contaminated brownfields will be addressed in the Under the Strategy, the implementation of upcoming Strategy for a Sustainable Built Environment. Meanwhile, a the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation and new thematic mission in the area of soil health and food will be included other relevant legislation and international in the EU’s research programme Horizon Europe to help develop solutions agreements will be stepped up. The aim will for restoring soil health and functions. be to manage established invasive alien species and decrease the number of Red List species they threaten

© iStock by 50%. 7. Creating win-wins for energy generation More sustainably sourced renewable energy will be essential to fight climate change and biodiversity loss. Under the Biodiversity Strategy, the EU will prioritise solutions such as ocean energy, offshore wind, solar-panel farms that provide biodiversity-friendly soil cover, and sustainable bioenergy. To better understand and monitor the potential climate and biodiversity 8 nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 barometer

This Natura Barometer is TERRESTRIAL MARINE produced by DG Environment Natura 2000 network SCI SPA Natura 2000 network SCI SPA Natura 2000 network with the help of the European (terrestrial and marine) Environment Agency. It is Total N° Natura Total area SCI area SPA area Natura area % land area SCI area SPA area Natura area 2000 Sites Natura 2000 km2 (km2) (km2) (km2) covered (km2) (km2) (km2) based on information officially Member States transmitted by Member States AUSTRIA 352 12895 9378 10334 12895 15% n.a. n.a. n.a. AT up to December 2019. BELGIUM 310 5163 3282 3186 3891 13% 1128 318 1271 BE

The Natura 2000 network is BULGARIA 341 41554 33629 25609 38728 35% 2482 550 2827 BG composed of sites under the Habitats Directive (pSCI, SCIs CYPRUS 62 10133 959 1493 1669 30% 8457 110 8464 CY or SACs – labelled ‘SCIs’ in the CZECH REPUBLIC 1153 11148 7951 7035 11148 14% n.a. n.a. n.a. CZ barometer) and sites under the Birds Directive (SPAs). GERMANY 5200 80831 33550 40263 55228 15% 20938 19738 25603 DE

The figures relating to the DENMARK 350 22647 3178 2605 3594 8% 16492 12184 19053 DK total area of Natura 2000 sites (i.e. SPAs + SCIs) have ESTONIA 567 14861 7806 6203 8106 18% 3883 6480 6754 EE been obtained through GIS SPAIN 1872 222515 117584 101619 138111 27% 54895 52071 84405 ES analysis. This avoids any risk of double counting if areas have FINLAND 1866 50636 42197 24550 42495 13% 7676 7402 8141 FI been designated under both FRANCE 1776 203564 48755 44016 70875 13% 106306 119646 132689 FR directives. GREECE 446 58778 21912 27761 35982 27% 17528 10764 22796 GR

CROATIA 783 25954 16036 17050 20716 37% 4919 1112 5238 HR Natura 2000 in EU–27 HUNGARY 525 19949 14442 13747 19949 21% n.a. n.a. n.a. HU 2 2 Terrestrial area (km ) IRELAND Marine area (km ) 604 19481 7163 4311 9226 13% 9781 1584 10255 IE

763,986 ITALY441,001 2621 69302 42902 40295 57258 19% 6587 8809 12044 IT

LITHUANIA 556 9699 6344 5530 8136 13% 958 1056 1563 LT 586,143Terrestrial area (km2) 347,133Marine area (km2) 526,780 LUXEMBOURG290,012 66 702 416 418 702 27% n.a. n.a. n.a. LU 763,986 441,001 0K 200K 400K 600K 800K LATVIA0K 200K 400K 600K333 800K 11834 7421 6607 7447 12% 2664 4280 4387 LV 586,143 347,133 MALTA 55 4184 41 16 42 13% 2283 3221 4142 MT Terrestrial area (km2) 526,780Marine area (km2) 290,012 NETHERLANDS 197 20605 3139 4771 5522 15% 12074 8627 15083 NL 0K 200K 400K 600K 800K 0K 200K 400K 600K 800K 763,986 441,001 POLAND 985 68405 34196 48428 61168 20% 4339 7224 7237 PL

586,143 347,133 PORTUGAL 167 61403 15661 9196 18968 21% 37377 8749 42434 PT

526,780 290,012 ROMANIA 606 60577 40310 37118 54214 23% 6188 1630 6362 RO Natura 2000 0K 200K 400K 600K 800K 0K SCI 200K 400K 600K 800K SWEDEN 4087 75854 55106 26448 55611 12% 20174 14448 20243 SE SPA SLOVENIA 355 7682 6634 5066 7672 38% 4 9 10 SI

Natura 2000 SLOVAKIA 683 14633 6151 13105 14633 30% n.a. n.a. n.a. SK SCI SPA EU – 27 26918 1204987 586143 526780 763986 18% 347133 290012 441001 EU

The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union as of 1 February 2020.

Natura 2000 SCI SPA nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 9

update June 2020

TERRESTRIAL MARINE Natura 2000 network (terrestrial and marine) SCI SPA Natura 2000 network SCI SPA Natura 2000 network Zoom on Europe’s peatlands © Jan ©Skriver Jan Total N° Natura Total area SCI area SPA area Natura area % land area SCI area SPA area Natura area Member States 2000 Sites Natura 2000 km2 (km2) (km2) (km2) covered (km2) (km2) (km2)

AUSTRIA 352 12895 9378 10334 12895 15% n.a. n.a. n.a. AT

BELGIUM 310 5163 3282 3186 3891 13% 1128 318 1271 BE

BULGARIA 341 41554 33629 25609 38728 35% 2482 550 2827 BG

CYPRUS 62 10133 959 1493 1669 30% 8457 110 8464 CY

CZECH REPUBLIC 1153 11148 7951 7035 11148 14% n.a. n.a. n.a. CZ

GERMANY 5200 80831 33550 40263 55228 15% 20938 19738 25603 DE The large raised bog of Lille Vildmose, Denmark, is being restored with DENMARK 350 22647 3178 2605 3594 8% 16492 12184 19053 DK LIFE funds.

ESTONIA 567 14861 7806 6203 8106 18% 3883 6480 6754 EE Natural peatlands are home to many highly adapted, rare SPAIN 1872 222515 117584 101619 138111 27% 54895 52071 84405 ES and threatened species. They are also vitally important for regulating our climate since they store vast quantities of FINLAND 1866 50636 42197 24550 42495 13% 7676 7402 8141 FI carbon. Peatlands have for centuries been converted into agricultural land or forest through drainage and fertilisation, FRANCE 1776 203564 48755 44016 70875 13% 106306 119646 132689 FR causing a dramatic change in the ecosystem. Despite their GREECE 446 58778 21912 27761 35982 27% 17528 10764 22796 GR environmental importance however, more than half of the pristine peatlands in Europe have been lost or degraded, and CROATIA 783 25954 16036 17050 20716 37% 4919 1112 5238 HR what remains is generally in a poor condition.

HUNGARY 525 19949 14442 13747 19949 21% n.a. n.a. n.a. HU Thanks to the Habitats Directive, over 8700 Natura 2000 sites have been designated to date to protect twelve different types IRELAND 604 19481 7163 4311 9226 13% 9781 1584 10255 IE of peatland habitats listed in Annex I of the Directive. Together, ITALY 2621 69302 42902 40295 57258 19% 6587 8809 12044 IT they cover almost a quarter of all remaining natural peatlands in the EU (over 33,000 km2). LITHUANIA 556 9699 6344 5530 8136 13% 958 1056 1563 LT The EU LIFE Programme has played a central role in ensuring LUXEMBOURG 66 702 416 418 702 27% n.a. n.a. n.a. LU their conservation and restoration. Since 1992, it has funded no less than 363 projects across 24 EU countries. The main LATVIA 333 11834 7421 6607 7447 12% 2664 4280 4387 LV focus has been on restoring bogs and fens that have been damaged by forestry, agriculture or peat cutting, paying MALTA 55 4184 41 16 42 13% 2283 3221 4142 MT particular attention to restoring their delicate hydrological NETHERLANDS 197 20605 3139 4771 5522 15% 12074 8627 15083 NL balance. Due to the very slow growth of peat layers, it can take several decades for the ecosystems to improve. Nevertheless, POLAND 985 68405 34196 48428 61168 20% 4339 7224 7237 PL the first signs of positive trends can already be seen in PORTUGAL 167 61403 15661 9196 18968 21% 37377 8749 42434 PT raised bog habitats in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Belgium, where a series of LIFE peatland projects have ROMANIA 606 60577 40310 37118 54214 23% 6188 1630 6362 RO taken place.

SWEDEN 4087 75854 55106 26448 55611 12% 20174 14448 20243 SE The large scale restoration of the EU’s remaining peatlands will be further advanced under the EU’s forthcoming Nature SLOVENIA 355 7682 6634 5066 7672 38% 4 9 10 SI Restoration Plan in view of their important climate role. SLOVAKIA 683 14633 6151 13105 14633 30% n.a. n.a. n.a. SK https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/section/life/life-programme- publications EU – 27 26918 1204987 586143 526780 763986 18% 347133 290012 441001 EU 10 nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 © SCOTLAND: The Big Picture/naturepl.com Picture/naturepl.com Big The © SCOTLAND:

The Farm to Fork Strategy aims to support farmers who have already undergone the transition towards sustainable practices and will facilitate the transition for the others. The new Farm to Fork Strategy

“At the heart of the A need for action sourced. They also want to see greenhouse gas emissions and Green Deal, The Farm Adopted on the same day as that farmers are paid a fair price the loss of biodiversity. to Fork strategy points the new Biodiversity Strategy for their hard labour. The Farm to Fork (F2F) to 2030, the EU Farm to Fork There can be no doubt Strategy intends to address to a new and better Strategy aims to substantially that the present EU food these concerns by supporting balance between overhaul Europe’s complex system has a major impact those farmers, fishers and other nature, food systems food system in order to on Europe’s environment. The operators in the food chain who and people’s health and render it healthy, equitable repercussions for biodiversity have already undergone the and sustainable. The strategy from unsustainable agricultural transition towards sustainable well-being” targets every step of the food practices and land-use change practices and by facilitating the – Frans Timmermans, chain from its initial production, have been particularly acute. transition for the others whilst, Vice-President of the manufacturing and processing to More than half of our farmland at the same time, creating European Commission. its final packaging, transportation, birds have disappeared over the additional market opportunities sale and consumption. In short, it last 50 years and the majority for their businesses. goes all the way from the farm to of our valuable semi-natural As such, it presents an the fork. grasslands (hay meadows, unprecedented opportunity to The strategy comes in wet and dry grasslands, alpine create a robust and resilient response to increasing concerns pastures etc…) have been food system in the wake of amongst Europeans over their ploughed over to make way the COVID-19 pandemic. environment and health. More for intensive arable crops, or Everyone needs to be involved and more, people are looking to otherwise abandoned altogether. and is encouraged to make buy food that has been produced The processing, retailing, sustainability their trademark, in an environmentally friendly packaging and transportation of setting a world standard before and ethical manner and that is food also contribute significantly their competitors outside the EU fresh, less processed and locally to air, soil and water pollution, do so. nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 11

Three key objectives labelling on the sustainability The Farm to Fork Strategy performance of food products Farm to Fork strategy aims to: presents a new comprehensive and with targeted incentives, approach to reach a fair, healthy the framework will allow Have a neutral or positive environmental impact by: and environmentally-friendly operators to benefit from • Preserving and restoring the land and sea-based resources food system for the EU and to sustainable practices and • Mitigating climate change and adapt to its impact be at the vanguard of a global progressively raise sustainability • Protecting land, soil, water, air, plant and animal health transition towards competitive standards so that this becomes • Reversing the loss of biodiversity. sustainability. the norm for all food products To achieve this, the Strategy placed on the EU market. Ensure food security and public health by: sets out three specific objectives: These actions will require • Making sure everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious, to ensure that the entire food significant human and financial sustainable food chain, from food production, investments and will need to • Ensuring high standards of safety and quality, plant health, and transport and distribution, to take into account different animal health and welfare. marketing and consumption, starting points and differences has a neutral or positive in improvement potential in the Preserve the affordability of food by: environmental impact; to Member States. But, once in • Generating fairer economic returns in the supply chain promote food security, nutrition place, they should help improve • Fostering the competitiveness of the EU supply sector and public health; and finally the income of farmers and • Promoting fair trade to preserve the affordability of fishers, and eventually lead to • Safeguarding occupational health and safety food, while generating fairer higher returns by creating added • Creating new business opportunities economic returns in the supply value and reducing costs. • Ensuring integrity of the single market chain, so that ultimately the most sustainable food also Ensuring sustainable becomes the most affordable food production integrated pest management the production of greenhouse To accelerate and facilitate this Several actions under the (IPM) that encourage the gasses through a variety of transition, the Commission has F2F Strategy are targeted at use of alternative control means and in line with the announced a package of actions reducing the impact of the techniques, such as crop EU’s new Climate Pact and and other commitments to be food system on the natural rotation and mechanical Circular Economy Action Plan. rolled out over the coming years. environment and, wherever weeding. The Commission This will include, amongst This will start with a legislative possible, creating a net positive will also facilitate the placing others, inciting farmers to proposal for a framework for effect through support for more on the market of pesticides adopt farming practices a sustainable food system environmentally friendly farming containing biologically active that remove CO2 from the before the end of 2023 to and food production practices. substances and reinforce atmosphere under the so call promote policy coherence at EU This includes the following the environmental risk ‘new green business model’ and national level, mainstream measures in particular: assessment of pesticides. and helping other sectors in sustainability in all food-related • Reducing by 50% the overall • Reducing nutrient losses by at the food chain to decarbonise policies and strengthen the use and risk of chemical least 50% while ensuring no their practices. Farmers resilience of food systems. pesticides and reducing deterioration in soil fertility, will also be encouraged The framework will also the use of more hazardous thereby reducing the use to develop renewable address the responsibilities of pesticides by 50%. This will of fertilisers by at least 20 energy from a variety of all actors in the food system. be accompanied by measures %. This will be achieved by sources, such as investing in Combined with certification and to enhance provisions on implementing and enforcing anaerobic digesters for biogas the relevant environmental production from agriculture

© Klein & Hubert/naturepl.com & ©Hubert/naturepl.com Klein and climate legislation in full, waste and residues, such by identifying with Member as manure. States the nutrient load • Reducing sales of reductions needed to achieve antimicrobials for farmed these goals, applying balanced animals and in aquaculture fertilisation and sustainable by 50% in order to reduce nutrient management and antimicrobial resistance. by managing nitrogen and • Ensuring better animal (and phosphorus better throughout plant) welfare by revising their lifecycle. To assist in existing animal welfare this process, the Commission legislation, including on will develop with Member animal transport and the States an integrated nutrient slaughter of animals, to align management action plan to it with the latest scientific address nutrient pollution evidence, broaden its scope, at source and increase the make it easier to enforce and sustainability of the livestock ultimately ensure a higher European ground squirrel Spermophilus citellus, Hungary. sector in particular. Reducing level of animal welfare. 12 nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020

Finally, the Strategy also aims to bring at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic COMPETITIVENESS FOOD VALUE farming. The present legal CHAIN framework supports the shift to this type of farming, but more needs to be done to bolster this FAIR CLIMATE growing market, which is why INCOME CHANGE the Commission will put forward an Action Plan on organic farming in 2020 to help Member States stimulate both supply and THE 9 CAP ENVIRONMENTAL demand for organic products. CARE Similar shifts will need to take OBJECTIFS place in the oceans and inland waters to increase the share of the market dedicated to organic FOOD & aquaculture and sustainable LANDSCAPES seafood production. As well HEALTH as continued support under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the Commission envisages RURAL GENERATIONAL adopting EU guidelines to help RENEWAL Member States better orientate AREAS their sustainable aquaculture development plans towards The objectives of the proposed CAP Strategic Plan Regulation. organic production methods. In addition, it will set out affordable and sustainable food nevertheless create logistical Under the F2F Strategy, well-targeted support for the at all times, not least in times disruptions to the supply chains, the Commission foresees a algae industry, as algae should of crisis. Events which affect the as well as labour shortages and wide range of measures to become an important source sustainability of food systems changes in consumer patterns. strengthen the sustainability of alternative protein for a do not necessarily stem from Climate change and of Europe’s food system. It sustainable food system and the food supply chain itself but biodiversity loss also constitute will develop an EU Code of global food security. can be triggered by political, imminent and lasting threats conduct for responsible business economic, environmental or to food security. Every year, and marketing practice, and Ensuring food security health crises. The current recurring droughts, floods, forest seek commitments from food A sustainable food system COVID-19 pandemic, for fires and new pests affect the companies and organisations to must ensure sufficient and instance, has no connection to resilience of the food system. take concrete actions on health varied supply of safe, nutritious, food safety in the EU, but it did Increasing the sustainability of and sustainability. This could be food producers will ultimately for instance in relation to food

© iStock increase their resilience too. The packaging, by supporting the use F2F strategy aims to provide of innovative and sustainable a new framework for that, packaging solutions using complemented by measures set environmentally-friendly, re- out in the Biodiversity Strategy. usable and recyclable materials. The Commission will also seek Stimulating sustainable opportunities to facilitate the food processing and shift to healthier diets. Moving food consumption to a more plant-based diet with Food processors, food service less red and processed meat and operators and retailers shape with more fruit and vegetables the market and influence will reduce not only risks of life- consumers’ dietary choices threatening diseases, but also through the types and the environmental impact of nutritional composition of the the food. food they produce, their choice The F2F strategy also aims of suppliers, production methods to empower consumers to and packaging, transport, make informed food choices, merchandising and marketing by, for instance, proposing practices. They also affect harmonised mandatory front- the environmental and social of-pack nutrition labelling and People want to feel closer to their food. footprint of global trade. mandatory origin or provenance nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 13 indications to certain products. boost sustainable practices, The Commission will examine such as precision agriculture, Integrating Biodiversity into the CAP Strategic Plans ways to harmonise voluntary agro-ecology (including organic green claims and to create a farming), carbon farming and The future CAP has nine specific objectives. These will give an sustainable labelling framework agro-forestry. Member States indication of how EU Agricultural funding is to be allocated over the that covers, in synergy with and the Commission will have to next seven years. Three concern the environment, and one focuses other relevant initiatives, ensure that appropriate funding on biodiversity protection in particular - ie to ‘contribute to the the nutritional, climate, remains available for those protection of biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services and preserve environmental and social interventions and that such habitats and landscapes’. aspects of food products. measures are included in the Additionally, the Strategy CAP’s Strategic Plans. In contrast to previous Rural Development Programmes, the new will aim to reduce food waste. Additionally, the Commission CAP shifts the emphasis from compliance and rules to results and The Commission is committed has proposed to ring fence a performance in order to give Member States more flexibility to to halving per capita food share (eg 30%) of the budget decide how best to meet the common objectives set at EU level, waste at retail and consumer for the environment and climate while, at the same time, responding to the specific needs of their levels by 2030. Using the new under Pillar II of the new CAP. farmers and rural communities. methodology for measuring food When scrutinizing the Member waste and the data expected States Strategic Plans, the Each Member State must therefore draw up a single CAP strategic from Member States in 2022, it Commission will pay particular plan in order to seek CAP funding, The plan will need to analyse will set a baseline and propose attention to ensuring that the the situation on its territory in terms of strengths, weaknesses, legally binding targets to reduce Green Deal targets, and those opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis), as well as its related food waste across the EU. stemming from this strategy needs, in respect of the nine CAP objectives. For the first time, the and the Biodiversity Strategy for competent authorities for environment and climate will also need Enabling the transition: 2030 are properly addressed. to be officially involved in the preparation of the environment and the Role of the new CAP It will ask Member States to climate related aspects of the Strategic Plans. It is clear that such a major set explicit national values for transition in Europe’s food these targets and to identify The Strategic Plans will then be reviewed and approved by the system will require significant the measures needed to achieve Commission to ensure that they contribute fully to the nine CAP financial support and them in their Strategic Plans. objectives and take due account of the needs and objectives of EU investments. The new CAP, In this way, every Member environmental law ,including the Habitats and Birds Directives. In proposed by the Commission State will be able to play their particular, the Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs) prepared in June 2018 for the coming part in shifting towards more by Member States under article 8 of the Habitats Directive must programming period 2021- sustainable and environmentally be properly reflected in the Strategic Plans. This will in turn greatly 2027, will play a crucial role friendly production measures facilitate the integration of priority conservation measures into the in managing this shift towards in the coming years. This CAP funding programme. sustainable food production will be further supported systems and in strengthening by a strengthened farming In addition to the enhanced conditionality, the following CAP interventions the efforts of European farmers advisory service and a major in particular can be used to support nature and biodiversity: to improve their environmental research and innovation and climate performance. programme totally €10 • Article 28 (Pillar I) – Eco schemes In total, nine specific billion under Horizon 2020. • Article 65 (Pillar II) – Environmental commitments, including objectives have been adopted agri- environment schemes to cover recurring costs to reflect this drive towards a Promoting a global • Article 67 – Natura 2000 payments sustainable food system and transition • Article 68 – Non-productive investments to cover one-off to orientate future funding The EU is committed to lead by restoration schemes or the preparation of Natura 2000 under CAP. By the end of the example on the transition to management plans or monitoring programmes, or certain year the Commission will adopt sustainable food systems, not visitor facilities. recommendations destined for only within its borders, but also • Article 72 – Knowledge exchange and information. each Member State on how to outside. Through international address these objectives in their cooperation, the EU will seek Commission proposal for a regulation establishing rules on support for Strategic Plans (see box). to promote more sustainable strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the Common The aim is to encourage a farming and fisheries practices, agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) https://bit.ly/3dXaSsF more results-oriented model, reduce deforestation, enhance accompanied by improved biodiversity, and improve food mandatory environmental security and nutrition outcomes. food systems to respond to order to contribute to raising standards, new voluntary The Commission will also distinct challenges in different sustainability standards globally measures and an increased incorporate its Farm-to-Fork parts of the world. and especially for all products focus on investments into green priorities in the programming Additionally, the Commission placed on the EU market. technologies and practices. guidance for cooperation with will aim to establish a legislative Go to: https://ec.europa.eu/info/ The new ‘eco-schemes’ under third countries in the period framework for sustainable strategy/priorities-2019-2024/ Pillar I, for instance, will offer 2021-2027 and will develop food systems, combined with european-green-deal/actions- a new stream of funding to Green Alliances on sustainable labelling or other incentives, in being-taken-eu/farm-fork_en 14 nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020

● NEWS ● PUBLICATIONS ● EVENTS

© Kosta Kalaitzis © Kosta adopt a 10-year action plan for be launched at Green Week in biodiversity – a new global deal October. But much of the data for people and nature. is already publicly available. https://bit.ly/3hFvhFw This includes a series of on- line dashboards presenting The State of Nature some of the results for each report of the Member States and Every six years, Member States assessments of individual (or are asked to report back to the groups of) species and habitats Commission on bird population at EU, biogeographical and sizes and trends (Article 12 of Member State level. the Birds Directive) and on the State of Nature webpage: conservation status and trends https://bit.ly/3dk0nz0 of targeted habitats and species Online dashboards: (Article 17 of the Habitats https://bit.ly/3egExxV Directive) within their territory. https://bit.ly/2YkDdVf The Commission, with the help 27 finalists have been selected for the 2020 Natura 2000 award. of the EEA’s Topic Centre for Latest on the Biodiversity, then pools all Biogeographical Process Natura 2000 awards Green Week the data together in order to Two further Natura 2000 The 27 finalists of the 2020 Due to the COVID-19 crisis, see how each of the species Seminars are foreseen in the Natura 2000 award have now this year’s Green Week had and habitats is faring at the coming year. The third Alpine been announced. Once again to be postponed and will now biogeographical level, and across seminar, hosted by the Ministry they cover an exciting array take place on 20 –22 October the EU as a whole. of the Environment of Sweden of activities for Natura 2000 in Brussels. Following the Work is now well advanced and the Swedish Environmental from across the EU and serve recent adoption of the EU’s on the preparation of the latest Protection Agency, will take place as a timely reminder of all new Biodiversity Strategy for State of Nature report for the online on 8 to 11 September. that is being done to protect 2030, the event will provide reporting period 2013 –2018. It will focus on four key topics: and manage Europe’s rich but an opportunity to rethink our Both the EEA’s detailed technical 1) defining and coordinating beleaguered nature. relationship with nature, to report and the Commission’s a Natura 2000 restoration Over the coming months, explore ways in which we can Communication summary will agenda in the Alpine region, 2) a high-level jury will decide change the activities that are on the winners for each of driving biodiversity loss and the Common kestrel Falco tinnunculus three fledglings. the five award categories wider ecological crisis, and to & ©Hubert/naturepl.com Klein – communication, socio- weigh up the implications for economic benefits, conservation, our economy and society. The reconciling interests and various workshops will highlight, perceptions, cross-border in particular, the contribution cooperation and networking. biodiversity can make to society The results will be revealed and the economy, and the role at a major award ceremony in it can play in supporting and Brussels on 14 October. stimulating Europe’s economic The coveted Citizen’s award is recovery in a post-pandemic also up for grabs. But this time, world. the winner will be entirely down This year’s Green Week will to you. So why not vote now for also act as a milestone on your favourite finalist. Votes can the path to the Conference be cast until the midnight on of the Parties (COP 15) to 15th September 2020. the Convention on Biological To vote go to: Diversity, now planned for https://bit.ly/37JEOGY 2021, where world leaders will nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020 15 © Robert Thompson/Naturepl.com © Robert managing land use to improve the conservation of Alpine Natura 2000 habitats and species, 3) optimising co-benefits of Natura 2000 management with climate change mitigation and adaptation and 4) improving landscape connectivity for Natura 2000 Alpine habitats and species. The third Mediterranean seminar, to be hosted by the Italian Region of Calabria and the Sila National Park, in cooperation with the University of Calabria, is scheduled to take place in the first week of May 2021. The focus will be on the following four themes: 1) defining and coordinating a Natura 2000 restoration agenda for the Mediterranean region, 2) defining conservation objectives at site level and monitoring the impact of the measures, 3) addressing land abandonment Alpine cattle in Pyrenees National Park, France. in the Mediterranean region and 4) building capacity for Natura LIFE Call for proposals, the conservation and restoration describes how these goals can 2000 management. Because of the COVID-19 of natural floodplains can be reached, amongst others, In addition, ten further Natura crisis all deadlines for call for support multiple EU policy with the support of various EU 2000 networking events have proposals under LIFE have objectives while at the same funding instruments. been selected for EU support been postponed. The deadline time creating win-win solutions https://bit.ly/3hDvBVn this year. for submitting concept notes for improved water quality, https://bit.ly/2VgAlqv for traditional nature and improved conditions for FAQ on Natura 2000 biodiversity projects closes on 16 biodiversity conservation and and Invasive Alien New Global Biodiversity July while those for preparatory improved recreational value. Species Coalition projects remain open until 10 However, in order to succeed, Earlier this year, the Commission On the occasion of the World September and for integrated ecosystem-based management published a Frequently Asked Wildlife Day on 3rd of March, projects until 6 October. and floodplain restoration Questions (FAQs) paper on how the European Commission https://bit.ly/30WbXxI requires the prioritisation of the EU Invasive Alien Species launched a new global coalition benefits, good planning and Regulation can support the for biodiversity conservation. Europe’s floodplains public support, as well as implementation of the EU Through this communication In March, the European investment and time. The report Habitats and Birds Directives campaign, the Commission is Environment Agency published joining forces with the world’s a new report on: “Floodplains: The signal crayfish outcompetes native species and alters the habitat national parks, aquariums, a natural system to preserve structure. botanic gardens, zoos, science and restore”. Floodplains are © iStock and natural history museums in found at the interface between order to boost public awareness rivers and their catchment and about the nature crisis, ahead cover around a third of the of the crucial CoP15 of the entire terrestrial area within Convention on Biological the Natura 2000 network. Diversity in China next year. Studies have shown that 70 The Commission also –90 % of floodplains have been encourages national, regional environmentally degraded and local authorities, non- as a result of structural flood governmental organisations, protection, river straightening, businesses, scientists and the disconnection of floodplain individual citizens to play their wetlands, agricultural land use part in raising awareness and urbanisation over the past ahead of the United Nations two centuries. Biodiversity Summit (CoP 15). The report describes how an https://bit.ly/2UZAfTQ ecosystem-based approach to 16 nature and biodiversity newsletter | July 2020

© iStock that Member States relatively EU Pollinators initiative seldom used high-impact rural Launched in June 2018, the development measures such as EU Pollinators Initiative sets result-based and “dark green” out a programme of measures schemes. to address the decline of wild The recommendations of the pollinators across the EU. The Report will now feed into the Commission has since created an current legislative preparations on-line EU pollinator information for the 2021 –2027 CAP and the hive to facilitate information implementation of the new EU sharing and collaboration biodiversity strategy post–2020. between stakeholders and to https://bit.ly/2Ndrwck map actions for pollinators See also new DG Agri Study. across the EU. The site will https://bit.ly/2UWUql9 enable anyone interested to find useful information and contacts. Mapping and The Commission has also The Red List assessment of hoverflies will be published this year. Assessment of continued to strengthen the Ecosystems and their knowledge base necessary for and vice versa. 15 key questions, the 2014 –2020 period, the Services (MAES) effective pollinator conservation. which were identified with the Commission planned to spend This new report provides an In addition to completing the red help of experts, are addressed €66 billion of CAP money on assessment of the state and lists for different insect groups, in detail within the document, biodiversity, but, as the report trends of ecosystems at EU it will publish an expert proposal and are illustrated with practical concludes, despite this the CAP level using the MAES analytical for a common EU pollinator examples from across the EU. has not been effective in halting framework. It analyses in monitoring scheme and policy Last October, the Commission biodiversity loss on farmland. particular how ecosystems indicators by September. Once also published a similar FAQ on The auditors found that have changed t over the years tested, the scheme will make the links between the Nature there was a general lack of and how this has impacted it possible to track progress Directives and the Nitrates coordination between EU policies on people and the delivery of on reversing the decline of Directive. and strategies and that the ecosystem services. The report pollinators under the EU https://bit.ly/2YUtnsd Commission’s tracking of CAP also provides the evidence base biodiversity strategy for 2030, spending for biodiversity is for the final evaluation of the EU and help to evaluate the impacts European Court of unreliable, making it difficult Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 of different EU policies such as Auditors report on to measure any progress. It due in December 2020. the CAP. biodiversity in Farmland also found that the effect https://bit.ly/3hJmoeg https://bit.ly/2YPxTIh In June, the European Court of of CAP direct payments on Auditors published a special farmland biodiversity was very Don’t forget to renew your subscription! report on the contribution made limited and, although the rural Please remember we are renewing our subscriptions list for by the Common Agricultural development instruments had the Natura 2000 newsletter so if you would like to continue Policy (CAP) to maintaining and greater potential than direct to receive your copy by post, then do re-subscribe on line. It enhancing biodiversity over payments for maintaining and takes less than a minute! https://bit.ly/2YheH7q the last financial period. For enhancing biodiversity, it noted

The Natura 2000 Newsletter is produced by DG Environment, European Commission. Author: Kerstin Sundseth Ecosystems LTD, Brussels. Commission Editor: Sofia Pachini, DG Environment. Design: www.naturebureau.co.uk Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2020. © European Union, 2020 Reuse is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The reuse policy of European Commission documents is regulated by Decision 2011/833/EU (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39). For any use or reproduction of photos or other material that is not under the EU copyright, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holders. The newsletter does not necessarily reflect the official view of the European Commission. Photos: Cover © Alamy; p. 2 © Jennifer Jacquemart /EC – Audiovisual Service, © Suzi Eszterhas/naturepl.com, © Jan Skriver, © iStock, © Klein & Hubert/naturepl.com; p. 3 © robertharding/Alamy Stock Photo; p. 4 © iStock; p. 5 © Suzi Eszterhas/naturepl.com; p.6 © iStock; p.7 © iStock; p. 9 © Jan Skriver; p. 10 © SCOTLAND: The Big Picture/ naturepl.com; p. 11 © Klein & Hubert/naturepl.com; p. 12 © iStock; p. 14 © Kosta Kalaitzis, © Klein & Hubert/naturepl.com; p. 15 © Robert Thompson/Naturepl.com, © iStock; p. 16 © iStock

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