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Nature & biodiversity

The European Union stands at the forefront of global efforts to protect nature and halt biodiversity loss, guided by the ambitious Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. This strategy, an integral part of the European Green Deal, sets forth a bold vision to address the urgent challenges facing nature and biodiversity in the EU and across the world.

The Value of Nature
Nature is the foundation of life, offering essential resources like food, air, water, energy, and raw materials. Beyond its intrinsic value, biodiversity plays a critical role in providing health and social benefits, driving economic growth, and serving as a key ally in combating the climate crisis. Yet, today's actions towards nature have been more destructive than protective, with ecosystems and their invaluable services under threat from urban expansion, intensive agriculture, pollution, invasive species, and the overarching impacts of climate change.

The EU's Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
In response to these pressing issues, the EU has laid out a detailed plan with the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. This strategy aims to reverse the degradation of ecosystems and safeguard biodiversity by enacting specific commitments and actions. It builds upon the foundation of existing environmental laws, reinforcing the EU's commitment to preserving nature.

Natura 2000: A Beacon of Hope
At the heart of the EU's efforts is Natura 2000, the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world, created under the Birds and Habitats Directives. These "Nature Directives" represent the oldest environmental laws in the EU and form the legal backbone of its biodiversity policy. Natura 2000 embodies a collective commitment to protect vulnerable species and habitats, covering 18% of the EU's land area and aiming to extend protection to 30% of land and sea territories by 2030.

Current State of Biodiversity
Despite these efforts, biodiversity in the EU faces significant challenges:
  • 81% of habitats are currently in poor condition, signaling an urgent need for action to restore and protect these vital ecosystems.

Moving Forward
​
The Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 reflects a comprehensive and long-term approach to place nature on a trajectory towards recovery. Through this strategy, the EU aspires to not only protect but also to revitalize its natural heritage, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for all its inhabitants. By reversing ecosystem degradation and embracing the value of biodiversity, the EU aims to foster a harmonious relationship between humans and nature, for the benefit of current and future generations.

Biodiversity in the EU

Specific policies
​
Birds Directive
EU measures to protect Europe’s wild bird species

Habitats Directive
EU measures to conserve Europe’s wild flora and fauna

Natura 2000 network
The largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world.

Nature restoration
The Commission's proposal for a new law to restore ecosystems, habitats and species.

Invasive alien species
Preventing and minimising the effects on invasive alien species on Europe’s biodiversity.

Pollinators
Contributing to global conservation efforts and addressing the decline of wild pollinators.

Urban nature and biodiversity
Supporting towns and cities in restoring nature and biodiversity.

Animals in zoos
Promoting the protection and conservation of wild animals outside their natural habitat.

Green infrastructure
Promoting the use and integration of green infrastructure in all EU policies.

Global biodiversity

Specific policies
​
​International agreement
Protecting and restoring biodiversity worldwide through the Kunming-Montreal Agreement agreed at COP15.

Wildlife trade (CITES)
EU measures to protect endangered species from illegal trade activities.

Humane trapping standards
Ensuring humane trapping standards and high standards of animal welfare.

Trade in seal product
Prohibiting the placing of seal products on the EU market.

International whaling
Protecting whales and dolphins from disturbances, capture or killing within EU waters.

Sharing nature’s genetic resources
​
Ensuring that benefits from genetic resources are shared fairly and equitably with the country providing these resources.

Natural capital accounting
A tool to measure the changes in the stock and condition of natural capital (i.e. ecosystems) into accounting and reporting systems.

Tools

Specific policies


Biodiversity financing
Mobilizing public and private finance for biodiversity, including from the EU budget.

Pollinator Park
Discover what our world would look like without pollinating insects with this virtual-reality experience.

EU Pollinator Information Hive
Information on the conservation of wild pollinator species in the EU

Business@Biodiversity
A unique forum for dialogue and policy interface to discuss the links between business and biodiversity at EU level.

Biodiversity Information System for Europe (BISE)
The source of data and information on biodiversity in Europe.

Ecosystems and their services
Mapping out, assessing, and accounting for ecosystems and their services to inform environmental policy.

Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity
The science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Natura 2000 Network Viewer
Find a Natura 2000 site by Birds Directive Sites or Habitats Directive Sites

Supporting biodiversity in the outermost regions - BEST initiative
A voluntary scheme to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services in the EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories.

EU Large carnivores Platform
The EU Platform brings together a range of stakeholders to effectively address conflicts related to large carnivore conservation and management.

The European Red List of Threatened Species
​
The European Red List identifies species that are threatened with extinction at the European level so that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status.
Sources: European Union, http://www.europa.eu/, 1995-2025, 

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