Final report of the common framework for biodiversity : proofing study

The protection of the environment is a long-standing and important goal of the EU. It is a prominent objective under the primary law of the EU, and the EU has consequently developed a relatively comprehensive biodiversity policy framework, at the heart of which lie the Birds Directive and Habitats Directive. These nature directives provide the legislation for the general protection of biodiversity (see glossary in Box 1.1. for definition) in the EU as well as special measures for species and habitats of Community interest, in particular through the protection of sites that are of particular importance for such species and habitats - creating the 'Natura 2000 network'. However, the successful implementation of the directives and the conservation of biodiversity in general is highly dependent on many other EU policies and legal instruments that, for example, regulate potentially environmentally damaging activities and even provide the bulk of funding for biodiversity conservation management, most notably under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Most of Europe's biodiversity and natural environment lies outside protected areas. For this reason, EU biodiversity policy has adopted a more integrated approach that addresses the whole EU territory and all relevant drivers, pressures and impacts from other policies, programmes, plans and projects. Protecting nature and strengthening ecological resilience in the whole of the EU is one of three key thematic priority objectives of the recently adopted 7th EAP of the EU. The 7th EAP outlines this broader understanding of the relevance of biodiversity and ecosystems as it has evolved over time, noting that: "The Union's economic prosperity and well-being is underpinned by its natural capital, i.e. its biodiversity, including ecosystems that provide essential goods and services, from fertile soil and multi-functional forests to productive land and seas, from good quality fresh water and clean air to pollination and climate regulation and protection against natural disasters".