Safeguarding biological diversity : EU policy and international agreements : in-depth analysis

Biodiversity, the diversity of life on earth at all levels, is declining, mainly as a result of human-induced pressures such as over-exploitation of natural resources, loss of viable habitats, pollution, climate change or invasive alien species. EU biodiversity policy is based on the Birds and Habitats Directives, which served as the basis for the development of the Natura 2000 network of protected sites, now covering 788 000 km2 on land (over 18% of EU land area) and 318 000 km2 at sea (about 5.9% of EU seas). The policy is driven by the EU biodiversity strategy, setting ambitious aims for 2020 (halting the loss of biodiversity) and 2050 (protecting and valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services), with the addition of a strategy on green infrastructure. The European Commission estimates that the Natura 2000 network delivers benefits worth between €200 and €300 billion per year, against management costs estimated at €5.8 billion per year. The LIFE Programme co-finances some measures related to biodiversity, especially as regards Natura 2000. Funding aimed at protecting biodiversity is also available under the agricultural, regional, fisheries, and research policies. The European Parliament has long been supportive of EU biodiversity protection policy. Developments in EU biodiversity policy include a process of 'biodiversity proofing' of the EU budget, improved monitoring, definition of priorities for the restoration of degraded ecosystems, 'biodiversity offsetting' of unavoidable residual impacts, and a 'fitness check' of EU nature legislation.