Over the past decade, numerous studies have shown the multiple benefits of protected areas, such as the Natura 2000 network, and green infrastructure to the economy and to human well-being. Examples include carbon storage benefits, water supply and purification, flood management, soil retention,...

Recognising the importance of safeguarding biodiversity, in June 2002 the European Council of Göteborg set a target of halting its decline by 2010. Fulfilling this target has been adopted as one of the key aims of the 6th Community Action Plan for the Environment. The candidate countries have,...

The Commission wishes to provide further advice and support to Member States on how best to access and use EU funding mechanism for financing the management of the Natura 2000 network. The next phase in our awareness raising strategy is to link the use of the Guidance Handbook on financing...

The European turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur) breeds across most of Europe, except the extreme north; and within the European Union (EU), only Ireland and Sweden do not have breeding populations. The breeding range extends east into China, and south into northern Africa. Birds migrate to...

In order to assess the significance of the presumed 'umbrella effect' of Natura 2000 areas the European Commission initiated a study, in 2013, to address the following questions: 1) Which are, amongst the species regularly occurring within the European territory of the EU 28 Member States, those...

LIFE Nature & Biodiversity projects support the implementation of the Birds and Habitats directives and the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. The 39 projects selected for funding will be carried out by partnerships of conservation bodies, government authorities and other parties located across...

This brochure highlights a few examples of how the EU has implemented the CBD. It shows that concerted international action can be highly effective. A lot has been achieved, and this is something that we should be proud of. However, despite current efforts, biodiversity is continuing to be lost...

Natura 2000 is the most ambitious initiative ever undertaken to conserve Europe's rich natural heritage. It enables all 25 countries of the EU to work together to protect hundreds of our most vulnerable species and habitats across their natural range in Europe, irrespective of national...