We develop a unified cost-benefit framework that allows for a better understanding of nature conservation and climate policies under risk and uncertainty. We derive modified Hotelling rules from a social planner’s welfare optimization. They reveal four forces that jointly determine market...

The Vjosa River Basin, located in the heart of the Balkans, is one of Europe's last free-flowing wild rivers comprising a large number of pristine habitat types with a wealth of biodiversity. Widespread degradation of the forest ecosystem and unsustainable land use due to logging and livestock...

This Atlas embodies years of work by the European Commission Joint Research Centre in collaboration with its partners in Africa and further afield to share the knowledge acquired over the many years of work around protected areas in Africa. It aims at providing technical and scientific input of...

A decade of the European Union's membership in CITES marks a milestone in its commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by regulating the international trade of the world's most vulnerable wild species of animals and plants. Over the past 10 years, the EU has played a...

A decade of the European Union's membership in CITES marks a milestone in its commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by regulating the international trade of the world's most vulnerable wild species of animals and plants. Over the past 10 years, the EU has played a...

Global biodiversity decreased by 69% from 1970 to 2022, representing a key risk to economic activity. However, the link between nature, biodiversity and finance has received little attention within the field of sustainable finance. This paper attempts to fill this gap. Nature finance aims to...

Habitat fragmentation threatens biodiversity by disrupting ecological connectivity. To support conservation planning, we evaluate which spatial connectivity metrics best predict species occurrence. We do so by comparing six common connectivity metrics as predictors of occurrence patterns of...

This report is about the intersection of two major crises of the 21st century-the sustainability crisis and the social exclusion and inequality crisis. The world is facing massive environmental degradation. Some of these challenges-including climate change, ecosystem collapse, and ocean...

This paper explores inclusive conservation through the lens of critical localism, examining the complex power dynamics between conservation efforts and Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs). It addresses how conservation has evolved from exclusionary 'fortress conservation' approaches...

This briefing provides an overview of wild pollinators, the main drivers of their decline and solutions to protect and restore them. It highlights the importance of establishing an EU-wide standardised monitoring framework of pollinators. The briefing is published in the context of the Nature...

Protected areas are crucial for landscape-scale conservation, but striking a balance between centralised guidance (heteronomy) and local autonomy (self-determination) is essential. This balance is particularly important for parks that cross administrative boundaries or impose land-use...

This report introduces the Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) and the Protected Area Governance and Equity (PAGE) concepts and most frequently used tools and then provides guidelines on the usage of the relative web modules of the BIOPAMA Reference Information System (RIS) developed...

This study examines the market reaction to the approval of the Nature Restoration Law, a key component of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and its implications for biodiversity-related financial risks. Using an event study methodology, we analyze the equity price movements of companies listed in...

While climate change is widely considered as a major challenge for societies, another pressing global environmental problem, i.e. the loss of biodiversity, is often given less attention despite its strong negative consequences for ecosystems and thus for human life. In light of the strong...

Biodiversity is essential for ecological stability, human well-being, and economic progress, providing critical ecosystem services such as clean water, food, and climate regulation. However, it faces unprecedented threats, with extinction rates accelerating to 1,000 times the natural baseline...

This Atlas embodies years of work by the European Commission Joint Research Centre in collaboration with its partners in Africa and further afield to share the knowledge acquired over the many years of work around protected areas in Africa. It aims at providing technical and scientific input of...

The purpose of this short communication is to draw attention to the issue of farmers' perception of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments for the conservation of livestock biodiversity. We gathered data through semi-structured interviews with a sample of nine farmers located in north-western...

Environmental restoration as a compensatory mechanism for the development of previously undisturbed land can play a significant role in fulfilling nature conservation objectives. Numerous local authorities have adopted spatial planning frameworks that incorporate nature targets, such as "no net...

Sustainable urban planning practices can help reduce the urban heat island effect, promote green roofs and walls, and encourage the preservation of natural habitats within urban areas. Cities can enhance their resilience to climate change and create healthier, more attractive living spaces for...

Studies on residents' ecological conservation behaviors primarily focus on personal and socio-economic factors, neglecting crucial psychological aspects like intentions and perceptions. To address this gap, this study investigates the implementation of the ecological resettlement policy in the...

The National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 legislated the identification and classification of 17 protected areas in the country. This was amended by the Expanded National Integrated Protect Area System (E-NIPAS) in 2018 which increased coverage to more than a hundred. A...

The Global Wetland Outlook 2025 is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the state of wetlands worldwide, their value, and their future. Produced by the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) of the Convention on Wetlands, the report presents the latest data on the extent of...