Date for presentation: 22 May 2012
Nature Directors Meeting
22-23 May 2012
EU Biodiversity Strategy Implementation: Environmental NGO Views
on Key Issues
Presented by: Mr Andreas Baumüller and Mrs Sue Collins on behalf of the
European Habitats Forum – a coalition of the following 22 European
Environmental NGO Networks
A Rocha, BirdLife International, Buglife -The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation
Europe, CEEweb for Biodiversity, ClientEarth, EUROPARC Federation, European Forum on Nature
Conservation and Pastoralism (EFNCP), European Environment Bureau (EEB), European Natural
Heritage Foundation (Euronatur), ECNC Group, Eurosite, European Federation of Metropolitan and
Periurban Natural and Rural Spaces (FEDENATUR), Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE), International
Mire Conservation Group (IMCG), IUCN Europe, Oceana, PAN Parks, Planta Europa, Societas
Europaea Herpetologica (SEH), Wetlands International and WWF
Brief summary:
Importance of persuading non-environmental ministers (e.g. agriculture/fisheries) to
promote payments that support biodiversity in ongoing reforms especially CAP, CFP,
Cohesion and Regional Funding and EU budget
Need for governance arrangements at national / local levels that will support effective
implementation of the actions in the EU Biodiversity Strategy and meet the targets
How NGOs can help implementation process with evidence of scale of problems,
examples of good practice implementation, monitoring biodiversity outcomes and
working with other key stakeholders, including in agriculture and fisheries sectors
Scope of the presentation:
EU Biodiversity Strategy commitments represent the minimum needed to make progress towards
meeting Heads of Government EU 2020 target of biodiversity and ecosystem recovery
Continuing effective implementation of EU Nature legislation essential – protect and sustainably
manage best areas; €5.6 billion/year terrestrial investment needed for Natura 2000.
Biggest policy challenge – integration and commitment to action by other ministries.
Agriculture, Fisheries, Budget, European Affairs and Regional Departments as well as
Environment Departments need to be engaged. What arguments can help?
Benefits of nature – pollination, climate mitigation and adaptation, flood management, fire
prevention, rural development and recreation cf TEEB analyses and costs of inaction.
More investment in recovery of biodiversity, ecosystem health and hence delivery of ecosystem
services needed to meet 15% recovery target. How to prioritise and finance? Role of sustainable
land, water and marine use policies and practices.
Nature Agency • Haraldsgade 53 • DK-2100 København Ø Denmark
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Good governance arrangements in Member States needed to drive Strategy implementation.
Need to involve key stakeholders, especially agriculture and fisheries policy makers, nature
conservation NGOs and land and water owners and managers.
NGOs recognise the challenges involved and seek a partnership with Nature Directors to help
implement the Strategy and achieve the 2010 target.
Key questions for discussion:

NGOs believe that there is a need to break down the EU biodiversity strategy at the
national/local level and that these strategies should include specific and timely actions. Do
EU nature directors share this view?

The EHF is active in all EU Member States. What is your view on how NGOs should engage
in the EU biodiversity strategy at a national/local level?
Eventually: Read more in the paper/on the following web page: www.iucn.org/ehf
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