Natura 2000 branding campaign website launched

Natura 2000 is the largest network of protected areas in the world. It not only protects nature but also offers socio-economic opportunities to its local communities. The Natura 2000 branding campaign stresses the benefits this network can provide. It promotes nature-friendly products and services from Natura 2000 areas and showcases inspiring stories about their benefits…

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Moving nature protection from paper to the ground

Over half of Europe’s natural areas are only protected on paper due to widespread delays and defaults across member states, according to a new report by WWF. The study also shows clear benefits for threatened species and local economies where effective measures have been taken by both the European Commission and national authorities.

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European Commission adopts the Environmental Implementation Review

Yesterday, the European Commission adopted the Environmental Implementation Review (EIR), a new tool to improve implementation of European environmental policy and commonly agreed rules. Full implementation of EU environment legislation could save the EU economy €50 billion every year in health costs and direct costs to the environment. According to Eurobarometer, 3 out of 4…

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Register now: Monitoring in Natura 2000 sites

From 4 to 6 April, Eurosite member Krkonoše Mountains National Park will host a monitoring workshop in the Czech Republic as part of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process. It will focus on how to translate the conservation management objectives of a Natura 2000 area into performance indicators, in order to measure progress towards reaching these…

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New EEA report on climate change in Europe

Europe’s regions are facing rising sea levels and more extreme weather, such as more frequent and more intense heatwaves, flooding, droughts, and storms, due to climate change. This is the conclusion of Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2016, a report published by the European Environment Agency. The report assesses the latest trends and…

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The Science of Marine Protected Areas

The ocean and seas are of great value. They provide important benefits to people including food, oxygen, economic opportunities, recreation, and cultural value. However, heavy uses of the ocean are eroding these benefits, sometimes at alarming rates. Marine protected areas (MPAs) can be a powerful tool to protect, and possibly restore, the ability of ecosystems…

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EU guide to environmental directives

This starter’s guide provides a brief overview of the five EU environmental directives that target the protection and management of Europe’s freshwater and marine environments. These concern the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive, the Water Framework Directive the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Floods Directive.

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International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

The United Nations designated 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, with some of its key areas focusing on resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change. This is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the contribution of sustainable tourism to development among public and private sector decision-makers and the public, while…

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Payments for Ecosystem Services: review of pilot projects

Payments for ecosystem services (PES) is a specialist term used to describe a range of schemes in which the beneficiaries, or users, of nature’s services pay or fund the stewards, or providers of those services. Between 2012 and 2015, the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) commissioned three rounds of “Payments…

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New French Agency for Biodiversity

  Created on 1 January 2017, the Agence française pour la biodiversité now includes l’Agence des aires marines protégées, l’Atelier technique des espaces naturels, l’Office national de l’eau et des milieux aquatiques and Parcs nationaux de France.     Their tasks include: · Organize and develop knowledge; · Support the implementation of public policies related…

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