On 18 September, Eurosite was present at the 25th meeting of the Co-ordination Group for Biodiversity and Nature (CGBN). The mission of this group, chaired by DG Environment (Unit D.2 “Biodiversity” and Unit D.3 “Nature Protection”), is to bring together the European Commission, Member States’ representatives and various stakeholders (mainly NGOs) as well as the European Environment Agency. It aims at fostering an exchange of views and coordinating issues related to the implementation of the Nature Directives (Birds Directive and Habitats Directive) and the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy in particular the targets and actions therein. The Group also reports to Nature Directors as appropriate.

During this meeting, the Commission gave presentations on its proposals for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, in which the main concern is the calibration of the balance between regulation and standards from EU level and flexibility on national level in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) proposal. Presentations were also given on the evaluation of the EU Forest Strategy, the evaluation of the current CAP, the new LIFE proposal (no major changes planned), the Horizon Europe programme, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), Invest Europe: External funds and Regional and Cohesion programmes, the EU Action Plan for nature, people and the economy (guidance on article 6 is expected to be adopted by the end of October), Green Infrastructure guidance on integrating ecosystem services into decision making, the adopted EU Pollinators’ Initiative, progress in implementing the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 and follow up, et cetera.