EU Action Plan for nature, people and the economy

Following the evaluation of the Birds and Habitats Directives, the European Commission has adopted the Action Plan for nature, people and the economy to improve their implementation and boost their contribution towards reaching the EU’s biodiversity targets for 2020. The Action Plan focuses on four priority areas and comprises 15 actions to be carried out…

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LIFE launches 2017 call for action grants

The LIFE programme has launched its 2017 call for proposals, underlining its commitment to supporting projects that protect the environment and tackle the impact of climate change. The total budget for project action grants in this year’s call is over €373 million. Of this, over €290 million is foreseen for the sub-programme for Environment and…

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Letter to the Commission: how to better implement Natura 2000?

Together with CEEweb for Biodiversity and representing both of our organisations’ members, we sent a letter to the European Commission where we stated our comments on the proposed Action Plan for better implementation of Natura 2000. The fitness check results concluded that the directives are fit for purpose and that they work best where well…

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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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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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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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Statement by Commissioner Vella on Nature Directives Fitness Check

On 7 December 2016, Commissioner Vella issued the following statement: ‘Our European Commission “fitness check” has recognised that the European Birds and Habitats Directives remain relevant and fit for purpose. They will not be “opened”. The Juncker Commission continues to look to connect in meaningful ways with European citizens. Protecting and investing more in nature…

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Second Atlantic Seminar: Knowledge exchange and roadmap for future cooperation

About 100 participants from governmental and stakeholder organisations in eight Member States attended the second Atlantic Biogeographical Seminar from 25 to 27 October 2016. The seminar was hosted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Ireland. Organised by Eurosite as part of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process, the event aimed to improve and strengthen the…

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European Habitats Forum: let your voice be heard!

On 21-22 November Eurosite attended the second annual meeting of the European Habitats Forum (EHF) – an assembly of European environmental civil society organizations following closely the development and implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. It offered a good opportunity to present Eurosite’s main activities and events for 2017.

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