Biodiversity loss is continuing in the EU

A mid term report on the implementation of the European Union's Biodiversity Action Plans was published by the European Commission.Despite some encouraging results, notably with the further extension of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas and important investments in biodiversity, the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem concerns into other sectoral policies remains an important challenge. The new Communication from the Commission identifies priorities for further action.

Release date	05/03/2009
Contributor	spyropoulou
Geographical coverage	European Union
Keywords	biodiversity Action Plan
Concerned URL	http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/comm2006/index_en.htm
Source	European Commission, DG Environment

Major additional effort needed to halt biodiversity loss

The EU will fail to meet its target of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 unless there is significant additional effort over the next two years. This is the key conclusion of the first comprehensive assessment of progress in implementing a Biodiversity Action Plan to halt biodiversity loss in the EU.

In 2006, the European Commission produced an Action Plan to halt biodiversity loss by 2010, setting out concrete actions and outlining the responsibility of Community institutions and Member States. Today's report is an overview of progress, and represents the last real opportunity for stock-taking before 2010. The report studies four main policy areas: biodiversity in the EU, the EU and global biodiversity, biodiversity and climate change, and the knowledge base. A summary of progress in each Member State is included for the first time.
The main conclusions are that an enormous effort will be required if the EU is to meet its 2010 target, and that intensive efforts will be needed, at the level of both the European Community and the Member States, if the EU is to even approach its objective.