The European Union’s (EU) network of protected sites, Natura 2000, could be further connected with green infrastructure to create a trans-European nature network. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published today, highways and other infrastructure currently disconnect about 15 % of the Natura 2000 sites from other nature areas, reducing their capacity for… [Read more]
Development of a planning tool for the inspection of nature protected sites with focus on Natura 2000 Sites
Planning is one of the key factors in making inspection more transparent, systematic and effective. Criteria for how often Natura 2000 sites should be inspected to ensure sufficient contribution to the maintenance of the favourable status of the site are various and differ from country to country. During its former work on the item, IMPEL… [Read more]
Natura 2000 needs better management, financing and monitoring, say EU Auditors
21 February 2017, Luxembourg – Improvements are needed in the management, financing and monitoring of Natura 2000, the EU’s flagship biodiversity programme, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors. While recognising that Natura 2000 plays an important role in protecting biodiversity, the auditors found shortcomings in management and a lack of… [Read more]
World Heritage supports millions, but threatened worldwide – at least 12 sites protected by EU laws at risk
Nearly half of all natural World Heritage sites are threatened by harmful industrial activities, according to a new WWF report. These sites provide vital services to people and the environment, but are at risk worldwide from activities including oil and gas exploration, mining and illegal logging. The report, produced for WWF by Dalberg Global Development… [Read more]
Record breaking number of EU citizens call to protect nature
520,325 people called on the European Commission to save Europe’s nature laws in a public consultation – by far the highest number of responses ever reached in the history of the EU. The public consultation formally closed at midnight on Sunday, July 26. In May, major environmental organisations launched the ‘Nature Alert’ campaign in response… [Read more]