Nature and Biodiversity

Nature does not stop at borders. International action to protect nature is essential, for example to protect our birds when they fly over other countries during their migration. Present and future Europeans need a stable and strong international legal framework to keep enjoying the many benefits of nature in the entire European continent.

Recognising the need for international protection, the EU has adopted two legal instruments to protect nature, the Birds Directive (1979) and the Habitats Directive (1992). These Directives are the basis for the Natura 2000 network, the network of protected areas in the EU.  Many of the protected sites around us are actually Natura 2000 sites - check out our viewer to find out the one closest to you. The Birds and Habitats Directives are two solid and visionary pieces of legislation, which have proven to be the strongest legal working tool to protect nature in the EU.

Following international commitments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the EU has also adopted a Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (2011), a commitment by the EU and its Member States to take several additional actions to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The Strategy has quantitative targets to restore a specific part of species and habitat to a better status. Also it resulted in new legislation on Invasive Alien Species, and increased action to save biodiversity in developing countries.

EU Nature and Biodiversity section

• The Birds and Habitats Directives
• Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats Directives
• Designation of Natura 2000 sites
• Protection of Natura 2000 sites
• Management of Natura 2000 sites
• EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020
• Funding Natura 2000

Publications

• The Laws of Nature - What the EU should do to better protect nature in Europe (September 2016) 
• Open letter - Green 10 priorities for Bratislava Informal Summit (August 2016)
• Letter to the Minister of Environment of the Slovak Republic on the Slovak EU Council Presidency (July 2016)
• Letter to the College of Commissioners of the European Commission on the Outcome of the Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats Directives (May 2016)
• BirdLife and CEMBUREAU adopt joint position on the Birds and Habitats Directives (October 2015)
• Make space for nature: policy actions to protect nature and people in Europe (June, 2015)
• Halfway there? Mid-term assessment of progress on the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy (May, 2015) 
• Evidence gathering questionnaire for the Fitness Check of the Nature Directives (March, 2015)
• Open letter to the EU Member States regarding the refit - "fit for growth" initiative (2013)

Positions adopted by the Birds and Habitats Directives Task Force (BHDTF)

• Position on the Environmental Crime Directive (21 November 2017)
• Position on the LIFE List of Priority Species (20 September 2017)
• Position on Invasive Non-Native Species in the European Union (20 February 2017)
• Position on Wind energy and Birds and Bats in the European Union (17 November 2016)
• Position statement on Power lines and Grid development in the European Union For (15 November 2016)
• Position on Species Protection under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives (11 October 2016)
• Position on the Trans-European Network of Green Infrastructure (27 July 2016)
• Position on Minimising threats from hybrid falcons (originating from captive-bred birds) on wild European falcon populations (12 April 2016)
• Position on the Import of wild birds into the European Union (12 April 2016)
• Position on Preventing the poisoning of birds in the European Union (13 May 2014)
• Position on Improvements Needed to Environmental Inspections Regimes in the European Union (27 September 2013)
• Position on standards and approaches for defining the Favourable Conservation Status of birds (12 June 2013)
• Position on Improving the European Commission’s Complaints and Infringements Process (14 May 2013)
• Position on Environmental Assessment in the European Union (20 September 2010)
• Position on Good Spatial Planning Principles for Biodiversity (6 September 2010)
• Position on the approach to alternative solutions and imperative reasons of overriding public interest under Article 6(4) of the EU Habitats Directive (12 April 2010)
• Position on SPA Management Plans: the best way to guarantee the adoption of special conservation measures required by the Birds Directive (12 April 2010)
• Position on Wilderness Areas in the European Union (April 2010)
• Position on the treatment of compensatory measures proposed outside affected Natura 2000 sites under Article 6(4) of the EU Habitats Directive (31 July 2007)
• Position on the Favourable Conservation Status of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) (6 February 2006)
• Position on the conflict between the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo and fisheries interests in Europe (January 2004)