European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
biodiversity
What if ‘rewilding’ could help reverse biodiversity loss in Europe? [Science and Technology podcast]
Biodiversity is in crisis across the globe: species extinctions and a loss of nature occurring at rates unprecedented in human history, and with the EU no exception, our biodiversity and the essential value it brings are under threat. Could ‘rewilding’ help restore Europe’s nature? Continue reading
The von der Leyen Commission’s six priorities: State of play in autumn 2020
In her statements to the European Parliament in July and November 2019, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the political priorities that would shape the Commission’s work programme for the years 2019 to 2024. The 2020 Commission work programme, adopted before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, mirrored these priorities. Continue reading
The European Green Deal [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The European Green Deal is a key policy plank of the new European Commission led by President Ursula von der Leyen. It is a package of measures that aims to radically cut emissions of greenhouse gases while creating jobs in clean industries. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session January I 2020
Parliament returns to work for this first plenary session of 2020 with considerable plans for the year ahead (although two major issues remain to be settled: the future multiannual financial framework and the withdrawal of the United Kingdom). Continue reading
Ten issues to watch in 2020
This is the fourth edition of an annual EPRS publication designed to identify and frame some of the key issues and policy areas that are likely to feature prominently on the political agenda of the European Union over the coming year. Continue reading
European Green Deal
The European Green Deal is a programme outlined in the political guidelines of the incoming President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. It aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Environmental protection [Policy Podcast]
Through its environmental policy, the European Union (EU) has been improving Europeans’ well-being since 1972. Today, the aim of EU environmental policy is to ensure that by 2050 we are living well, within the limits of the planet. Continue reading
Biodiversity and agriculture
Written by Anne Altmayer, In its mid-term review of the Biodiversity strategy, the European Commission identified a continuing decline in the species and habitats associated with agriculture. It concluded that the strategy was not fulfilling expectations with regard to the contribution of agriculture and forestry to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. Numerous studies show that agricultural … Continue reading
EU Biodiversity strategy to 2020: mid-term assessment
Written by Dessislava Yougova In 2011, the EU adopted a Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 aiming ‘to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020 and to restore them as far as feasible, while stepping up the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss’ . The strategy has … Continue reading
Safeguarding biological diversity: EU policy and international agreements
Updated on 12 May 2016 Written by Didier Bourguignon, Biodiversity – the diversity of life on earth at all levels – is declining, mainly as a result of human-induced pressures such as over-exploitation of natural resources, loss of viable habitats, pollution, climate change or invasive alien species. Globally, the decline of habitats and species continues, … Continue reading
Ecosystem services : Valuing our natural capital
Written by Didier Bourguignon The concept of ecosystem services providing direct and indirect contributions to human wellbeing has been developed since the 1990s as a way to improve the effectiveness of biodiversity-protection policies. Ecosystem services can be categorised in four broad types: provisioning, regulating, cultural and habitat services. The status of most ecosystem services across the EU is either … Continue reading
Sustainable management of natural resources
Will we be able to feed the world if our population reaches 10 billion people? UN population projections suggest that the population will reach ten billion between 2050 and 2100. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation has estimated that food production has to rise 60% over the next 40 years to feed a growing population … Continue reading
Small Farms
In 2015 farmers will have the possibility to opt for the small farmers’ scheme, which will regroup into one lump-sum all direct payments for approximately 2,3 million eligible farms, whose support does not exceed €1 250. The European Parliament resolution on the future of small agricultural holdings highlights the role of small farms in preserving Europe’s countryside and biodiversity, as well as … Continue reading
How to feed the world in 2050?
The global population is expected to reach 10 billion at some point between 2050 and 2100 according to UN projections. Together with climate change, this is a worrying evolution. In order to assess options for feeding 10 billion people, within the European Parliament, STOA (Science and Technology Options Assessment) launched a series of studies to find answers … Continue reading
Tackling invasive alien species in Europe
Some non-native animals, plants and micro-organisms can pose a serious threat to European flora and fauna, and disrupt fragile ecosystems. These so-called invasive alien species are considered to be the biggest threat to global biological diversity after habitat loss, and a leading cause of species extinction. More than a quarter of European native species which … Continue reading
The EU and forests: issues and instruments
Forests and other wooded land cover over 40% of the land area in the European Union (EU). The forests in the EU belong to many different bioclimatic zones and have adapted to a variety of natural conditions. About 60% of the wooded land in the EU is privately owned. Expansion of the EU’s forest area … Continue reading
Seeds and other plant reproductive material: Towards new EU rules
The European Commission (EC) has proposed a Regulation aimed at simplifying and updating the existing body of EU legislation on the production and marketing of plant reproductive material (PRM), including seeds. It forms part of a wider legislative package on controls of plant and animal health. At present, in order to be sold in the … Continue reading
The Habitats Directive and biodiversity in the EU
Twenty years after adopting the Habitats Directive, the EU has the largest coordinated network (Natura 2000) of protected areas in the world. However, only 17% of the species and habitats protected actually enjoy the favourable conservation status required by the Directive. The Habitats Directive and the older Birds Directive aim to safeguard species of plants … Continue reading
La 11ème Conférence des Parties à la Convention sur la diversité biologique (8-19 octobre 2012, Hyderabad, Inde)
Quelques mois après la Conférence sur le développement durable “Rio+20” et en pleine crise économique et financière, la CdP-11 s’est ouverte dans un silence médiatique. Pourtant les faits sur l’état de la biodiversité sont alarmants et l’agenda est chargé. Les négociateurs vont discuter des mesures à prendre afin d’implémenter les décisions de Nagoya adoptées il … Continue reading
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