WPC outcomes for EU nature policies Angelika Pullen IUCN European Regional Office
The IUCN Brussels Office Representing the interests of IUCN to the European institutions Provide IUCN Secretariat and constituency with information and guidance on European nature policy developments (and EU funding opportunities) Contribute to EU policy development: knowledge, multi-stakeholder dialogues, advice, connection between EU and international processes Integrate biodiversity in sectoral policies: trade, development cooperation, agriculture, energy, climate EU Representative Office -> European Regional Office Ø Manage membership issues for IUCN West European Statutory region
EU Policy Activities Work with European Parliament, European Commission, Permanent Representations, NGOs, other members Objective: Inserting IUCN knowledge into EU policy making Biodiversity Fitness check of Nature Legislation Mid-term review of EU Biodiversity Strategy Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions across different policy sectors (environment, research, climate etc) Climate change: Ecosystem-based adaptation (EU Adaptation Strategy) Land use based climate mitigation (LULUCF) Sub-national governments, urban biodiversity & green infrastructure Invasive Alien Species Sustainable Development Goals EU Large Carnivores Platform Biodiversity in EU Overseas (BEST programme)
EU Policy Activities IUCN priorities linked to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 EU Biodiversity Strategy Targets Target 1: Fully implement the Birds and Habitats Directives Target 2: Maintain and restore ecosystems and their services Target 5: Combat Invasive Alien Species Target 6: Step-up action to tackle the global biodiversity crisis IUCN Priority Natura 2000 and link with IUCN Red list of Species and Green List of PAs Review of EU Nature Legislation Green Infrastructure Nature Based Solutions Forest Landscape Restoration No Net Loss/Net Positive Impact Ecosystem Services Link with IUCN Nature Based Solutions Invasive Alien Species working groups; collaboration with ISSG CBD CITES & Wildlife Crime Sustainable Development Goals
Example: IUCN European Red List A review of the conservation status of species in Europe, identifying species threatened with extinction at European level 9,700 species have been assessed to date The European Red List is a powerful tool to: Inform policy decisions on biodiversity conservation and the protection of Europe s natural resources Support priority setting for conservation actions and research Measure progress towards achieving the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and the Strategic Plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Example: Review of EU Nature Legislation European Commission undertaking fitness check of EU Birds and Habitats Directives to verify their efficiency (REFIT) Cornerstone of EU conservation action; effective and popular legislation Ø 27,300 sites now protected across the EU Ø Many iconic species have made comebacks Ø Oustanding cost-benefit-ratio IUCN Brussels Office: Collaboration with key stakeholder groups; provide expertise and knowledge on the status of biodiversity in Europe and the success of the nature legislation Active participation in REFIT public consultation, deadline end of July http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/nature_fitness_check_en.htm
Relevance of WPC outcomes to EU policies 1. Promise of Sydney Ø Commitments from EU Member States, regions, organisations 2. Green List of Protected Areas 3. Key Biodiversity Areas 4. Communications on Protected Areas
Promise of Sydney: EU Member States France Strengthen the normative framework for the protection of natural areas; Continue the growth of PA network, beyond Aichi Target (coverage & level of protection); 20% of national seas under protection by 2020 (x2 Aichi target) NEW: Protect 35,000 ha of mangroves by 2015 in overseas territories; NEW: French development agency budget commitment for biodiversity conservation: 160 millions /year. French Polynesia Create a new large-scale marine PA initiative in Austral Islands Andalusia Promote integration of PAs into IUCN Green List of Protected Areas Development of legal framework to allow for the inclusion of land stewardship processes in the management of Andalusian PAs
Promise of Sydney: Other organisations Federparchi (Italy) committed to: Propose at least five new protected areas for listing on the IUCN Green List of Protected Areas. The protected areas will be chosen among National, Regional Parks, private areas and Natura 2000 sites.
IUCN Green List of Protected Areas New global standard to reward innovation, excellence and endeavour in Protected Areas Demanding criteria, including: quality of protection of natural values governance: fair and transparent, sharing of the costs and benefits of conservation effective management long-lasting conservation outcomes Benefits for protected area managers and agencies include: international recognition increased political and financial support motivation to meet and maintain high management standards acknowledgement of benefit sharing for local communities recognition from the tourism industry and visitors (high quality experience)
IUCN Green List of Protected Areas Green Listed PAs in Europe (8 out of 23) Italy: Gran Paradiso National Park Spain: Espacio Natural de Doñana Espacio Natural de Sierra Nevada France: Natural Marine Park of Iroise Pyrénées National Park Marine natural reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls Sensitive Natural Area Marais d Episy Guadeloupe National Park (Overseas territory)
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) Globally significant areas for the persistence of biodiversity (species and ecosystems) 4 sessions on KBAs at WPC, as part of global consultation New KBA standard now finalised, second round of consultation in summer 2015 builds on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) Relevance for EU policy making: KBAs can help PA gap analysis; guide the selection of new PAs or expansion of existing site networks (especially in the marine biome) Reinforcing the value of Natura 2000, support better understanding of the aim of Natura 2000 internationally
Communicating Protected Areas Eurobarometer: Good general understanding of benefits of PAs
65% agree that EU should increase PAs BUT: 73% have not heard of Natura 2000
Media coverage of World Parks Congress More than 140 accredited journalists from 25 countries, very positive reporting European coverage includes: Le Monde El Pais The Guardian Financial Times Economist AFP (France) Reuters Deutsche Welle Independent (Ireland) ANSA (Italy) National Geographic RAI (Italy) RTL Correio da Manhã (Portugal) I could have gone to the Brisbane G-20 summit meeting, but I thought this was more important and interesting, Thomas Friedman, NYT
THANK YOU!! angelika.pullen@iucn.org @IUCNBrussels
ADDITIONAL SLIDES
Example: Local and regional governments Local and regional governments: major role to play in implementing EU and global biodiversity targets Brussels office engages with subnational governments to support efforts towards integrating the value of nature in decision making and planning and promoting the uptake of nature-based solutions Examples: URBES (Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) European project to bridge the gap between science and policy on the role of biodiversity and ecosystems in responding to urban challenges World Environmental Hubs: establishing a global framework for evaluating and certifying cities and regions which place environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and ecosystem services at the heart of urban and regional development strategies.
Example: NBS in the European agenda EU Research: Horizon 2020 85 m for large scale demonstration projects on naturebased solutions in 2016-2017 Biodiversa paper for GAIA Nature-based solutions: framing an emerging concept that may deeply influence future environmental research in Europe Events: EU Presidency conference Nature and Urban Wellbeing - Nature-based solutions to societal challenges, Gent 18-20 May 2015 Conference (EP, IUCN and EC) Nature-Based Solutions: Innovation potential for smart, sustainable & Inclusive Growth in Europe, Brussels 30 September 2015 Publications: Towards an EU Research and Innovation policy agenda for Nature-Based Solutions & Re-Naturing Cities (Final Report of the Horizon 2020 Expert Group on Nature-Based Solutions and Re-Naturing Cities )
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) globally significant areas for the persistence of biodiversity 167 freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas identified, mapped and validated throughout the Mediterranean region (302,557 km2) found that 75% were outside of PA or other KBAs Findings can guide selection of new PAs or expansion of existing site networks Project founded by Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, MAVA Foundation, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)
IUCN Green List of Protected Areas Example: Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy) one of first European sites to be green listed one oldest and largest protected areas in the Alps (since 1922) valuable role in conservation, including saving the native Ibex- Steinbock (Capra ibex) from extinction exemplary governance system GLPA has brought acknowledgement (national & international) broader benefits: plans to share experiences to help other PA and countries, such as the National Institute for Nature Protection of Croatia and other European countries
Biodiversity in EU Overseas The EU includes 34 overseas territories linked to 6 Member States (Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the UK) These are home to a huge diversity of species of global significance (70% of Europe s biodiversity) Conserving this biodiversity is essential to meeting EU s 2020 biodiversity goals EU funded BEST project run by GMPP High political and policy relevance for the EU -> Close collaboration Brussels-GMPP