Some basics about biodiversity protection in the EU

Transcription

1 Some basics about biodiversity protection in the EU WWF International 12 th Alberto Arroyo

2 The origin of the EU to promote peace and stability creation of a common market 1987: Single European Act includes environmental protection 1997: Treaty of Amsterdam, also sustainable development as an objective

3 Brussels: a struggle of interests amongst others,, national, business, union, environmental, agricultural interest groups result is at times contradictory policy some better : several environmental directives,, Habitats Directive (HD), Birds Directive (BD), Water Framework Directive (WFD) some worse : major part of CAP market-based support, some infrastructural development

4 What is an EU Directive? Types of EU legislative acts: Regulation Directive Decision Recommendation Directive (European Framework Laws): requires MS to achieve a particular result without dictating the means of achieving that result. Therefore: national transposition is the first step Sometimes direct effect of unimplemented directives can have direct legal force (ECJ)

5 Why biodiversity protection? Some political commitments CBD (1992): Programme of Work on Protected Areas 2010 Goal (2004) Bern Convention (1979): Emerald network Biodiversity Communication (2006)

6 Halting the loss of Biodiversity by 2010 EU: 2001: to halt the decline of biodiversity (in the EU) by 2010 WSSD: 2002: to significantly reduce the rate of Biodiversity loss (globally) by 2010 BHD are one major contribution from the EU to the CBD work BHD are the cornerstones of EU s biodiversity work

7 Halting the loss of Biodiversity by 2010 Commission s release of the Biodiversity Communication (June 2006) Agreed Biodiversity Action Plan

8 Halting the loss of Biodiversity by 2010 Annual reports on progress of implementation (2007, 2008, 2009) Overall evaluation of the 2010 goal in 2010 The Commission looks also beyond 2010

9 The EU Nature Directives 1. Birds Directive (1979) - BD 2. Habitats Directive (1992) - HD

10 The Birds Directive COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (79/409/EEC) conservation of all species of naturally occurring birds in the wild state in the European territory of the Member States (protection, control and management) Annex I: species which shall be the subject of special conservation measures concerning their habitat [ ] Member States shall classify in particular the most suitable territories in number and size as special protection areas (SPAs) for the conservation of these species Member States shall take similar measures for regularly occurring migratory species not listed in Annex I Other provisions: commerce, hunting, reporting every 3 years

11 The Habitats Directive COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora to maintain or restore, at favourable conservation status, natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of Community interest Natura 2000 network of protected areas (N2K) For the conservation of Habitats and Species of Community Interest (Annex I & II) Conservation measures: article 6 (including assessment of plans and projects that can affect N2K) Species protection Regime (Annex IV species) Other provisions: EU co-financing, monitoring every 6 years

12 The Habitats Directive 6 annexes, including the lists of resources to be protected: Annex I: Habitats of Community Interest SACs (218, *67) Annex II: Animal and Plant species of Community Interest SACs (887, 254*) Annex IV: Animal and Plant species of Community Interest strict protection (1009) Annex V: Animal and Plant species of Community Interest sustainable use (223)

13 Natura 2000 SPAs (Birds Directive) SACs (Habitats Directive)

14