Irish Regions Office Website

February 01, 2010

Biodiversity protection: vision and possible scenarios

In a bid to launch a debate among Member States with a view to developing a post-2010 biodiversity EU policy framework, a Communication setting out four possible scenarios as mid-term vehicles to contribute to achieving a long-term (2050) vision for reducing biodiversity loss in Europe was published by the European Commission on 19 January. The vision is grounded in the proper valuing and preservation of natural ''ecosystem services'' and biodiversity given their functions in supporting economic prosperity and human well-being as well as environmental stability.

The options, which take account of what can be achieved within the next decade, are tiered in terms of their respective levels of ambition:
1) Significantly reducing the rate of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
2) Halting the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
3) Option 2 plus restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services as far as possible, and
4) Option 3 plus stepping up the EU's contribution to averting global biodiversity loss.

The extent of the biodiversity loss in the EU and globally, the main drivers of this crisis, and its implications for the environment, economy and society as a whole are also highlighted in the Communication. It further outlines the main achievements and shortcomings of the current EU Biodiversity Action Plan. A major conference on this issue will be held in Athens at the end of April.

Options for an EU vision and target for biodiversity beyond 2010
Conference

Posted by iroronan at February 1, 2010 10:24 AM