Posted on May, 20 2015

Brussels, Belgium: Today the European Commission released its new assessment of the EU State of Nature. Showing that we are still experiencing the loss of biodiversity and that European nature is in dire state cannot come as news. However the report shows, for the first time and through concrete examples from across Europe, that when properly protected and managed, nature can recover. For WWF it is important that the EU Birds and Habitats Directives (Nature Directives) are confirmed to be effective and are recognised to be the main legislative tools to ensure the conservation of nature in the EU.

Commenting on the report, Tony Long, Director of WWF European Policy Office, said:

“President Juncker should read carefully this report prepared by his own Commission and showing which are the proper tools to save Europe’s nature and by this to support the recovery of our economy. Europe has an enormous treasure in its hands that needs to be defended against increasing threats by intensive agriculture, and unsustainable energy and transport developments. There are good ways to work with nature, and they always pay off.

We expect this piece of science to strongly feed into the current evaluation of the EU Nature Directives by proving with concrete examples from various countries that when nature is effectively protected, it can recover and deliver benefits to the people. Over 100,000 EU citizens have already called on the Commission to defend these laws and their voices should be heard.”

The Report confirms the poor condition of nature across the EU with only 23% of species and 16% of habitats being in a good status. Intensive agriculture, as well as damaging energy and transport infrastructures, are identified as the main causes of the current decline and degradation of nature. An example of this is the dramatic condition of rivers, wetlands and lakes, with 51% of habitats in wetlands being in bad status.

WWF hopes that the Report will strongly contribute to the current assessment of EU Birds and Habitats Directives carried out by the EU Commission to decide whether they are fit for purpose. In its conclusions the Commission acknowledges the key role of Natura 2000 in helping the recovery of endangered habitats and species. WWF calls on EU policy makers in Brussels and in Member States to seriously consider these conclusions when deciding in the next months on the future of EU’s nature laws.
 
Contact:
Stefania Campogianni, Senior Media and Communications Officer, scampogianni@wwf.eu, +32 499 539736
 
Further information:
WWF together with a group of NGOs across Europe has launched a public e-action asking people to participate in the EU Public Consultation and tell the EU Commission to defend EU Nature Directives. The e-action is available here: http://www.wwf.eu/keepnaturealive/
During the first week over 100,000 people joined the call. Twitter messages are sent to VP Timmermans and EU Environment Commissioner Vella with the hashtag #NatureAlert.
 
Source of the article