Overview
We all depend on nature for our food, air, water, energy and raw materials. Nature and biodiversity make life possible, provide health and social benefits and drive our economy. Nature is also our best ally in tackling the climate crisis.
In the EU and worldwide, we’re currently destroying nature faster than ever. Ecosystems and services they provide are under pressure from urban sprawl, intensive agriculture, pollution, invasive species and climate change.
As part of the European Green Deal, the biodiversity strategy for 2030 is the EU’s plan to put biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030. It contains specific commitments and actions to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems, building on existing nature laws.
The Birds and Habitats Directive (“Nature Directives”) are the EU’s oldest environmental laws. They form the backbone of EU biodiversity policy and are the legal basis for Natura 2000 – the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world.
In the EU
Objectives
The EU's biodiversity strategy for 2030 is a comprehensive, ambitious and long-term plan to put nature on a path to recovery by 2030, by protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ecosystems.
Biodiversity in the EU
Birds Directive
EU measures to protect Europe’s wild bird species
Habitats Directive
EU measures to conserve Europe’s wild flora and fauna
Protected areas - Natura 2000
The largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world.
Nature restoration
The Commission's proposal for a new law to restore ecosystems, habitats and species.
Invasive alien species
Preventing and minimising the effects on invasive alien species on Europe’s biodiversity.
Pollinators
Contributing to global conservation efforts and addressing the decline of wild pollinators.
Urban greening
Supporting towns and cities in restoring nature and biodiversity.
Animals in zoos
Promoting the protection and conservation of wild animals outside their natural habitat.
Green infrastructure
Promoting the use and integration of green infrastructure in all EU policies.
Global biodiversity
International agreement
Protecting and restoring biodiversity worldwide through the Kunming-Montreal Agreement agreed at COP15.
Wildlife trade (CITES)
EU measures to protect endangered species from illegal trade activities.
Humane trapping standards
Ensuring humane trapping standards and high standards of animal welfare.
Trade in seal products
Prohibiting the placing of seal products on the EU market.
International whaling
Protecting whales and dolphins from disturbances, capture or killing within EU waters.
Sharing nature’s genetic resources
Ensuring that benefits from genetic resources are shared fairly and equitably with the country providing these resources.
Natural capital accounting
A tool to measure the changes in the stock and condition of natural capital (i.e. ecosystems) into accounting and reporting systems.
Pollinator Park
Discover what our world would look like without pollinating insects with this virtual-reality experience.
EU Pollinator Information Hive
Information on the conservation of wild pollinator species in the EU
Business@Biodiversity
A unique forum for dialogue and policy interface to discuss the links between business and biodiversity at EU level.
Biodiversity Information System for Europe (BISE)
The source of data and information on biodiversity in Europe.
Mapping and assessing ecosystems (MAES)
Mapping out and assessing the conditions and trends of ecosystems to inform environmental policy.
Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity
The science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Natura 2000 Network Viewer
Find a Natura 2000 site by Birds Directive Sites or Habitats Directive Sites
Supporting biodiversity in the outermost regions - BEST initiative
A voluntary scheme to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services in the EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories.