Ecologic Institute

The ongoing decline in biodiversity threatens fundamental ecosystem functions. An increased fragmentation of habitats in continental Europe has yielded a gradual loss in animal species and plants which jeopardizes human utilization of natural resources. Willing to complement the EU’s efforts to halt this trend, the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) promotes nature protection cooperation between the EU and its Eastern and Southern neighbours. To support the effort, the European Commission has issued a guide to nature protection for its European neighbours and Russia.

Drafted by Ecologic Fellow Sandra Naumann, the guide outlines a wide range of benefits deriving from compliance with EU nature protection policies like the habitats directive (EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora). However, the environmental and socio-economic gains associated with these successes will not materialise unless the main challenges to convergence are overcome. To achieve this goal, the guide serves as a roadmap toward sustainable nature protection.
The guide is a result of Ecologic’s project ”Environmental Components of the European Neighbourhood Policy.”   

The guide can be downloaded in four languages.
Englisch [pdf, 690 KB]
Französisch [pdf, 694 KB]
Russisch [pdf, 724 KB]
Arabisch [pdf, 826 KB]

This guide on nature protection policy is part of a series of short convergence guides for ENP Partners and Russia published by the European Commission. Their purpose is to help EU neighbours realise the benefits associated with ENP Action Plans.

The following guides have been published in this series:
Covergence with Nature Protection Policies
Convergence with EU Air Pollution Policies
Convergence with EU IPPC Policies
Convergence with EU Waste Policies
Convergence with EU Water Policies
Horizontal Environmental EC Legislation

Keywords: ENP, EU, European Commission, European Neighbourhood Policy, Russia, nature protection, biodiversity, ecosystem, natural resources, ecosystem services,  habitat, Habitats and Birds Directives, , European Environmental Policy, Sustainable Development, Internation Environmental Policy
Citation: Naumann, Sandra 2007: Convergence with EU Nature Protection Policy - Short Guide for ENP Partners and Russia. Brussels: European Communities.
Authors: Sandra Naumann
Year: 2007
Languages: English, French, Russian, Arabic
Publisher: European Communities
Place (of publisher): Brussels
ISBN: 978-92-79-08295-5
Project number: 903
Sponsor: European Commission

Table of contents:
1 Introduction
2 In a Nutshell
3 Expected Benefits of Convergence
4 Overview of EU Nature Protection Policy
4.1 Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC
4.2 Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC
4.3 Related multilateral environmental agreements
4.4 Further relevant EU Nature Protection Policy
5 Current situation with respect to the Nature Protection Policy sector
5.1 EU’s Eastern ENP partner countries and Russia
5.1.1 Particular concerns and challenges
5.1.2 Institutional set up
5.2 EU’s Mediterranean ENP partner countries
5.2.1 Particular concerns and challenges
5.2.2 Institutional set up
6 Conclusions for ENP partner countries
6.1 Main challenges and priority tasks
6.2 Costs estimates for implementing EU Nature Protection Directives and experiences in the new Member States
7 Further Information