Update on Climate Change, Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity EXPERT GROUP ON THE MANAGEMENT OF NATURA 2000 Brussels, 22 February 2010 Update on Climate Change, Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity Karin Zaunberger European Commission DG ENV B2

CONTENT Climate change impacts on biodiversity DG ENV Service Contract Work of EU Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change What next ?

Direct impacts of climate change on biodiversity in Europe Reviews in 2008 - 2009

Impacts of climate change and selected renewable energy infrastructures on EU biodiversity and the Natura 2000 network EC Service Contract “Biodiversity and Climate Change in relation to the Natura 2000 Network” Task reports on CIRCA

Service Contract commissioned by DG ENV / Nature and Biodiversity Unit The project Service Contract commissioned by DG ENV / Nature and Biodiversity Unit 198,000 EUR; January 2008 - 30 August 2009 (extended) Project tasks, partners and contributing staff: AEA (Mike Harley, Nikki Hodgson, Todd Sajwaj, Maria Pooley, Eleanor Glen, Roxi Schiopu) Axiom-ESKA (Guus Keder, Russell Galt) IEEP (Graham Tucker) IUCN (Yves de Soye) UNEP-WCMC (Barney Dickson, Monika Bertzky, Igor Lysenko, Corinna Ravilious)

EU Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change Subgroup to the Co-ordination Group for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (CGNB) Possible support to Impact and Adaptation Steering Group (IASG; follow-up to the White Paper on Adaptation) 5 meetings held so far: next meeting 9 March Collaboration with other groups: CBD AHTEG, Expert Group Bern Convention, ENCA adaptation group, YOU, etc Main output so far: Discussion Paper – Towards a Strategy on Climate change, Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/climatechange/index_en.htm CIRCA http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/home

Species may adapt to climate change either through adapting on site, or by dispersing and establishing at new sites or a combination of these. Potential adaptation strategies include create adaptable conservation areas e.g. by management of sites to increase resilience, expansion of sites or identification and designation of new sites; ensure sound conservation in the wider environment; reduce other sources of harm e.g. invasive species, pollution, inappropriate management; connect existing sites through corridors and stepping stones; conserve genetic diversity; as extreme solutions: develop ex-situ conservation or translocate species in order to assist migration; and take no action through informed choice

Ecosystem-based approaches – Natural Solutions

What next ? Action Points of White Paper on Adaptation COM(2009) 147 final Explore the possibilities to improve policies and develop measures which address biodiversity loss and climate change in an integrated manner to fully exploit co-benefits and avoid ecosystem feedbacks that accelerate global warming Draft guidelines by 2010 on dealing with the impact of climate change on the management of Natura 2000 sites Impact and Adaptation Steering Group Service contract for N2K guidelines Copenhagen Accord follow-up Post 2010 Biodiversity Strategy (EU and International) Strategy on Green Infrastructure

Thank you for your attention Working with nature Thank you for your attention