1. EU Biodiversity Strategy in context
2nd meeting on GES Descriptor 3+, Brussels, 9-10 April 2013 Matthias Leonhard Maier ENV.B2 – Biodiversity

2. European context Failure to reach target of halting BD loss by 2010
 2010 biodiversity baseline (EEA)
Diagnosis: failure also due to insufficient cross-sectoral integration
European Council: new 2020 headline target
Halting BD loss and ecosystem-service degradation in the EU
Restoring them „in so far as feasible“
Stepping up EU contribution to averting global BD loss
The 2020 target is more ambitious than the 2010 target in that it not only stresses the need to halt biodiversity loss but also highlights the value of ecosystem services, the need to restore them, and the EU's contribution to global biodiversity.

3. Global context CBD COP10, Nagoya, 2010 Follow-up
Strategic Plan Aichi Targets
T6: Sustainable fishing
T11: Protected areas (10% coastal/marine)
Parties to update national BD strategies, action plans (NBSAPs)
Follow-up
Parties‘ 5th national report, March 2014
Mid-term review, COP12, October 2014

4. EU Biodiversity Strategy: status and follow-up
Commission Communication – not legally binding but politically endorsed
Council (Environment), June 2011
European Parliament, April 2012
Building on existing EU law
Environment: Natura 2000, MSFD, WFD, ...
Other sectoral policies, incl. CFP
Mid-term review, early 2014

5. Relevant non-fisheries targets and actions
T1: Full implementation of Birds, Habitats Dir.
A1: Complete N2K network, ensure good mgmt.
T2: Maintain, enhance ecosystems + services
A5: Mapping and assessment (MAES)
1st round of MS-level MAES by 2014
Assessing economic value, integrating into accounting/reporting by 2020
A6: Restoration; green infrastructure
Strategic framework for ecosystem-restoration priorities by 2014
Green infrastructure strategy (forthcoming)
T5: Invasive alien species
A16: Commission legislative proposal (forthcoming)

6. Target 4: sustainable fisheries
Achieve MSY by 2015.
Achieve a population age and size distribution indicative of a healthy stock,
through fisheries management with no significant adverse impacts on other stocks, species and ecosystems,
in support of achieving GES by 2020.

7. Actions related to Target 4
A13: Improve management of fished stocks
Maintain, restore stocks to MSY levels
Long-term management plans with harvest control rules based on MSY approach
Step up data collection; incorporate ecological considerations in MSY by 2020
A14: Eliminate adverse impacts on fish stocks, species, habitats and ecosystems
Eliminate discards, avoid bycatch, preserve VMEs
Implement MSFD, incl. through funds for MPAs

8. Common implementation framework
Overall guidance: BD/Nature Directors (MS + EC)
Joint meeting with Water/Marine Directors (Lithuania, December 2013)
Operational steering: Coordination Group for Biodiversity and Nature – CGBN
Target-specific working groups
New WGs – e.g. T2: MAES, GI/restoration, ...
T4: mainly relying on WG GES

9. Areas, activities of common interest to BD Strategy, MSFD, N2K (1)
Assessment, monitoring
Streamlining and harmonisation of reporting under MSFD and Birds, Habitat Directives
MAES marine: pilot (FR-JRC), workshop (19/6)
Updating biodiversity indicators (EEA/ETC-BD)
Fisheries management
CFP reform; EMFF
Integrating ecosystem considerations (incl. into scientific advice)
Action plan seabird bycatch

10. Areas, activities of common interest to BD Strategy, MSFD, N2K (2)
Protected areas, conservation measures
Adequate designation and management of marine N2K sites and other MPAs
CBD EBSA process, incl. NE-Atlantic