Publications relevant to biodiversity conservation in the EU are listed here; those dealing with global biodiversity are listed under the topic biodiversity and its global governance.

EU publications

Key policy briefs and reports published or sponsored by the EC

Restoring nature: For the benefit of people, nature and the climate
This brochure (2022) illustrates that restoration is already happening across our continent, that it is feasible, and that it works.

Report on the open public consultation of the ‘fitness check’ on the Birds and Habitats Directives.
This report was prepared by external experts for DG-ENV.

The Birds Directive: 40 years of conserving our shared natural heritage
This report (2019) describes the impact of the Birds Directive over 40 years since 1979.

An action plan for nature, people and the economy
This brochure (2017) describes the EU action plan (2017) to rapidly improve the practical implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives and accelerate progress towards the EU 2020 goal of halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Accounting for ecosystems and their services in the European Union (INCA)
Final report from phase II of the INCA project aiming to develop a pilot for an integrated system of ecosystem accounts for the EU: 2021 edition.

Monitoring and mapping biodiversity conservation funding with eConservation1.0
An assessment of needs, challenges and opportunities in documenting conservation efforts globally (JRC technical report, 2021)

Natura 2000: New EU proposal for nature restoration
Introducing the proposal for the EU's new groundbreaking Nature Restoration Law (Nature and biodiversity newsletter, August 2022),

Financing Natura 2000: EU funding opportunities in 2021-2027
This revised report (May 2022) analyses and describes opportunities for financing investments in Natura 2000 in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027. It also attempts to assess synergies and complementarities between investments in Natura 2000 and other EU strategic priorities.

Natura 2000: Protecting 30% of the EU for Nature and People
A quick stocktaking of progress achieved in 2021 on actions envisaged in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. (Nature and biodiversity newsletter, February 2022)

Giving recognition to products and services that contribute to Natura 2000
This brochure (2021) describes a new licensing system created by the Commission for the use of the Natura 2000 logo on goods and services coming from, and contributing to, conservation of Natura 2000 sites. The aim is to make products and services originating from Natura 2000 sites better known to the public, and to give greater recognition to those who harvest Natura 2000 resources in ways that fully support the site's conservation objectives.

Biodiversity financing and tracking
This report provides information from a consultancy project carried out to assist the European Commission in its implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. It evaluates the biodiversity expenditure tracking methodology used by the Commission for the 2014 to 2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, and makes recommendations for tracking in the 2021-2027 period.

How much do Europeans value biodiversity?
A choice experiment exercise to estimate the “habitat and species maintenance” ecosystem service, this report (2021) provides European level spatially explicit estimates of biodiversity non-use value applicable in the decision-making processes and appreciates the hidden contribution of habitat and species maintenance to human wellbeing

Support to the Evaluation of the EU biodiversity strategy to 2020, and follow-up
This study (2022), delivered by external experts, provides the views of the contractors on the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, and is a significant input to the European Commission’s evaluation of the Strategy.

Science for environment policy
European forests for biodiversity, climate change mitigation and adaptation: this Future Brief (2021) brings together the latest evidence on the ability of Europe’s forests to support biodiversity while removing and storing carbon from the atmosphere, providing ecosystem services necessary for climate adaptation and our well-being, and contributing to the bioeconomy and reduction in use of fossil fuels.

Biodiversity strategy for 2030: Barrier removal for river restoration
This document (2022) aims to support MS and other actors involved in river restoration as they seek to achieve EU-BDS 2030 target to make at least 25 000 km of rivers free-flowing again by 2030.

EU funding for biodiversity and climate change in EU forests: positive but limited results
This special report (2021) by the European Court of Auditors makes recommendations for stronger action by the Commission to contribute to the protection of EU forests.

Biodiversity on farmland: CAP contribution has not halted the decline
This special report (2021) by the European Court of Auditors assesses the contribution made by the common agricultural policy (CAP) to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity.

Science at the service of biodiversity
This leaflet describes the EU's new Science Service, dedicated to providing decision-makers with timely research-based options for policymaking on biodiversity.

Mapping and assessment of primary and old-growth forests in Europe
This JRC report (2021) presents an assessment of the knowledge and documented spatial data on primary and old-growth forests in the EU, as well as in some neighbouring countries.

Characteristics, main impacts, and stewardship of natural and artificial freshwater environments: consequences for biodiversity conservation
This JRC overview considers all the main types of natural and artificial inland freshwater ecosystems.

Spatial priorities for freshwater biodiversity conservation in light of catchment protection and connectivity in Europe 
This JRC study sets out spatial conservation priorities for Europe's freshwater ecosystems based on the occurrence of threatened, range-restricted and endemic species.

Development of the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy - A framework for defining substantial contribution for environmental objectives 3-6
This JRC report (2022) is an input to the work of developing technical screening criteria for activities substantially contributing to four remaining environmental objectives defined in the Taxonomy Regulation.

Impacts of climate change in European mountains — Alpine tundra habitat loss and treeline shifts under future global warming
This study assesses changes in the spatial range of the alpine tundra domain (ATD), and in elevational shifts of the treeline ecotone in Europe under scenarios of climate change.

3 billion trees by 2030
This leaflet (2021) outlines how the Commission will facilitate the achievement of its pledge via a roadmap in the EU Forest Strategy

Europe's marine biodiversity remains under pressure
This briefing summarises the current state of biodiversity in Europe's seas.

UN publications

Making Money Local: Can Protected Areas Deliver Both Economic Benefits and Conservation Objectives?
Published by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD Technical Series No. 97.

Protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures
This document describes the CBD decision (2018) on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.

Scoping report for a thematic assessment of the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and the determinants of transformative change and options for achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity
Joint UN-IPBES scoping report on the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and determinants of transformative change.

Global Biodiversity Outlook 5: Summary for Policymakers
The GBO-5 report, prepared by the CBD Secretariat with guidance from SBSTTA, provides a global summary of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and is based on a range of indicators, research studies and assessments.

Other publications

IPBES: The global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services
This report assesses the status and trends with regard to biodiversity and ecosystem services, the impact of biodiversity and ecosystem services on human wellbeing and the effectiveness of responses, including the CBD Strategic Plan and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

Methodological assessment regarding the diverse conceptualization of multiple values of nature and its benefits, including biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services
This IPBES assessment (2022) provides guidance to navigate pathways for reconciling people’s good quality of life with life on Earth and advancing the intertwined economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in a balanced manner.

The Economics of Biodiversity (The Dasgupta Review)
This comprehensive study (2019) of the global biodiversity crisis and related policy challenges includes a review of information tools for decision makers, available instruments for better stewardship of natural capital, and a vision for the road ahead.

Academic publications

Conservation of birds in fragmented landscapes requires protected areas
This study (2022) considers how large habitat fragments must be, and what level of protection is required to sustain species.

Protecting 30 percent of the planet: Costs, benefits and economic implications
This working paper (2020) analyses the economic implications of the proposed 30% target for areal protection in the draft post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Habitat fragmentation and its lasting impact on Earth’s ecosystems
This analysis (2015) of global forest cover shows the impact of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, including the dependence on fragment size and the passage of time.

Bending the Curve of Global Freshwater Biodiversity Loss: An Emergency Recovery Plan
This study presents an Emergency Recovery Plan to bend the curve of freshwater biodiversity loss.