Update on the Preparation for EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy Mid-Term Report

/ EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERALENVIRONMENT
Directorate B - Natural Capital
ENV.B.2 - Biodiversity
ENV.B.3 - Nature
CGBN
Co-ordination Group
for Biodiversity and Nature
15thmeeting – 19/09/13 (all day)20/09/13 (morning) /

Agenda item 9

Update on the preparation for EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy mid-term report

(DOC.9-1)

Introduction

This paper follows up on the CGBN discussionof 21st March on the preparation for the mid-term report on progress made in implementing the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and in reaching its Targets. It focuses on the development of indicators to measure progress towards the EU and global biodiversity targets and of an enabling tool to support and streamline biodiversity reporting at national, EU and global level.

Progress so far

The EU 2010 Biodiversity Baseline[1]will be slightly adjusted in early 2014 according to the typology of ecosystems adopted within MAES[2]; a complete update based on the new data from the 2007-2012 Article 17/12 reports and MAES outcomes will be available in 2015;
Progress in implementing the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy, and in mainstreaming biodiversity will be assessed by the Commission with the assistance of a supporting contract starting this autumn; it will be based on the results of the work done under the Common Implementation Framework; Member States' 5th National Reports to CBD due by March 2014 will provide a key source of information for the EU mid-term report in 2015;
Progress towards the EU and Aichi biodiversity Targets will be reported on the basis of a coherent set of biodiversity indicators (see EEA documents in annex); the indicators will be published on BISE and regularly updated/upgraded.

Supporting Tools

A group of EU experts from the EEA CHM Working group "Sharing information" is developinga tool for facilitating reporting on biodiversity targets from national to EU and global level. A presentation of a tool using targets and indicators for biodiversity reporting obligations will be made by Belgium.

Conclusion:

The CGBN is asked to take note of the state of progress and to provide feedback on the proposed way forward, in particular the tools to be developed on BISE to facilitate and streamline biodiversity reporting and indicators. CGBN members are also invited to update the Commission on related developments in their respective country.

EEA 2013-2014 indicator activities

in support of assessing progress

towards the 2020 biodiversity targets

(background document prepared by EEA and ETC/BD, version 4 September 2013)

In 2012, the EEA published the Technical Report 11/2012 “Streamlining European biodiversity indicators 2020: building a future on lessons learnt from the SEBI 2010 process”. The report included mapping of existing SEBI and other indicators against the EU and the Aichi 2020 targets,which showed that all the SEBI indicators can be used to measure progress against those targets. Gaps which need further consideration were also identified.

Mid-term review and reporting on progress towards the targets at both global and EU levels is planned in the coming years (2014 and 2015, respectively) and indicators, including the updated SEBI set, are expected to be a crucial component of the reports

Meanwhile, at the end of 2012 the EEA started the SOER2015 project planning.A full revision and update of indicators is expected in support of its production, leading to its publication in the beginning of 2015.

In this context, EEA and ETC/BD work in 2013 and 2014 will focus on strengthening the biodiversity and biodiversity -related indicator sets alignedwith the developments of the Common Implementation Framework at EU level and the flexible indicator framework at the global level as well as the SOER2015 requirements.

How to read the table

The following table is based on the EEA Technical Report 11/2012.

The contents of Table 4.1 of the report have been updated to reflect the recent and planned developments of particular relevance to EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and to Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Moreover, three columns have been added, providing the expected timeline and attributing responsibility for the updates and specific actions to be taken where needed.

Proposed new indicator names are in red

Indicators in development or potential sources of information are in italics.

2020 EU headline target:
‘Halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restoring them in so far as feasible, while stepping up the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss.’
What is needed:
Indicators and information on state of biodiversity beyond specific targets 1 to 6
Aîchi Targets / EU indicator/sub indicator / Expected Update / Follow-up / Other sources
Trends of all common birds in EU
5, 7 / SEBI 01 Abundance and distribution of selected species / 2013 / EEA
Risk of extinction for Birds, Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles in EU
5, 6, 7,12 / SEBI 02 Red List Index for European species / 2013 / EEA
--- / Other sources:
European Red lists on Freshwater fish, Dragonflies,Butterflies, Saproxylic beetles, Molluscs, and Vascular Plants[3],
To be published end 2014: Marine fish, Pollinators and medicinal plants
Check how these new lists can be used to complete SEBI02
Target 1 Nature Conservation: Fully implement the nature Directives:
To halt the deterioration in the status of all species & habitats covered by EU nature legislation and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their status by 2020 compared to current assessments: 100% more habitat assessments and 50% more species assessments under the Habitats Directive show an improved conservation status and more 50% more species assessments under the Birds Directive show a secure or improved status.
What is needed:
Indicators and information on conservation status of species and habitats
reported on the basis of Article 17 of the habitats directive and the article 12 of the birds directive
Aïchi Targets / EU indicator/sub indicator / Expected Update / Follow-up / Other sources
Trends and/or Change of Conservation status
5, 6, 7, 11 / Article 17 species:SEBI 03 Conservation status of species of European interest / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11 / NEW INDICATOR: Article 12 species:Status of bird species(DG ENV contract with BirdLife) / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11, 15 / Article 17 habitats: SEBI 05 Conservation status of habitats of European interest / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD

EU TARGET 2version 4 September 2013

Target 2 Maintain and restore ecosystems and their services
By 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15 % of degraded ecosystems.
What is needed:
Indicators and information on related to the state of ecosystems (extent and quality) and their services.
(Categories of ecosystems must be linked to the MAES typology)
Aïchi Targets / EU indicator/sub indicator / Expected Update / Follow-up / Other sources
Trends in and/or Change ecosystems surface areas
5, 6, 7, 15 / SEBI 04 Ecosystem coverage
(also: CSI14 Land take) / 2013 / EEA
Further work on ecosystem mapping under MAES
(EEA, ETC/SIA, ETC/BD)
Trends in and/or Change of Conservation status per MAES ecosystem:
5, 6, 7, 11, 15 / Article 17 habitats: SEBI 05 Conservation status of habitats of European interest / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11 / Article 17 species:SEBI 03 Conservation status of species of European interest / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11 / Article 12 species:Status of bird species (DG ENV contract with BirdLife) / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
Ecological conditions and/or Pressures on ecosystems
For all ecosystems
8 / SEBI 09 Critical load exceedance for nitrogen / 2013 / EEA
(also: CSI 005 Exposure of ecosystems to acidification, eutrophication and ozone) / EEA / (possible complementary source: study of impacts of excess Nitrogen deposition on Natura 2000 areas)
DG ENV B2 / Work on Green Infrastructure DG ENV B2
EEA / Landscape fragmentation in Europe. EEA report 2/2011
For Forests
5, 7, 11, 14 / SEBI 13 Fragmentation of natural and semi-natural areas / EEA
JRC / 2012 JRC report on forest landscape
For Freshwater
5, 7, 11, 14 / SEBI 14 Fragmentation of river systems / 2014 / EEA
8 / SEBI 16 Freshwater quality / 2013 / EEA
(also: CSI019 Oxygen consuming substances in rivers CSI 020 Nutrients in freshwater) / EEA
Possible source: work on High Resolution Layers for riparian areas
Maintenance of ecosystems (or responses)
5, 6, 7, 11 / SEBI 07 Nationally designated protected areas / 2013 / EEA
Protected areas in Europe, an overview. EEA report 5/2012
Restoration of ecosystems
14, 15 / To be developed under Restoration Prioritisation Framework contract/WG / --- / DG ENV B2
Ecosystem services
14, 15 / To be developed under MAES contract/WG / --- / DG ENV B2
2014 / DG ENV B2 / Other sources:EU Red Lists on Pollinators and Medicinal Plants

EU TARGET 3version 4 September 2013

Target 3 Increase the contribution of agriculture & forestry to maintaining & enhancing biodiversity
A) Agriculture: By 2020, maximise areas under agriculture across grasslands, arable land and permanent crops that are covered by biodiversity-related measures under the CAP so as to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and to bring about a measurable improvement in the conservation status of species and habitats that depend on or are affected by agriculture and in the provision of ecosystem services as compared to the EU2010 baseline, thus contributing to enhance sustainable management.
B) Forests: By 2020, forest management plans or equivalent instruments, in line with Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), are in place for all forests that are publicly owned and for forest holdings above a certain size (to be defined by the Member States or regions and communicated in their rural development programmes) that receive funding under the EU rural development policy so as to bring about a measurable improvement(*) in the conservation status of species and habitats that depend on or are affected by forestry and in the provision of related ecosystem services as compared to the EU 2010 baseline.
(*) For both targets, improvement is to be measured against the quantified enhancement targets for the conservation status of species and habitats of EU interest in Target 1 and the restoration of degraded ecosystems under target 2.
What is needed:
Indicators and information on related to the state of biodiversity, ecosystems and their services related to agriculture and forests
Indicators and information on agricultural and forestry practices ??
Categories of ecosystems must be in line with the MAES typology

Target 3a Increase the contribution of agriculture to maintaining & enhancing biodiversity

Aïchi Targets / EU indicator/sub indicator / Expected Update / Follow-up / Other sources
Trends of selected species relevant for agricultural lands in EU
5, 7 / SEBI 01 Abundance and distribution of selected species: Common farmland birds and grassland butterflies / 2013
2013 / EEA
EEA
Trends and/or Change of Conservation status per MAES ecosystem:
5, 6, 7, 11 / Article 17 species:SEBI 03 Conservation status of species of European interest related to agro-ecosystems and grassland / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11, 15 / Article 17 habitats: SEBI 05 Conservation status of habitats of European interest related to agro-ecosystems and grassland / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11 / Article 12species:Status of bird species related to agro-ecosystems and grassland(DG ENV contract with BirdLife) / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
Agricultural genetic diversity
13 / TO BE FURTHER DEVELOPED
Trends of Ecological conditions and/or Pressures in agro-ecosystems
3, 4, 7 / SEBI 19 Agriculture: Nitrogen Balance / 2013 / EEA
(also: CSI 025: Gross nutrient balanceAEI 15: Gross nitrogen balance) / EEA
3, 4, 7 / AEI 18: Ammonia emissions from agriculture / DG ENV C3
3, 4, 7 / AEI 27.1: Water quality – Nitrate pollution / EEA
AEI 28: Landscape – state and diversity
Trends in good practices
3, 4, 7 / SEBI 20 Agriculture: area under management practices supporting biodiversity / 2013 / EEA
(also: AEI 23 High Nature Value farming
3, 4, 7 / CSI 026 Organic farming, and AEI 4Area under organic farming
3, 4, 7 / AEI 01: Agri-environmental commitments
3, 4, 7, 11 / AEI 02: Agricultural areas under Natura 2000
The common set of baseline, output, result and impact indicators for the rural development programmes – (Common Monitoring Evaluation Framework - CMEF), in particular relevant to Axis 2i

Target 3b Increase the contribution of forestry to maintaining & enhancing biodiversity

Aïchi Targets / EU indicator/sub indicator / Expected Update / Follow-up / Other sources
Trends of selected species relevant for forests in EU
5, 7 / SEBI 01 Abundance and distribution of selected species: Common forest birds / 2013 / EEA
Trends and/or Change of Conservation status for MAES forest ecosystem:
5, 6, 7, 11 / Article 17 species:SEBI 03 Conservation status of species of European interest related to forests / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11, 15 / Article 17 habitats: SEBI 05 Conservation status of habitatsof European interest related to forests / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11 / Article 12species:Status of bird species related to forests(DG ENV contract with BirdLife) / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
Forest genetic diversity
13 / TO BE FURTHER DEVELOPED
Trends of Ecological conditions and/or Pressures in agro-ecosystems
3, 4, 7 / SEBI 17 Forest: growing stock, increment and fellings / 2013 / EEA
3,4, 7 / SEBI 18 Forest: deadwood / 2013 / EEA
Trends in good practices
3, 4, 7 / Additional indicators: Indicators developed in the frame of the pan-European FOREST EUROPE initiative (formerly: MCPFF) in particular indicators of: Maintenance, Conservation and Appropriate Enhancement of Biological Diversity in Forest Ecosystems (FOREST EUROPE Criterion 4)[4]

EU TARGET 4version 4 September 2013

Target 4 Ensure sustainable use of fisheries resources
Achieve Maximum Sustainable Yield (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 Good Environmental Status by 2020, as required under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
What is needed:
Indicators and information on related to the state of marine species and marine ecosystems and on fish stocks.
Indicators and information on fisheries managements??
Aïchi Targets / EU indicator/sub indicator / Expected Update / Follow-up / Other sources
Trends and/or Change of Conservation status for MAES marine ecosystem:
5, 6, 7, 11 / Article 17 species:SEBI 03 Conservation status of speciesof European interest related to marine ecosystems / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11, 15 / Article 17 habitats: SEBI 05 Conservation status of habitatsof European interest related to marine ecosystems / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
5, 6, 7, 11 / Article 12species:Status of bird species related to marine ecosystems(DG ENV contract with BirdLife) / 2014-15 / EEA / ETC/BD
Information on good practices
3, 6 / Potential source: Maximum Sustainable Yield indicator / --
Trends of Ecological conditions and/or Pressures on marine-ecosystems
3, 4, 6, 7 / SEBI 21: Fisheries: European commercial fish stocks / 2013 / EEA
Possible indicators:In 2013, ETCBD will prepare a background document with an overviewof existing marine indicators including the ones developed under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, related to criteria for good environmental status relevant to the descriptors of Annex I to Directive 2008/56/EC[5]

EU TARGET 5version 4 September2013

Target 5 Combat Invasive Alien Species
By 2020, Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and their pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and pathways are managed to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS.
What is needed:
Indicators and information on the trends of IAS and their pathways
Aïchi Targets / EU indicator/sub indicator / Expected Update / Follow-up / Other sources
Trends of Alien species and of Invasive Alien Species
9 / SEBI 10 Invasive alien species in Europe / 2013-14 / EEA / ETC/BD
Information on pathways
Possible source: ETC-BD document on feasibility of pathways indicator (end 2013)

EU TARGET 5version 4 September2013

Target 6Help avert global biodiversity loss
By 2020, the EU has stepped up its contribution to averting global biodiversity loss
What is needed:
Indicators and information on the EU impact on global biodiversity
Aïchi Targets / EU indicator/sub indicator / Expected Update / Follow-up / Other sources
Information on EU impact
4 / SEBI 23 Ecological Footprint of European countries / 2013-14 / EEA
DG ENV B2 / Possible source: DG ENV contract on EU impacts on biodiversity trade on non EU countries
Information on ressources mobilization

version 4 September2013

INDICATORS AND OTHER INFORMATION SOURCES IN SUPPORT OFASSESSING PROGRESS

TOWARDS THE 2020 AICHI BIODIVERSITY TARGETS

Based on CBD SBSTTA 15 recommendation XV/1 of 11 November 2011 (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/15/INF/6).

Aichi Target / EU Indicators / Other information sources
Strategic goal A. Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society
1. By 2020, at the latest,people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably / SEBI 26: Public awareness / Next update of Flash Eurobarometer to be undertaken in summer 2013 (2007, 2010), results September 2013;
2. By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems / Indicators to be developed within MAES Natural Capital Accounting Pilot
3. By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated, phased out or reformed in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts and positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are developed and applied, consistent and in harmony with the Convention and other relevant international obligations, taking into account national socio-economic conditions / ESTAT environmental expenditures (to be checked) / OECD work proposal on how to use OECD databases to monitor Aichi Target 3 (Working Party on Water and Ecosystems)
4. By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to achieve or have implemented plans for sustainable production and consumption and have kept the impacts of use of natural resources well within safe ecological limits / SEBI 17: Forest: growing stock, increment and fellings
SEBI 18: Forest: deadwood
SEBI 19: Agriculture: nitrogen balance
SEBI 20: Agriculture: area under management practices potentially supporting biodiversity (distribution of High Nature Value Farmland & share of total UAA occupied by organic farming
SEBI 21: Fisheries: European commercial fish stocks
SEBI 22: Aquaculture production
SEBI 23: Ecological footprint of EU countries / Indicators developed in the frame of the pan-European FOREST EUROPE initiative (formerly: MCPFF) in particular indicators of: Maintenance, Conservation and Appropriate Enhancement of Biological Diversity in Forest Ecosystems (FOREST EUROPE Criterion 4)[6]
AEI 01: Agri-environmental commitments
AEI 02: Agricultural areas under Natura 2000
AEI 18: Ammonia emissions from agriculture
AEI 27.1: Water quality – Nitrate pollution
The common set of baseline, output, result and impact indicators for the rural development programmes – (Common Monitoring Evaluation Framework - CMEF), in particular relevant to Axis 2i
Strategic Goal B. Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
5. By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced / SEBI 04: Ecosystem coverage
SEBI 05: Conservation status of habitats of European interest
SEBI 13: Fragmentation of natural and semi-natural areas
SEBI 14: Fragmentation of river systems (in development)
6. By 2020, all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested sustainably, legally and applying eco-system based approaches, so that overfishing is avoided, recovery plans and measures are in place for all depleted species, fisheries have no significant adverse impacts on threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries on stocks, species and ecosystems are within safe ecological limits / SEBI 02: Red List Index for European marine species