The Fitness Check Process

At beginning of the year, the European Commission started an evaluation process of the current Birds (1979) and Habitats (1992) Directives, known as Fitness Check. These two directives constitute the basis of European Conservation Policy and, after several decades since their adoption, it is paramount to know if they are still “fit for purpose”.

The Fitness Check is then a retrospective evaluation developed within the Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT). Its specific objective was to assess through a broad consultation process the Effectiveness, Efficiency, Relevance, Coherence and the Added Value of the Birds and Habitats Directives.

Main Findings

Today, the study has been finished, and the general conclusion is that the Directives have generated many important benefits for nature conservation and sustainable development. Furthermore the costs of implementation are reasonable, and outweighed by the benefits, although they do impact some stakeholders more than others. To end with, the evaluation shows that the Directives are “fit for purpose”, and the slower progress made is not caused by the legislation itself but by its implementation.

Effectiveness

Although considerable progress has been made, the measures taken are not yet sufficient to meet the overall aims of the Directives. Nonetheless, the Directives have reduced pressure on biodiversity, slowed declines and led to some recoveries of habitats and species. On the other hand, it seems that the Directives alone cannot deliver the EU’s biodiversity targets without complementary action at EU and national level, and the availability of funding seems to be the strongest factor that conditions their implementation.

Efficiency

The Directives have enhanced funding for nature conservation in the EU. However, these funding remains been insufficient across the EU and constitutes a major barrier for achieving the Directives objectives.

Relevance

The Directives provide an efficient framework to address the key problems faced by habitats and species in Europe. The most frequent pressures on European protected habitats and species are linked to habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation resulting from land use change, especially from agriculture. On the other hand, stakeholders agree that the Directives’ aims and overall approach are still valid and appropriate, and that the Annexes should be further updated.

Coherence

Both Directives are internally coherent and with each other, although some differences in scope and wording of specific and operational measures exist. Furthermore, the integration of nature and biodiversity within various EU funding programmes seems to not to be clear, especially those referring to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Cohesion Policy. The causes for this rely on the priorities set at national and regional levels and on the fund-raising capacity of the stakeholders.

EU added value

Due to the transnational character of nature, actions taken at EU level are considered as the most effective way to achieve the conservation objectives of the Directives. Likewise, it has been proved that the Directives have introduced innovative changes and have harmonised standards of protection and requirements within Europe in a way that could have not been done by implementing a patchwork of differing regulations across the continent.

For extended information, read the Evaluation Study to support the Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats Directives.

Life in the city

With seven out of ten people living in urban areas, a big part of our society is exposed to different impacts derived from the high population density and technology use. These impacts affect to our health at physical and psychological level alike, leading to an important expenditure on healthcare resources. However, scientific evidences exist on the role that nature can have in palliating the negative effects related with urban life style. Away from being the solution to these problems, interaction with nature is an effective way of preventing diseases derived from them.

How Nature can help?

Air and noise pollution, are the foremost causes of illness in our society. Whilst air pollutants induce respirational and cardiovascular diseases, excessive noise level causes sleep disturbance and stress. Likewise, low physical activity levels, mental diseases, social exclusion and inequalities are matters of great concern in urban areas that affect a significant part of the population. In this regard, the interaction with nature has been pr0ved to be benefitial both in the recovery of certain diseases and on improving the overall health status of city inhabitants. This way, green infrastructures reduce the exposure to air pollutants and reduce noise propagation, and natural areas provide citizens with places to reduce their obesity, improve their mental health and develop social inclusion opportunities through volunteering programs and jobs.

Workshop on The Health and Social Benefits of Biodiversity and Nature Protection

Last January, EUROPARC representatives participated in the Workshop on Health and Social Benefits of Biodiversity and Nature Protection, providing case studies and advise. The objective of this study, which was promoted by the Institute for European Environmental Policy, was to analyse and document the scientific evidence behind the benefits of nature protection and biodiversity conservation.

The report of this study is already available, and includes extended information on the health and social benefits of nature along with recommendations on how the EU can contribute to promote them. Read the whole report here.

Sustainable tourism is one of the core areas of the EUROPARC Federation and we are proud to announce that a new partnership agreement has just been signed with the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards is an initiative led by the World Travel & Tourism Council that annually recognises organisations who “ensure the long-term sustainable growth of the tourism industry”.

EUROPARC President, Ignace Schops, emphasises that

EUROPARC and the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards share a common view for tourism in Europe: green, sustainable and with positive impacts in the local livelihoods. More than that, we both know that working in partnership is the best way to develop tourism sustainably.

With this agreement, EUROPARC strengthened its relation with the World Travel & Tourism Council and enlarge the visibility of both awarding schemes for sustainable destinations. In other hand, all the Sustainable Destinations and respective Partners that have been following the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas standards, have here a good opportunity to have world wide recognition of their work!

Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas: a 20 years journey

Tourism is a booming business and Parks are, more than ever, epicentres of touristic activities. EUROPARC has long recognised the need to take care of both the land and the people who live and work there, and make tourism an opportunity that is “Good for Parks, Good for People”.

When, in 1993, the Federation published the ground breaking report “Loving Them to Death”, was far to imagine that, 23 years after, there would be over 150 sustainable destinations in Europe awarded with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas (ECSTPA). The ECSTPA is a practical management tool that enables Protected Areas to develop tourism sustainably, by working in partnership with all local relevant stakeholders. During the process, the local community, enterprises and Park authorities develop a common vision for the territory and implement an action plan towards achieving higher quality and sustainability in their touristic offer. The award, given by EUROPARC, recognises not just a commitment to sustainable tourism but also the implementation of practical sustainable actions by public and private partners.

To learn more about the European CharterforSustainable Tourism read the manual “Good forParks, Good for People”.

Good for Parks, Good for People – ECST benefits, conditions and guidelines

Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

The WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards is aimed at recognising best practices in sustainable tourism within the industry globally, based upon the principles of environmentally friendly operations; support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage; and direct benefits to the social and economic well-being of local people in travel destinations around the world.

Candidates can apply to one of the 5 categories: Community, Destination, Environment, Innovation and People. Applications are open until the 14th November and are free of charge. Both profit and non-profit organisation can apply. Read here the Rules and Guidelines to apply and some useful information here.

EUROPARC encourages all Sustainable Destinations and Partners working with the ECSTPA to apply and get world wide recognition!

Friske Fraspark Svalbard Reiselivskonferanse – Tourism and Environment Conference.

This week at Svalbard (Norway) different international politicians, park managers, business representatives, scientists and other stakeholders have gathered in the “Friske Fraspark Svalbard Reiselivskonferanse – Tourism and Environment Conference”.

This Conference wants to be a “fresh kick-start” meeting for re-structuring Svalbard, and is being hold with the objective of discussing key factors for developing sustainable tourism in combination with the conservation of the environment at this archipelago.

EUROPARC brings examples of European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas

Carol Ritchie, Executive Director of EUROPARC Federation, has joined this Conference and discussed how touristic development can be combined with environmental protection. In this framework, the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas brings some good examples. Therefore, several cases of European Charter members, like La Garrotxa (Spain), Parque Cinque Terre (Italy), and Lands of Priolo (Portugal), have been presented, being the latter a perfect example for Svalbard scenario.

A reference for wildlife management and tourism development

Located at Sao Miguel Island, in the Azores archipelago, Lands of Priolo is one of the parks that belong to the European Charter Network. At this place, tourism development is being undertaken in combination with the protection of the Azores bullfinch, or “Priolo”, and endemic and highly threatened species that inhabits the island. In the case of Svalbard, a similar approach could be taken to guarantee the preservation of species residing in it, like the Polar bear or the Arctic fox, whose populations are endangered worldwide.

With Carol’s presentation, and thanks to the lessons learned through the European Charter of Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, EUROPARC wants to collaborate with the development of a new and more sustainable Svalbard. You can find more information on the Conference’s page.