Biodiversity Policy
In most cases, European policies are key drivers of the positive or negative changes in the status of wetland habitats and wetland-dependent species. Under this cross-cutting sub-programme, we focus particularly on the EU Nature Restoration Law, the Common Agricultural Policy and on the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework.
The EU Nature Directives and the Natura 2000 network are the most powerful legal tools underpinning the conservation of wetland habitats and wetland-dependent species. The EU Nature Restoration Law represents a strong opportunity to restore freshwater and marine habitats and habitats for species protected by the Nature Directives.
Sectoral policies, such as the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy, the regional, water, disaster risk reduction, climate change, renewable energy and transport policies represent both opportunities and threats to wetland biodiversity. Allocation of EU funds to climate change mitigation and adaptation, to biodiversity conservation and to subsidising certain agriculture, fisheries and energy project will have profound effects on wetland habitats and associated species.
Our Initiatives
Wetlands at Risk
This initiative highlights the threatened wetlands where Wetlands International and its partners work and our efforts for saving these areas.
Restore Wetlands
We support the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law by sharing good examples and guidelines how to restore wetland habitats.
Farming for Nature
The Common Agricultural Policy is the key to reducing the negative impact of intensive farming on wetlands and climate. Therefore, we focus on promoting a new CAP that does not harm wetlands, wetland-dependent species and the climate.
Biodiversity Finance
The allocation of the EU budget to various policy areas will have profound impacts on wetland biodiversity both within the EU and beyond. Therefore, we engage with the development of the EU’s new Multi-annual Financial Framework.
Our Goals
- Threats to iconic wetland sites are removed through advocacy and practical actions.
- Best practices on wetland restoration are known and applied .
- The new Common Agricultural Policy reduces the pressures on wetlands from farming and support biodiversity- and climate-friendly activities.
- The Green Deal commitments to climate and biodiversity are retained or enhanced in the new Multi-annual Financial Framework.