-
Space for energy crops – An assessment on the potential contribution of Europe’s energy future
The overall energy potential that can be produced from growing dedicated energy crops on ‘spare’ land in the EU is low. This new report explores the potential for the additional production of energy crops in Europe on land not already used for food production, forestry, or providing other important services, and assesses some of the challenges associated with increasing output.
agriculture
bioenergy
biofuels
energy
land use
mitigation
natural resources
renewable energy
resource use
soil
transport21 May 2014 -
High Nature Value farming throughout EU-27 and its financial support under the CAP
This study reviews Member States’ estimates of the extent of HNV farmland and use of RDP measures and the CMEF indicators, then identifies future priorities for CAP support for HNV farming and discusses the support opportunities under the reformed CAP. It offers detailed new evidence about the combined effect of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 CAP payments on the economic and environmental viability of a typical HNV farming system in three Member States.
agriculture
biodiversity
Biodiversity Action Plan
Birds Directive
CAP
climate change
cross-compliance
ecosystems
Environmental Policy Integration
EU funding
financial instruments
grassland
Habitats Directive
high nature value
indicators
land use
livestock
Natura 2000
natural resources
nature conservation
organic farming
payment for ecosystem services
public goods
soil
subsidiarity16 May 2014 -
Environmental policy and the UK’s review of the EU Balance of Competences
The UK Government’s Balance of Competences review has now taken evidence on 25 subject areas, including the 6 with the most relevance for the Environment. We take stock of the IEEP’s contributions, and consider what a possible UK renegotiation might mean for the environment.
agriculture
air quality
benefits of legislation
best practice
better regulation
biodiversity
Birds Directive
climate change
cohesion policy
energy
Environmental Impact Assessment
EU budget
EU institutions
EU treaties
fisheries
governance
Habitats Directive
industrial pollution
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Natura 2000
natural resources
nature conservation
REACH
renewable energy
waste
Waste Framework Directive
Water Framework Directive19 Mar 2014 -
Options for sustainable food and agriculture in the EU
How should Europe respond to the increased demands on our food and agriculture systems arising from global population growth, changing diets, and competing demands on agricultural land? This report offers a view on how the EU could play a role in meeting these challenges in the coming decades and sets out some of the options which merit particular attention.
agriculture
biodiversity
bioenergy
biofuels
climate change
eco-innovation
food
genetically modified organism
land use
livestock
natural resources
recycling
soil
sustainable consumption and production
sustainable development
waste17 Dec 2013 -
Europe’s role in feeding the world in 2050
IEEP presents views on how Europe should respond to the increased demands on our food and agriculture systems arising from global population growth, changing diets, and competing demands on agricultural land.
agriculture
biodiversity
bioenergy
biofuels
climate change
eco-innovation
food
genetically modified organism
land use
livestock
natural resources
recycling
resource use
soil
sustainable consumption and production
sustainable development
waste17 Dec 2013 -
Interactions between climate change and agriculture; and between biodiversity and agriculture in Europe
What should be Europe’s role in feeding the world in 2050? This IEEP report for the European Parliament describes options for increasing the productivity of European agriculture whilst adapting to climate change, reducing emissions, and providing biodiversity and ecosystem service benefits from agriculture.
adaptation
agri-environment
agriculture
biodiversity
bioenergy
biofuels
birds
climate change
eco-innovation
food
genetically modified organism
high nature value
land use
livestock
mitigation
natural resources
organic farming
recycling
resource use
soil
sustainable consumption and production
sustainable development
waste29 Oct 2013 -
Sectoral resource mobilisation to implement global biodiversity targets
There is an urgent need to find sufficient resources to enable developing countries to implement the global targets for biodiversity by 2020. Financing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity from different sectoral funding flows can complement global biodiversity financing.
biodiversity
Convention on Biological Diversity
eco-labelling
ecosystem services
EU funding
EU Sustainable Development Strategy
financial instruments
green economy
habitat banking
market based instruments
multilateral environmental agreements
natural resources
nature conservation
payment for ecosystem services
policy instruments
sustainable development
TEEB09 Oct 2013 -
Ecosystem services of boreal mires and peatlands in Finland
Mire ecosystems are well-known for their unique species and habitats of high conservation value and they also provide a range of benefits to our societies and economies. This publication outlines the results of a pioneering project that aimed to identify and valuate ecosystem services provided by pristine mires and managed peatlands in Finland.
biodiversity
bioenergy
biofuels
Convention on Biological Diversity
eco-labelling
ecosystem services
market based instruments
multilateral environmental agreements
natural resources
nature conservation
protected area
sustainable development
TEEB30 Sep 2013 -
Does the EU benefit the UK environment?
This report considers how environmental policy in the EU effects the UK and looks at some alternatives. Overall the impact within the environmental domain can be judged to be strongly positive to the UK. The action taken has been well balanced, with benefits for human health and welfare and the sustainability of the economy as well as the environment itself.
air quality
Birds Directive
chemicals
climate change
economics
Environmental Impact Assessment
EU institutions
EU treaties
fisheries
Habitats Directive
industrial pollution
landfill
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Natura 2000
natural resources
nature conservation
public participation
REACH
recycling
waste
Waste Framework Directive
Water Framework Directive12 Aug 2013 -
Incorporating biodiversity and ecosystem service values into national strategies and action plans
This guidance document has been prepared to support practitioners of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans to update their plans to incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem service values. Six in depth country case studies provide common lessons of good practice.
biodiversity
Biodiversity Action Plan
Convention on Biological Diversity
economics
ecosystem approach
ecosystem services
ecosystems
Environmental Policy Integration
green economy
indicators
natural resources
nature conservation
public goods
resource use
sustainable development04 Jun 2013 -
Webinar: Incorporating biodiversity into national strategies and action plans
IEEP has just produced a roadmap and guidance document to help practitioners to incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem values into their NBSAPs. See case study examples and tune into the webinars on June 5 and 7.
biodiversity
Biodiversity Action Plan
Convention on Biological Diversity
economics
ecosystem services
ecosystems
Environmental Policy Integration
green economy
indicators
natural resources
nature conservation
public goods
sustainable development04 Jun 2013 -
Land as an Environmental Resource
How can we meet the different and often conflicting demands we make on our limited supply of rural land in Europe? A more strategic approach to the way in which land is used is needed than has been the case in the past. This report for DG Environment looks at the data, the challenges and the policy options for Europe.
agriculture
bioenergy
biofuels
CAP
climate change
ecosystem services
forestry
natural resources
policy instruments
renewable energy
resource use01 May 2013 -
New report: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Water and Wetlands
This new IEEP-led report presents insights on the importance of wetlands in delivering ecosystem services that are needed to support human life, and also for people’s livelihoods and the world’s economies. The report shows that demonstrating and using the values of ecosystem services related to water and wetlands can lead to better informed, more cost-effective, and fairer decision- making.
climate change
Convention on Biological Diversity
economics
ecosystem approach
ecosystem services
ecosystems
fisheries
flooding
green economy
indicators
marine
marine protected areas
market based instruments
natural resources
nature conservation
payment for ecosystem services
TEEB
water
Water Framework Directive
water quality
water scarcity
wetland04 Feb 2013 -
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Water and Wetlands
This new IEEP-led report presents insights on the importance of wetlands in delivering ecosystem services that are needed to support human life, and also for people’s livelihoods and the world’s economies. The report shows that demonstrating and using the values of ecosystem services related to water and wetlands can lead to better informed, more cost-effective, and fairer decision- making.
climate change
Convention on Biological Diversity
economics
ecosystem approach
ecosystem services
ecosystems
fisheries
flooding
green economy
indicators
marine
marine protected areas
market based instruments
natural resources
nature conservation
payment for ecosystem services
TEEB
water
Water Framework Directive
water quality
water scarcity
wetland01 Feb 2013 -
Socio-economic importance of ecosystem services in the Nordic countries
New TEEB-inspired regional assessment (published on 31 January) shows that nature and its ecosystem services are of high socio-economic significance for the Nordic countries. In order to be truly sustainable, Nordic economic systems need to build on a more comprehensive appreciation and understanding of the value of natural capital.
agri-environment
biodiversity
carbon capture and storage
ecosystem services
financial instruments
fisheries
green economy
indicators
marine
Maritime Policy
Natura 2000
natural resources
nature conservation
payment for ecosystem services
regional policy
sustainable development
TEEB
water quality
wetland30 Jan 2013 -
Running out of time? Stepping up action for Europe's environment
New report by IEEP launched at high-level conference in Brussels.
biodiversity
climate change
ecosystem services
energy
enforcement
environmental action programme
environmental fiscal reform
Environmental Policy Integration
environmental taxation
environmentally harmful subsidies
EU 2020 strategy
EU budget
EU funding
governance
green economy
impact assessment
market based instruments
monitoring
natural resources
nature conservation
policy instruments
renewable energy
resource use
waste05 Dec 2012 -
The EU Water Blueprint: Assessing the policy options
The Water Blueprint proposes action to address 12 key problems for Europe’s waters. An IEEP led study found that improved guidance, information system, data exchange and funding were the best instruments to address many of these problems, with limited scope for new law.
adaptation
agri-environment
agriculture
benefits of legislation
better regulation
CAP
climate change
cohesion policy
ecosystem services
enforcement
Environmental Impact Assessment
flooding
governance
impact assessment
natural resources
resource use
water
Water Framework Directive
water quality
water scarcity15 Nov 2012 -
Exploring key priorities and actions for the 7th EAP
This policy paper examines how the forthcoming 7EAP can contribute to protecting natural systems and improving the way in which we use natural resources. It also examines a number of cross-cutting actions needed to support the priorities of the 7EAP and ensure better delivery of EU environment policy.
biodiversity
eco-innovation
environmental action programme
environmental fiscal reform
governance
natural resources26 Sep 2012 -
What do we mean by Green Economy?
What is the Green Economy? What policy actions can contribute to achieving it? And how have EU-funded research projects supported these actions?
green economy
natural resources
sustainability criteria
sustainable consumption and production
TEEB12 Jul 2012 -
Green Economy in the European Union
Elements of the green economy concept are relatively well integrated in EU strategic documents - but the focus is on achieving green/sustainable growth, rather than achieving a ‘green economy’.
green economy
natural resources
sustainability criteria
sustainable consumption and production
TEEB11 Jul 2012