Agriculture & Land Management

Latest in Agriculture & Land Management

• 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.

• 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.

• Sustainable management of natural resources with a focus on water and agriculture

  Can sustainable management of natural resources in Europe’s agricultural sector contribute to sustainable water use? What other sectors have a role to play in significantly improving water use across Europe and what are the good practices and tools that are available? A new report for the European Parliament explores these questions.

• IEEP reports to the Science and Technology Options (STOA) Panel of the European Parliament

  Recycling for bioenergy and options for climate-resilient agriculture which benefits biodiversity: presentation to the Science and Technology Options Panel of the European Parliament

• European Parliament has opportunity to set EU biofuels policy on a more sustainable trajectory

  11 September 2013 – Today’s MEPs will look to agree the European Parliament’s approach to address indirect land use change (ILUC) impacts from the production and consumption of biofuels in the EU.

• Summer newsletter - CAP: Starting on a new track

  The latest edition of IEEP's quarterly newsletter is now available. Read how IEEP continues to push forward the future of biofuels policy, plus reactions to the latest CAP agreements, and much more…

• Environment undermined in CAP deal

  An attempt by the European Commission to place the environment more centrally within agricultural policy has been comprehensively watered down in the final agreement.

• IEEP’s latest reflections on the European Commission’s proposal to mitigate indirect land use change from biofuels – June 2013

  How can we achieve a more sustainable biofuel policy in the EU? What is needed now and what path should policy take beyond 2020? Read the latest IEEP briefing around the ongoing ILUC debate.

• Biofuels and ILUC – Q&A

  Recurring questions on biofuels and ILUC are addressed in IEEP’s latest report to help build a robust policy to deal with ILUC and other impacts of large scale production of first generation biofuels.

• Natural capital in a Nordic context

  A report for the Nordic Council of Ministers reviewing five different approaches to natural capital accounting and exploring their links with biodiversity and ecosystems.

• 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.

• Press release - Shifting away from conventional biofuels

  15 May – A new report produced by IEEP for ActionAid suggests that a sustainable advanced biofuel sector in the UK could not only lead to thousands of new jobs but also help to deliver better greenhouse gas (GHG) savings and improve the overall environmental and social performance of the biofuel sector.

• Shifting away from conventional biofuels

  The UK has ample potential to use wastes and residues for advanced biofuels and create jobs in this emerging industry – but safeguards are key to ensure this is done in an environmentally sustainable way.

• 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.

• A greener CAP: still within reach?

  The greening of the CAP hangs in the balance in the final negotiations; a synthesis of key issues and requirements.

• How to climate-proof CAP and Cohesion spending

  The Commission has published two key technical guidance documents on climate proofing of Cohesion Policy and CAP expenditure as part of the Adaptation Strategy Package. Guidance builds on work carried out by a consortium led by IEEP.

• Welcome move on ILUC by the European Parliament’s rapporteur

  IEEP welcomes the progressive draft report by French MEP Corinne Lepage on the European Commission’s proposal on indirect land use change (ILUC).

• Greening the CAP - how ‘equivalent’ are alternative approaches?

  A contentious issue in the negotiations on the future of the CAP is how to implement the proposed new green direct payments to farmers. However, proposals to increase flexibility for Member States will not necessarily be administratively any simpler and may risk weakening environmental outcomes.

• The sustainability of advanced biofuels in the EU

  Using wastes and residues for biofuels has many advantages. But ensuring sustainability and including safeguards in EU legislation are critical issues.

• Alternative means of reducing CO2 emissions from UK road transport

  Up to 2020 greater use of renewable electricity is the leading alternative to biofuels to reduce the carbon intensity of car and rail transport fuels. To realise this potential requires a mix of responses, including: increasing the decarbonisation of existing transport fuels; improving the energy efficiency of vehicles; and changing the way vehicles are used.