Agriculture & Land Management

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Our Work

Forests and other wooded areas cover slightly more of the EU land area than is used by agriculture. However, these two land uses overlap and interact, particularly in areas used for traditional silvo-pastoral farming and modern agro-forestry. IEEP's Agriculture and Land Management Programme examines how long-term sustainable management of Europe’s forests and wooded land can deliver biodiversity, ecosystem services and other benefits for society, while providing a wide range of raw materials and rural employment.

We also focus on the need to improve the resilience of Europe’s forests to the effects of climate change and their important but complex role in carbon storage and renewable energy. Our Biodiversity Programme addresses the need to improve conservation management of internationally important forest habitats and species and the role of forests in providing green infrastructure and supporting the adaptation of other ecosystems to climate change.

We support the integration of environmentally-friendly forestry into EU and Member States’ policies through our work on rural development within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU Forest Strategy, the Natura 2000 Directives and the EU Biodiversity Strategy. We have a long-standing commitment to improve the knowledge base and awareness of High Nature Value forestry. We also seek to inform the policy debate on climate change, including the benefits and impacts of wood fuel. IEEP is actively involved in improving cross-sectoral linkages between EU forest, energy, agriculture and nature conservation policies, particularly in the context of the accounting rules for greenhouse gas emissions in the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sector.

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Forest Policy

New report launch: Call for a new vision for responsible renewable energy with a clear European dimension

Claude Turmes MEP hosted an event launching both IEEP’s report and a debate on the future of renewable energy in Europe. In the our report IEEP present how a resource efficient energy system might be delivered in a way that minimises impact on biodiversity and the wider environment.
The EU’s climate targets, land use, and forests: delivering biodiversity-friendly mitigation

Land use and forestry is a new frontier for EU climate policy. IEEP’s report for FERN sets out some ideas for how a supportive policy framework can deliver both climate and biodiversity benefits.
EU research project PEGASUS - new thinking on sustainable land management

EU research project PEGASUS kicked off in London on 29-30 April. The three-year project, led by IEEP, is focused on transforming land management approaches in the EU to improve the delivery of public goods and ecosystem services from rural areas.
The Manual: Chapter 13 - Sectoral policies

This is a chapter of IEEP’s Manual of European Environmental Policy. This chapter sets out the development of some of the most important links between EU environmental policy and other policy areas, such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, transport, trade, and so on.
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.
New report: High Nature Value Farming in the EU

Member States need to make the most of the opportunities under the new Common Agricultural Policy if the declines in HNV farming, critical for meeting our 2020 biodiversity targets, are to be halted.
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.
Costs of delivering environmental benefits through agriculture and forestry management

For the first time, this report provides an estimate of the scale of funding needed to achieve environmental outcomes through agricultural and forestry management in the EU to 2020.
Taking into account opportunity costs when assessing costs of biodiversity and ecosystem action

The study provides an estimate the costs of biodiversity action in the EU with special consideration of opportunity costs.
The role of forestry in UK rural development programmes

A range of forestry measures feature in the new European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and IEEP was asked by the Land Use Policy Group (LUPG) to explore the potential for using these ...
MEACAP: Selection and specification of technical measures in

This report explores the expected impact of the Kyoto Protocol on European forestry. In particular the potential for the Forest Management option is examined. The report concludes that the position of ...

Highlights

The EU’s climate targets, land use, and forests: delivering biodiversity-friendly mitigation

Land use and forestry is a new frontier for EU climate policy. IEEP’s report for FERN sets out some ideas for how a supportive policy framework can deliver both climate and biodiversity benefits.
Costs of delivering environmental benefits through agriculture and forestry management

For the first time, this report provides an estimate of the scale of funding needed to achieve environmental outcomes through agricultural and forestry management in the EU to 2020.