Defending the EU Nature Directives, RSPB and BirdLife Europe
In recognition that the EU Nature Directives are the bedrock of nature conservation across Europe, organisations working to protect biodiversity and the environment in Europe campaigned – following the 2014 mandate of the EU Environment Commissioner to ‘modernise’ nature directives – to ensure there would be no weakening of the laws needed to protect the environment, which would be disastrous for people, wildlife and the economy. The A. G. Leventis Foundation provided support to enable BirdLife organisations across the EU to maintain pressure on the European Commission for an additional 18 months until a decision was finally published. Through media, events and demonstrations the campaign reminded the Commission of the public mood – which was overwhelmingly in favour of nature protection: the largest ever public response to an EU consultation. In December 2016 the campaigning for nature was rewarded with a decision to retain the laws in their current form, and the Commission will bring forward measures to support better implementation and funding of the Nature Directives, to better protect and restore nature across Europe.
Grant given:
2016
