The Natura 2000 biogeographical process’s aim is to promote knowledge exchange, networking, and cooperation on Natura 2000 related issues at a biogeographical region level. In recent years, the process has been expanded to enhance the pledge and review process of EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030 targets for improving conservation for protected species and habitats.
On November 8 and 9 national representatives, institutes and organisations from the Baltic Sea region gathered in Riga to review their approaches to the pledges as well as methodology, criteria and initial analysis of them. In addition, goals, challenges and solutions and the necessity of enhanced protection and restoration of marine environment in the region were discussed.
Representatives of the European Commission gave their overviews of the status and distance to targets of protection, role of Natura 2000 sites and other MPAs in marine restoration, challenges in balancing between growing needs of offshore renewable energy and marine conservation, and strict protection in the context of Biodiversity strategy targets. After the presentations, breakout discussions on the way forward were continued in groups.
The core aspects of both projects, Blue4All and MSP4BIO, were present throughout the event: How to achieve effective, efficient and resilient networks of MPAs and find successful tools and approaches for that. How to strengthen biodiversity and natural capital integration into public and business decision-making at all levels for the protection and restoration of ecosystems and their services.
Outcomes of these projects will serve these shared goals for their part.