Safeguarding Europe's Biodiversity Legislation: Scientific Evidence in Support of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives under the 2026 Stress Test
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In 2026, the European Commission is conducting a stress test of the Birds and Habitats Directives as part of its broader agenda on regulatory simplification and competitiveness. The exercise aims to assess whether the Directives remain effective, proportionate and fit for purpose, while identifying opportunities to reduce administrative burdens. Drawing on a review of scientific evidence and policy evaluations, members of the BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub, Biodiversa+ Advisory Board and Enlarged Stakeholder Board and relevant BiodivProtect-funded projects prepared this White Paper to provide an evidence-based perspective on the current and future implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives. By bringing together scientific evidence and policy evaluations, the White Paper contributes to the discussion around the 2026 stress test and highlights the importance of improving implementation, strengthening policy coherence and reinforcing the long-term impact of biodiversity conservation and restoration measures.
Authors: Sotirov, Metodi, Cambria, Vito Emanuele, Guimarães, Laura, Anderson, Jennifer L, Bedu, Suzon, Berardi, Barbara, Cittadino, Federica, Decleer, Kris, Dinesen, Lars, Durieux, Cloé, Fernandes, Isabel, Ficetola, Gentile Francesco, Fisher, Judith, Garzoli, Laura, Kusbach, Ondrej, Mammola, Stefano, Martens, Els, Pazur, Robert, Poursanidis, Dimitris, Ostergard Rowsall, Hannah, Spantzel, Teresa, Tannerfeldt, Magnus, Thalinger, Bettina, Wenskus, Franziska, Winkler, Ron
Institutions: University of Freiburg, Sapienza University of Rome, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Eurac Research, Forest Industry Research Institute, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Fondation Pour la Recherche Sur la Biodiversité, University of Milan, The University of Western Australia, National Research Council, Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Ecologic Institute, Universität Innsbruck, Dutch Research Council
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
Funder: European Commission
OpenAlex ID: W7165623690