In the Legambiente dossier a balance of the effects of the “Habitat Directive” and the “LIFE” program of the European Commission. Our country has spent 1.7 billion on 970 projects that safeguard nature, but there is still a lot to do
May 22 is celebrated the World biodiversity day, established by the United Nations in 1992 to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the importance of building a shared and sustainable future for the Planet and for those who live there. For the occasion, Legambiente in its annual report on biodiversity takes stock of the effects of the “Habitats Directive”, which together with the “LIFE” financial program of the European Commission, cross the milestone of 30 years, guaranteeing the implementation of the “Natura 2000 », the most important European infrastructure for the protection of nature (here the complete report). An important birthday that highlights how European tools, if well applied at a territorial level, can effectively help the conservation and enhancement of nature and biodiversity.
The Italian primacy
What are the most relevant aspects that emerge? First of all, an Italian record, both in terms of co-financing obtained and of projects financed. In fact, between 1992 and 2020, more than 970 projects were financed, resulting in a total investment of over 1.7 billion euros in our country, of which around 850 million euros allocated by the European Commission as co-financing. According to the latest official data available, from 1992 to date thanks to the “LIFE Program” (the European Union funding instrument for the environment and climate action) over 5,000 projects have been co-financed in Europe which mobilized 12 billion euros of investments, of which 5.6 billion euros allocated by the European Commission as co-financing. Among the species at the center of the main successful Italian “LIFE” are: the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) of the Mediterranean at the center of the LIFE FALKON project; amphibians and butterflies – like the Apennine toad; there Savannah Salamander; il Italian crested newt; the Ivy moth and the Bombice of the plum tree among the target species of LIFE WetFLYAmphibia. And again, the wild orchids (not cultivated) of LIFE ORCHIDS; i Apennine flowers such as Giaggiolo della Marsica or the Scarpetta di Venere from the FLORANET project, but also the Apennine chamois at the center of LIFE CORNATA crowned among the “Best Life” in 2015 by the European Commission. And then the wolf of the LIFE WOLFNET project to get to the Caretta caretta sea turtle, the most widespread turtle in the Mediterranean, protagonist of LIFE TARTANET and TARTALIFE. Some of these species were saved from extinction such as the Lesser Kestrel, the Apennine chamois, some wild orchids, while others have seen a improvement of their state of conservation as in the case of the Wolf, although it still remains at risk due to conflicts with breeders and poaching.
LIFE COORNATA (1/09/2010 – 30/09/2014): «Development of coordinated protection measures for the Apennine chamois». The project area concerned a territory including 5 protected areas: the Majella National Park, the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, the Sibillini National Park and the Regional Sirente Velino. At risk of extinction in the 1900s, today there are 3,700 animals distributed in the territory of the 5 protected areas indicated above (Photo by Antonio Antonucci)
The actions to be put in place
Of course, much remains to be done. In the report, Legambiente indicates a series of actions to be implemented to accelerate the protection of biodiversity and fill the delays costing Italy even a infringement procedure, opened last June by the European Commission, because the national network of Natura 2000 sites does not adequately cover the various habitat types and species in need of protection. In short, among the urgent actions it is necessary to “give legs” to the Natura 2000 Network to be able to say that it is truly achieved; provide for greater protection for marine biodiversity; increase protected areas and integral protection areas by 2030 and promote integrated coastal management; strengthen the protection of marine ecosystems. «The climate crisis and the one linked to the loss of biodiversity are closely linked, as are the solutions. Just as the European Commission promotes and encourages the adoption of nature-based solutions – NBS – nature based solutions – in order to implement the “EU political” priorities, our Political Agenda must also be oriented along this path “, he explains Stefano Ciafani, national president of Legambiente. More incisive, integrated and effective actions are needed by addressing the various challenges at a global level through nature-based solutions as the European Union recommends “.
“Protecting the sea and biodiversity, a European challenge”
The Habitats Directive has stood the test of time very well and its provisions remain as relevant today as they were 30 years ago: ‘The real success will, to a large extent, be determined by the way in which the Natura 2000 network, established under the Habitats Directive and an important pillar for environmental protection to which we owe so much, will be managed and how long it will be able to integrate into the broader European development policies. For this reason, the project is of great importance Life SeaNetstarted a few months ago, which aims to improve the governance of Natura 2000 sites a
mare. The next 10 years will therefore be crucial for biodiversity in Europe, ”he adds Antonio Nicoletti, responsible for Legambiente protected areas.
LIFE WOLFNET (From 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2013): «Development of coordinated protection actions for the wolf in the Apennines». Objective to reduce the wolf-animal husbandry conflict through the standardization, coordination and implementation of the damage-compensation-prevention-mitigation system based on specific territorial realities, in order to counteract the phenomenon of mortality induced by illegal actions and for try to reduce health risks that can adversely affect the wolf population dynamics. This species has registered an improvement linked to the conservation status. According to the Ispra Report, the wolf population has grown to an estimated 3,300 specimens, but there are still problems of coexistence and conflicts with the activities as evidenced by the 170 specimens found dead during the monitoring and in light of the growing conflicts between local institutions, regions and municipalities, which in many cases do not comply with the guidelines and prescriptions of the Ministry and Ispra.
May 22, 2022 (change May 29, 2022 | 08:47)
© Time.News