Joint programme Council of Europe / European Union
"Support for the implementation of the
Convention on biological diversity programme
of work on protected areas in the EU
Neighbourhood policy East area and Russia:
extension of the implementation of the EU’s NATURA
2000 principles through the Emerald Network"
Emerald
Network promotional video
Background
The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats sets out to conserve wild flora
and fauna and their natural habitats, to promote cooperation between states, to monitor and control endangered and
vulnerable species, and to assist with the provision of assistance concerning legal and scientific issues.
The European Community, as such, is a Contracting Party to the Bern Convention. In order to fulfil its obligations
arising from the convention, the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC came into force in 1992. Together with the Birds Directive,
it forms the cornerstone of the EU's nature conservation policy. It is built around two pillars: the Natura 2000 network
of protected sites and the strict system of species protection.
The Emerald and Natura 2000 networks are fully compatible with each other and use the same software. The implementation of
the Emerald Network represents a tool for preparing the target countries to comply with internationally agreed
commitments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Bern Convention, and the Habitats Directive
(for accession countries). The cooperation between the Council of Europe and the European Union is therefore the
logical consequence of their common commitment for the protection of biodiversity.
Development of the Emerald Network in Central and Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus
The current project provides assistance to seven target countries
(Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,
Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation and Ukraine)
in assessing their natural resources, in identifying species and habitats to protect
and in selecting the potential sites suitable for ensuring the long-term survival of
the species protected by the Bern Convention.
The project overall goal is to protect
biodiversity in the seven countries and more precisely to implement the
Convention on Biological Diversity and its programme of work on protected areas,
as well as EU’s and Bern Convention principles
concerning the protection of habitats and
species. The project was implemented for 3 years
and four months, covering the period 16/12/2008 until 15/04/2012.
Specifically the Joint Programme aimed at:
Setting-up and training (where necessary) of national multidisciplinary Emerald teams
Identification of potential sites of Areas of Special Conservation Interest of the Emerald Network of the Bern Convention
Data gathering and maps’ distribution on all selected species and habitats
Description of potential areas of special conservation interest using the Standard data form of the
Emerald /Natura 2000 software
The results expected from the Joint Programme in each of the countries
were:
1. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Republic of Moldova: identification of all potential
Emerald sites in the countries
2. Ukraine: identification of 80% of the potential
Emerald sites
3. Russia: identification of 50% of the potential
Emerald sites
4. Belarus: identification of 50% of the potential
Emerald sites
Click
here for more information on the project
background and objectives.
Reports
The
final report on the implementation
of the project was submitted to the European
Commission in September 2012. The document
-available below- summarizes the project
achievements, outcomes and deliverables
produced, as well as provides information on
the follow-up to be given to the activity.
Setting-up and training (where necessary) of national multidisciplinary Emerald teams
+33 390 21 58 81