Book Description

Biodiversity is the unique web of life on Earth. We are part of it and depend on it for our survival and quality of life. Biodiversity and healthy ecosystems purify the water we drink and the air we breathe; they provide us with food, materials and medicines, maintain soil fertility, regulate the climate and protect us from extreme weather. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are being lost and degraded at rates unprecedented in human history. The loss of our natural capital undermines humanity's livelihoods and opportunities for sustainable development. It has been estimated that biodiversity loss costs the EU 3% of its GDP annually. In May 2011, the European Commission adopted an ambitious strategy to halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, to restore them to the extent possible and to step up efforts to avert global biodiversity loss.^The implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives, including Natura 2000, the European network of protected areas, is a core element of this strategy. The strategy also contributes to the implementation of the EU's international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, and to the new global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The European Commission is currently preparing a mid-term review of the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, to take stock of progress and identify gaps in implementation. An on-going Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats Directives will provide a basis for reflection on how EU nature legislation can fully deliver its objectives.^Protecting and restoring biodiversity is a key aim for the EU, but what do Europeans think? This survey was designed to explore European citizens' awareness and views on: biodiversity and the importance of preserving it ; the seriousness and impact of biodiversity loss at individual, domestic, European and global levels ; the biggest threats to biodiversity ; what the EU should do to prevent the loss of biodiversity, both within the EU and globally ; the role of the Natura 2000 network and attitudes to developments that may damage these protected areas, and personal efforts to protect nature and biodiversity. This survey was carried out by TNS Opinion & Social network in the 28 Member States of the European Union between the 30th of May and 8th of June 2015. Some 27,718 respondents from different social and demographic groups were interviewed face-to-face at home in their mother tongue on behalf of the Directorate-General for Environment.^The methodology used is that of Eurobarometer surveys as carried out by the Directorate-General for Communication ("Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer" Unit). A technical note on the manner in which interviews were conducted by the Institutes within the TNS Opinion & Social network is appended as an annex to this report. Also included are the interview methods and confidence intervals.