Priority to nature

Description

The targeted advocacy campaign "Priority to Nature" of the environmental think tank “The Green Tank” aims to influence the new political framework to halt the loss of biodiversity, with an emphasis on Greece.
Biodiversity loss is a crisis unfolding before our eyes. It is paramount to take immediate measures to reverse the trends that lead not only to the mass extinction of species but also to consequences detrimental to our own survival.
The timing and political context is opportune as a new policy framework for biodiversity conservation in expected to be agreed and adopted at international and European levels in 2020. However, nature protection in Greece is not a political agenda priority and the topic is largely absent from the public discourse.
The project will include documentation, advocacy and communication actions. In particular, through analyzing and substantiating proposals, meetings to inform public authorities at political and administrative levels, participating in consultation processes and participating in the public debate, by collaborating with the media, the Green Tank aims to support and influence the decision-making processes on the conservation of biodiversity. It is expected that these actions will strengthen biodiversity conservation policy, with Greece taking a more active role and exploiting the potential to influence European and international developments while at the same time renewing its own national policy framework to protect its unique nature.

Summary of project results

The project aimed to address the challenges related to the implementation of the Greek National Biodiversity Strategy and its first Biodiversity Action Plan, which had been approved in 2014. The specific issues identified include:

• Inadequate Progress on Biodiversity Goals: The project found that there was little to no progress made on the 13 general objectives and 39 specific objectives set out in the National Biodiversity Strategy.
• Ineffectiveness of Measures: The measures and actions taken to address biodiversity loss were largely ineffective, contributing to a failure in achieving meaningful improvements in biodiversity conservation.
• Need for National Biodiversity Policy: There was a pressing need for Greece to develop a national biodiversity policy that reflects the country''s natural richness and aligns with international and European biodiversity conservation efforts.

The Green Tank undertook an assessment of the implementation of the Greek National Biodiversity Strategy and its Biodiversity Action Plan. The activities included:

• Assessment of the National Biodiversity Strategy: The project evaluated the implementation of Greece''s National Biodiversity Strategy from its approval in 2014 until 2020. It focused on the 13 general and 39 specific objectives set out in the strategy, examining the progress made in achieving them.
• Analysis of International and European Developments: The project reviewed the latest international and European trends and developments regarding biodiversity conservation, specifically focusing on the European Green Deal and global biodiversity frameworks.
• Report Preparation: The findings were compiled into a well-documented report titled "Priority in Nature: An assessment of the implementation of the Greek National Strategy for Biodiversity," which presented the results of the analysis and included recommendations for improving Greece’s biodiversity policy.
• Recommendations for Policy Improvement: The report concluded with a set of policy recommendations, which were forwarded to decision-makers and relevant public services to influence the development of a new post-2020 biodiversity policy for Greece.

The project achieved the following results:

• Beneficiaries:

  • Policy Makers and Public Services: The primary beneficiaries were Greek decision-makers and relevant public services, who received the report''s conclusions and recommendations. This input aimed to influence the development of future biodiversity policies and ensure they align with international standards.
  • Environmental Organizations and Stakeholders: Environmental organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders in biodiversity conservation could use the findings and recommendations to advocate for stronger, more effective biodiversity policies in Greece.
  • Greek Public and Future Generations: Indirectly, the project aimed to benefit the Greek public and future generations by pushing for policies that protect and preserve Greece’s rich biodiversity.

• Key Outcomes:

  • Assessment of Greece''s Biodiversity Strategy: The project successfully assessed the implementation of Greece’s National Biodiversity Strategy and revealed that significant progress was lacking on most of the set objectives. This highlighted critical gaps in policy and action.
  • Recommendations for Action: The project produced a series of recommendations designed to strengthen Greece’s biodiversity policy. These recommendations emphasized the importance of aligning national actions with global and European biodiversity frameworks, including the European Green Deal.
  • Increased Policy Awareness: The report raised awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation among Greek policymakers, demonstrating the urgent need for improved measures in line with international standards.
  • Advocacy for Green Recovery: The project stressed the importance of aligning Greece’s biodiversity strategy with the EU''s recovery and resilience efforts post-COVID-19. It highlighted the potential for biodiversity-related projects to be funded under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Fund, promoting a green recovery.

Impact: The project had a significant impact by identifying the shortcomings in Greece’s biodiversity policies and urging for stronger, more effective measures. It also contributed to the broader environmental discourse in Greece, advocating for the integration of biodiversity conservation into the national policy framework, aligned with European and global efforts such as the European Green Deal. The Green Tank''s report and recommendations helped to catalyze a re-evaluation of the country’s biodiversity priorities, which could lead to improved protection and sustainable management of natural resources.