Expanding the Emerald Network: Progress and gaps in the Western Balkans
October 9, 2025
At the 15th meeting of the Bern Convention’s Group of Experts on Protected Areas and Ecological Networks – held from 7 to 8 October 2025 in Bar, Montenegro – participants reviewed progress towards establishing the Emerald Network of protected areas. As part of the programme, the group visited Lake Skadar, one of Montenegro’s key Emerald sites, acknowledging the government’s efforts to safeguard this unique ecosystem.
A budget aware of the challenges, yet falling short on solutions for a resilient future
July 16, 2025
Despite bold rhetoric on climate and environmental leadership, the European Commission’s proposal for the next long-term EU budget, published today, falls short of aligning future EU spending with the needs of a climate-neutral EU. It fails to provide a clear, enforceable vision for beneficiaries of EU funds to tackle today’s multiple challenges by directing public funds towards building a more resilient, just, and environmentally sustainable economy.
Why the next EU budget is worrying nature conservationists
July 15, 2025
As the European Commission prepares to present the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework, biodiversity advocates are pessimistic. They expect nature to be deprioritised in the EU budget and view the disappearance of the Life Fund, the only funding instrument dedicated to the environment, with concern.
ANALYSIS: Race begins to shape rules for EU nature market amid demand dilemma
July 10, 2025
The newly launched EU roadmap for nature credits is sparking heated debate over who should design market rules, as observers say strong methodologies and governance frameworks are key to integrity, though demand is unlikely to grow without regulatory measures from the Commission.
EU biodiversity credits – barking up the wrong tree
July 7, 2025
This briefing provides an overview of biodiversity credits, offsets and nature markets, EU plans and issues with biodiversity credits.
The threat to the EU’s LIFE programme in the next budget
June 27, 2025
This article was published as an opinion piece in EUobserver on 26 June 2025. The EU’s new priorities are at a major crossroads. The once cutting-edge European Green Deal is now ditched in favour of defence, security and competitiveness. These discuss
The threat to the EU’s LIFE programme in the next budget
June 26, 2025
The EU’s new priorities are at a major crossroads. The once cutting-edge European Green Deal is now ditched in favour of defence, security and competitiveness. These discussions are taking place against the backdrop of the much-anticipated future EU budget, the financial resource responsible for driving forward the EU’s goals.
LIFE for nature: Why Europe’s flagship environmental programme must remain part of the next EU budget
June 26, 2025
Our publication showcases successful LIFE-funded projects from Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia and Slovenia. These inspiring examples demonstrate the programme’s positive impact on a wide range of ecosystems – and why it must continue to support nature in the next EU budget.
Montenegro’s stop-start spatial plan set to greenlight harmful hydro projects
June 24, 2025
Montenegro is touted as the lead EU accession candidate these days, but it’s unfortunately far from ready. The country’s hotly debated new national spatial plan is a case in point, plagued by delays, legal breaches, opacity and all-round low quality.
Landmark deal ends 28-year Bulgaria motorway dispute with agreement to protect Kresna Gorge
June 16, 2025
28 years since the Struma motorway project in Bulgaria started, the Save Kresna Gorge coalition, Road Infrastructure Agency and Ministry of Environment and Water have reached a landmark agreement to implement the final section of the motorway outside the Kresna Gorge.
