The purpose of the Bulletin of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy is to circulate information about implementation of the Strategy's various action themes in States, international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

Contents

• Editorial by Veit Koester
• General information
• Implementation of the Strategy within organisations
• Forthcoming events
• Publications

EDITORIAL

Following the Rio Conference and the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity, both the general public and decision-makers have placed biodiversity high in their interests and agendas. The diversity of living species, ecosystems and landscapes has been recognised as a fundamental part of man's heritage and a vital resource for our future development. There are many who believe, therefore, that the Convention on Biological Diversity needs to be fully implemented, now and in the future. Action must follow words.

European governments have conceived a new and creative way to work together in the field of conservation of biodiversity: the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy. This instrument, endorsed in Sofia (Bulgaria) in 1995 by the 3^rd Ministerial Conference "An Environment for Europe", has been set up through original and effective co-operation between governments, international organisations, agencies and NGOs.

The Strategy is original in the sense that it seeks to cover all aspects of the conservation of biodiversity, wildlife and pristine ecosystems, as well as domesticated species and semi-natural areas transformed by man. Emphasis has to be put on how to achieve a better integration of biodiversity conservation in other human activities. We know that farming, forestry, transport, tourism, city planning, or industry can have negative effects on biodiversity if conservation of the natural environment is not taken properly into account. Conservation of biodiversity is illusory if all these activities are not carried out in a sustainable way which respects and preserves natural resources and values.

The building and maintenance of the "green infrastructure" that Europe needs is also one of the main projects of the Strategy, but this will be done not only by creating new protected areas, but also be defining and identifying regions, buffer zones and ecological corridors in which farming, tourism, transport and other activities have to be carried out differently and, conversely, by defining regions where land use can continue and at the same time accommodate the requirements of the -network.

To achieve these aims, help from citizens and voluntary organisations is a fundamental requirement. The Strategy promotes a greater awareness of these topics and also calls for a formal commitment on the part of governments through the effective implementation of national biodiversity strategies.

In the three years since the Sofia Conference, the Pan-European Strategy has proved that it does work and has already made a substantial contribution to the conservation of man's rich natural heritage. It has adopted the old World Conservation Union motto "Think globally, act locally". I believe that the governments and organisations involved can be satisfied to see Europe take the lead in the implementation, at regional level, of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Veit Koester

President of the Council for the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Fourth Conference of the Parties to the Convention

The 4th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity was held in Bratislava (Slovakia) from 4 to 15 May 1998. It was preceded by a Global Biodiversity Forum, held from 1 to 3 May.

Many themes relating to biodiversity conservation were discussed at the various meetings held during the 4th Conference of the Parties, particularly questions concerning patents in the biotechnology field and the possible impact on biodiversity and health of organisms genetically modified by biotechnological procedures. Issues concerning information, education and the raising of public awareness of biodiversity were also addressed during these meetings. The Conference decided to ask UNESCO and the IUCN (with the co-operation of UNEP on education-related issues) to launch a global initiative in this field as part of the Convention activities.

The discussions on biodiversity conservation focused on the need to promote appropriate protection of biodiversity in forestry, inland water management and coastal management, as well as co-operation between the Convention on Biological Diversity and other biodiversity-related initiatives and treaties. In this context, UNEP and the Council of Europe presented the results of three years of implementation of the Pan-European Strategy. Several European delegations asked the Conference to recognise the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy as a major breakthrough for the regional implementation of the Convention across Europe. The Council of Europe's positive role in the implementation of the Strategy was highlighted, as was the leading part played by Europe in the regional implementation of the Convention.

The fifth Conference of the Parties to the Convention is due to be held in Kenya in the year 2000.

(Contact: Calestous Juma, CBD Secretary, World Trade Center, 413 St.Jacques Str., Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1N9, Canada, Tel +514 288 2220, Fax +514 288 6588, e-mail: CHM@biodiv.org.)

A NEW COMMUNITY BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY

Last February, the European Commission presented a new Communication to the Council and the European Parliament on a European Community Biodiversity Strategy. As well as being in line with some of the Commission's commitments under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, this document builds on the new principle set out in the Amsterdam Treaty requiring environmental concerns to be integrated more fully into other Community policies.

The document sets out the general biodiversity objectives which should be integrated into the following eight policy areas: conservation of natural resources, agriculture, fisheries, regional policies and spatial planning, forests, energy and transport, tourism, development and economic co-operation. Specific action plans, to be implemented over the next two years, will aim to define how biodiversity should be integrated into overall policy.

(Ref.: Communication Com (98) 42 – Contact: European Commission, DG XI.D.4, 200 rue de la Loi, VB – 1040 Brussels, Fax +32 2 296 9556)

EUROPE, A COMMON HERITAGE : A COUNCIL OF EUROPE CAMPAIGN

At their Second Summit, held in Strasbourg on 10 and 11 October 1997, the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe decided to launch a campaign in 1999 on the theme "Europe, a common heritage", with the aim of reminding the citizens of the forty member states of the value of Europe's heritage. The campaign will endeavour to give Europeans a sense of belonging to a community and will also highlight the importance of protecting the heritage. Based on existing or prospective partnerships, it will promote the idea of a common European heritage rich in diversity. The campaign might involve national, local or regional initiatives, cultural routes and projects to develop landscapes and cultural or natural sites.

(Contact: Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Tel +33 3 88 41 20 00, Fax +33 3 88 41 27 81)

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE:

Joint debate on protecting the oceans

Parliamentary meetings on protecting the oceans are to be held in Lisbon from 31 August to 1 September 1998, as part of the International Year of the Oceans and Expo 98 (Lisbon), whose main theme is "The oceans – a heritage for the future". These meetings follow on from the Parliamentary Conference on the Oceans, held in Paris on 19 March 1998.

The meetings are being jointly organised by three committees and one sub-committee of the Parliamentary Assembly (Committee on Science and Technology, Committee on the Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities, Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and Sub-Committee on the Cultural Heritage). They will be held in co-operation with the Independent World Commission on the Oceans, at the invitation of the Portuguese Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly.

The meetings will deal with the following aspects:

• protection of living resources and sustainable exploitation of marine biological resources;
• ocean research programmes and technological progress;
• environmental aspects (pollution, compliance with international conventions);
• protection and management of the European maritime heritage.

The parliamentary reports which are to be adopted in Lisbon will be debated at the Parliamentary Assembly's next plenary session, to be held in Strasbourg in September 1998.

(Contact: Christopher Grayson, Council of Europe, Office of the Clerk of the Parliamentary Assembly, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 21 14, Fax +33 (0)3 88 41 27 97)

Transition process of agriculture in the countries of central and eastern Europe

In May 1998, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution 1161 (1998) on the transition process of agriculture in the countries of central and eastern Europe. The report and the Resolution put forward practical proposals for fostering the economic development of these countries by adapting, reinforcing and diversifying their agricultural and rural economy and by promoting East-West agricultural integration.

(Contact: Alfred Sixto, Council of Europe, Office of the Clerk of the Parliamentary Assembly, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 22 44, Fax +33 (0)3 88 41 27 17)

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY WITHIN ORGANISATIONS

Second meeting of the Strategy Council:

Evaluation of three years' work and preparation of the Aarhus Conference

The Council for the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy met at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 6 and 8 April 1998. It examined the progress report on activities carried out since 1995 under the Action Themes of the Strategy by the various partners involved in the process and decided to transmit this document to the Aarhus Pan-European Ministerial Conference at the end of June, so that the ministers could take note of its contents.

With regard to the development of the Pan-European Ecological Network, a map and a report on nature conservation sites designated in application of international instruments at pan-European level were submitted to the Council. They will also be presented to the ministers at the Aarhus Conference.

The Council also suggested that, in addition to the Aarhus Declaration, which is to be adopted at the Conference, the ministers should adopt a specific Resolution on biological and landscape diversity, distinct from the Aarhus Declaration. This Resolution should stress the importance of biological and landscape diversity and reaffirm the ministers' commitment to integrating the objectives of biological and landscape diversity into the various policy areas.

The Strategy Council also approved a report on the Strategy, to be presented to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Bratislava in May 1998.

A special Strategy Trust Fund, financed by voluntary contributions from states, was set up to help some East European countries to take part in certain meetings held as part of the Strategy's activities.

In future, the Council is to meet annually, with the venue alternating between Strasbourg and Geneva. Its Executive Bureau is to be replaced by a select Bureau whose only responsibilities will be to prepare Council meetings and to take measures at the express request of the Council. The Bureau will comprise the Chair of the Council, two vice-chairs (representatives of the country which hosted the previous "Environment for Europe" ministerial conference and of the country hosting the next one) and two members elected by the Council.

Finally, the Strategy Council elected Ms Louise Lakos (Hungary) at its Chair in place of Mr Veit Koester (Denmark), whose term of office had expired. The next meeting of the Strategy Council is to be held in Geneva in March 1999.

(Contact: Ms Maguelonne Dejeant-Pons, Joint Secretariat of the Strategy, Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 23 98, Fax. +33 (0)3 88 41 37 15, e-mail: maguelonne.dejeant@coe.fr / Mr Sipi Jaakkola, United Nations Environment Programme, 15 Chemin des Anémones, CH-1219 Châtelaine-Genève, Tel. +41 22 979 9881, Fax +41 22 979 9024)

The Strategy published in Russian

A Russian translation of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, produced with the help of the European Centre for Nature Conservation, is now available.

(Contact: Joint Secretariat of the Strategy - United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Europe, 15 Chemin des Anémones, CH-1219 Châtelaine-Genève, Fax +41 22 979 9024), - Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Fax. +33 (0)3 88 41 27 15)

ACTION THEME 1 - Pan-European Ecological Network

Information brochure on the Pan-European Ecological Network

The Centre Naturopa recently published the fourth issue in its "Questions and Answers" series, on the Pan-European Ecological Network.

(Contact: Elda Moreno, Centre Naturopa, Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Fax. +33 (0)3 88 41 22 62)

Council of Europe's European Diploma for protected areas: Special expert appraisal of the Donana National Park

In September 1998, a team of experts will carry out a special appraisal, in accordance with the European Diploma regulations, in order to evaluate the impact of the environmental disaster currently affecting the Donana National Park drainage basin.

(Contact: Françoise Bauer, Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 22 61, Fax. +33 (0)3 88 41 37 51, e-mail: francoise.bauer@coe.fr)

ACTION THEME 2 - Integration of the Strategy into sectoral policies

Tourism and the environment

Pilot study on sustainable tourism development in Ukraine

As part of the Council of Europe's work to promote sustainable, environment-friendly tourism development, a second study visit to Ukraine was recently carried out. The aim of the visit was to help the national and local authorities to draw up a development plan for the Stuzhitza region, taking into account both the need to protect the region's biological and landscape diversity and its future socio-economic development. The three main objectives of this pilot study are:

• to protect the natural environment, in particular the primitive beech forests;
• to develop environment-friendly tourist activities;
• to promote transfrontier co-operation between Slovakia and Poland as part of this tourism development programme.

(Contact: Françoise Bauer, Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 22 61, Fax. +33 (0)3 88 41 37 51, e-mail: francoise.bauer@coe.fr)

ACTION THEME 3 - Raising awareness and support among policy makers and the public

An exhibition on the Strategy

The Council of Europe has prepared an exhibition on the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, which will be presented for the first time at the 4th Pan-European Conference of Environment Ministers, to be held in Aarhus at the end of June 1998. The exhibition, which sets out the Strategy's aims and provides information on the partners involved, is designed to present the Strategy's main strengths and areas of work in an attractive way, using a rich variety of illustrations. Subsequently, it could be used as a travelling exhibition, to be displayed in particular in the various states participating in the Strategy.

A number of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations taking part in the Strategy will also present their work at the Conference.

(Contact: Elda Moreno, Centre Naturopa, Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 22 62, Fax. +33 (0)3 88 41 27 15, e-mail: elda.moreno@coe.fr)

Launch of the Internet Strategy Guide

The Strategy Guide, developed by the European Centre for Nature Conservation (ECNC) in co-operation with the Council of Europe, UNEP and IUCN - the World Conservation Union, provides information and communication tools in support of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy and it monitors its progress of performance. The Strategy provides a pan-European framework to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity, therefore the Strategy Guide will form an important co-ordinated pan-European imput into the Clearing House Mechanism for the Convention.

The Strategy Guide uses the World Wide Web structure by adopting a distributed approach; a framework Website for the overall Strategy is managed centrally by ECNC whereas it is intended that information on individual Strategy Themes and details of national actions are managed by the respective lead organisations and government agencies at their own Internet sites. The Strategy Guide develops this in a standardised way as to make the information access as transparent as possible.

ECNC requested the Council of Europe and UNEP to launch the Strategy Guide on 23 June at the 4th "Environment for Europe" Ministerial Conference in Aarhus, Denmark.

(Contacts: Ben Delbaere, Senior Information and Network Services Officer, ECNC, Graham Drucker, ECNC Strategy Support Officer, European Centre for Nature Conservation, PO Box 1352, NL-5004 BJ Tilburg, Tel. + 31 13 4663240, Fax. + 31 13 4663250, e-mail: delbaere@ecnc.nl, www.http://www.ecnc.nl)

World exhibition in Lisbon - "The Oceans – a Heritage for the Future"

The activities of the Pan-European Strategy are to be presented in Lisbon as part of Expo'98. The Council of Europe stand will include the exhibition put together for the Aarhus Conference during the week of 11-17 July. In order to stimulate young people's awareness of and interest in protecting marine biodiversity, a children's drawing competition on the subject of "Marine species protected by the Bern Convention" will be organised during that week. This will also provide an opportunity to distribute information aimed specifically at children. The first prize will be a visit to the Port-Cros National Park (France), a protected area which has been awarded the Council of Europe's European Diploma. The prize includes free travel and accommodation for the winner and two other persons.

(Contact: Elda Moreno, Centre Naturopa, Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 22 62, Fax. +33 (0)3 88 41 27 15, e-mail: elda.moreno@coe.fr)

Annual meeting of the Centre Naturopa's national agencies

The 31st annual meeting of the Centre Naturopa's national agencies was held on 26 and 27 May 1998. An annual seminar on the theme "Communication and Biodiversity" (see below) was held for the Centre Naturopa's national agencies and correspondents. Discussions focused on the progress of work under Action Theme 3 of the Strategy and the Centre Naturopa's contributions to the Aarhus Conference and to Expo'98 in Lisbon. Preparations for a 3rd co-ordination meeting of the organisations responsible for implementing Action Theme 3 of the Strategy, to be held in autumn 1998, were also discussed.

"Communication and Biodiversity" Seminar

As part of its activities in the fields of communication and awareness raising with regard to environmental issues, the Centre Naturopa devoted its second annual seminar to the theme "Communication and Biodiversity". The seminar looked at the various aspects of the subject, such as how to prepare a communication programme, defining the message to be communicated and deciding who should be targeted, looking for sponsors and ways of obtaining information about biodiversity and assessing the results of such a programme. "Microcosmos", a nature film which has won awards at various film festivals, was also shown during the seminar. Aimed at the general public, the film illustrates the wealth and beauty of biodiversity through the world of insects.

(Contact: Elda Moreno, Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 22 62, Fax. +33 (0)3 88 41 27 15, e-mail: elda.moreno@coe.fr)

ACTION THEMES 6 AND 7 – Wetlands

Ramsar Wetland Experts Database

On 2 February 1998, the Ramsar Convention Bureau set up the Wetland Experts Database under the auspices of its Wise Use Resource Centre. It is now operational and should continue to develop in the months to come.

(Contact: Sandra Hails, Ramsar Convention Bureau, 28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland, Tel +41 22 999 0170, Fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail: sjh@hq.iucn.org)

ACTION THEME 11 - Action for threatened species

Second Planta Europa conference

The second Planta Europa European conference on the conservation of endangered wild plants was held in Uppsala (Sweden) from 9 to 14 June 1998, with the support of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The conference was based on the work of the first European conference, held in Hyères (France) in September 1995, when Planta Europa, a network of organisations for the protection of European flora, was originally set up.

The aim of the second conference was to address current issues relating to plant conservation in Europe and to propose strategies for resolving them. It included a workshop to draw up the European Red List of endangered plants.

(Contacts: scientific information: Johan Samuelsson, ArtDatabanken, SLU, PO Box 7007, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Fax +46 18 67 34 80, Tel +46 18 67 34 09 Conference Secretariat: SLU Conference Service; PO Box 7059, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Fax +46 18 67 35 30, Tel +46 18 67 15 33, e-mail: Conferebce@slu.se;

Conference homepage: http://www.slu.se/tbyr/service/konfserv/conferences.htm;

Planta Europa, Catherine McCloskey, Planta Europa network coordinator, 3 Endsleigh Street, London WC1H ODD, United Kingdom, Tel +44 (0)171 388 2117, Fax +44 (0)171 388 2826, e-mail: catherine.mccloskey@iied.org)

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Learning in protected areas – How to assess quality

Between 25 and 28 September 1998, the IUCN's European Committee for Environmental Education is holding a conference on quality criteria for learning and communication in protected areas and on evaluation methods used. The conference is to be held at the transfrontier Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel/Fertö Hansag National Park in Austria and Hungary.

The conference will bring together a number of people who are active in the fields of learning and communication in national parks, protected areas and other sites, along with members of the IUCN's Commission on Education and Communication, the World Commission for Protected Areas and the Commission for Ecosystem Management.

(Contact: Monica Lieschke, ARGE Umwelterziehung, Alserstrasse 21, A-1080 Vienna, Fax +43 1 402 47 05, e-mail: ARGE.uwbild@bmuvie.gv.at)

Symposium on Coastal Dunes of the Atlantic Biogeographical Region

A European symposium on the management of dune habitats in North-West Europe is to be held in the Sefton coastal region of the United Kingdom from 22 to 26 September. The Sefton coast is the subject of a Life project for the drawing up of a dune conservation strategy. The symposium will address the following themes: identification of the dune resource, habitat management and monitoring, multiple-use management and future concerns. A key theme will be the need to place coastal and dune management in its social and economic context.

(Contact: John Houston, Sefton Coast Life Project, Council Offices, Freshfield Rd, Formby L37 3PG, United Kingdom, Fax +44 151 934 2955, e-mail: life@scms.u-net.com)

PUBLICATIONS

¼ of the Council of Europe

(Contact: Council of Europe Publications Service, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, Fax +33 (0)3 41 39 10)

"Nature and Environment" Collection

The beaver (Castor fiber) was hunted almost to extinction in the whole of Europe and Asia and survived in only eight localities. Fortunately, it made a remarkable comeback following translocation programmes and hunting restrictions. However, it is still a threatened species. This specific report describes a conservation policy which aims to re-establish a network of beaver populations in Europe and includes management techniques likely to reduce possible future conflicts with man.

(Nature and environment No.86)

Comparative analysis of the effectiveness of legislation for the protection of wild flora in Europe

The Bern Convention requires its contracting parties to take appropriate and necessary legislative and administrative measures to ensure the special protection of the wild flora species listed in Appendix I on strictly protected species of flora. The convention further requires parties to take the same measures to protect the habitats of wild flora species, especially those specified in Appendix I, and to conserve endangered natural habitats. This study by Mr Cyrille de Klemm reviews national legislation in force in the contracting parties of the convention and in observer states for the implementation of these two obligations and put forward proposals for improving the protection of wild plants in Europe.

(Nature and environment No.88)

¼ of other organisations and institutions

Environment, Energy and Economy – Strategies for Sustainability

This United Nations publication discusses short- and long-term measures for the economy and development in both developing and industrialised countries. It also looks at the interrelationship between the environment, energy requirements and economic development (ref. 92-808-0911-3, UN Sales No. E.97.III.A.8).

(Contact: United Nations Publications, C 113, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Fax +41 222 917 0027, e-mail: unpubli@unog.ch)

Better Management of Coastal Resources

The European Commission has published a brochure on coastal zones in Europe which reviews the various issues related to the development of these zones. The brochure also describes the programme of European demonstration projects, involving the Directorates General particularly concerned with these issues (DG XI Environment, DG XIV Fisheries and DG XVI Regional Policy and Cohesion). The demonstration programme aims to promote the principles of integration and subsidiarity in regional planning and environmental protection policies applicable to coastal zones.

(Contact: Office for Official Publications, 140 rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels)

¼ by countries participating in the Strategy

Estonia – National report on the Convention on Biological Diversity

Estonia recently published its first national report on the results of its implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified in 1994. The report covers the period between 1994 and 1997.

(Contact: Ministry of the Environment, 24 Toompuiestee, EE-0100 Tallinn, Fax +372 62 62 801)

Annual report on tourism in Italy

The Presidency of the Italian Council of Ministers – Department of Tourism –recently published the international version of its seventh report on tourism in Italy. The document reviews the results of an international survey and considers the various aspects of tourism in Italy.

(Contact: Mercury s.r.l.-Turistica, Vicolo dell'Oro 2, I-50123 Florence, Fax +39 55 2302774, e-mail: turistica@iol.it)

Thank you and goodbye

Ferdinando Albanese is to stand down as the Council of Europe's Director of Environment and Local Authorities at the end of August 1998, after more than ten years in charge of the Directorate. Through his enthusiastic support for the Council of Europe's numerous activities to promote the conservation of the natural environment, he has been a driving force in work to implement the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, of which he was one of the main architects. Grazie e arriverderci.

Tel. +33 3 88 41 20 00 / Fax +33 3 88 41 27 15

E-mail: helene.bougessa@coe.fr

www: http://www.coe.fr