Deliverable 4.1 Summary

Existing EU policy framework for ecosystem services and natural capital remain far from optimal. The majority of the instruments are still primarily focused on regulating ecosystems from the point of view of specific natural resource - in other words single ecosystem services such as provisioning of food, fish and timber - rather than addressing the full range of services ecosystems provide. Ecosystem services (ES) and natural capital are also poorly integrated into the information and decision-support framework underpinning the development, implementation and assessment of EU policies.

Consequently, work is needed to develop a comprehensive policy framework for the sustainable management of ecosystem services and natural capital in the EU.

A first step towards developing a refined policy framework is achieved in this report, which presents the results of an audit that assesses current levels of integration of ES and natural capital as well as identify gaps, needs and opportunities for further integration. By creating this comprehensive overview of EU policy, it is hoped that a comprehensive policy framework for sustainable management of ecosystem services and natural capital in the EU.

Deliverable is available to read in full here