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European Bureau for Conservation and Development

EBCD

Founded in 1989, EBCD is an international environmental non-governmental-organization (NGO), based in Brussels, with the main objective to promote the conservation and sustainable use of natural renewable resources both in Europe and worldwide.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Bruno Tobback (Member of the European Parliament)

9 Dec 2025 · he new EU Bioeconomy Strategy and forest-based industries, a Europe-grown success story

Meeting with Costas Kadis (Commissioner) and

1 Dec 2025 · Presentation of the proposal for a “Blue Foods” project and action plan

Meeting with Gabriele Giudice (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto), Kyriacos Kyriacou (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto) and

20 Oct 2025 · Presentation of call for an EU Action Plan on Blue Foods

Meeting with Thomas Bajada (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

17 Jul 2025 · BBNJ

Meeting with Bruno Tobback (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Jun 2025 · EBCD MEP group circular economy

Meeting with Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Apr 2025 · Oceans Pact et UNOC

Meeting with Costas Kadis (Commissioner) and

4 Apr 2025 · Balancing fisheries activities with environmental protection

Response to The European Oceans Pact

14 Feb 2025

Oceans are under increasing pressures from various interconnected threats such as climate change, pollution, overfishing and IUU fishing, biodiversity loss, habitats destruction and invasive species. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive, integrated and prioritised approach of ocean governance. It is crucial to understand that oceans are not just ecological entities but social-ecological systems. Human health, food security, markets, energy and livelihoods are intricately linked to their well-being. The challenges linked to spatial trade-offs are a good example of the complexity of ocean governance. Conservation areas may overlap with critical fishing zones, or renewable energy projects might compete for space. Maritime Spatial Planning, dialogue and prioritisation becomes essential in balancing these competing needs. Our objective should be to craft solutions for our future oceans that work both for nature and for people. EBCDs recommendations: Firstly, ocean management must move beyond fragmented, sector-specific approaches. Adopting a multispecies, interagency and multisectoral perspective is essential for an effective governance. Establishing a collaborative platform or decision-making forum that connects all ocean-related sectors will allow stakeholders to discuss upcoming policies and implementation strategies, ensuring cohesive and informed decision-making. Secondly, tangible ecosystem-based management should be a cornerstone of policy development. This approach ensures that dominant pressures on the marine environment, including land-based, are accounted for. Integrating ecosystem-based advice into policymaking will bring about a more accurate and representative assessment of marine health and sustainability needs. Thirdly, decisions must be rooted in science-based solutions. Policies should be adaptable, evolving alongside emerging research and data. Multiple knowledge sources must be acknowledged. Member States should be encouraged to improve data collection and pursue integrated analysis and sharing to ensure decisions are informed by the most accurate and updated information available. This would reduce the risk of rigid, dogmatic or outdated policies undermining marine management efforts. Inclusivity must also be central to ocean governance. No sector should be left behind. When proposing policies, it is crucial to consider the broader implications on employment, maritime, food security, health, values and cultural heritage. Inclusive policies are better positioned to balance environmental sustainability with human needs, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and collaboration among stakeholders. In this perspective, the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to food security must be integrated in the Oceans Pact as aquatic products offer low carbon proteins essential for a healthy diet. Finally, conservation objectives must incorporate sustainable human activities to promote resilience in both ecosystems and communities. Conservation objectives will likely fail to be delivered without this. Reassessing EU ocean-related policies to evaluate the human dimension will help create a balance that ensures both ecological and societal well-being. By aligning conservation goals with sustainable development priorities, we can safeguard marine resources while supporting the livelihoods of those who rely on them. The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) offers a valuable roadmap for these efforts. It includes 23 targets that aim to reduce threats and meet human needs while striking a balance between conservation and sustainable development within planetary boundaries. By integrating GBF into EU decision-making processes, including the Oceans Pact, we can build a cohesive strategy that aligns environmental and human priorities. The Oceans Pact presents an opportunity to reshape ocean governance. Collaboration between policymakers, NGOs, scientists, and industry stakeholders is paramount to success.
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Meeting with Thomas Bajada (Member of the European Parliament) and WWF European Policy Programme and

3 Dec 2024 · Event on Seafood Labelling

Meeting with Kira Marie Peter-Hansen (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Oct 2024 · Intergroup on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development

Meeting with Christophe Clergeau (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Oct 2024 · Intergroup EBCD

Meeting with Bruno Tobback (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Sept 2024 · Intergroup on climate change and biodiversity

Meeting with Adam Jarubas (Member of the European Parliament) and European Chemical Industry Council

14 Feb 2024 · Fire safety and Europe s climate ambition

Meeting with Elsi Katainen (Member of the European Parliament)

2 May 2023 · Sustainable Forest Management

Meeting with Deirdre Clune (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European Environmental Bureau and

29 Mar 2023 · Stakeholder Consultation on Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive

Meeting with Marek Paweł Balt (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

9 Mar 2023 · Urban water treatment

Meeting with Diederik Samsom (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

7 Jul 2020 · speech at EP Intergroup webinar on "An ambitious Green Recovery Plan - ensuring green investments delivering climate neutrality"

Response to EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy

20 Jan 2020

The European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD) welcomes the Commission’s position for the UN biodiversity negotiations and particularly appreciates the balanced commitment to protect, restore, and sustainably use natural resources. With regards to the integration of biodiversity in other EU policies, EBCD recommends that the mainstreaming of biodiversity is especially ensured in key economic sectors that have a direct impact on biodiversity, such as fisheries. Furthermore, building on the existing Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 which calls for the implementation and effective management of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), together with Marine Protected Areas, EBCD would like to recommend a clear reference to OECMs in the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. In particular, recognizing the progress made under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Food and Agriculture Organization in developing consolidated, sector-specific guidance for the identification, management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of OECMs, following CBD COP Decision 14/8, EBCD would like to hereby suggest the following changes under paragraph (B) of the document: “These could include quantified objectives and measures to: - protect nature and increase the coverage and effectiveness of protected areas and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures, building on the Natura 2000 network,”
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Meeting with Andrea Almeida Cordero (Cabinet of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel)

24 May 2019 · Global Wo.Men Hub