Plenary

ENCA-34, online

3 and 4 December 2024, a.m.

This time we will devote our time to Headline Indicators and the way we apply them in biodiversity monitoring and information exchange on how to put them to best use. 
On the second day we will discuss how ENCA could reflect on and influence global formats relevant for biodiversity such as CBD COPs, IPBES, Climate COPs etc.

ENCA-33, Rome, Italy

3 – 4 June 2024 

How can European nature conservation agencies contribute to the full implementation of the CBD Global Biodiversity Framework and Nature Restoration initiatives?

ENCA-32, virtual

14 - 15 November 2023

Our forthcoming plenary focused on SSCO (Site-specific conservation objectives), IAS (Invasive alien species) in the light of the recently published IPBES Thematic Assessment on Invasive Alien Species and their control, and TCfN.

ENCA-31, Stirling, Scotland

17 - 20 June 2023 

The Importance of Land Use and Land Use Change to Addressing the Nature-Climate Crisis

The theme for the meeting in Scotland has been land use and land use change.  The site visit took place in the Carse of Stirling and Loch Lomond, examining the landscape restoration that is both on-going and necessary to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2030, which is the target in the draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. We have been thinking about how we can link the different measures to protect and restore areas, as well as species management, in order to build a well-functioning nature network on a large scale. During the visit, we saw what is happening on the ground, what opportunities there are to do things differently, and what we should stop doing.  The rest of the meeting covered topics related to land use change such as species management, COP15, and developing illustrative examples of transformative change.

ENCA-30, virtual

15 - 16 November 2022

Repowering EU and the conflict between nature conservation and the switch to renewables; Transformative Change for Nature (Illustrative Examples)

It is increasingly apparent that climate mitigation efforts are still well below the level needed to remain within ‘acceptable’ climate change, and so ENCA members focused on how  to change their response on the conservation of species and on protected areas, which are the overarching considerations to solve the possible conflict of interest between what is the best for nature and the need for more renewable energy.
Key messages to the wider public   were also considered. 
With regard to transformative change for nature, ENCA members discussed the illustrative examples provided and how to best use them. Furthermore, first steps were undertaken to develop a vision as to how to proceed with Transformative Change for Nature within the ENCA network and beyond.

ENCA-29, France

29-31 May 2022, Tour de Valat, France

Nature based Solutions, Transformative Change and Marine Environment

The 29^th plenary focused on implementing nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, progressing marine protection commitments and exploring the role of the private sector in the context of ENCA’s Engagement Piece: Supporting a Transformative Change for Nature.  These aspects along with others will be important factors in the finalisation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) and its subsequent implementation.  ENCA’s engagement piece has been accepted as a submission for the UN’s GBF Working Group in advance of CoP15 Part 2. Decisions have been made to take up the topic of the marine environment within ENCA’s activities and to intensively pursue "transformative change" with a focus on cooperation with the private sector. The development of case studies is intended to support this.

ENCA-28, virtual

16 – 17 November 2021

Climate Change Adaptation and Tranformative Change

How well prepared are the agencies for adapting to climate change and continue discussion how ENCA can support transformative change to aid biodiversity recovery?
It is increasingly apparent that climate adaptation efforts are still well below the level needed to remain within ‘safe’ climate change, and so we must ramp up our efforts to adapt to this new world of a pathway of climate change along which we must make the best for nature. The meeting focused on how we have to change our response on the conservation of species, how we have to change our response on protected areas, which are the overarching considerations and what are our key messages to the wider public. Last but not least, we asked ourselves how ENCA’s can support adaptation.
We regard to transformative change plenary focused on discussing and finalizing the draft engagement piece, we are working on. We also raised the question on a vision, how to develop this topic further within the ENCA network.

ENCA-27, virtual

16 - 17 June 2021

Restoration and Transformative Change

In line with the increasing recognition being given to climate change and other environmental issues, more systematic responses to the nature crisis are also needed, and internationally relevant evidence is building around this:  IPBES, Eklipse, Sustainability transitions: policy and practice  the UK’s Dasgupta Review  Examples of opportunities to achieve greater focus on progressing transformative change and more pro-biodiversity responses include: embedding nature based solutions, influencing post-COVID recovery strategies, developing circular/regenerative economies, engaging big corporate/multinational businesses or investors, and sharing good practice or new information about behaviour change that assists biodiversity recovery.  
Alongside implementing EU nature restoration targets and pursuing more nature specific policy issues associated with habitat or species management, the meeting focused on how we can support driving biodiversity focused transformative change to aid recovery at a country, European and global level.

ENCA-26, virtual

18 -19 November 2020

Biodiversity and Covid19, the EU-strategies & CAP and the CBD Post 2020 framework

2020 has indeed been a benchmark for our planet. The role of biodiversity for mitigation of and adaptation to zoonotic diseases is a new hot topic in nature conservation. A new global biodiversity framework is on the horizon and should determine our course until 2030 and beyond. The European Commission launched the EU-Biodiversity strategy and the Farm-to-Fork-Strategy and is reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU policy with the largest impact on European biodiversity. Can ENCA support the linking of these three strategies?

Last but not least, BREXIT has an influence on ENCA issues and the Corona Virus taught us meeting virtually.

ENCA-25, The Hague, Netherlands

11 - 13 November 2019

Post 2020 framework and the direction of nature conservation beyond 2020

As regards GMO and green finance, the connection to nature conservation was explained and discussed. In order to streamline monitoring and reporting, goals for the new Interest group have been agreed upon. In order to promote selected topics and position ENCA with the new Commission, we agreed delivering statements on GMO, CAP, the 8th Environmental Action Plan and on the post 2020 framework.

ENCA-24, Vienna, Austria

7 - 9 April 2019

POST-2020 Targets & Biodiversity Indicators

During 2 days (Vienna, 8 - 9 April) the representatives of 16 ENCA members discussed current nature conservation issues such as the post-2020 process of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity CBD, biodiversity indicators, monitoring and reporting, GMOs, climate change and biodiversity, sustainable land use, as well as the mainstreaming of biodiversity and nature conservation agendas into other sectors. Communication and awareness raising were perceived as key issues for the future.

ENCA-23, Zagreb, Croatia

1-2 October 2018

POST-2020 Biodiversity Strategy 

ENCA-23 was hosted by the Croatian Agency for Environment and Nature (CAEN). It was held in Zagreb, Croatia 1-2 October. The over-arching theme of the plenary was the Post-2020 Biodiversity strategy at the global and European level, with discussion around its integration into National strategies.

ENCA-22, Tallinn, Estonia.

21-22 May 2018

Agri-environmental reform for enhancing biodiversity outcomes

ENCA-22 was hosted in Estonia by Keskkonnaamet, the Estonian Environment Board. It took place in Tallinn, the Capital of Estonia.

The over-arching theme of the plenary was 'Agri-environmental reform for enhancing biodiversity outcomes.' It had presentations on Country approaches to implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), future reforms and new methods for implementation.

ENCA-21, Dzukija National Park, Lithuania

23-24 October 2017

Protected Area and Natura 2000 Management

ENCA-21 was hosted in Lithuania by VSTT, the State Service for Protected Areas. It took place in the Dzukija National Park.

The over-arching theme of the meeting was Protected Area and Natura 2000 Management. Presentations focused on novel approaches to governance and management of Protected areas from across Europe, with a special emphasis on defining Favourable Conservation Status.

ENCA-20, Ljubljana, Slovenia

21-23 May 2017

Integration of Nature Protection into Spatial Planning and Sectoral Policies in Slovenia

ENCA-20 was hosted in Ljubljana, Slovenia, by IRSNC, the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation. The over-arching theme of the meeting was the integration of nature protection into spatial planning and sectoral policies in Slovenia. There was a focus on integration of nature conservation principals in land use, forestry, and the energy and water sectors. Further the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Natura 2000 Day, and the 25th Anniversary of the Habitats Directive was marked. The meeting included a field excursion to the “Pearls of Nature” close to Ljubljana, Lake Cerkniško jezero and the Rakov Škocjan valley.