Two reports, in which IEEP was significantly involved, provide the basis for lead articles in the European Commission publication on Natura 2000 in December. The quarterly Natura 2000 Newsletter includes key updates on important policy issues regarding the network.

The Costs and Socio-Economic Benefits associated with the Natura 2000 Network, led by IEEP, reviewed the costs of managing the Natura 2000 network and identified the major socio-economic benefits associated with managing the network effectively. It is the latest in a series of reports by IEEP on financing nature conservation and associated benefits produced for the Commission (including the Socio-economic toolkit for practitioners) and provides key information which will inform Natura 2000 financing negotiations in the upcoming EU budget review. The European Commission Biodiversity Knowledge Base provides a detailed update of Member State progress in implementing the EU BAP between 2006-2010 and will inform the development of the upcoming strategy on biodiversity.

The reports have been positively received by the European Commission and are both likely to play influential roles on crucial biodiversity policy developments in the EU over the coming years.