This report addresses the contribution of deadwood to the risk of forest fires. Deadwood is considered a biodiversity indicator in forest ecosystems. Understanding its link with fire risk is necessary to inform current policy discussions between the European Commission and Member States in both the Nature Restoration Law and the EU's forestry policy. DG Environment thus requested a synthesis of knowledge to identify:

a) links between deadwood characteristics and fire risk in the different biogeographic regions of Europe

b) forest management approaches for reconciling the biodiversity objectives of deadwood management with forest fire risk prevention

The aim of the request is to examine the multi-level impacts of the planned expansion of wind energy production at sea, including cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems and on the achievement of good environmental status (GES). This request is made in support of the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and may also contribute to its ongoing review. 

The aim of the request is to create a blueprint for drafting site-specific conservation objectives for marine habitats and species, taking into consideration the existing European Commission guidance on this matter for the member states. The request would contribute to effectively protecting marine habitats and species by defining their objectives and thereby facilitating the setting of the right conservation measures which should lead to the improvement of marine biodiversity. 

This request aims to identify gaps in the mapping of marine habitats listed in Annex II of the Nature Restoration Law across European sea basins. It will result in a gap map and supporting materials indicating where known habitat areas are located, their ecological condition and where mapping is still lacking. Outputs will inform restoration planning and may lead to follow-up activities. 

This request is meant to result in a comprehensive ecological report on selected EU wetland habitats, including their characterisation, pressures, degradation pathways. The output is also to feature assessment tables with key parameters, thresholds and indicator matrices alongside a replicable blueprint methodology for evaluating selected habitat types. 

Europe’s cities are facing challenges to protect, maintain, restore and improve their natural green spaces, but a broad and diverse set of tools has been developed to support planners and policy-makers to tackle them. This handbook maps out 59 of these tools (software, methods and modelling approaches) to help urban decision makers, presenting approaches from simple dashboards to advanced spatial models - all meant to help plan, monitor and expand urban green spaces.  

Tools were evaluated by experts for ease of use, cost, data needs and policy relevance, after which they were grouped into five clusters to guide users. The categories refer to tools that:

(1)help with benchmarking based on indicators

(2) help explore and understand challenges

(3) are developed to support specific policies or projects

(4) provide multi-purpose spatial information

(5) have a specialised focus on particular challenges (e.g., air quality or ecological connectivity)  

Factsheets provide overviews for each tool based on the assessed criteria and information. Real-life case studies show how cities across Europe are already using these instruments to cool streets, boost biodiversity and improve public health. With EU policies like the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and Nature Restoration Regulation in place, this handbook gives decision-makers the digital edge they need to green cities faster and smarter. 

This request supports a workshop focused on refining criteria for designating Key Pollinator Areas (KPAs) and exploring available data and tools for mapping pollinator habitat connectivity in Europe. The outcome will inform future strategic mapping efforts and may lead to the development of a long-term tool or a follow-up Eklipse process. 

This urgent request compiles evidence on the types, benefits and practical implementation of green roofs and walls across Europe. The resulting deliverable will help municipalities make informed decisions by summarising suitability for different building types, economic and environmental impacts as well as implementation challenges, including co-deployment with technologies such as solar panels.