Protected species and habitats: communication (NATURA)

‘Only a small proportion of vulnerable habitats and species protected under EU law have achieved good conservation status’, concludes the European Commission’s Report into the conservation status of over 1150 species and 200 habitat types across Europe. The Report recommends Member States to strengthen their efforts to improve the biodiversity situation and criticises governments for not investing sufficient resources in monitoring species and habitats. Grassland, wetland and coastal regions are identified as the habitat types most at risk.

Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management plays an important role in the long term resource management strategy of the cement industry. The conservation of biodiversity can be enhanced through correct resource management during the mining phases of the cement sector, especially via quarry rehabilitation.