ARPHA Preprints, doi: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e139236
Review and synthesis of best practices in governance and land-use policies to implement TEN-N
expand article infoJoana Bores, Hildegard Meyer§, Evelyn Underwood|, Mila Sirychenko§, Wouter Langhout, Peer von Döhren#, Daniel Veríssimo¤, Balázs Horváth«, Kenny Meganck», Alina Blaga§, Måns Ingvarsson», Gabrielle Aubert», Barbara Herrero˄, Matea Osti˅, Anouk Puymartin
‡ BirdLife International, Cambrigde, United Kingdom§ WWF Central and Eastern Europe, Vienna, Austria| IEEP, London, United Kingdom¶ Stichting BirdLife Europe, Brussels, Belgium# Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany¤ Stichting Rewilding Europe, BV, Heilig Landstichting, Netherlands« WWF Central and Eastern Europe, Budapest, Hungary» IEEP, Brussels, Belgium˄ Stichting BirdLife Europe, Brussels, Brussels, Belgium˅ IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria
Open Access
Abstract

The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss besides other through the creation of the Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N). This report, part of the NaturaConnect project, presents a comprehensive review of governance frameworks and land-use policies across European Union member states aimed at supporting the effective implementation of TEN-N. Using the Political Economy Analysis (PEA) framework, the report evaluates the economic, political, and social factors influencing policy reforms. It identifies key governance challenges such as weak regulations, unsustainable land use, and limited conflict management, alongside existing ecological connectivity frameworks. Data was gathered through literature reviews, interviews, surveys, and case studies from Finland, France, Portugal, Doñana in Spain, Halle-Leipzig in Germany, and countries in the Danube-Carpathian region.

Our findings reveal that while many countries have national strategies for ecological connectivity, legal gaps and poor implementation persist, impeding progress. However, successful practices from countries like Germany and Portugal offer governance models. Furthermore, the report highlights opportunities to strengthen ecological connectivity through improved public funding mechanisms, private financing, and targeted interventions for regulatory reform, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable land use.

This report provides valuable insights into the pathways of change and interventions necessary to enhance ecological connectivity and the role of Green and Blue Infrastructure in achieving biodiversity goals. The outcomes of this study are pivotal for shaping the future of European biodiversity conservation efforts and guiding the effective planning and governance of TEN-N.

Keywords
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, Green Infrastructure, ecological connectivity, TEN-N, Political Economy Analysis, spatial planning, biodiversity law and policy, collaborative learning