The evolution of European Union biodiversity policy: Shifting debates and new challenges

The European Union (EU) has a long history of biodiversity policy aimed at protecting and restoring the natural heritage of its Member States. This chapter will elaborate on the most important policy developments since the introduction of the Bern Convention and the Birds Directives in 1979 and the Habitats Directive in 1992 and the way in which the scientific literature has discussed these. It reflects on the role of biodiversity policy in the processes of Europeanization, the fit and misfit between the Birds and Habitats Directives and national policies and practices, the growing attention for stakeholder involvement and the need to better understand policy failure, backlash and opposition. Over the decades EU biodiversity policy has brought many benefits, but many challenges remain. The rise of post-truth society and the effects of misinformation, polarization and populism that have become much more visible in recent years, deserve more attention in the scientific research on biodiversity and related sustainability challenges.