Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BISON (BIODIVERSITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SYNERGIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EUROPEAN TRANSPORT NETWORKS)
Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2023-12-31
Transport infrastructure is one of the drivers of global economic development. However, through its impact on land use change and ecosystem fragmentation, it is also one of the main causes of and the decline in biodiversity. Although, very heavy investments are currently being made to address this and meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the impact on biodiversity is much less well known and understood. Given the heightened global concern over this issue, new regulations and approaches with stricter biodiversity standards are expected in the wake of the concrete goals and targets on securing ecological connectivity included in the Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework as decided at the COP 15 of Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022.
Yet given the dearth of research-based guidance on how to address biodiversity concerns through the development of transportation infrastructure, no broad consensus exists on how to create a biodiversity-friendly transportation sector.
The European Union has funded from 2021 to 2023 through H2020 the BISON project to address for the first time the research and innovation challenges associated with biodiversity mainstreaming in the whole life cycle of transport infrastructure. The European Commission’s support for the BISON project represents a major breakthrough at the international level to establish an objective basis for the available knowledge and which should be supported in the future.
This pioneering project, situated within the realm of climate, energy, and mobility research, exemplifies the integration of biodiversity considerations in a sector that extends beyond traditional environmental frameworks. Over a span of two and half years, the project brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, ranging from influential decision-makers to esteemed researchers and seasoned practitioners, united in their pursuit of strategic thinking at the intersection of various transport modes and the distinct challenges posed by European landscapes.
BISON’s primary objective was twofold: to investigate methods of mitigating the impacts of infrastructure on biodiversity throughout all phases, from strategic planning to decommissioning, and to explore the significant opportunities that arise from preserving biodiversity within the transport sector. This holistic approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations, specifically SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (infrastructure), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 15 (life on land), the Decision 14/3 of CBD COP14 (2018) for mainstreaming of biodiversity in the energy and mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and processing sectors, as well as the objectives outlined in the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
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Yet given the dearth of research-based guidance on how to address biodiversity concerns through the development of transportation infrastructure, no broad consensus exists on how to create a biodiversity-friendly transportation sector.
The European Union has funded from 2021 to 2023 through H2020 the BISON project to address for the first time the research and innovation challenges associated with biodiversity mainstreaming in the whole life cycle of transport infrastructure. The European Commission’s support for the BISON project represents a major breakthrough at the international level to establish an objective basis for the available knowledge and which should be supported in the future.
This pioneering project, situated within the realm of climate, energy, and mobility research, exemplifies the integration of biodiversity considerations in a sector that extends beyond traditional environmental frameworks. Over a span of two and half years, the project brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, ranging from influential decision-makers to esteemed researchers and seasoned practitioners, united in their pursuit of strategic thinking at the intersection of various transport modes and the distinct challenges posed by European landscapes.
BISON’s primary objective was twofold: to investigate methods of mitigating the impacts of infrastructure on biodiversity throughout all phases, from strategic planning to decommissioning, and to explore the significant opportunities that arise from preserving biodiversity within the transport sector. This holistic approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations, specifically SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (infrastructure), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 15 (life on land), the Decision 14/3 of CBD COP14 (2018) for mainstreaming of biodiversity in the energy and mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and processing sectors, as well as the objectives outlined in the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
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To address the challenges raised above, the BISON project envisages a symbiotic relationship between two key commons: biodiversity and infrastructure, promoting resilience in both areas. To realise this vision, the project developed a Strategic Research and Deployment Agenda (SRDA) comprising several key elements: (1) it synthesises existing knowledge, making it accessible to stakeholders and facilitating its widespread adoption. (2) it proposes a clear research path to address environmental challenges in a holistic way, encompassing ecological, societal, developmental and governance aspects and avoiding duplication of funding and effort. (3) it identifies gaps and opportunities in policy and funding, paving the way for a coherent, action- oriented approach.
Building upon a 30-year incremental process, the BISON project capitalises on previous efforts to mainstream biodiversity and transport, such as the publication of the European Wildlife and Traffic Handbook in 2003, which emerged from a European Union-funded COST Action. As mobility patterns have evolved over the past two decades, necessitating biodiversity mainstreaming beyond roads and rail to encompass waterways, ports, airports, powerlines, pipelines, and even renewable energy infrastructure, the project compiles current best practices and updates evidence-based guidelines. Additionally, it recognises the growing urgency of addressing specific issues at the interface of biodiversity loss and climate change, such as barrier effects on wild species populations and the spread of invasive alien species.
Moving forward, the BISON project emphasises the need to bridge the gap between local ecology and broader societal issues by addressing planning, multi-stakeholder interactions, psychology, governance, and long-term observatories. It acknowledges that despite the wealth of existing knowledge, challenges persist due to fragmented approaches across technical, scientific, and administrative silos. Exploring synergies and implementing long-term actions on the ground necessitates scenario modelling and policy integration within the framework of Horizon Europe. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of incorporating social sciences and humanities in biodiversity and infrastructure research, as well as enhancing monitoring, data sharing, and effectiveness assessment of mitigation solutions.
Building upon a 30-year incremental process, the BISON project capitalises on previous efforts to mainstream biodiversity and transport, such as the publication of the European Wildlife and Traffic Handbook in 2003, which emerged from a European Union-funded COST Action. As mobility patterns have evolved over the past two decades, necessitating biodiversity mainstreaming beyond roads and rail to encompass waterways, ports, airports, powerlines, pipelines, and even renewable energy infrastructure, the project compiles current best practices and updates evidence-based guidelines. Additionally, it recognises the growing urgency of addressing specific issues at the interface of biodiversity loss and climate change, such as barrier effects on wild species populations and the spread of invasive alien species.
Moving forward, the BISON project emphasises the need to bridge the gap between local ecology and broader societal issues by addressing planning, multi-stakeholder interactions, psychology, governance, and long-term observatories. It acknowledges that despite the wealth of existing knowledge, challenges persist due to fragmented approaches across technical, scientific, and administrative silos. Exploring synergies and implementing long-term actions on the ground necessitates scenario modelling and policy integration within the framework of Horizon Europe. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of incorporating social sciences and humanities in biodiversity and infrastructure research, as well as enhancing monitoring, data sharing, and effectiveness assessment of mitigation solutions.
The realisation of the BISON project’s Strategic Research and Deployment Agenda is a blend of its various deliverables and extends beyond the strict confines of its framework. As a pioneering effort, it marks a significant step toward actively deploying the collected contributions and preparing for medium-to-long-term research implementations and shorter-term operational actions. The agenda is split into two main sections. The first, addressing cross-cutting issues, delves into governance and strategy for transformative changes, outlining the framework for cross- cutting actions. The second section concerns operational implementation,specifically targeting sustainability goals across the entire lifecycle of infrastructure.
The SRDA is not a ready-made solution for achieving full environmental integration in transport infrastructure. Rather, it serves as an essential step to initiate dialogue and cooperation with stakeholders who often work in isolated silos. Therefore, the relationship between infrastructure and biodiversity needs to be evaluated on a broader territorial scale, extending beyond the immediate impact of each individual project. Networks must collaborate, moving beyond a natural inclination for technological solutions, to develop an integrated territorial approach that addresses economic, societal, and policy objectives of transport networks while considering biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation. To be effective, the legal, technical, and societal recommendations presented in this agenda must mobilise available resources comprehensively, and ongoing research in political and legal aspects should be encouraged and supported for the future. Beyond recommendations, the BISON project also seeks to provide short-term responses to simplify the adoption and implementation of recommendations by a wide range of field actors. Online tools have been developed to facilitate direct operational use, including an operational manual providing up-to-date knowledge on biodiversity consideration throughout the infrastructure lifecycle and a dynamic European defragmentation map.
The SRDA is not a ready-made solution for achieving full environmental integration in transport infrastructure. Rather, it serves as an essential step to initiate dialogue and cooperation with stakeholders who often work in isolated silos. Therefore, the relationship between infrastructure and biodiversity needs to be evaluated on a broader territorial scale, extending beyond the immediate impact of each individual project. Networks must collaborate, moving beyond a natural inclination for technological solutions, to develop an integrated territorial approach that addresses economic, societal, and policy objectives of transport networks while considering biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation. To be effective, the legal, technical, and societal recommendations presented in this agenda must mobilise available resources comprehensively, and ongoing research in political and legal aspects should be encouraged and supported for the future. Beyond recommendations, the BISON project also seeks to provide short-term responses to simplify the adoption and implementation of recommendations by a wide range of field actors. Online tools have been developed to facilitate direct operational use, including an operational manual providing up-to-date knowledge on biodiversity consideration throughout the infrastructure lifecycle and a dynamic European defragmentation map.