The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) is a sustainability think tank committed to advancing impact-driven policy across the EU and the world. Born in 1976 in Bonn (Germany), it has now officially its offices in Brussels and London. Their team of economists, scientists and lawyers work with partners across EU institutions, international bodies, academia, civil society and industry, to produce evidence-based research and policy insight. Its work covers both short-term policy issues and long-term strategic studies and it spans nine research areas: agriculture and land management; climate change and energy; green economy; industrial pollution and chemicals; water, marine and fisheries; natural resources and waste; biodiversity and ecosystem services; global challenges and SDGs; environmental governance. IEEP funding comes mainly from European or International projects acquired through open public-procurement procedures.
Back in 2012, The Manual of European Environmental Policy produced by IEEP provided a comprehensive account of EU environmental policy. It included every item of ‘pure’ EU environmental legislation and provides a description of how environmental policy has been integrated into other EU policies such as those for agriculture, transport, and energy. A specific section of the Manual was on Land degradation and protection.
Lately, October 2018, IEEP raised to the attention of European Institutions a specific report on science-policy solutions for a more sustainable Europe: “30×30 Actions for a Sustainable Europe#Think2030 Action Plan”.
Strengths
It identifies 30 serious environmental problems, and points out that they need to be faced up to quickly.
It illustrates problems and solutions in a clear and concise way for non specialist readers.
Weaknesses
The soil is treated in a very cursory and superficial way (it is mentioned at point 19 – page 32), with the risk of degradation being described as being due mainly to desertification.
We invite readers to read the document and send their analyses, critiques and comments to suolo.europa@gmail.com .
Gruppo Suolo Europa 