The subject of this call for tenders is the provision of knowledge support to the EEA and the EFSA, namely analytical support related to integrated assessments of biodiversity and ecosystems to build a strong knowledge base for protecting and restoring ecosystems in Europe. This includes performing ecosystem assessment and modelling, analysing the effects of pollution on ecosystems, conducting analysis in support of the transition to a Green Economy, and developing sustainable land and sea use systems that remain within planetary boundaries. The aim is to develop the understanding of how ecosystems and their services can become an integrated part of Europe’s sustainable development, socio-economic prosperity, and the wellbeing of its citizens.

This lot is focused on support to assessments on ecosystems, habitats and species as well as protected areas in terms of compiling the best possible evidence and data needed to map and assess ecosystem condition across the EU, at country level and for individual ecosystem types, habitats and species. The integrated analysis will build on direct measurement data, data from Member State reporting, indirect evidence, such as nutrient enrichment and pollution exerting a pressure on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and modelling to help develop analyses on trends in ecosystem condition. The lot also includes support to gathering and analysing data and other evidence in specific domains that require particular attention, such as protected areas (e.g. sufficiency of Natura 2000 network), invasive alien species, pollinators or soils. It will also support integrated ecosystem assessment by providing analytical innovation (e.g. use of artificial intelligence) and modelling expertise in conjunction with the Commission.

This lot is focused on the analysis of the impacts of pollution on terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems and their services across the EU, at country level and for individual ecosystem types. In this context, pollution refers to pollution and pollution impacts from nutrients, priority substances, emerging substances such as pharmaceuticals, as well as impacts of antimicrobial resistance. It also includes a significant task on data handling, organisation and analysis in support of the implementation of reporting obligations under Article 9 of the National Emissions reduction Commitments Directive (NECD) and assessing pollution from pesticides.

As set out in the EEA SOER2020 report and many other analyses, our economic model needs to change strongly if we are to achieve the transition to a Green Economy that operates within planetary boundaries. This requires in particular that economic activity and private consumption respect the need to protect ecosystems and their services. Analysis under this lot will cover the interrelationship between ecosystems and their services and human society and economy from two perspectives:

a) in terms of analytical tools and methods to review and document the benefits humanity derives from ecosystems and biodiversity; and

b) in terms of market solutions and financial tools can complement public policy to achieve the transition to a Green Economy that respects the planetary boundaries, in particular those linked to biodiversity and ecosystems.

This requires an interdisciplinary approach that combines various knowledge areas, such as economy, ecology, political science, etc., to understand how complex socio-ecological systems can be transformed to achieve the protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity. The analysis will look at established and innovative solutions such as those developed under the EU business and biodiversity platform and build on academic knowledge as well as practical experience at country or local level to help develop solutions for EU and national policy targets.

The land and sea use sectors (farming, fisheries, aquaculture, bioenergy) are that part of the economy which influence the condition of ecosystems most directly. Consequently, the European Green Deal calls for integrated, systemic and coherent solutions across economic sectors, e.g. agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, and focuses on socio-economic systems, e.g. food, energy, housing or mobility, to respond to the sustainability challenges that impact ecosystems and lead to biodiversity loss, such as unsustainable use, pollution and climate change. This lot focuses on assessing the indirect and direct drivers (in the IPBES classification), responses and solutions in these areas. Work is complementary to the analyses under lot 3 and to work developed by the Commission, in particular JRC. It is structured into three major components:

a) sector-related modelling and analysis in support of the transition to a Green Economy;

b) integrated assessment approaches to identify solutions that balance human needs with the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, e.g. work on food systems or the bioeconomy;

c) climate change, its impacts, and nature-based solutions for mitigation and adaptation.