Biodiversity
The Commission considers preserving biodiversity as a key element of its greening activities and has already launched several ecosystem and biodiversity programmes, in particular in its non-urban sites
The Commission will continue to develop and implement these initiatives to preserve and restore ecosystems and their biodiversity, including protected habitat and species, and in particular in Natura 2000 protected areas close to its rural and urban sites.
Preserving and restoring nature and biodiversity
Overall
The following figure shows sealed and natural surface areas on a per capita basis at the sites, indicating that JRC Geel is the most sparsely populated site, followed by JRCs Karlsruhe, Ispra and Petten. Each of these sites offers several hundred square meters of land per person, although not necessarily all accessible. Brussels, Luxembourg and Seville are all located within the city and therefore have less space. Data on total use of land, total sealed area, nature oriented areas offsite/onsite are included in Annex 5, open in this tab.
Sealed and natural space at the EMAS sites in 2024 (m2/person)
OIB management implemented a new approach to biodiversity for the European Commission's buildings and surroundings in Brussels in October 2022. In 2022 the OIB also launched projects in the BERL and BRE2. In 2023 pilot projects targeted the inner courtyards of B-28 and L-41 to support measures enhancing the quality of office buildings. Green roofs were installed in CHAR and ORBN in 2024 (260m2).
In 2024, a project was launched on the BERL esplanade which will be effective in 2025. Its aim is to illuminate the outdoor space through a colourful plant palette inspired by dry environments across Europe. This seasonal tapestry, located at the base of the Berlaymont, will be designed to attract insects, birds, and passersby, offering shelter and habitat for wildlife while enhancing local biodiversity in the heart of the European capital.
Two more projects (CSM1/MERO and CLOV) were identified in 2024 and studied in 2025.
In 2024, birdhouses and differentiated mowing were introduced to the green spaces in Commission buildings.
Several environmental education projects were carried out at the CPEs such as “From seed to plate”, and a vegetable garden was set up at the CPE and the inauguration of the greenhouse at the CPE Mamer.
Different outdoor activities have been organised for the children like “Discovering the nature and the biodiversity”, an exhibition on the insects and different trainings on education for sustainable development.
A 1761 sq.m2 green roof was installed on the new Mercier Post building, acting as a water management measure and at the same time contributing positively to the microclimate of the city of Luxembourg.
OIL restauration organised an organic week on Luxembourgish organic products and a bees’ animation.
The OIL EMAS team has followed events on biodiversity in Luxembourg, and contacted the organiser of the LUGA (Luxembourg Urban) exhibition 2025, and analysed the possibility of organising a Fresk on Biodiversity. It has also continued its contacts who help define indicators allowing for monitoring biodiversity on the Commission’ sites and set up a biodiversity garden in front of the Euroforum cantine.
The future Jean Monnet 2 (JMO2) building will benefit from spaces promoting biodiversity as part of the BREEAM Certification. In 2024 OIL continued to analyse the possibility how the biodiversity project for the JMO2 could be improved.
Due to their geographical remoteness (mostly "non-urban" sites), there is plenty of room for nature at the JRC, which contributes a great deal to preserving biodiversity. The actions taken are coupled with awareness-raising.
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In 2024, JRC-Geel contracted NatuurPunt to conduct a multi-species biodiversity study. Wild bees, mushrooms, and amphibians were selected for assessment to establish a baseline of the biodiversity status. The findings include: 102 species of wild bees identified, of which four are very rare (Andrena batava; Blackthorn Mining Bee – Andrena varians; Lasioglossum monstrificum; Trimmer’s Mining Bee – Andrena trimmerana), 10 are rare, 42 are relatively common, and 46 are common.
192 mushroom species recorded, including one very rare species (Chrysomphalina grossula), 2 rare species (Entoloma turbidum; Lyophyllum confusum), 38 relatively common species, and 151 common species.
The amphibian study is ongoing and the findings will be reported in 2025.
- Each year, JRC Geel supports the safe migration of toads during mating season by helping them cross roads and avoid traffic hazards on their way to the nearby ponds.
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The JRC Ispra site features 34 hectares and 8 habitats of conservation concern covered by the Habitat Directive, including 2 classified as priority habitats (3140, 6230*, 6510b, 6510c, 91E0*, 9160, 9190, 9260) and 1 additional habitat included in the “Red list” of the habitat extinction list. The latest habitat monitoring plan was carried out in 2022 and the pertinent documents were completed in 2023
All this work made it possible to both study and put in place specific conservation measures to enhance biodiversity over time. Projects to restore and protect habitats are ongoing to improve conservation and develop the site’s natural heritage, such as removing invasive flora, planting native trees and shrubs (120 in 2024), and selective maintenance to improve grass habitats conservation.
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Additionally, to further assess and enhance understanding of its biodiversity, JRC Geel launched a 2024 'Bioblitz' project. This initiative encourages staff to photograph local fauna and flora using the ObsIdentify app and upload their observations to the online platform Waarnemingen.be. The platform logs the location of each sighting, includes photos, and indicates the rarity status of the identified species.
With active staff participation, this tool contributes to expanding the site's biodiversity knowledge. For example, in 2024, the Bioblitz helped document additional species such as plants and butterflies, and notably recorded 22 species of flies, including three rare species (Conops vesicularis, Dark-knobbed Lucent – Didea intermedia, Ragwort Blacklet – Cheilosia bergenstammi), 10 relatively common species, and 9 common species.
- In JRC Karlsruhe almost 70% of the site is unsurfaced “natural” area. A large part is natural forest, similar to the surrounding forests, which provide a natural habitat for different species. The glass walls of one of the site's bike racks were fitted with opaque film strips in a test project to prevent bird strikes (the other bike rack remains with concrete walls).
- JRC Petten is one of the greenest Commission sites, with more than 80% of the site left for wildlife to roam free. Part of the site is a Natura 2000 "dry heath" habitat. The site is implementing an advanced scenario for nature preservation and restoration to sustain biodiversity on site.
- Despite the challenges of working in an urban area, JRC Seville has installed interpretative signage on the trees in the building's courtyard.
Grange is continuing to grow its meadows, to allow plants and flowers to provide nectar for insects such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies, and managing the growth of its 5,160 new trees planted in 2023.
