Plenary
Plenaries are held twice yearly and are hosted by ENCA member agencies. At Plenary meetings, member agencies are normally represented by their organisational head (Chief executive or equivalent), although representatives with delegated authority to express positions and make decisions may also attend. Discussions at Plenary meetings are informed by working documents, which may take the form of draft position statements or reports. Decisions taken by the Plenary may lead to publication of a position or statement from the ENCA network.
ENCA-36, online
19-20 November 2025, a.m.
ENCA-35, Brussels
15 -16 May 2025
Nature restoration as a key element of transformative change for nature
Nature restoration is a key element of transformative change for nature. During ENC35 we will explore the role of ENCA members in this process and discuss how we could prioritise and fund Nature-based solutions, for biodiversity and climate. We will look at synergies and conflicts of interest and how to resolve them. Under the topic Transformative Change for Nature we will recap on the webinar Transformative Change for Nature – Engaging with European Nature Conservation Agencies and look into indicators that support Transformative Change for Nature.
ENCA-34, online
3 and 4 December 2024, a.m.
ENCA34 focused on how ENCA can influence international commitments on nature and climate. An exchange on the state of play with regard to National Restoration Plans and the Nature Restoration Law was followed by a discussion on key indicators for monitoring biodiversity status and trends. We also considered next steps on Transformative Change for Nature (TCfN).
ENCA-33, Rome, Italy
3 – 4 June 2024
ENCA33 considered how European nature conservation agencies can contribute to the full implementation of the CBD Global Biodiversity Framework and Nature Restoration initiatives.
ENCA-32, virtual
14 - 15 November 2023
Our plenary focused on SSCO (Site-specific conservation objectives), IAS (Invasive alien species) in the light of the recently published IPBES Thematic Assessment on Invasive Alien Species and their control, and TCfN.
ENCA-31, Stirling, Scotland
17 - 20 June 2023
The Importance of Land Use and Land Use Change to Addressing the Nature-Climate Crisis
The theme for the meeting in Scotland has been land use and land use change. The site visit took place in the Carse of Stirling and Loch Lomond, examining the landscape restoration that is both on-going and necessary to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2030, which is the target in the draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. We have been thinking about how we can link the different measures to protect and restore areas, as well as species management, in order to build a well-functioning nature network on a large scale. During the visit, we saw what is happening on the ground, what opportunities there are to do things differently, and what we should stop doing. The rest of the meeting covered topics related to land use change such as species management, COP15, and developing illustrative examples of transformative change.
ENCA-30, virtual
15 - 16 November 2022
Repowering EU and the conflict between nature conservation and the switch to renewables; Transformative Change for Nature (Illustrative Examples)
It is increasingly apparent that climate mitigation efforts are still well below the level needed to remain within ‘acceptable’ climate change, and so ENCA members focused on how to change their response on the conservation of species and on protected areas, which are the overarching considerations to solve the possible conflict of interest between what is the best for nature and the need for more renewable energy.
Key messages to the wider public were also considered.
With regard to transformative change for nature, ENCA members discussed the illustrative examples provided and how to best use them. Furthermore, first steps were undertaken to develop a vision as to how to proceed with Transformative Change for Nature within the ENCA network and beyond.
ENCA-29, France
29-31 May 2022, Tour de Valat, France
Nature based Solutions, Transformative Change and Marine Environment
The 29th plenary focused on implementing nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, progressing marine protection commitments and exploring the role of the private sector in the context of ENCA’s Engagement Piece: Supporting a Transformative Change for Nature. These aspects along with others will be important factors in the finalisation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) and its subsequent implementation. ENCA’s engagement piece has been accepted as a submission for the UN’s GBF Working Group in advance of CoP15 Part 2. Decisions have been made to take up the topic of the marine environment within ENCA’s activities and to intensively pursue "transformative change" with a focus on cooperation with the private sector. The development of case studies is intended to support this.
ENCA-28, virtual
16 – 17 November 2021
Climate Change Adaptation and Tranformative Change
How well prepared are the agencies for adapting to climate change and continue discussion how ENCA can support transformative change to aid biodiversity recovery?
It is increasingly apparent that climate adaptation efforts are still well below the level needed to remain within ‘safe’ climate change, and so we must ramp up our efforts to adapt to this new world of a pathway of climate change along which we must make the best for nature. The meeting focused on how we have to change our response on the conservation of species, how we have to change our response on protected areas, which are the overarching considerations and what are our key messages to the wider public. Last but not least, we asked ourselves how ENCA’s can support adaptation.
We regard to transformative change plenary focused on discussing and finalizing the draft engagement piece, we are working on. We also raised the question on a vision, how to develop this topic further within the ENCA network.
ENCA-27, virtual
16 - 17 June 2021
Restoration and Transformative Change
In line with the increasing recognition being given to climate change and other environmental issues, more systematic responses to the nature crisis are also needed, and internationally relevant evidence is building around this: IPBES, Eklipse, Sustainability transitions: policy and practice the UK’s Dasgupta Review Examples of opportunities to achieve greater focus on progressing transformative change and more pro-biodiversity responses include: embedding nature based solutions, influencing post-COVID recovery strategies, developing circular/regenerative economies, engaging big corporate/multinational businesses or investors, and sharing good practice or new information about behaviour change that assists biodiversity recovery.
Alongside implementing EU nature restoration targets and pursuing more nature specific policy issues associated with habitat or species management, the meeting focused on how we can support driving biodiversity focused transformative change to aid recovery at a country, European and global level.
ENCA-26, virtual
18 -19 November 2020
Biodiversity and Covid19, the EU-strategies & CAP and the CBD Post 2020 framework
2020 has indeed been a benchmark for our planet. The role of biodiversity for mitigation of and adaptation to zoonotic diseases is a new hot topic in nature conservation. A new global biodiversity framework is on the horizon and should determine our course until 2030 and beyond. The European Commission launched the EU-Biodiversity strategy and the Farm-to-Fork-Strategy and is reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU policy with the largest impact on European biodiversity. Can ENCA support the linking of these three strategies?
Last but not least, BREXIT has an influence on ENCA issues and the Corona Virus taught us meeting virtually.
ENCA-25, The Hague, Netherlands
11 - 13 November 2019
Post 2020 framework and the direction of nature conservation beyond 2020
As regards GMO and green finance, the connection to nature conservation was explained and discussed. In order to streamline monitoring and reporting, goals for the new Interest group have been agreed upon. In order to promote selected topics and position ENCA with the new Commission, we agreed delivering statements on GMO, CAP, the 8th Environmental Action Plan and on the post 2020 framework.
ENCA-24, Vienna, Austria
7 - 9 April 2019
POST-2020 Targets & Biodiversity Indicators
During 2 days (Vienna, 8 - 9 April) the representatives of 16 ENCA members discussed current nature conservation issues such as the post-2020 process of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity CBD, biodiversity indicators, monitoring and reporting, GMOs, climate change and biodiversity, sustainable land use, as well as the mainstreaming of biodiversity and nature conservation agendas into other sectors. Communication and awareness raising were perceived as key issues for the future.
ENCA-23, Zagreb, Croatia
1-2 October 2018
POST-2020 Biodiversity Strategy
ENCA-23 was hosted by the Croatian Agency for Environment and Nature (CAEN). It was held in Zagreb, Croatia 1-2 October. The over-arching theme of the plenary was the Post-2020 Biodiversity strategy at the global and European level, with discussion around its integration into National strategies.
ENCA-22, Tallinn, Estonia.
21-22 May 2018
Agri-environmental reform for enhancing biodiversity outcomes
ENCA-22 was hosted in Estonia by Keskkonnaamet, the Estonian Environment Board. It took place in Tallinn, the Capital of Estonia.
The over-arching theme of the plenary was 'Agri-environmental reform for enhancing biodiversity outcomes.' It had presentations on Country approaches to implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), future reforms and new methods for implementation.
ENCA-21, Dzukija National Park, Lithuania
23-24 October 2017
Protected Area and Natura 2000 Management
ENCA-21 was hosted in Lithuania by VSTT, the State Service for Protected Areas. It took place in the Dzukija National Park.
The over-arching theme of the meeting was Protected Area and Natura 2000 Management. Presentations focused on novel approaches to governance and management of Protected areas from across Europe, with a special emphasis on defining Favourable Conservation Status.
ENCA-20, Ljubljana, Slovenia
21-23 May 2017
Integration of Nature Protection into Spatial Planning and Sectoral Policies in Slovenia
ENCA-20 was hosted in Ljubljana, Slovenia, by IRSNC, the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation. The over-arching theme of the meeting was the integration of nature protection into spatial planning and sectoral policies in Slovenia. There was a focus on integration of nature conservation principals in land use, forestry, and the energy and water sectors. Further the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Natura 2000 Day, and the 25th Anniversary of the Habitats Directive was marked. The meeting included a field excursion to the “Pearls of Nature” close to Ljubljana, Lake Cerkniško jezero and the Rakov Škocjan valley.