Updated National Strategy for the Protection of Biodiversity to 2020.

Updated National Strategy for the Protection of Biodiversity to 2020 is a national sectoral strategy of the Slovak Republic for the period 1997-2020. Its main objective is to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems and their services in the Slovak Republic by 2020, ensure the restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems in an appropriate extent and increase our contribution to averting the loss of biodiversity at the global level.
As part of more specific objectives, the document plans to halt the deterioration in the status of all species and habitats, especially those covered by EU legislation, and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their condition; ensure that both general public and professions are aware of the importance of biodiversity and the steps towards its protection and sustainable use; by 2020, ensure the preservation of ecosystems and enhancement of ecosystems services by means of green infrastructure and the restoration of at least 15% of degraded ecosystems; by 2020, implement the measures of the Common Agricultural Policy that have positive effects on biodiversity at all cultivated areas, so as to measurably improve the condition of species and habitats; implement national programs of forest management so as to achieve a measurable improvement in the condition of species and habitat dependent on a suitable forest environment and those, which are significantly affected by forestry practices, and to ensure a measurable improvement in the provisioning of ecosystem services in accordance with sustainable forestry practices as compared to the EU reference condition (2010); ensure adequate protection for aquatic and water dependent habitats and to achieve a good condition of aquatic ecosystems by 2020, and ensure that the development of aquaculture does not have adverse effects on aquatic species and ecosystems; ensure the reduction of the negative impact of invasive species on biodiversity and ecosystems in Slovak Republic by 2020; reduce the intensity of negative factors affecting biodiversity; finalize, for this purpose, an effective legal framework and tools ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources; engage a wide range of stakeholders and establish or re-establish partnerships to support the implementation of the national strategy for biodiversity; as well as promote education, training, research and participation.
In the area of climate change, the document provides for development of a strategic framework for setting priorities for ecosystem restoration, development and implementation of a restoration program for wetlands and rivers as a contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as gradual introduction of so-called low carbon economy with an emphasis on biodiversity, given that approaches climate change mitigation and adaptation, based on ecosystems, can offer cost-effective alternatives to technological solutions and provide multiple benefits beyond biodiversity protection.
The document will be followed by an Action Plan for its implementation, where measures will be specified, together with funding and responsible institutions, to meet the targets of the Strategy. The first evaluation of the Action Plan, in terms of its success and implementation of measures will be carried out by 2016. According to the Strategy, the crucial factor for achieving its objectives by 2020 and meeting the targets of each thematic area will be the implementation of proposed measures and cooperation with respective ministries and stakeholders. Institutional and structural changes will need to take place to ensure effective communication, participation and cooperation and interim evaluation of the progress in the implementation of the Updated National Strategy for the Protection of Biodiversity to 2020 in the Slovak Republic.