Common Agricultural Policy’s agri-environmental and climatic measures as an instrument for valuing, restoring and protecting ecosystem services in the European Union

Abstract

Agri-environmental measures are a mechanism already consolidated in the European Union as an instrument for the confluence of agricultural and environmental policies. Since the beginning of Europe’s integration in the 1950s, agriculture has been a strategic and priority sector, receiving a significant contribution of financial resources. More recently, since 1993, and in particular with the entry into force of the Maastrich Treaty, the environment is now part of the most diverse public policies in the European Union. Within the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC), the environment has a far-reaching instrument in agri-environmental and climatic measures, considering that this policy impacts most of Europe’s territory. In this context, these measures have great potential for protecting biodiversity and restoring ecosystems. In view of the latest changes for the 2014-2020 period and the discussions about the next review of the PAC, this article analyze the potential of the agri-environmental and climate measures as an instrument aimed at valuing, restoring and preserving ecosystem services within the European Union.