An online press conference will detail the main steps towards mainstreaming biodiversity into transport infrastructure at both the European and local levels. This online conference is scheduled for Monday 19 September 2022 at 10:30 EEST and 9:30 CET.

Highlights of this international conference will include :

• Exchanging knowledge and innovative technologies to harmonise biodiversity and infrastructure to preserve ecosystems and infrastructure resilience. Experts from all over the world will share research and experience to achieve a fast implementation of best practice in all phases of infrastructure development. 
• The European situation regarding transport and biodiversity, future trends and recommendations for mainstreaming biodiversity into European infrastructure. These outcomes are a direct result of the Horizon 2020 BISON project funded by the European Commission.
• Best practices to implement mitigation measures and improve the functionality of ecological corridors. This year, a particular focus will be put on the SaveGREEN project in the Danube-Carpathian region, where huge infrastructure developments are planned. SaveGREEN aims to demonstrate that it is possible to design appropriate mitigation measures and maintain or improve the functionality of ecological corridors.
• The IENE 2022 International Conference declaration is supported by its participants and 400 experts of the IENE network. This 2022 declaration underlines the urgent need for cooperation to mainstream biodiversity into the transport sector through integrated planning and calls on stakeholders to exchange the latest knowledge and adapt it locally.

IENE 2022 international conference: “Connecting people, connecting landscapes”

While transport infrastructure has a direct impact on biodiversity, these same infrastructures are also affected by the environmental crisis. To face these challenges, Europe must adapt its existing infrastructures to new climatic conditions (floods, droughts, wildfire, etc.), and find innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the impact of invasive species and combat the decline of native species and the fragmentation of ecosystems. At the same time, the sharp increase in the development of new transport infrastructures, particularly in Eastern Europe, must support economic development while paying particular attention to local, often endemic, biodiversity.

These complex issues cannot be addressed without research and innovation, both in the field of biodiversity and infrastructure.

The Infrastructure and Ecology Network Europe (IENE) was set up in 1996 to address this need. Its mission is to promote the exchange of knowledge, experience and best practice in safe and sustainable pan-European transport infrastructure. This independent network has more than 400 members consisting of researchers, engineers, decision makers and infrastructure operators. IENE functions as an international and interdisciplinary forum. It supports cross-border cooperation in research, mitigation, planning, design, construction and maintenance in the field of biodiversity and transport infrastructure.

Every two years, the IENE network organises an international conference to present state-of-the-art research, identify pressing issues and problems, discuss effective solutions and define future activities in the field of biodiversity research and transport infrastructure.

During the 3 full days of the conference, the audience will interact with keynote speakers and authors of more than 110 presentations (oral and poster) and will be involved in more than 20 workshops.

The IENE 2022 International Conference is organised with the support of the Zarand Association, WWF Romania and the Horizon 2020 project BISON; and takes place both physically, at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, and online.

For more information:

Ioana Ismail, Project Manager, WWF Romania, mail: iismail@wwf.ro  Tel: +40 723 332 542

Bianca Ștefănuț, Communication Specialist, WWF Romania, mail: bstefanut@wwf.ro  Tel:+40 730 098 722

Radu Moț, Technical Expert, Zarand, mail: radu.mot@zarand.org