16 
 
As regards the Birds and Habitats Directives, enforcement will focus on completing the 
Natura 2000 network , the effective management of all sites, species -protection 
provisions, and species and habitats that show declining trends. The Commission will 
also ensure that environment-related legislation with an impact on biodiversity 62 is better 
implemented, enforced and – where necessary – reviewed and revised. 
The Commission will strive to improve compliance assurance , working closely with 
Member States and European networks of environmental agencies, inspectors, auditors, 
police, prosecutors and judges.  
In addition, the Commission will support civil society’s role as a compliance watchdog 
and will engage with Member States to improve access to justice in national courts in 
environmental matters for individuals and NGOs. It will also broaden standing for N GOs 
by proposing a revision of the Aarhus Regulation63.  
3.3. Building on an integrated and whole-of-society approach 
3.3.1. Business for biodiversity  
In the partnership spirit of this strategy, all parts of the economy and society will have to 
play their role. Industry and business have an impact on nature, but they also produce the 
important innovations, partnerships and expertise that can help address biodiversity loss. 
To ensure environmental and social interests are fully embedded into business strategies, 
the Com mission will put forward a new initiative in 2021 on sustainable corporate 
governance. This initiative, which may take the form of a legislative proposal, will 
address human rights and environmental duty of care and due diligence across economic 
value chains in a proportionate way according to different sizes of entreprises 64. This will 
help ensure that shareholder and stakeholder interests are fully aligned with the 
objectives set out in this strategy. In addition, in 2020, the Commission launched a 
review of the reporting obligations of businesses under the Non-Financial Reporting 
Directive65, with a view to improving the quality and scope of non -financial disclosures, 
including on environmental aspects such as biodiversity.   
Through its existing platforms 66, the Commission will help to build a European 
Business for Biodiversity  movement, taking inspiration from recent initiatives 67 and 
making this movement an integral part of the European Climate Pact.  Particular attention 
will be paid to measures to incentiv ise and eliminate barriers for the take -up of nature -
based solutions, as these can lead to significant business and employment opportunities 
in various sectors68 and are the key to innovation for economic or societal needs that rely 
on nature. 
                                                 
62  Such as the Directives on Environmental Impact Assessment (2014/52/EU), on Strategic Environmental 
Assessment (2001/42/EC), on Environmental Liability  (2004/35/CE) and on Environmental Crime  
(2008/99/EC). 
63  https://ec.europa.eu/environment/aarhus/  
64  Study on due diligence requirements through the supply chain – Final Report. 
65  Directive 2014/95/EU amending Directive  2013/34/EU as regards disclosure of non -financial and 
diversity information by certain large undertakings. 
66 Such as the EU Business @ Biodiversity Platform (B@B). 
67  See for example Business for Nature or One Planet Business for Biodiversity. 
68  BenDor et al. (2015), Estimating the Size and Impact of the Ecological Restoration Economy.