Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PLAN-B (The Path Towards Addressing Adverse Impacts of Light and Noise Pollution on Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecosystems)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
Assessing light and noise pollution impacts on terrestrial biodiversity
Biodiversity loss is escalating rapidly due to urbanisation, population growth, and industrialisation. New contributors to biodiversity loss, such as light and noise pollution, have emerged. The EU has implemented policies, such as the EU Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, to safeguard biodiversity and restore nature. However, the EU will require an alternative plan to achieve its 2030 biodiversity target. The EU-funded PLAN-B project aims to mitigate the adverse effects of light and noise pollution on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems. PLAN-B will generate a framework, handbook, and database for assessing and mitigating these impacts. The project will devise innovative solutions, offer policy recommendations, and establish Communities of Practice (CoPs).
Objective
The rate of global biodiversity decline is unprecedented and accelerating. Urban sprawl, population growth and industrialization bring previously unrecognised drivers of biodiversity loss, including light and noise pollution. The EU has adopted policies, including the EU Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, to enable transformative change through better protection of biodiversity and nature restoration activities. However, current projections suggest that the EU’s 2030 biodiversity target will not be met; an alternative plan is required. PLAN-B takes an integrated, multidisciplinary and multi-actor approach to deliver better understanding and support reduction of light and noise pollution impacts on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services. Key outputs of PLAN-B include: a framework and supporting handbook for assessing light and noise pollution impacts to inform environmental decision-making; an open access database on light and noise impacts on terrestrial biodiversity; spatiotemporal models for evaluating noise and light impacts on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services, including at the European scale; innovative solutions to prevent and mitigate light and noise pollution impacts; recommendations for enhancing legal and policy frameworks to reduce light and noise pollution impacts on terrestrial biodiversity; and sustainable Communities of Practice (CoPs), centred around key stakeholder groups, on the impacts of light and noise on terrestrial biodiversity. Working with European and international partners, including from Brazil, CoPs, key networks (e.g. Biodiversa+) and the Horizon Europe sister project on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, PLAN-B will maximise its global reach and research impact. Through its work programme, PLAN-B will create the enabling conditions to support and enhance activities planned in the EU biodiversity strategy and provide a new path towards meeting the EU and international biodiversity targets.
Biodiversity loss is escalating rapidly due to urbanisation, population growth, and industrialisation. New contributors to biodiversity loss, such as light and noise pollution, have emerged. The EU has implemented policies, such as the EU Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, to safeguard biodiversity and restore nature. However, the EU will require an alternative plan to achieve its 2030 biodiversity target. The EU-funded PLAN-B project aims to mitigate the adverse effects of light and noise pollution on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems. PLAN-B will generate a framework, handbook, and database for assessing and mitigating these impacts. The project will devise innovative solutions, offer policy recommendations, and establish Communities of Practice (CoPs).
Objective
The rate of global biodiversity decline is unprecedented and accelerating. Urban sprawl, population growth and industrialization bring previously unrecognised drivers of biodiversity loss, including light and noise pollution. The EU has adopted policies, including the EU Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, to enable transformative change through better protection of biodiversity and nature restoration activities. However, current projections suggest that the EU’s 2030 biodiversity target will not be met; an alternative plan is required. PLAN-B takes an integrated, multidisciplinary and multi-actor approach to deliver better understanding and support reduction of light and noise pollution impacts on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services. Key outputs of PLAN-B include: a framework and supporting handbook for assessing light and noise pollution impacts to inform environmental decision-making; an open access database on light and noise impacts on terrestrial biodiversity; spatiotemporal models for evaluating noise and light impacts on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services, including at the European scale; innovative solutions to prevent and mitigate light and noise pollution impacts; recommendations for enhancing legal and policy frameworks to reduce light and noise pollution impacts on terrestrial biodiversity; and sustainable Communities of Practice (CoPs), centred around key stakeholder groups, on the impacts of light and noise on terrestrial biodiversity. Working with European and international partners, including from Brazil, CoPs, key networks (e.g. Biodiversa+) and the Horizon Europe sister project on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, PLAN-B will maximise its global reach and research impact. Through its work programme, PLAN-B will create the enabling conditions to support and enhance activities planned in the EU biodiversity strategy and provide a new path towards meeting the EU and international biodiversity targets.
The PLAN-B project brings together experts from different fields and organisations to tackle noise and light pollution. The team is steadily working towards its main goal, as well as several smaller targets.
Mapping and data collection – In the first stage, the team created an open-access map showing light pollution across Europe and produced a report on how to monitor and measure it. For noise pollution, they developed a method to map noise in natural areas – starting from identifying the sources, modelling how sound travels, and working out the technical requirements. They also began collecting historical data on how light and noise pollution have changed over time and how they affect wildlife and ecosystems.
Policy, behaviour, and awareness – The project compiled a database of laws and policies that deal with noise and light pollution, organised an online workshop for policymakers, and published a policy brief to support decisions based on science. They also launched a policy campaign, reviewed what is known about social and psychological drivers of behaviour, and prepared a questionnaire for an EU-wide survey.
Finding solutions – Using data from across the project, the team identified possible actions to reduce light and noise pollution. They used artificial intelligence to find gaps in current approaches, then ranked possible solutions based on their effectiveness, cost, benefits, and public acceptance. This work has led to a shortlist of top-priority measures, which will be tested in pilot projects in Germany, Spain, Poland, and Brazil.
Engagement and communication – To spread awareness and involve different groups – including NGOs, the public, industry, and policymakers – the project has carried out a range of outreach activities.
Mapping and data collection – In the first stage, the team created an open-access map showing light pollution across Europe and produced a report on how to monitor and measure it. For noise pollution, they developed a method to map noise in natural areas – starting from identifying the sources, modelling how sound travels, and working out the technical requirements. They also began collecting historical data on how light and noise pollution have changed over time and how they affect wildlife and ecosystems.
Policy, behaviour, and awareness – The project compiled a database of laws and policies that deal with noise and light pollution, organised an online workshop for policymakers, and published a policy brief to support decisions based on science. They also launched a policy campaign, reviewed what is known about social and psychological drivers of behaviour, and prepared a questionnaire for an EU-wide survey.
Finding solutions – Using data from across the project, the team identified possible actions to reduce light and noise pollution. They used artificial intelligence to find gaps in current approaches, then ranked possible solutions based on their effectiveness, cost, benefits, and public acceptance. This work has led to a shortlist of top-priority measures, which will be tested in pilot projects in Germany, Spain, Poland, and Brazil.
Engagement and communication – To spread awareness and involve different groups – including NGOs, the public, industry, and policymakers – the project has carried out a range of outreach activities.
One important part of PLAN-B’s work, which was not originally planned but grew naturally from other activities, is the Light Pollution Policy Campaign developed with one of our Advisory Board members, DarkSky International. This campaign aims to raise awareness about light pollution and to bring together a wide range of stakeholders – including the general public, NGOs, industry, and policymakers – to take unified action. Although it was not part of the initial project plan, the campaign emerged naturally from the project’s earlier policy work and related activities.