Main policy measures

1) National environmental information infrastructure (access, interoperability, reuse). Estonian Environmental Portal is the main public gateway that consolidates environmental datasets with map-based services and data download functions, supporting planning and decision-making by authorities and practitioners and access by the public. EELIS – Estonian Nature Information System is the core national database for nature and water-related information (e.g., protected areas, nature values, legal restrictions), used to manage and provide authoritative nature protection data. Estonia has clear rules on openness vs. protection of sensitive biodiversity data, e.g., precise locations of Category I–II protected species are not fully public, with controlled access via login/request—balancing transparency with species protection. Spatial-data interoperability through INSPIRE-aligned services and the national Geoportal enables discovery and use of geospatial layers relevant to biodiversity governance and public information. Open-data governance enabling reuse, including publication of datasets and metadata via national systems (RIHA and the open data portal) supports broader data availability beyond sector-specific portals. 

2) Monitoring, evidence generation, and decision support. National environmental monitoring framework provides long-term, indicator-based assessment of environmental status and trends, feeding regulatory documents and measures and supporting reporting obligations. KESE – Environmental Monitoring Information System is the national repository for monitoring data (including the national monitoring programme and related projects) with public access to monitoring results, strengthening transparency and evidence-based policy. Publication and visualization of monitoring outputs, including story maps and spatial products derived from national monitoring and analyses, improves accessibility for decision makers and the wider public. 

3) Biodiversity research infrastructures and international data sharing. eBiodiversity as a national portal that brings together scientific, monitoring, and citizen-science datasets to provide a comprehensive resource on Estonian biodiversity. PlutoF (University of Tartu) as a data-management platform/repository supports end-to-end biodiversity data workflows and enables publication and linkage to global infrastructures (including GBIF). Integration with GBIF makes Estonian biodiversity occurrence data discoverable and reusable internationally (and strengthens national knowledge management through standardisation and publication pipelines).

4) Participatory and integrated governance (public participation, knowledge in procedures). Public participation is embedded in environmental assessment procedures: environmental impact assessment is treated as a public process where interested persons can review materials, submit comments, and participate in public discussions—supporting equitable and participatory biodiversity-related decision-making. Decision support for authorities through EIA/SEA processes ensures decision makers have structured information on impacts and alternatives). Public disclosure of protected-area management plans and species/habitat action plans supports transparency and stakeholder input into biodiversity management priorities and measures. 

5) Communication, awareness, education, and citizen science. Loodusveeb.ee is a public-facing biodiversity portal (managed by the Environment Agency with other Ministry-of-Climate institutions), consolidating information, guidance, news and thematic materials to strengthen communication and awareness. Citizen science via the Nature Observations system (in web and mobile app) enables the public to record and share species observations. These inputs are used to improve nature protection, understand species distribution, support alien-species control, and contribute to monitoring. Environmental education policy measures and support instruments include national web-based database of environmental education study programmes (for diverse target groups). Environmental Awareness Programme funds activities that explicitly include learning about biodiversity and nature–society links. State Forest Management Centre visitor centres and nature study programmes support practical nature education and public engagement.