Background The annexes of the EU Habitat Directive have changed little over the years, with the few changes made relating to successive EU enlargements. Their adaptation has been called for in order to reflect the current state of knowledge and recent progress made, to adequately reflect the current extent of EU territory and adequate inclusion of threats and pressures. The five taxa (species groups) chosen for this project all play key roles in providing ecosystem services. Therefore, assessing the status of these groups in Europe will not only be essential for an update of EU nature legislation, but will also increase our understanding of these species and enable the European Red List to define a more complete ‘barometer of life’. Objectives The objective of the LIFE European Red Lists project is to produce a European Red List (ERL) for bryophytes and pteridophytes; to complete the existing list of terrestrial molluscs; and to assess a selection of saproxylic beetles and vascular plants. The ERL for these species groups will provide a comprehensive overview of their distributions and extinction risks, and provide policy guidance and support for conservation actions. They are also of value for updating the annexes of the Habitats Directive. The new information will contribute to making the European Red List a more complete ‘barometer of life’. The developed lists will be disseminated among policymakers and the general public. Expected results: The LIFE European Red Lists project will deliver the following results: Assessment fact sheets for all bryophyte and pteridophyte species, saproxylic beetles, remaining terrestrial molluscs, and selected vascular plants occurring in Europe: these assessments will be presented in the format of fact sheets on the IUCN Red List website, in an access database, and they will also be accessible from the Europa website; Red List publications of bryophytes, pteridophytes, saproxylic beetles, remaining terrestrial molluscs, selected vascular plants: these publications will highlight key findings of the European Red List concerning these taxa. Five hundred copies of each will be produced and disseminated, and the report will be made available in electronic format on the Europa and IUCN websites; and Policymakers, NGOs and other stakeholders become aware of the European Red Lists and their results: the project will be promoted at relevant fora throughout its lifespan and through IUCN’s website and social media. An event in Brussels will be organised to present the European Red List results to key stakeholders.