About Natura 2000

Natura 2000 is a network of over 26,000 protected areas in the European Union. The network covers all Member States. Around 850,000 km2 (over 20% of total EU territory) is protected through Natura 2000 sites, making it the largest coherent network of protected areas in the world.

The legal basis for the Natura 2000 network comes from two EU directives:

• the Birds Directive (1979)
• the Habitats Directive (1992).

These Directives are central to the EU's internal policy on biodiversity protection.

The management of Natura 2000 in relation to socio-economic activities

Some parts of the Habitats Directive explain specifically the management of Natura 2000 in relation to socio-economic activities. For example:

• Article 2(3) of the Habitats Directive states that "Measures taken pursuant to this Directive shall take account of economic, social and cultural requirements and regional and local characteristics."

• Article 6(3) states "Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives. In the light of the conclusions of the assessment of the implications for the site and subject to the provisions of paragraph 4, the competent national authorities shall agree to the plan or project only after having ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site concerned and, if appropriate, after having obtained the opinion of the general public."

• Article 6(4) goes on: "If, in spite of a negative assessment of the implications for the site and in the absence of alternative solutions, a plan or project must nevertheless be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social or economic nature, the Member State shall take all compensatory measures necessary to ensure that the overall coherence of Natura 2000 is protected. It shall inform the Commission of the compensatory measures adopted."

• Article 6(5) clarifies this: "Where the site concerned hosts a priority natural habitat type and/or a priority species, the only considerations which may be raised are those relating to human health or public safety, to beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment or, further to an opinion from the Commission, to other imperative reasons of overriding public interest."

Best practice in management

Guidance on the management of Natura 2000 sites is provided on the the European Commission's website, along with information about, and case studies of, best practice in management:

• EC guidance on Natura 2000 management
• Best practice in management

The need for integrated management plans

The Habitats Directive Article 6(1) states "For special areas of conservation, Member States shall establish the necessary conservation measures involving, if need be, appropriate management plans specifically designed for the sites or integrated into other development plans ...". To avoid conflicts, it is clearly better if site management plans are developed in partnership with relevant stakeholders including those with economic or social interests in the area.

Where are Natura 2000 sites?

The European Environment Agency provides maps and tools for locating protected areas, including Special Areas for Conservation (SACs - Habitats Directive) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs - Birds Directive):

• Maps showing the locations of Natura 2000 sites in Member States
• EUNIS Biodiversity Database  

Need to know more about Natura 2000?

More information about Natura 2000 can be found on the EC Europa website. A factsheet (PDF) is also available. For questions and comments about Natura 2000, or the Birds and Habitats Directives, please write to nature@ec.europa.eu. The EIONET website also has a lot of information about Natura 2000.