Natura 2000 is an EU-wide ecological network of nature protection areas established under the 1992 Habitats Directive and forms a major part of European Union nature & biodiversity policy. The aim of the network is to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. Natura 2000 also applies to the marine environment.

The Natura 2000 network includes two types of area:

1. Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) are designated by Member States under the Habitats Directive where they support rare, endangered or vulnerable natural habitats and species of plants or animals (other than birds).

2. Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are designated by Member States under the 1979 Birds Directive where areas support significant numbers of wild birds and their habitats

Natura 2000 fully recognises that man is an integral part of nature and the two work best in partnership with one another. Natura 2000 is not a system of strict nature reserves where all human activities are excluded. Although the network will certainly include nature reserves, most of the land is likely to continue to be privately owned and the emphasis is on ensuring that future management is sustainable, ecologically, economically and socially. Management of Natura 2000 sites means working closely with landowners and stakeholder groups in or around individual Natura 2000 sites in order to agree on the most appropriate ways to conserve the species and habitats whilst respecting the local socio-economic and cultural context, rather than in isolation to such groups

Each EU member state must compile a list of the highest value natural habitats and species of plants and animals which are rare, endangered or vulnerable as contained within the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. This list must then be submitted to the European Commission to assess if the area should become a Natura 2000 site. The choice of sites is a purely scientific process, based on standard selection criteria specified in the directive. The establishment of the network of protected areas also fulfils a Community obligation under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

The early implementation of Natura 2000 in candidate countries is important in order to ensure that future developments in these countries take full account of their rich natural heritage. Therefore, no transition periods have been agreed with candidate countries for the Natura 2000 network and they will be required to designate Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive and propose Sites of Community Interest under the Habitats Directive at the time of Accession.

 EC web pages on Habitats Directive
 EC web pages on Birds Directive
 EC web pages on Natura 2000 and the Marine environment

 European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity web pages on Natura 2000 Documents and related materials

While the establishment of Natura 2000 is not yet complete, considerable progress has been achieved and an area larger in size than Germany, equivalent to more that 17% of the EU’s territory, has now been proposed for conservation under the network. According to the EU in 2008, in the EU Member States, designated Natura 2000 sites show nearly 25,000 within the territory of the 27 countries of the European Union.  

The EC provide regular updates of statistical information on the progress in establishing the Natura 2000 network, both under the Birds and the Habitats Directives. It contains information on the number of sites and the areas covered, as indicated by Member States and is termed the EC Barometer.

 EC web pages on EC barometer

The network of Natura 2000 sites is spread throughout Europe, from Finland in the north to the Canary Islands in the south. Today, sites, cover about 17% of the European territory.

Source - European Environment Agency 







 EC web pages on Habitats Sites
 EC web pages on Birds Sites

Some of the main areas still in development are:

• Completion of the selection of sites; 
• Further development of Natura 2000 in offshore marine environment;
• Clarifying the framework for Community funding;
• Improving communication of the objectives of Natura 2000;
• Working more closely with the Candidate Countries on preparations for implementing Natura 2000.

The Natura 2000 network is not a system of strict nature reserves where all human activities are excluded. Much of the land is privately owned and the emphasis in the future will be on ensuring that management is sustainable, both ecologically and economically. A need is being recognized to increase the focus on the active management of the sites so as to ensure long-term conservation and thus achievement of the economic and social objectives of the network. It is recognized that investment opportunities that would promote sustainable use of the sites and access for visitors are particularly important in realizing the potential of the network to contribute to local economic development.

Governments clearly have a role to play, as do civil society organizations, but we believe that the challenge of biodiversity conservation is too important to undertake without the active involvement of the business and banking community.

Small nature based businesses dominate within Natura 2000 sites and there are obvious opportunities for ‘Pro-biodiversity Business’. Many of these businesses naturally depend upon biodiversity, in some cases this is directly linked to the reasons why the sites are protected as Natura 2000 in the first place. In addition, site designation often attracts visitors due to the biodiversity, as well as attracting funding for specific types of activities.

With the accession of the new Member States to the EU, the area of natural resources along with populations of flora and fauna, has increased significantly posing further opportunities for small business development. Solutions have to be found for managing this European natural heritage which do not only draw on public resources but involve the small-scale private sector and that are also sustainable economically.

There is not any a priori prohibition of new activities or developments within Natura 2000 sites. These need to be judged on a case-by-case basis. There is a clear procedure in the Habitats Directive for assessment and subsequent decisions relating to development proposals that are likely to have an impact on designated sites.

However, certain restrictions apply to business activities within Natura 2000 sites, if they are deemed to undermine or destroy the value of the site. Natura 2000 sites thus only lend development opportunities for certain business activities.

  EC web pages on Management of Natura 2000 sites: Guidance