Natura 2000
Natura 2000 represents one of the world’s biggest environmental efforts to protect fundamental habitats and species in the European Union territory. It stands as a network of nature protection areas made up of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, including both terrestrial and marine protected areas.
Born out of the Birds and Habitats Directive — the milestone for the preservation of European biodiversity — the Natura 2000 network currently consists of over 27 300 sites, covering a terrestrial area of 787 606 km2 and a marine one of 360 350 km2. Land coverage wise, it represents around 18% of the total EU surface.
