Designated terrestrial protected areas in Europe

By the end of 2023, protected areas covered 26.4% of European Union land, with 18.6% of EU land designated as Natura 2000 sites and 7.8% under other complementary national designations. The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 sets out a target of protecting at least 30% of EU land by 2030, while ensuring that all protected areas are managed effectively. The area reported as protected has steadily increased since 2011, by 1.8 percentage points, yet the pace of designation needs to more than double for the EU to meet the 30% target.

Lead Image No image
Lead Image Caption
Metadata
DPSIR Response
Typology Descriptive indicator (Type A - What is happening to the environment and to humans?)
UN SDGs SDG15: Life on land
Topics Biodiversity, Nature protection and restoration
Temporal coverage { "readOnly": true, "temporal": [ { "label": "2011", "value": "2011" }, { "label": "2012", "value": "2012" }, { "label": "2013", "value": "2013" }, { "label": "2014", "value": "2014" }, { "label": "2015", "value": "2015" }, { "label": "2016", "value": "2016" }, { "label": "2017", "value": "2017" }, { "label": "2018", "value": "2018" }, { "label": "2019", "value": "2019" }, { "label": "2020", "value": "2020" }, { "label": "2021", "value": "2021" }, { "label": "2022", "value": "2022" }, { "label": "2023", "value": "2023" } ] }
Geographic coverage { "readOnly": true, "geolocation": [ { "label": "Albania", "value": "geo-783754" }, { "label": "Austria", "value": "geo-2782113" }, { "label": "Belgium", "value": "geo-2802361" }, { "label": "Bosnia and Herzegovina", "value": "geo-3277605" }, { "label": "Bulgaria", "value": "geo-732800" }, { "label": "Croatia", "value": "geo-3202326" }, { "label": "Cyprus", "value": "geo-146669" }, { "label": "Czechia", "value": "geo-3077311" }, { "label": "Denmark", "value": "geo-2623032" }, { "label": "Estonia", "value": "geo-453733" }, { "label": "Finland", "value": "geo-660013" }, { "label": "France", "value": "geo-3017382" }, { "label": "Germany", "value": "geo-2921044" }, { "label": "Greece", "value": "geo-390903" }, { "label": "Hungary", "value": "geo-719819" }, { "label": "Iceland", "value": "geo-2629691" }, { "label": "Ireland", "value": "geo-2963597" }, { "label": "Italy", "value": "geo-3175395" }, { "label": "Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/99)", "value": "geo-831053" }, { "label": "Latvia", "value": "geo-458258" }, { "label": "Liechtenstein", "value": "geo-3042058" }, { "label": "Lithuania", "value": "geo-597427" }, { "label": "Luxembourg", "value": "geo-2960313" }, { "label": "Malta", "value": "geo-2562770" }, { "label": "Montenegro", "value": "geo-3194884" }, { "label": "Netherlands", "value": "geo-2750405" }, { "label": "North Macedonia", "value": "geo-718075" }, { "label": "Norway", "value": "geo-3144096" }, { "label": "Poland", "value": "geo-798544" }, { "label": "Portugal", "value": "geo-2264397" }, { "label": "Romania", "value": "geo-798549" }, { "label": "Serbia", "value": "geo-6290252" }, { "label": "Slovakia", "value": "geo-3057568" }, { "label": "Slovenia", "value": "geo-3190538" }, { "label": "Spain", "value": "geo-2510769" }, { "label": "Sweden", "value": "geo-2661886" }, { "label": "Switzerland", "value": "geo-2658434" }, { "label": "T\u00fcrkiye", "value": "geo-298795" } ] }
Workflow
Content responsible Head of Group Mikkel Schwartz
Layout
Blocks { "2dc79b22-b2c8-450a-8044-ef04bfd044cf": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "hidden": true, "readOnly": true, "required": true, "section": false, "spacing": "m", "styles": {} }, "2ec8ba1c-769d-41fd-98c3-1e72b9c1d736": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "hidden": true, "readOnly": true, "required": true, "section": false, "spacing": "m", "styles": {} }, "39b64f47-dd89-40f1-b2e5-7e31041974ed": { "@layout": "8cb090c3-7071-40b8-9c7b-aca2ca3d0ad9", "@type": "accordion", "allowedBlocks": [ "columnsBlock", "slateFootnotes", "metadataSection" ], "block": "39b64f47-dd89-40f1-b2e5-7e31041974ed", "collapsed": true, "data": { "blocks": { "309c5ef9-de09-4759-bc02-802370dfa366": { "@type": "accordionPanel", "blocks": { "e047340c-c02e-4247-89ab-5fec73aeb5d3": { "@type": "columnsBlock", "data": { "blocks": { "a8a2323e-32af-426e-9ede-1f17affd664c": { "blocks": { "fe145094-71e0-4b3d-82f3-e4d79ac13533": { "@type": "metadataSection", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fields": [ { "@id": "94d638f1-89e1-4f97-aa59-b89b565f60fb", "field": { "id": "taxonomy_typology", "title": "Typology", "widget": "choices" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "ec261e45-f97d-465c-b5a3-0e4aa5187114", "field": { "id": "taxonomy_un_sdgs", "title": "UN SDGs", "widget": "array" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "eaef9ff4-0f8d-4360-9d19-5c6a2fd2dd00", "field": { "id": "unit_of_measure", "title": "Unit of measure", "widget": "slate" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "089cd1a1-92d4-47e2-8f6e-4bdb358600fe", "field": { "id": "frequency_of_dissemination", "title": "Frequency of dissemination", "widget": "integer" }, "showLabel": true } ], "fixed": true, "fixedLayout": true, "readOnly": false, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "title": "Right column", "variation": "default" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "fe145094-71e0-4b3d-82f3-e4d79ac13533" ] }, "readOnlySettings": true }, "d9b41958-c17c-45f8-bae1-4140b537a033": { "blocks": { "2a56568a-10af-4a5b-8c73-22aa8cb734fe": { "@type": "metadataSection", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fields": [ { "@id": "48a20e0b-d3bd-41ac-aa06-e97c61071bd2", "field": { "id": "taxonomy_dpsir", "title": "DPSIR", "widget": "choices" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "34ceb93f-b405-4afd-aeae-a05abd44d355", "field": { "id": "topics", "title": "Topics", "widget": "array" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "fd2cdb9e-5ddd-4b46-8382-0d687ce2883e", "field": { "id": "subjects", "title": "Tags", "widget": "tags" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "0e842d87-c9f4-438e-b234-f83141d25ff3", "field": { "id": "temporal_coverage", "title": "Temporal coverage", "widget": "temporal" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "0b8ee8c2-046b-4243-9f11-116df6e0a524", "field": { "id": "geo_coverage", "title": "Geographic coverage", "widget": "geolocation" }, "showLabel": true } ], "fixed": true, "fixedLayout": true, "readOnly": false, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "title": "Left column", "variation": "default" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "2a56568a-10af-4a5b-8c73-22aa8cb734fe" ] }, "readOnlySettings": true } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "d9b41958-c17c-45f8-bae1-4140b537a033", "a8a2323e-32af-426e-9ede-1f17affd664c" ] } }, "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "fixedLayout": true, "gridCols": [ "halfWidth", "halfWidth" ], "gridSize": 12, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "readOnly": false, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "title": "Metadata" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "e047340c-c02e-4247-89ab-5fec73aeb5d3" ] }, "readOnlySettings": true, "title": "Metadata" }, "546a7c35-9188-4d23-94ee-005d97c26f2b": { "@type": "accordionPanel", "blocks": { "b5381428-5cae-4199-9ca8-b2e5fa4677d9": { "@type": "metadataSection", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fields": [ { "@id": "62c471fc-128f-4eff-98f9-9e83d9643fc7", "field": { "id": "data_description", "title": "Definition", "widget": "slate" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "ee67688d-3170-447a-a235-87b4e4ff0928", "field": { "id": "methodology", "title": "Methodology", "widget": "slate" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "b8a8f01c-0669-48e3-955d-d5d62da1b555", "field": { "id": "policy_relevance", "title": "Policy/environmental relevance", "widget": "slate" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "d71a80d1-0e65-46d9-8bd4-45aca22bc5dc", "field": { "id": "accuracy_and_reliability", "title": "Accuracy and uncertainties", "widget": "slate" }, "showLabel": true }, { "@id": "97ed11f5-4d31-4462-b3b0-2756a6880d31", "field": { "id": "data_provenance", "title": "Data sources and providers", "widget": "data_provenance" }, "showLabel": true } ], "fixed": true, "fixedLayout": true, "readOnly": false, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "title": "Supporting information", "variation": "default" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "b5381428-5cae-4199-9ca8-b2e5fa4677d9" ] }, "readOnlySettings": true, "title": "Supporting information" }, "ecdb3bcf-bbe9-4978-b5cf-0b136399d9f8": { "@type": "accordionPanel", "blocks": { "d9aa8ed3-1c8a-4134-a324-663489a04473": { "@type": "slateFootnotes", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "global": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "placeholder": "References and footnotes will appear here", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "d9aa8ed3-1c8a-4134-a324-663489a04473" ] }, "readOnlySettings": true, "selected": "b142c252-337d-4f6e-8ed2-ff4c43601e2f", "title": "References and footnotes" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "546a7c35-9188-4d23-94ee-005d97c26f2b", "309c5ef9-de09-4759-bc02-802370dfa366", "ecdb3bcf-bbe9-4978-b5cf-0b136399d9f8" ] } }, "disableInnerButtons": true, "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "fixedLayout": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "non_exclusive": false, "readOnly": false, "readOnlySettings": true, "readOnlyTitles": true, "required": true, "title": "Additional information", "title_size": "h3" }, "3b007dbf-4001-42f1-b6b3-300a03ea214c": { "@layout": "d060487d-88fc-4f7b-8ea4-003f14e0fb0c", "@type": "group", "allowedBlocks": [ "slate" ], "as": "section", "block": "3b007dbf-4001-42f1-b6b3-300a03ea214c", "data": { "blocks": { "02ba4a04-fcfe-4968-806f-1dac3119cfef": { "@type": "embed_content", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "url": "../../../../resolveuid/f684050d0297495aaa1256455085e446" }, "13a6e9b6-45e6-4d83-8d23-86c32743a82c": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "28ccff24-582e-47f8-9c7b-a9a82e3624fc": { "@type": "group", "className": "figure-metadata", "data": { "blocks": { "d5fa3cec-8bda-446b-b328-ba4835d6bfc7": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Figure 2. Terrestrial protected area coverage by country and in the EU-27 by the end of 2023", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Figure 2. Terrestrial protected area coverage by country and in the EU-27 by the end of 2023" } ], "type": "h3-light" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "d5fa3cec-8bda-446b-b328-ba4835d6bfc7" ] } }, "id": "figure-metadata-02ba4a04-fcfe-4968-806f-1dac3119cfef", "styles": {} }, "43df8fab-b278-4b0e-a62c-ce6b8e0a881e": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fitted": false, "fixed": true, "hidden": true, "readOnly": true, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "section": false, "short": true, "spacing": "m", "styles": {} }, "4a709f09-9e23-4406-b29a-d7fed021e63c": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Protected areas coverage in non-EU EEA member countries and cooperating countries varied hugely by the end of 2023. Many countries will need to increase their efforts to help reach the target for protected areas adopted as part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework .", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Protected areas coverage in non-EU EEA member countries and cooperating countries varied hugely by the end of 2023. Many countries will " }, { "children": [ { "text": "need to increase" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " their efforts to help reach the target for protected areas adopted as part of the\u00a0" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.cbd.int/gbf" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ". " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "7cce4ee4-6bc1-4b6c-a49b-0ddf209f50e3": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "In addition, Figure 2 shows the contribution of the Emerald network of sites, established under the Bern Convention , to protect species and habitats in those countries. ", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "In addition, Figure 2 shows the contribution of the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Emerald network" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention/documents1" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " of sites, established under the\u00a0" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Bern Convention" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention/presentation" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ", to protect species and habitats in those countries." }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "b" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "bcfd3997-dd42-430a-a2d4-f86b810a5f64": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "The environmental diversity of Europe\u2019s countries and biogeographical regions is matched by the diversity in its protected areas. By the end of 2023, nine Member States had designated more than 30% of their land area as protected: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The environmental diversity of Europe\u2019s countries and biogeographical regions is matched by the diversity in its protected areas. By the end of 2023, nine Member States had designated " }, { "children": [ { "text": "more than 30%" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " of their land area as protected: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "cad483d0-adcd-49d2-987e-db3ed74670c0": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "While Natura 2000 is the backbone of the protected areas network in the EU, it is complemented by additional areas designated at national level. The different patterns among Natura 2000 and other national designations reflect the diversity of historical, geographical, administrative, political and cultural circumstances and the management regime. However it is clear that the designation of Natura 2000 sites has significantly\u00a0increased protected areas in Europe .", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "While " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Natura 2000" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " is the backbone of the protected areas network in the EU, it is complemented by additional areas designated at national level. The different patterns among Natura 2000 and other national designations reflect the diversity of historical, geographical, administrative, political and cultural circumstances and the management regime. However it is clear that the designation of Natura 2000 sites has significantly\u00a0increased protected areas in Europe" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EEA, 2012. Protected areas in Europe: an overview, 2012, No 5/2012, Publications Office, Luxembourg.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "European Environment Agency, 2012, EEA, 2012. Protected areas in Europe: an, Luxembourg", "uid": "Jg_wn", "zoteroId": "ZTG5VDTZ" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": "." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "d3d49723-14e5-4663-b346-37ee3572f28d": { "@type": "slate", "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "plaintext": "", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "28ccff24-582e-47f8-9c7b-a9a82e3624fc", "02ba4a04-fcfe-4968-806f-1dac3119cfef", "43df8fab-b278-4b0e-a62c-ce6b8e0a881e", "13a6e9b6-45e6-4d83-8d23-86c32743a82c", "bcfd3997-dd42-430a-a2d4-f86b810a5f64", "cad483d0-adcd-49d2-987e-db3ed74670c0", "4a709f09-9e23-4406-b29a-d7fed021e63c", "7cce4ee4-6bc1-4b6c-a49b-0ddf209f50e3" ] } }, "disableInnerButtons": true, "disableNewBlocks": false, "fixed": true, "ignoreSpaces": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<ol keys=\"9bbul,b1sa2,171og,1c1t5\" depth=\"0\"><li>Depending on the indicator context, this text can provide information at country level or, if this is not relevant, at some other level, e.g. sectoral, regional level.</li><li>This text interprets the data represented in the chart, rather than describing results, i.e. it provides explanations for some of the results.</li><li>The text related to progress at this level does not have to be comprehensive.</li><li>If there is no information that adds value to what is already visible there is no need to have any text.</li></ol>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "maxChars": "1000", "placeholder": "Disaggregate level assessment e.g. country, sectoral, regional level assessment", "readOnly": false, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "title": "Disaggregate level assessment" }, "40407ea0-513b-48d8-b7ff-170a5f2c1ff9": { "@layout": "794c9b24-5cd4-4b9f-a0cd-b796aadc86e8", "@type": "group", "allowedBlocks": [], "as": "section", "block": "40407ea0-513b-48d8-b7ff-170a5f2c1ff9", "data": { "blocks": { "12d8c532-f7ad-43fe-ada7-330b2d7a7a39": { "@type": "slate", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "plaintext": "Published: date \u2012 25min read", "readOnly": true, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Published: " }, { "children": [ { "text": "date" } ], "data": { "id": "effective", "widget": "datetime" }, "type": "mention" }, { "text": " \u2012 25min read" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "1c31c956-5086-476a-8694-9936cfa6c240": { "@type": "description", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p>The summary tells the reader about the indicator trend over the examined period and whether or not it helps to achieve the associated policy objective, which can be either quantitative or directional.</p><p>In the absence of a policy objective, it explains whether the trend is in the right or wrong direction in relation to the issue examined.</p><p>If there has been an important change over the most recent period of the time series, e.g. over the last year, this is indicated too.</p><p>Furthermore, if there is a quantitative target, it also indicates whether we are on track to meet it and if not what are the reasons preventing that, e.g. socio-economic drivers, implementation gap etc.</p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "placeholder": "Summary", "plaintext": "\nBy the end of 2023, protected areas covered 26.4% of European Union land, with 18.6% of EU land designated as Natura 2000 sites and 7.8% under other complementary national designations. The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 sets out a target of protecting at least 30% of EU land by 2030, while ensuring that all protected areas are managed effectively. The area reported as protected has steadily increased since 2011, by 1.8 percentage points, yet the pace of designation needs to more than double for the EU to meet the 30% target. ", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "By the end of 2023, protected areas covered 26.4% of European Union land, with 18.6% of EU land designated as Natura 2000 sites and 7.8% under other complementary national designations. The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 sets out a target of protecting at least 30% of EU land by 2030, while ensuring that all protected areas are managed effectively. The area reported as protected has steadily increased since 2011, by 1.8 percentage points, yet the pace of designation needs to more than double for the EU to meet the 30% target." }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "b" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "3cccc2bb-471a-44c7-b006-5595c4713ff2": { "@type": "layoutSettings", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "layout_size": "narrow_view", "readOnly": true, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true }, "ddde07aa-4e48-4475-94bd-e1a517d26eab": { "copyrightIcon": "ri-copyright-line", "styles": {}, "variation": "default", "@type": "title", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "hideContentType": true, "hideCreationDate": true, "hideDownloadButton": true, "hideModificationDate": true, "placeholder": "Indicator title", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "ddde07aa-4e48-4475-94bd-e1a517d26eab", "1c31c956-5086-476a-8694-9936cfa6c240", "3cccc2bb-471a-44c7-b006-5595c4713ff2" ] } }, "disableInnerButtons": true, "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "fixedLayout": true, "ignoreSpaces": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p>The summary tells the reader about the indicator trend over the examined period and whether or not it helps to achieve the associated policy objective, which can be either quantitative or directional.</p><p>In the absence of a policy objective, it explains whether the trend is in the right or wrong direction in relation to the issue examined.</p><p>If there has been an important change over the most recent period of the time series, e.g. over the last year, this is indicated too.</p><p>Furthermore, if there is a quantitative target, it also indicates whether we are on track to meet it and if not what are the reasons preventing that, e.g. socio-economic drivers, implementation gap etc.</p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "maxChars": "500", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "styles": { "style_name": "environment-theme-bg" }, "title": "Content header" }, "677f7422-6da4-4c86-bca8-de732b7047b9": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "hidden": true, "readOnly": true, "required": true, "section": false, "spacing": "m", "styles": {} }, "9cf1875c-fff7-417a-8106-3d3ae2bac8a9": { "@layout": "1bc4379d-cddb-4120-84ad-5ab025533b12", "@type": "group", "allowedBlocks": [ "slate" ], "as": "section", "block": "9cf1875c-fff7-417a-8106-3d3ae2bac8a9", "data": { "blocks": { "069639cf-b8e9-4802-9b1d-e008477a9278": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "While the area reported as protected has steadily increased since 2011 (by 1.8 percentage points), it remains uncertain whether the EU will meet its 30% target . For this to occur, an additional 3.6% of the EU's land area would need to be protected, an area larger than the size of Greece.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "While the area reported as protected has steadily increased since 2011 (by 1.8 percentage points), it remains uncertain whether the EU will meet its " }, { "children": [ { "text": "30% target" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": ". For this to occur, an additional 3.6% of the EU's land area would need to be protected, an area larger than the size of Greece." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "3c47d1a1-546c-432b-8025-1a9b8b1c8161": { "@type": "group", "className": "figure-metadata", "data": { "blocks": { "fc605341-e293-437b-a16c-2bb21c21d213": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Figure 1. Coverage of protected areas in the EU-27 land area in 2011-2023", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Figure 1. Coverage of protected areas in the EU-27 land area in 2011-2023" } ], "type": "h3-light" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "fc605341-e293-437b-a16c-2bb21c21d213" ] } }, "id": "figure-metadata-b0279dde-1ceb-4137-a7f1-5ab7b46a782c", "styles": {} }, "3da44fac-96ff-4c2c-8bc8-cd152841a819": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "The designation of protected areas is not a guarantee of biodiversity protection, as their management is a decisive factor in achieving conservation aims. However, there is a lack of comprehensive information on how effectively these areas are managed. A spatially robust, well-connected and effectively managed network of protected areas is a pre-condition to prevent species and habitats being lost. This requires building a network of protected areas that ensures both ecological coherence and connectivity within countries and across borders. To achieve this, Member States would need to establish appropriate conservation objectives and measures for all existing and future sites and ensure their consistent monitoring.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The designation of protected areas is not a guarantee of biodiversity protection, as their management is a decisive factor in achieving conservation aims. However, there is a lack of comprehensive information on how effectively these areas are managed. A spatially robust, well-connected and effectively managed " }, { "children": [ { "text": "network of protected areas" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": "\u00a0is a pre-condition to prevent species and habitats being lost. This requires building a network of protected areas that ensures both ecological coherence and connectivity within countries and across borders. To achieve this, Member States would need to establish appropriate conservation objectives and measures for all existing and future sites and ensure their consistent monitoring." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "43df8fab-b278-4b0e-a62c-ce6b8e0a881d": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fitted": false, "fixed": true, "hidden": true, "readOnly": true, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "section": false, "short": true, "spacing": "m", "styles": {} }, "756c8885-b30f-45e5-965b-77913c16fcfe": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Protected areas benefit species, ecosystems, and the environment. They provide significant economic and societal benefits , including employment opportunities , contribute to human health and well-being, and have significant cultural value . Historically, protected areas have taken many forms and have been established for different purposes, such as protecting wild game resources, preserving landscape natural beauty and, more recently, safeguarding biodiversity.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Protected areas benefit species, ecosystems, and the environment. They provide significant " }, { "children": [ { "text": "economic and societal benefits" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": ", including employment opportunities" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">Mutafoglu K., ten Brink, P., Schweitzer J-P., Underwood E., Tucker G., Russi D., Howe M., Mar&#xE9;chal A., Olmeda C., Pantzar M., Gionfra, S. and Kettunen M., 2017, <i>Natura 2000 and Jobs: Scoping Study</i>, IEEP, Brussels.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "Mutafoglu K., ten Brink, P., Schweitzer J-P., Underwood E., Tucker G., Russi D., Howe M., Mar\u00e9chal A., Olmeda C., Pantzar M., Gionfra, S. and Kettunen M., 2017, Natura 2000 and Jobs: Scoping Study, Brussels", "uid": "zzopn", "zoteroId": "ITLHYZ2S" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ", contribute to human health and well-being, and have significant cultural value" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">European Commission: Directorate-General for Environment and Sundseth, K., 2019, <i>Natural and cultural heritage in Europe &#x2013; Working together within the Natura 2000 network</i>,</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "European Commission: Directorate-General for Environment and Sundseth, K., 2019, Natural and cultural heritage in Europe ", "uid": "L_79E", "zoteroId": "TMCHIPFC" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ". Historically, protected areas have taken many forms and have been established for different purposes, such as protecting wild game resources, preserving landscape natural beauty and, more recently, safeguarding biodiversity." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "ae975b72-8d00-4e09-83f7-8c588c1cc04f": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "The EU's protected areas are highly diverse, varying in size, aim, and management approach . They are large in number \u2013 over 100,000 sites in total \u2013 but mostly small in size, with an overall protected surface of 1,090 million km 2 . This reflects the high pressure on land use, arising from agricultural intensification, transport and urban development.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The EU's protected areas are highly diverse, varying in size, aim, and management approach" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">Dudley, N., Shadie, P. and Stolton, S., 2013, <i>Guidelines for applying protected area management categories including IUCN WCPA best practice guidance on recognising protected areas and assigning management categories and governance types</i>, IUCN, Gland.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "Dudley, Nigel, 2013, Guidelines for applying protected area m, Gland", "uid": "Lu9-d", "zoteroId": "WPCT8XNI" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ". They are large in number \u2013 over 100,000 sites in total \u2013 but mostly small in size, with an overall protected surface of 1,090 million km" }, { "children": [ { "text": "2" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": ". This reflects the high " }, { "children": [ { "text": "pressure" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " on land use, arising from agricultural intensification, transport and urban development." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "b0279dde-1ceb-4137-a7f1-5ab7b46a782c": { "@type": "embed_content", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p>figure instructions goes here</p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "url": "../../../../resolveuid/5ff91f40c72d4a98a9697490d0886818" }, "dc561faf-bc8a-46bc-bbea-9745be99af46": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "The designation of protected areas is important to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. One target of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 is to legally protect and effectively manage a minimum of 30% of EU land by 2030. The CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework also includes a similar coverage target. Based on Member States reports, 26.4% of EU land was protected by the end of 2023, with 18.6% of EU land designated as Natura 2000 sites \u2013 areas protected under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives \u2013 and 7.8% as other complementary national designations.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The designation of protected areas is important " }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": "to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. One target of the\u00a0" }, { "children": [ { "text": "EU biodiversity strategy for 2030" } ], "data": { "url": "https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " is to legally protect and effectively manage a minimum of 30% of EU land by 2030. The CBD " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework " } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.cbd.int/gbf" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "also includes a similar coverage target. Based on Member States reports, 26.4% of EU land was " }, { "children": [ { "text": "protected" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " by the end of 2023, with 18.6% of EU land designated as\u00a0" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Natura 2000 sites" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/dashboards/natura-2000-barometer" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "\u00a0\u2013 areas protected under the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "EU Birds and Habitats Directives" } ], "data": { "url": "https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/7230759d-f136-44ae-9715-1eacc26a11af" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " \u2013 and 7.8% as other complementary national designations." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "deb7e84d-d2c8-4491-90fa-3dc65fe02143": { "@type": "slate", "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "plaintext": "", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "3c47d1a1-546c-432b-8025-1a9b8b1c8161", "b0279dde-1ceb-4137-a7f1-5ab7b46a782c", "43df8fab-b278-4b0e-a62c-ce6b8e0a881d", "756c8885-b30f-45e5-965b-77913c16fcfe", "ae975b72-8d00-4e09-83f7-8c588c1cc04f", "dc561faf-bc8a-46bc-bbea-9745be99af46", "069639cf-b8e9-4802-9b1d-e008477a9278", "3da44fac-96ff-4c2c-8bc8-cd152841a819" ] } }, "disableInnerButtons": true, "disableNewBlocks": false, "fixed": true, "ignoreSpaces": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><strong>Assessment text remains at</strong> <strong>the relevant</strong> <strong>aggregate level</strong> <strong>(i.e.</strong> <strong>global, EU, sectoral)</strong> <strong>and addresses the following: </strong></p><ol keys=\"dkvn8,e367c,f4lpb,9j981,7ai6k,3g3pd\" depth=\"0\"><li>Explains in one or two sentences on the environmental rationale of the indicator, i.e. why it matters to the environment that we see an increase/decrease in the value measured.</li><li>Explains in one or two sentences the associated policy objective, which can be either quantitative or directional. More information on the policy objective and related references will be included in the supporting information section. Where there is no policy objective associated with the indicator, i.e. where the indicator addresses an issue that is important for future policy formulation, this text should explain instead why this issue is important.</li><li>IF NECESSARY - Explains any mismatch between what the indicator tracks and what the policy objective/issue is.</li><li>Qualifies the historical trend (e.g. steady increase) and explains the key reasons (e.g. policies) behind it. If there is a quantitative target it explains if we are on track to meet it.</li><li>IF NECESSARY - Explains any recent changes to the trend and why.</li><li>IF NECESSARY - Describes what needs to happen to see adequate progress in future, for instance in order to remain on track to meet targets.</li></ol><p><strong>Please cite your work if</strong> <strong>necessary</strong> <strong>using the EEA citation style (i.e.</strong> <strong>EEA, 2020). A full reference list appears in the supporting information section.</strong></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "maxChars": "2000", "placeholder": "Aggregate level assessment e.g. progress at global, EU level..", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "title": "Aggregate level assessment" }, "e9736b7c-4902-48aa-aecd-b706409a576d": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "hidden": true, "readOnly": true, "required": true, "section": false, "spacing": "m", "styles": {} } }
Blocks Layout { "items": [ "40407ea0-513b-48d8-b7ff-170a5f2c1ff9", "9cf1875c-fff7-417a-8106-3d3ae2bac8a9", "3b007dbf-4001-42f1-b6b3-300a03ea214c", "39b64f47-dd89-40f1-b2e5-7e31041974ed" ] }
Supporting information
Methodology [ { "children": [ { "text": "The data for the nationally designated protected areas inventory are delivered by the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Eionet partnership countries" } ], "data": { "url": "../../../../resolveuid/68518a58c620439ca665e2f175776321" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " as spatial and tabular information. The inventory began in 1995 under the CORINE programme of the European Commission. " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The Natura 2000 network is based on the " }, { "type": "link", "data": { "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1979/409/oj/eng" }, "children": [ { "text": "1979 Birds Directive" } ] }, { "text": " and the " }, { "type": "link", "data": { "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/oj/eng" }, "children": [ { "text": "1992 Habitats Directive" } ] }, { "text": ". The European database of Natura 2000 sites consists of a compilation of the data submitted by the Member States of the European Union. This European database is generally updated once a year to take into account any updating of national databases by Member States. However, the release of a new EU-wide database does not necessarily mean that a particular national dataset has recently been updated. " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Emerald network" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention/documents1" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " is an ecological network made up of Areas of Special Conservation Interest. The objective of the Emerald Network is the long-term survival of the species and habitats. The Emerald Network consists of the Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCI) designated under Recommendation No. 16 (1989) and Resolution No. 3 (1996) of the Standing Committee to the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Bern Convention" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention/presentation" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ". The " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Emerald Network aggregated database" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/datahub/datahubitem-view/4c4c8086-c940-400b-9064-29063143b2de" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " is updated annually. " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The 'other national designations' category includes a variety of designation types with different protection regimes and regulations. EEA collects information on nationally designated areas from 38 EEA member countries. This information is " }, { "children": [ { "text": "updated annually" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/datahub/datahubitem-view/f60cec02-6494-4d08-b12d-17a37012cb28" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " and provides an overview of the number of nationally designated areas in each country, their size and designation type. " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The same geographical area may be designated several times under different legislation. When producing area statistics on protected areas, nationally designated protected areas and Natura 2000 datasets are overlayed to avoid double counting of overlapping site designations in the datasets. The Reporting guidelines with full details on the methodology are available from: " }, { "children": [ { "text": "http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/help/cdda" } ], "data": { "url": "http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/help/cdda" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " and " }, { "children": [ { "text": "https://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/help/natura2000/." } ], "data": { "url": "https://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/help/natura2000/" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ]
Data sources and providers { "readOnly": true, "data": [ { "@id": "01a52b78-fc29-4e33-8666-9cd8d12fcc36", "link": "https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/datahub/datahubitem-view/f60cec02-6494-4d08-b12d-17a37012cb28?activeAccordion=%2C1086849%2C1092248", "organisation": "European Environment Agency (EEA)", "title": "Nationally designated areas for public access (vector data) - May 2024" }, { "@id": "80a73335-629b-47fc-a525-37add0d6388e", "link": "https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/datahub/datahubitem-view/6fc8ad2d-195d-40f4-bdec-576e7d1268e4?activeAccordion=1091667%2C1095296", "organisation": "European Environment Agency (EEA)", "title": "Natura 2000 (vector) - version end 2023" }, { "@id": "b9bbc8f2-f4c9-416f-9952-deae158643dc", "link": "https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/datahub/datahubitem-view/4c4c8086-c940-400b-9064-29063143b2de?activeAccordion=1090361%2C1096345", "organisation": "European Environment Agency (EEA)", "title": "Emerald Network data (vector) - the Pan-European network of protected sites version 2024" }, { "@id": "2853fa8a-c508-469e-a1d2-79937fb470d5", "link": "https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/datahub/datahubitem-view/4a221224-6280-431b-9324-25c7ef9ff30e?activeAccordion=1083760", "organisation": "EuroGeographics", "title": "EuroBoundaryMap 2020 (EBM 2020), Jan. 2020" } ] }
Definition [ { "children": [ { "text": "The indicator illustrates the changes in the share of terrestrial protected areas in the EU-27 land over time. It also distinguishes between protected areas designated as Natura 2000 sites or Emerald sites and other national designations." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">Dudley, N., Shadie, P. and Stolton, S., 2013, <i>Guidelines for applying protected area management categories including IUCN WCPA best practice guidance on recognising protected areas and assigning management categories and governance types</i>, IUCN, Gland.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "Dudley, Nigel, 2013, Guidelines for applying protected area m, Gland", "uid": "H9Aa9", "zoteroId": "WPCT8XNI" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ". " } ], "type": "p" } ]
Unit of measure [ { "children": [ { "text": "Percentage" } ], "type": "p" } ]
Policy / environmental relevance [ { "children": [ { "text": "The indicator is a headline indicator for monitoring progress towards the 8" }, { "children": [ { "text": "th" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": " Environment Action Programme (8" }, { "children": [ { "text": "th" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": " EAP)" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EU, 2022, Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6&#xA0;April 2022 on a general Union environment action programme to 2030, OJ L 114, 12.4.2022, p. 22-36.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EU, Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6\u00a0April 2022 on a general Union environment action programme to 2030", "uid": "Dnptx", "zoteroId": "YZ7GN8RW" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ". It contributes mainly to the monitoring of the 8" }, { "children": [ { "text": "th" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": " EAP biodiversity-related priority objective Article 2.e that shall be met by 2030: \u2018protecting, preserving and restoring marine and terrestrial biodiversity and the biodiversity of inland waters inside and outside protected areas by, inter alia, halting and reversing biodiversity loss and improving the state of ecosystems and their functions and the services they provide, and by improving the state of the environment, in particular air, water and soil, as well as by combating desertification and soil degradation\u2019. The European Commission Communication on the 8" }, { "children": [ { "text": "th" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": " EAP monitoring framework specifies that this indicator should monitor progress towards the target to \u2018legally protect at least 30% of the EU\u2019s land area \u2026 by 2030\u2019. " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The establishment of protected areas is a direct response to concerns over biodiversity loss. Accordingly, an indicator that measures protected area coverage is a valuable indication of commitment to conserving biodiversity." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Comprehensive data on officially designated protected areas are regularly compiled and there is international acceptance of the use of the indicator at the global, regional and national scales." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 contains specific commitments and actions to be delivered by 2030, including establishing a larger EU-wide network of protected areas on land and at sea, building upon existing Natura 2000 areas, with strict protection for areas of very high biodiversity value." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The key commitments for nature protection in the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 are:" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\"1. Legally protect a minimum of 30% of the EU\u2019s land area and 30% of the EU\u2019s sea area and integrate ecological corridors, as part of a true Trans-European Nature Network." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "2. Strictly protect at least a third of the EU\u2019s protected areas, including all remaining EU primary and old-growth forests." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "3. Effectively manage all protected areas, defining clear conservation objectives and measures, and monitoring them appropriately.\"" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Terrestrial protected areas are used in the\u00a0" }, { "children": [ { "text": "EU biodiversity dashboard" } ], "data": { "url": "https://dopa.jrc.ec.europa.eu/kcbd/EUBDS2030-dashboard/?version=1" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "\u00a0to monitor progress towards the\u00a0EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030\u00a0\u00a0and as an EU indicator to monitor progress towards the\u00a0" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Sustainable Development Goal 15: \u201cLife on land\u201d" } ], "data": { "url": "https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-flagship-publications/w/KS-05-24-071" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ". " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "At the global level, new targets for protected areas have been adopted as part of the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">CBD, 2022, 'COP 15: final text of Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework', <i>Convention on Biological Diversity</i> (https://www.cbd.int/article/cop15-final-text-kunming-montreal-gbf-221222) accessed June 28, 2023.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "CBD, 2022, COP 15: final text of Kunming-Montreal g", "uid": "OujTI", "zoteroId": "N6WA2YP2" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": "" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.cbd.int/gbf" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": ", including " }, { "children": [ { "text": "Target 3" } ], "data": { "url": "https://www.cbd.int/gbf/targets/3" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of the world\u2019s terrestrial areas. " } ], "type": "p" } ]
Frequency of dissemination 1
Accuracy and uncertainties [ { "children": [ { "text": "No uncertainty has been specified." } ], "type": "p" } ]
Settings
Short name terrestrial-protected-areas-in-europe
Versioning enabled yes
Contents
Coverage of protected areas in the EU-27 land area in 2011-2023

The figure illustrates the changes in the share of terrestrial protected areas (Natura 2000 and other national designations) in the EU-27 land over time. It tracks progress towards the target of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 to legally protect and effectively manage a minimum of 30% of EU land by 2030.