What progress has been made in setting up Natura 2000 sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives?

Key messages

(09 Jun 2020)

Since the adoption of the Habitats Directive in 1992 and the creation of the Natura 2000 network, the cumulative area of the network has steadily increased in EU Member States. In 2019, the network covered an area of 1 358 125 km², encompassing nine biogeographical regions.

The coverage of terrestrial Natura 2000 areas was 784 994 km² in 2019, which is 18 % of the EU’s land area. This is more than the global biodiversity target for protected areas, which aims to conserve at least 17 % of terrestrial and inland water areas by 2020 (Aichi Target 11).

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