Designated terrestrial protected areas

The purpose of the EU biodiversity strategy is to ensure the protection and conservation of at least 30% of the EU’s land and sea by 2030. Another key commitment is to effectively manage all protected areas, defining clear conservation objectives and measures, . In this respect, Malta’s 2030 national biodiversity strategy and action plan mirrors these targets at the national level, while also calling .

Across the Maltese islands, over 29% of the terrestrial area is protected by one or more designations. This includes 13.8% of the land area, which forms part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. Furthermore, has been .

Protecting Malta’s biodiversity is a significant challenge, as Malta has a very small land mass and the . Dunes, grassland and freshwater habitats . Other challenges that are common at the global level include development and construction, alien and problematic species, .