Natura 2000 is another piece of the EU’s framework for biodiversity protection. Following the EU pledges at the Rio Summit of 1992, Natura 2000 was created to preserve Europe’s land and marine landscapes and restore ecosystems. In synergy with the EU’s Habitats and Birds Directives, this network of protected areas supports the first target of the EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, namely to improve the conservation status of species and habitats. Natura 2000 now represents approximately 27,000 protected sites across the EU, making it the largest network globally.
