Biodiversity in decline: one million species at risk, the EU at a crossroads

A representative system of legally protected areas has in fact been established across the EU: the Natura 2000 network. It is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world, comprising a total of 27,000 natural sites protected by EU law. These sites cover an area equivalent to that of Spain and Italia combined.

The new European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 has set out specific targets for the expansion of these protected areas and those designated at national level. In particular, Member States are required to designate at least 30 per cent of the land and marine areas under their jurisdiction as protected areas by the end of the decade.

At the end of 2022 (latest available data), terrestrial protected areas covered 26% of the European Union’s territory, with 18.6% of the EU’s territory designated as a Natura 2000 site and 7.5% under other complementary national designations.

The trend over the last decade has been positive, albeit not particularly encouraging, especially in recent years: +1.8 percentage points since 2011. According to the European Environment Agency, there is currently no certainty that the EU will meet its 30 per cent target, unless the rate at which protected areas are designated doubles by 2030.

Nine Member States have already met the target, with a higher concentration in Eastern Europe. By contrast, in five countries, mostly in Northern Europe, coverage is still below 15 per cent.

Even less encouraging are the figures for marine protected areas, which account for just 12 per cent of EU waters. Although this proportion has doubled over the last decade, it currently seems unlikely that the 30 per cent target will be met.

Italia is also among the ten Member States furthest from meeting the target. In 2023, the European Commission launched infringement proceedings (INFR(2023)2181) against Italy for failing to comply with the Habitats Directive, specifically for failing to adopt adequate measures to prevent the incidental capture of protected marine species, such as cetaceans and turtles, within Natura 2000 sites.

In conclusion, the biodiversity crisis is not a distant or abstract problem: it affects our health, our economy and our very survival. European policies provide a solid regulatory framework, but their effectiveness depends on political will and the active involvement of civil society.