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Environment

Nature and biodiversity

The EU protects nature through the biodiversity strategy for 2030 and rules such as the Birds and Habitats Directives. The EU has also built Natura 2000, which is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world.

Overview

In the EU

81%
of habitats are in poor status
18% of land
is part of a Natura 2000 protected area
30 % of land and sea
to be protected by 2030 (EU target)

Objectives

The EU's biodiversity strategy for 2030 is a comprehensive, ambitious and long-term plan to put nature on a path to recovery by 2030, by protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ecosystems.

Specific policies

Biodiversity in the EU

Nature restoration

The Commission's proposal for a new law to restore ecosystems, habitats and species.

Invasive alien species

Preventing and minimising the effects on invasive alien species on Europe’s biodiversity.

Pollinators

Contributing to global conservation efforts and addressing the decline of wild pollinators.

Animals in zoos

Promoting the protection and conservation of wild animals outside their natural habitat.

Global biodiversity

International agreement

Protecting and restoring biodiversity worldwide through the Kunming-Montreal Agreement agreed at COP15.

Natural capital accounting

A tool to measure the changes in the stock and condition of natural capital (i.e. ecosystems) into accounting and reporting systems.

Tools

Pollinator Park

Discover what our world would look like without pollinating insects with this virtual-reality experience.

Business@Biodiversity

A unique forum for dialogue and policy interface to discuss the links between business and biodiversity at EU level.

EU Large carnivores Platform

The EU Platform brings together a range of stakeholders to effectively address conflicts related to large carnivore conservation and management.

The European Red List of Threatened Species

The European Red List identifies species that are threatened with extinction at the European level so that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status.