1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Joseph Bech building
5, Rue Alphonse Weicker
L-2721 Luxembourg
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
3 May 20242.2. Metadata last posted
30 April 20252.3. Metadata last update
30 April 2025The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 15 on protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of land which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under 'Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature'.
SDG 15 seeks to protect, restore and promote the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, inland-water and mountain ecosystems. This includes efforts to sustainably manage forests and halt deforestation, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, halt biodiversity loss and protect threatened species.
The indicator can be considered as similar to the global SDG indicators 15.1.2 "Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type" and 15.4.1 "Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity".
The EU Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive aim to maintain or restore a favourable conservation status of protected habitats and species, and safeguard their sustainable use and management. The Birds Directive protects all wild bird species and their habitats. The Habitats Directive protects more than 1 300 other rare, threatened or endemic species of wild animals and plants and 233 natural habitat types. In addition, Natura 2000 network of protected areas comprises sites designated under the Birds and Habitats Directives by EU Member States.
The EU biodiversity strategy aims to protect at least 30% of land and sea in Europe including both nationally designated sites and Natura 2000 sites.
4.1. Data description
This indicator measures the extent and share of terrestrial protected areas, comprising nationally designated protected areas and Natura 2000 sites. A nationally designated area is an area protected by national legislation.
The Natura 2000 sites are designated to safeguard Europe's species and habitats, listed under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.
4.2. Unit of measure
km2 and terrestrial protected area (%)
4.3. Reference Period
Calender year
4.4. Accuracy - overall
Data provided by the Member States to the Commission are consolidated at least yearly by the European Environment Agency.
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
European Environment Agency (EEA)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: European Environment Agency (EEA), European Commission - Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV) (ENV_BIO4)
Data provider: European Environment Agency (EEA)
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated annually.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+2 years5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within two year after the end of the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States for 2021. Data for France (FR) refer to metropolitan France. Before 2020 only EU27 aggregate.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series starts in 2011, EU aggregate starts in 2011.
Data per Member State before 2021 not available.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is > 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table sdg_15_20
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
