The Goals of Natura 2000 as a European Construct

Natura 2000 objectives as a European initiative need to be understood from an international perspective. All implementation tools – including the Birds Directive, the Habitats Directive, the newly established 'Nature Restoration Law,' and the recently enacted Biodiversity Strategy 2030 (published on 20.05.2020) – operate within the legal frameworks of the 27 EU member states. For instance, the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 aims to reverse the decline of biodiversity in Europe within the next decade. A key tool in this effort is the 'Nature Restoration Law' (NRL), which requires the restoration of 30% of FFH (Flora-Fauna-Habitat) sites to be in favorable conditions by 2030. As part of the 'European Green Deal,' the NRL has sparked intense political debates among EU member states and various interest groups involved in decision-making and implementation processes, due to its extensive regulatory implications (cf. Hering et al. 2023, Stuchtey 2023, guest commentary 15.06. in Stern).

In addition to the "hard" regulatory tools such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, the EU frequently employs the principle of subsidiarity in the implementation of Natura 2000. This principle allows for flexibility in execution, taking into account the diverse administrative structures and natural conditions of each member state. As a result, the implementation of Natura 2000's objectives can differ significantly across regions. The European Commission and related bodies receive support from expert institutions like the European Environment Agency (EEA). The EEA, particularly through its "European Topic Center on Biodiversity & Ecosystems," plays a crucial role in providing guidance on Natura 2000 and the Biodiversity Strategy 2030. This center comprises 24 advisory research institutions from member states, including the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Germany. 

Despite variations in administrative execution, integrated projects under the EU's Life+ program serve as the most coordinated and substantial source of funding for species conservation and protected area management throughout Europe. These projects are often supported by national funding sources, including Germany's Research and Development (R&D) and Experimental and Development Projects (E&D).

Quellen

Hering, D., Schürings, C., Wenskus, F., Blackstock, K., Borja, A., Birk, S., Bullock, C., Carvalho, L., Bou Dagher-Kharrat, M., Lakner, S., Lovrić, N., McGuinness, S., Nabuurs, G.-J., Sánchez-Arcilla, A., Settele, J., Pe’er, G. (2023): Securing success for the Nature Restoration Laws. The EU law would complement many others, but challenges loom. Science 382: 1248 – 1250. DOI: 10.1126/science.adk1658.
 
Stuchtey, M.R.S (2023): Konservative blockieren EU Umweltpläne – doch machen dabei einen gewaltigen Denkfehler. Gastkommentar zum Green Deal, STERN, 15.06.23.