Habitatsdirektivet

The Habitats Directive, officially known as Directive 92/43/EEC, is a European Union (EU) law aimed at the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora. It was adopted in 1992 and entered into force in 1997. The directive is part of the EU's broader environmental policy, which includes the Birds Directive and the Water Framework Directive.

The Habitats Directive establishes a framework for the protection of habitats and species throughout the EU. It requires member states to designate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for habitats and species respectively. These areas are identified based on their ecological value and the need for their conservation.

The directive also sets out a series of measures to protect these areas, including the creation of a network of protected areas, the restoration of degraded habitats, and the management of human activities that may impact these areas. Member states are required to prepare and implement Habitats Action Plans, which outline the specific measures needed to achieve the conservation objectives.

The Habitats Directive is implemented through national legislation in each member state. The European Commission plays a key role in monitoring the implementation of the directive and providing guidance to member states. The directive is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in protecting Europe's biodiversity.