luontodirektiiveihin

Luontodirektiiveihin, or Nature Directives in English, refers to a set of European Union legislation designed to protect biodiversity and natural habitats across member states. The two primary directives are the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) and the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC, which codified the original 1979 directive).

The Habitats Directive aims to conserve natural habitats and wild fauna and flora. It identifies and designates Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for a list of priority habitats and species. These areas, together with the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated under the Birds Directive, form the Natura 2000 network, the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world.

The Birds Directive focuses on the conservation of all wild bird species naturally occurring in the European territory of the Member States. It requires member states to protect bird habitats, particularly through the designation of SPAs, and to take measures to ensure the long-term survival of bird populations, including managing hunting and preventing pollution.

These directives establish legal frameworks for member states to implement conservation measures, including land-use planning, environmental impact assessments, and species protection plans. Their overarching goal is to halt the loss of biodiversity and ensure that natural habitats and species are maintained in a favorable conservation status across the EU.